Luxembourg

Luxembourg City is one of the most dramatic small capitals in Europe. Its old quarters and fortifications, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sit on a rocky plateau above the deep valleys of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers. You can walk the Chemin de la Corniche, often called the most beautiful balcony in Europe, explore the Bock casemates, a network of tunnels cut into the rock, and then take the lift down to the riverside district of Grund for lunch.

The rest of the country is green and gentle. In the north, the Ardennes are dotted with castles such as Vianden, perched above its village. In the east, the Moselle valley is lined with vineyards. Luxembourg appears in our programme as a private walking tour of the capital, a day trip from Brussels that also visits Dinant in Belgium, and a stop on the Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg self-drive route.

Food and drink

Luxembourgish cooking blends French finesse with German heartiness. Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork collar with broad beans, is the national dish, and Bouneschlupp, a green bean soup, and Gromperekichelcher, crisp potato fritters sold at markets, are local favourites. The Moselle produces crisp white wines and sparkling Crémant de Luxembourg. Luxembourg City also has a high concentration of fine restaurants for its size.

How to travel

Luxembourg is easily reached by train from Brussels, Paris or Germany, and public transport within the country is free. A day trip or a night or two in the capital fits neatly into a Benelux journey. The self-drive route gives the freedom to add the Ardennes castles and the wine villages of the Moselle.