My trip to Luxembourg

It is quite unusual that I am stuck in a foreign country over a weekend on business purposes, but that’s exactly what happened this weekend when I had to stay put in Brussels to attend a client meeting, scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday. Absolutely no point in going back to India on Friday, and returning back on Sunday night. Unfortunately no “friends” to hang out with as well; hence the need to plan to do something on the weekend and that too alone.  Had been to Brussels before, so was not so interested to go around the city. Eventually decided to take a train and visit the neighboring country Luxembourg.

Well the name might not even ring a bell to many a lot in India, it is my interest in philately and knack to know about as many countries that I was aware of a country called Luxembourg.  For those who haven’t heard, Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe (or world) – landlocked in western Europe bordered by Belgium, France and Germany. It has a population of approximately half a million and an area of less than 3000 sq km. Luxembourg city is the only major city and capital of the country.  

So, I set out on this Saturday morning around 9:30 am in the morning from Brussels to explore this new country. After a whole week of nice weather in Brussels, it seems to ditch me when I wanted to go out for a tour.  More than the temperature, it was the wind chill that continued to bother as I made my way to Brussels North station. Soon I headed towards my destination, which is about a 3 hrs ride.  About 30 minutes, we crossed the main throughfares of Belgium and were out on the countryside – vast sprawling fields, nice picturesque houses, loads of animals grazing. If not for a wildlife safari, it was quite an animal exhibit all along the way - cows, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, goat and even one instance could spot even rabbits. It was foggy and the weather gloomy but nevertheless enjoyed the ride. Heard Luxembourg food is a delicacy, but my India taste bud was craving for something spicy after several days of European means.  So on my arrival at Luxembourg and feeling hungry I hit the first outlet of McDonalds to feast on some spicy chicken wings and crispy fish burger.  

The city of Luxembourg is quite small, almost everything centered around the Central Station. I opted for a city sight-seeing on one of the hop-on hop-off tourist double-decker buses.  It is about an hour’s ride, the English commentary in the bus narrates about the country’s past, ruins and castles and evolution into the modern era.  Luxembourg has one of the strongest economies in the world today, and is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU. The bus journey took me past the Constitution Square (Golden Lady Memorial), Grand-Ducal Palace, Old Town, City Gardens, Museum of Modern Art, Thungen Fortress, Auchan Shopping Mall and back to Central Station.  I got off the bus to see the Thungen Fortress as well as paid a visit to Auchan Shopping Mall. Courtesy the bad weather, chances of good photography was rare. Back near the station, I walked along the streets to do some window shopping and picking up my much valued souvenirs.  Thoroughly enjoyed and satisfied, I decided to have a Belgian beer to quench my thirst sitting at one of the roadside pubs before heading back to Brussels.  

It is nothing spectacular, but wonder if I will ever come back to this ‘unique’ country of Luxembourg. Nevertheless, it is a tick in the box and an addition to my list of “visited’ countries (no matter how much I have covered in 5 hours). If you are ever stuck over the weekend in this part of Europe and is already done with your popular and regular touristic destinations, it is worth considering Luxembourg for a day’s outing.  It is cheap, and shopping for ladies can be fun !!!!