Travel in Luxembourg – Hotels, Luxembourg Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

The Sights And Sounds Of Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small country landlocked in western Europe and bordered by France, Germany and Belgium. The country is trilingual and the people speak German, French and Luxembourgish, which is mainly spoken in the Moselle region and considered to be the “mother tongue”, and the language spoken by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is the only city to be named the European Capital of Culture twice.

There are several notable museums, most of which are located in the capital city. The Natural Museum of History and Art, the History Museum of the City of Luxembourg, and the new Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Military History are all located in the heart of Luxembourg and are popular tourist attractions. Perhaps the most unique fact about Luxembourg, is the fact that the city itself is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Grand-Ducal Palace is the official residence of the Grand Duke. The stone building is ocher colored, with spires and railings, that overlook the town square. It was originally designed as a medieval town hall, but was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion. Twenty years later, it was rebuilt and an annex was added in 1859. Every Christmas Eve, the Dukes annual Christmas message is broadcast here in the Yellow Room.

In 1613 and 1621, the cornerstones for the Notre Dame Cathedral were laid. Originally designed to be a Jesuit church, it is now the Roman Catholic cathedral of Luxembourg City. Every year on the fifth Sunday after Easter, the annual Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg takes place. Thousands of people make the pilgrimage to pray at the feet of the statue of the Holy Virgin. Then a procession is formed to take the statue through the streets and to an alter filled with flowers on the Avenue de la Porta Neuve.

The Casemates are another location listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. These are a series of underground fortifications that date back to the year 1644, and are officially known as the Bock Casemates. There is fourteen miles of underground passageways and some go as deep as one-hundred and thirty feet in depth. The passageways were built for defensive purposes and helped establish Luxembourgs impressive military reputation. The fort was dismantled in 1867, but seventeen kilometers of the passageways remain and are in good condition. The attraction was first opened to the public in 1933 still remains a very important attraction that gives visitors a chance to view the history of Luxembourg.

The city of Luxembourg has a booming nightlife with a wide array of clubs, pubs, bars, discotheques and cinemas. In addition to all the typical locations to visit, Luxembourg also hosts some very popular events such as the Jazz Festival, Classical Music Events and International Music Events that take place at certain times throughout the year. Luxembourg cinemas show films in their original language and with French, German or English subtitles when appropriate.

The Grand Hotel Cravat is the only four-star hotel in the heart of Luxembourg. The hotel offers spectacular views of the Notre Dame Cathedral and Gelle Frau war monument and the Le Normandy, the restaurant in the hotel, is world famous for its cuisine. The hotel is ideal for shopping and within walking distance of the major museums and other attractions. The Hilton Luxembourg is near the city center, but in a more wooded area on a hillside. It is prized because of its impeccable service, fine cuisine and convenience to the town center and UNESCO sites. Luxembourg is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is sure to be enjoyed by all who travel here.