Do you want to see how the breakfast for 29 euros at the hotel looks like? I also wanted to. So, here are the pictures. And honesty, I was more than satisfied. You could even make fresh orange juice and Belgium waffles there!
After such a heavy breakfast I had to stay in the room for a while, then I checked out and went to the main railway station.
I am traveling to Luxembourg by train. Quite excited, because I have no idea what I would see there.
For some reason the journey to Luxembourg continues with the bus. Maybe there are some repairs on the railway, I do not know. At least, I did not pay anything for the bus, hope it is included in the initial ticket.
Finally, I am here. They say the public transport in Luxembourg is free. But still, I decided to walk to my hotel. First, I am not sure which transport to use. And secondly, I would have opportunity to see the city.
So, the official name of the Luxembourg is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and it is the world's only remaining sovereign grand duchy, with overall population of 682000 people. Official languages: Luxembourgish, French and German.
Luxembourg has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world. Its economy is driven by: banking and financial services, information technology, steel industry, European institutions.
It receives hundreds of thousands of cross-border workers every day. That means the country's daytime population can be significantly different from its resident population.
Finally, I am at hotel, just right time for the check-in. Surprisingly, the price for the room was not very high as it was in Amsterdam, despite the fact that it is one of the richest countries in the world. Superior double room, 4-stars hotel, 1 kilometer from the city center, with a nice window view, with breakfast, cost me 110 euro.
The receptionist told me that in the city only two directions for the public transport. So, I have used the first bus which came to the bus stop, hoping to reach the very city center. And it was my mistake.
Most probably, the girl was talking about the trams. But the buses here have many more routes. And I used the one, which delivered me to some forest. Just my luck!
At least, I have had opportunity to see how the residential area looks like here. Quite expensive, I would say.
I walked to the same place, from where I started my unplanned journey. But at this time, to reach the city center, I have decided to use the most reliable means of transport - my legs.
I am in the city center. At daylight it looks quite boring for me. I do not know why, but architecture here looks plain. Most common architectural style here is 19th-century Historicism - historic European buildings with decorative facades, symmetrical windows and classical influences.
The city's strongest visual features are definitely the fortress, cliffs, valleys, bridges and historic layout, rather than spectacular individual facades.
The inscription of this monument is simply “Charlotte”, emphasizing how affectionately this woman is remembered in Luxembourg. She is the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg (1896–1985), who was one of the most important figures in modern Luxembourgish history. During World War II Charlotte became an important symbol of Luxembourg's independence and resistance, because somehow she represented the idea that Luxembourg still existed as an independent nation, even though it was occupied during those times.
Another the most important historical figure here is the Count Siegfried (c. 922-998), traditionally regarded as the founder of Luxembourg City. In 963, he acquired the Lucilinburhuc fortress on the Bock, which became the foundation of the city.
Nevertheless, on the main square we can see the equestrian statue of William II (1792–1849), who was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1840 until his death in 1849.
To sum up, the city center does not feel like a normal flat European downtown. You can be walking along a modern shopping street, then suddenly reach a huge cliff, look down and see an entire medieval neighborhood far below you. But the real magic happens at night. It is absolutely different city.
Because Luxembourg City is built across deep valleys, bridges are a major architectural feature. And of course, the rivers are a huge part of Luxembourg City's character. Actually, there are two main rivers here - Alzette and Petrusse, which are forming two major valleys.
It was a very good night walking along the valleys of the old city. I believe, not seeing Luxembourg at night will not let you understand the beauty and romantic atmosphere of the place.
