Flybe / July 2019

51 / 116

JULY 2019 / Flight Time / 51
Take a Break
he Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
as it is officially known, is the
world’s only remaining grand
duchy. Bordered by Germany,
France and Belgium, Luxembourg is one
of the smallest countries in Europe and the
influences of its neighbours are evident in its
languages and culture, while at the same time
retaining its own identity, too.
The country is split into two main areas:
Oesling, the northernmost third, which
forms part of the Ardennes and is made up
of hills and low mountains; and Gutland,
the lower two thirds of the country, which
is more densely populated and includes the
capital, Luxembourg City.
The ancient capital has a wonderful
setting, encircled by the river Alzette and its
tributary, the Pétrusse. Luxembourg City is
a Unesco World Heritage site, thanks to its
battlements – a reminder of its geographical
position and attempts to prevent invasion.
The Old Town sits on a steep cliff, and the
city spills into the river valley, and over the
surrounding hills. You can take an enjoyable
walk along the battlements, although even
in the centre of Luxembourg you will be
surrounded by woodland.
T
Just grand
LUXEMBOURG’S ENCHANTING CAPITAL CITY OFFERS
AN EXCITING FUSION OF LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
AND THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE HISTORIC BATTLEMENTS,
FINE FOOD AND FASCINATING MUSEUMS
Getting around is relatively easy – the city
is compact compared to other capitals and has
excellent buses. The national tourist office
, at the train station, sells one-,
two- or three-day Luxembourg Cards that
give you free public transport, plus free or
reduced admission to attractions. You can also
buy this pass at the city tourist office on Place
Guillaume II .
If you fancy a tour
around the city, from
the end of March to
November, the Hop-On
Hop-Off bus departs
from the Place de la
Constitution every 20
minutes, with audio
commentary in eight
languages, including English. You can buy
tickets from the booth on the Place de la
Constitution, from the tourist office, from the
driver, at many of the big hotels, or buy them
online .
The city centre has much more to it than
being a financial centre. The country’s rich,
and often war-torn, history can be explored
in the National Museum of History and Art
and at The National Museum of Military
History in Diekirch, which is popular for its
representations of the Battle of the Bulge.
Also well worth a visit is the Luxembourg
City History Museum at 14, rue du St-Esprit.
Here you can take in fantastic views from
the terrace, reached by a glass lift. And don’t
miss the treasures in the Grand Duke Jean
Museum of Modern Art – better known as
MUDAM – all housed
in an impressive,
assymetric building
designed by architect
I.M. Pei.
Get some fresh air
in Luxembourg’s city
centre at the Edouard
André Municipal
Park, a beautiful green
space right in the heart of things on the
old fortified grounds. The park features
a pirate ship, plus ornamental ponds, the
Villa Louvigny, former home of Radio
Luxembourg, and plenty of space for a
peaceful stroll or lazy afternoon.
You’re sure to be understood in
Luxembourg, whichever language you
speak, as Luxembourg’s education system is
trilingual: the first years of primary school
“Luxembourg City is a
UnescoWorld Heritage
site, thanks to its
battlements – a reminder
of its geographical
position and attempts
to prevent invasion”