Leisure in Luxembourg

 

Traveling allows you to truly enjoy yourself, leaving behind the worries and routines of your daily life. It's during these moments that you realize the vastness of the world and the multitude of experiences awaiting beyond your immediate surroundings. This sense of discovery and freedom was exactly what I felt during my weekend trip to Luxembourg. There was no specific event to attend or landmark to visit; it was simply another country I wanted to tick off my list.

Traveling in Europe is exceptionally convenient. One can pack a bag and set off without worrying about a passport for short trips. Even for a day trip, crossing borders is hassle-free compared to the cumbersome procedures experienced elsewhere. This ease of travel makes spontaneous adventures possible, and that’s how my journey to Luxembourg began.

Early on a bright Saturday morning, my mother and I boarded a train headed towards Koblenz. We had to transfer in Dortmund because, realistically, no direct train from our small town would travel such a long distance through another state to a major city. In Koblenz, we disembarked and took a bus to Deutsches Eck, or the German Corner, where the Rhein meets the Mosel. This picturesque spot features a monument adorned with the coats of arms of Germany's sixteen states and flags surrounding the monument.

From Deutsches Eck, we took a cable car up the mountain to witness the confluence of the two rivers from above. Although the viewing platform was under construction, the ride offered breathtaking views of the rivers meeting. At the top, we enjoyed lunch in the sun near a fortress, which we didn’t explore due to time constraints. Our ultimate destination was another country, after all. However, I can imagine that the view from the fortress must have been spectacular.

From Koblenz, we boarded a train directly to Luxembourg. Ensuring we were on the right part of the train was crucial, as one section continued to Luxembourg while the other terminated halfway in Trier. Fortunately, we managed to get on the correct train and reached our destination without any issues.

Upon arriving in Luxembourg and dropping off our bags at the hotel, we took a bus into town and dined at a Bao shop that piqued our interest. The food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly. It was a shame we couldn’t dine there every day. With full stomachs, we strolled through the city, embarking on a night tour that showcased Luxembourg’s beauty. The city, with its world heritage sites and other attractions, looked magnificent, especially at sunset when the last rays of sunshine illuminated the cityscape.

Standing on one of Luxembourg’s many bridges, watching the sunset and feeling the wind blow through my hair, I felt on top of the world. It was a moment of pure bliss, a brief escape from reality. Somehow, our wandering led us to the city center, bustling with stores that, unfortunately, were closed by the time we arrived. Instead, we found a charming bakery where we bought breakfast for the following day.

Continuing our exploration, we stumbled upon an intriguing sight: a bridge underneath another bridge. Little did I know then, but I have since realized I have a crippling fear of heights. Walking beneath a bridge was a terrifying experience, although the view from below was essentially the same as from above. For some inexplicable reason, walking on top of a bridge feels far less frightening than being underneath it.

If you ever want to experience walking underneath a bridge, Luxembourg offers a unique opportunity with stunning views of the park below. One might choose to take a stroll in the park afterward, but as it was getting late, we decided against it. Instead, we continued to explore the city until we returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day's adventures. After a long day of walking, sleep came easily.

The next morning, after a good night's rest, we made our way to the train station and caught the next train to Diekirch. From there, we boarded a bus to Vianden to visit the castle perched on a hill. Due to an unfortunate mistake, we took the bus in the wrong direction, arriving an hour later than anticipated because it was a Sunday and buses ran only once an hour.

Upon finally reaching Vianden, we walked through the quaint town, filled with cafes and other attractions, and headed uphill towards the castle. While the castle itself was not particularly unique, the view from its elevated position was breathtaking. However, the castle was relatively small, and we didn’t take the audio tour, so our visit lasted about two hours.

From Vianden, we took a bus back to Luxembourg’s main station and then another bus to Schengen, the village known for the historic Schengen Agreement that united the EU. There, we saw several monuments commemorating the agreement, including three pillars adorned with stars representing each EU country. It was fun to play a guessing game with the stars.

Sadly, we couldn’t locate the exact spot where the borders of France, Germany, and Luxembourg meet, as it was technically in the river. However, from atop a nearby bridge, we enjoyed a panoramic view of all the significant monuments. There’s also the European Museum Schengen, dedicated to the agreement, which we didn’t visit due to the late hour.

With not much else to do in Schengen as everything was closed or too far away, we took the next bus back to Luxembourg City, admiring the countryside at sunset along the way. After another long day, we returned to the hotel and prepared for bed, knowing we had to return to Germany the next day and face reality once again.

On our final morning in Luxembourg, we had breakfast near the train station before catching our train back to Germany. I must say, I miss the baked goods in Luxembourg. They are almost as good as those in France and certainly better than those in Germany. Contrary to popular belief, while German bakeries excel at baking bread, their pastries and cakes leave much to be desired.

After breakfast, we boarded a train to Koblenz, with a planned stop in Trier, the oldest town in Germany, for lunch. However, our plans changed as we discovered there was much more to see in Trier than just the historic city gates, Porta Nigra. We climbed to the top of the gates, enjoying a magnificent view of the entire town below.

We then took a bus to another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Trier Imperial Baths. Upon arrival, we found ruins rather than a functioning bathhouse, as it had been destroyed long ago. Nevertheless, the basement maze remained intact, and I may have gotten lost for a few minutes. It’s disheartening to see such historical marvels in ruins, but that’s life. I can only imagine how grand the bathhouse must have been during Roman times.

Our next stop was another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Trier Amphitheater. Much like the Roman Colosseum, the arena was used for gladiator events and animal shows, with a cellar beneath to store animals and hold prisoners awaiting execution. Unlike the Colosseum, the amphitheater was relatively small and surprisingly grassy. Despite this, exploring the grounds was enjoyable, and I can imagine children with a fascination for the Roman Empire having a great time there.

As with the bathhouse, I can only imagine the gladiatorial combats and animal fights that once took place here. These events are forever lost to history, leaving it to historians and a bit of imagination to recreate the past. After visiting multiple heritage sites, we caught a bus back to the train station and headed home, concluding our journey to Luxembourg.

Back home, we had Katsu don for dinner, marking the end of our travel adventure. This trip, filled with breathtaking views, historical sites, and delicious food, was a refreshing escape from daily life, leaving me with wonderful memories and a yearning for more travel experiences.