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Luxembourg Travel Guide
Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy neighbouring Belgium,
France, and Germany. Covering less than 1,000 square miles,
Luxembourg is home to nearly 450,000 residents, with about a fifth
of these individuals residing in or near Luxembourg City.
The capital, Luxembourg-Ville, is split into two districts: the
delightful old centre (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), complete with
fortress towers, turrets and winding, cobblestone streets; and the
modern downtown area on the Plâteau du Kirchberg, home to
Luxembourg's renowned international finance businesses. Proud of
its role as a founding member of the EU, Luxembourg sees itself as
playing a prominent position in European affairs and there are a
number of European Union institutions based in
Luxembourg-Ville.
With a moderate climate, Luxembourg is a great destination any
time of year. However, be prepared for a bit of rain.
Traditionally, "in-season" has been defined as anytime from
mid-April to mid-October. Peak season is July and August. Wine
connoisseurs would do well to experience the full-bodied flavor of
the Grevenmacher Wine and Grape Festival in
mid-September.
History and Culture
Luxembourg has historically experienced commercial prosperity as
well as regular military incursions and occupations. Luxembourg
owes its continued existence to a mixture of good fortune and good
diplomacy, which have prevented it from being permanently absorbed
into the territories of its larger neighbours. By the time that
Luxembourg's independence was finally confirmed in 1867, however,
the Grand Duchy was left with such a tiny territory that its people
had to look across its borders for economic survival. This has
resulted in a cosmopolitan attitude, which has survived to the
present day and is exemplified not only by the fact that the
country has the highest percentage of foreigners of any EU country,
but also by the trilingual ability of its people.
Food and drink
Luxembourg cooking combines German heartiness with
Franco-Belgian finesse. The preparation of trout, pike and crayfish
is excellent, as are the pastries and cakes. Delicious desserts are
prepared with local liqueurs, and a dash of quetsch,
mirabelle or kirsch is added to babas or
fruit cups. Most aspects of restaurants and bars are similar to the
rest of Europe. Luxembourg's white Moselle wines resemble those of
the Rhine, but are drier than the fruitier wines of the French
Moselle. Beer is another speciality and is a traditional
industry.
Regional specialities:
• Carré de porc fumé (smoked pork and broad beans
or sauerkraut).
• Cochon de lait en gelée (jellied suckling
pig).
• Jambon d'Ardennes (famous smoked Ardennes
ham).
• Tarte aux quetsches (quetsch plum tart).
• Omelette soufflée au kirsch.
Did you know?
The mother tongue of the natives of Luxembourg is Luxembourgish.
It is a Franconian language of the Moselle region.
Facts and Figures
| Capital |
Luxembourg |
| Official language |
Luxembourgish, French, German |
| Currency |
Euro |
| Time zone |
Central European Time |
| Area |
2,586.4 sq km / 998.6 sq miles |
| Population |
502,202 |
