Luxemborg

Since Luxemborg is only a two hour drive away, we have been planning on making a trip there for some time.  A last minute decision and we were off to spend the night.

Fun facts:  The country's official name is The Gran Duchy of Luxemborg.  It is a representative democracy that is ruled by a Grand Duke.  It is also one of the smallest countries in Europe.

We enjoyed how small the city was since it made it really easy to walk around with the kids.  The old town is perched high on a cliff giving great views of the lower towns, bridges, and the remaining parts of the city's original castle (The Bock).

Here we come Luxemborg!

 You can see the path to the Lower Towns.

It was a very green city

During our exploration of the old town, we saw an official ceremony of some sort in front of the Palais Grand-Ducal (official residence of the Duke).  The kids loved the marching and the music.

That evening we took an elevator ride down the cliffs to an area of the city called "The Grund".  There was a jazz festival and there were stages set up on street corners and in the large open square.  We just wandered around with the kids listening to music and buying some of the local fare.  Great atmosphere and a great night.

Before we headed back to Antwerp on Sunday, we visited the "Casemates" or a system of underground tunnels & rooms that were built under the castle.  They were created between 1640 - 1867, sealed off and then discovered again in 1933.  Since the castle is built on a cliff, the rooms allowed for guns and cannons to be placed overlooking the valley.  Castles, cannons and tunnels are always a hit with Liam & Brenna. 

 

We spent most of our time in the old part of the city.  Our drive out gave us a view of the many very modern buildings that are also there.  Luxemborg is the site of many important EU activities.

Luxemborg, one of those places I would have never listed to be on our travel list, but am glad we had the opportunity to see.