Wellkomm!

After spending some quality time with Vlad's family in Paris, we headed to Luxembourg to visit our friends Ilya and Dasha, who recently left NYC and made Luxembourg City their new home. Often overshadowed by its "flashier" neighbors such as Germany and France, Luxembourg is usually not a tourist destination for many. Given the proximity to our current location in Paris, and more importantly the ability to see our good friends while traveling, we jumped on the train with excitement, and within 3 hours, found ourselves in Luxembourg City.

Luxemburg is a small country in Western Europe. Even Rhode Island, the tiniest of US states, is about 50% larger than this petite country. However, Luxembourg scores high in terms of tranquility and simplistic beauty. It is a sophisticated, developed and economically rich country, with the second highest GDP per capita in the world (Qatar takes gold). It is also one of the founding countries of such organizations as NATO, the European Union, the United Nations and Benelux. Luxembourg City is situated on a hill and is surrounded by a deep valley called Grund. Vlad and I found Luxembourg City to be a "city-town", with all the amenities of a big city, but with a very relaxing, laid back, small town vibe. 

Luxembourg has a reputation of being an expensive country and we must say that it lives up to it. Eating out at restaurants can be pricey, with nice entrees costing about 30 euro and up. Cocktails at fancier places can go for as much as 16 euro. Beer is usually a more affordable option, priced at 3.5 - 6 euro, and there are plenty of local varieties to chose from. There are also less expensive, more of fast-food type options such as sandwiches and kebabs that range between 5 to 6 euro.

It was such a treat to have newly assimilated locals show us around their city. Dasha led us around Luxembourg and impressed us with her newly acquired knowledge of the city's history and geography. She informed us that since most people pass through Luxembourg on their way to or from neighboring countries, the average tourist stay is only 2 hours. Well that statistic is no longer! After Vlad and I stayed in Lux for 9 nights, we're sure that we brought that average up! Most importantly though, as we got to explore and know Luxembourg City throughout our stay, we are convinced that a two hour "visit" is simply not enough to do justice to this city and country.

It was really awesome to stay with Ilya and Dasha and witness them assimilating to their new life across the pond and we must say, they do it with ease.  They already know their neighborhood very well, have their favorite grocery stores and gas stations, favorite gym classes. Their apartment is located in a quiet and green area and is very modern and spacious. It also looks very much like their old NY apartment; must be the signature bean bag chairs and accordion which they brought with them to Luxembourg. We were given a nice guest room with a very comfortable bed. Despite the fact that the bedrooms faced the street, we gladly slept with our windows open filling our lungs with fresh Luxembourg air. It was so nice to visit friends. Thank you Ilya and Dasha for your hospitality and lovely time in Luxembourg! And thank you Dasha for letting me use your nail polishes ;-) 

We took advantage of Luxembourg's central location, and decided to rent a car, and go on three separate day trips which will be described in upcoming posts - so stay tuned!

But first, some facts about Luxembourg:

Geography: Luxembourg is a landlocked country in Western Europe, surrounded by Germany, Belgium and France. 

Population:  about 543 thousand in Luxembourg, 107 thousand in Luxembourg City.

Demographics: 56% Luxembourgers, 44% foreign nationality (mostly other Europeans) where Portuguese is the largest group, followed by Italians, French, and Germans.  

Currency: Euro €  where 1 Euro = 1.3 USD

Religion: mostly Roman Catholic with Protestant, Anglican, Jewish and Muslim minorities. 

Language: Luxembourgish, French, German 

Best Known for: being one of the smallest countries in Europe, banking and finance industry, developed economy and the second highest GDP per capita in the world, tax haven, large ex-pat community, part of Benelux, grapes and wine.

What We Noticed: greenery and elevation, small gardens behind apartment buildings, very clean parking lots, saint statues on buildings, lots of ex-pats, fascination with orchids (as pointed out by Dasha, there were orchids in many apartment windows), reliable bus service, chocolate and macaroon shops, stores clothes at 6pm. 

We took the train from Paris to Luxembourg with a transfer in Metz. 

Symbol of Luxembourg City - The Golden Lady (Gelle Fra) erected in 1923 & symbolizes the national spirit of freedom.  Strolling down the streets of Luxembourg.  Fun fact: all stores close at 6pm so if you need to get some groceries after that you have three hours to get them at gas stations. 

Inside of Notre Dame Cathedral which is an example of late gothic architecture with Renaissance elements. 

Our Lady banner gifted to the church by the Luxembourg community from Chicago in 1966.   One of Luxembourg's buildings with pretty balconies. Parliment building on the right. Note the Luxembourg flag on the left, it is red, white, and light blue. 

Beautiful macaroon shop Laduree.  

Late lunch at Charles Sandwich shop. We took advantage of their half off sandwiches happy hour prices. My tuna sandwich was delicious.  Traveling exhibition Trash People by HA Schult made its way to Luxembourg. This installation made of crushed cans, electronic waste and other rubbish has been traveling the world since 1966.  Luxemburger Lady getting her hair done. 

View from the streets of upper Luxembourg of Grund. It makes you feel like you're in a fortress. Overlooking Grund.  Ilya and Vlad overlooking Grund.  We found some fruit trees on the way down to Grund.  Alzette River runs through Grund.  Making our way back to the higher grounds via an interesting staircase.  Warning: do not attempt this at home, for professionals only.  Street art endorsed by Ilusha.  Drinks by the river.  Houses situated on the Alzette River.  Cheers to meeting friends around the world!  Dinner with friends. Cheers again!  Sadly this is not how this establishment provided beer refills.  Bus station in Luxembourg City in the evening. The city's main transportation system are buses which run frequently and punctually. One way ride costs 2 euro while daily pass is 4 euro.  Luxembourg's night life. 

Our husbands finally found something to amuse themselves with.  This is their idea of a fun nightlife.  Ilya's new local friend.  Drinks on our last night - Cheers to our dear friends Ilya and Dasha! Thank you so much for having us over!