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travel Luxembourg

Luxembourg - Places to see and things to do.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a landlocked country located in Western Europe, surrounded by the countries of Germany, France and Belgium. The country is of small size, spreading over 2,586 square kilometres, with a population of under half a million people. Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand Duchy in the entire world, and the second-smallest state in the European Union. The country is a parliamentary representative democracy with a constitutional monarchy. Luxembourg has taken part in the foundation of NATO, the European Union, the United Nations, the Western European Union and of course, BeNeLux. Its capital and largest city is the city of Luxembourg. In the country are spoken three languages: German, French and Luxembourgish, which are all official languages.

French is mainly used in the administration, while German is used in the road signs and stores, and Luxembourgish is spoken at home and among the people. English is widely understood as well, especially by the young generation. Luxembourg accepted the Euro as its official currency in 1999. The country is separated into three regions, Luxembourg, Grevenmacher and Diekirch, and has three major cities, namely Luxembourg, Mertert and Echternach. The terrain is characterized by low, sloping hills and valleys, some mountains in the north and a plain in the south. The climate is continental, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The best time to visit the country is in the spring or the autumn season. Luxembourg is serviced by an international airport that is located outside its capital and served by the national airline Luxair, as well as Air France, KLM, Swiss, British Airways and Lufthansa. Another easy way to reach the country is by train. Direct connections are available from Brussels, Paris, Metz and Trier.

The southern end of the country is well-covered by the railway system, while the northern end is quite limited. The same tickets are valid on trains as on buses. Luxembourg can be reached with low-cost airlines which fly to the Hahn Airport in Germany and then with a bus to Luxembourg City. Inside and outside of the cities, the bus service is well-presented and reliable. Tickets are available from the drivers and aren't expensive. Travelling through Luxembourg is very pleasant, as the roads are excellent and the scenery is fantastic. Biking is even more pleasant, and recommended for those who wish to enjoy the country and have more time to do so.

The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, has a population of half a million people of multinational origin, with a high number of Russian and Polish citizens. The city has a beautiful old town with many churches and ancient buildings, an Archcathedral Basilica from 1251, and Gediminas Castle, which has a red-brick tower. The main square of the city is outside the cathedral. Other interesting places that have to be seen include St. Ann's Church, St. Peter's and Paul's Church, the Lithuanian National Museum and the Old Arsenal Building. The only statue of famous musician Frank Zappa is located in Vilnius. Also, the European Park with its many sculptures, the Three Crosses Hill which memorializes the seven Franciscan monks and the water castle of Trakai. Vilnius is a university town, and actually boasts one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe, built in 1579. Because of this, Vilnius has many students and a vibrant nightlife with plenty of clubs and bars. Further, there's a National Opera House in Vilnius and many theatres. Vilnius is a great place to go shopping, with boutiques of all the leading fashion designers. When looking for a gift, choose items made of amber.

The capital of the country, Luxembourg City, is the main tourist destination and enjoys fantastic scenery. It has a walking-friendly centre with a variety of pizzerias and pubs, as well as nightclubs. Places of interest that have to be seen include the Casemates Bock, which is a system of underground fortifications from the 18th Century, Neumunster Cathedral, the Alzette River, and Place Guillaume and Place d'Armes Squares. Another must-see is the Cathedral de Notre Dame, the Church of Eglise St. Michel, and the Museum of Modern Arts.

Luxembourg City holds some of the major European institutions as well, like the Court of Justice, Parliament, and European Investment Bank, all set in the Kirchberg area. The only harbour in Luxembourg is in the city of Mertert, which is located on the Mosele River. The other, last settlement we'll present here is the town of Echternach, which has no more than 5,000 residents and is located close to the German border. It's the oldest town in Luxembourg, founded on an old monastery in the year 698. This town is easy to navigate on foot, and the places to be seen here include an old abbey, Roman villa, town square and an artificial lake. Also situated here is the oldest movie theatre in Luxembourg, Cine Sura.