![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Luxembourg assimilation
May. 4th, 2013 07:21 pmI finally made it to Luxembourg. One of the 5 countries with a direct rail link to Brussels. Although this one is a lot slower than the others. 3 hours and a large number of stops. Also a pretty crowded train, but becomes less so as the journey progresses. Still, it gets there. Hotel was right opposite the station. Checked in and worked out what to do.
The station is in what appears to be the new part of town. The old part of town is a short walk , and while it's on the otehr side of a steep sided valley there's a handy viaduct. Impressive looking place. Seems like how Hollywood likes to envision small European monarchies. Basically mix France and Germany together and throw in a bit of Flanders and Austria. Bolt on a monarchy for good measure. You end up with something like Genovia (Hey, it's not a terrible movie, and Julia Andrews was great in it!)
The bottom of the valley looks like a lot of it is used as a park. From the bridge is an excellent view of the old part of the city. Castles and churches and other ancient buildings. A short walk took me to the town square, where I picked up a handy tourist map. The tourist map guided me to the Ducal Palace. It's not a hugely impressive palace but it does the job I'm sure. Out the front, a singe guard was patrolling. I had the impression that he was Luxembourg's equivalent of Shawn Ogg.
Decided to tour the Casemates Bock. The ancient city fortificiations. As mentioned, the city is built on the side of a steep sided valley. The sides of the valley were built up with impressive walls. Tunnels travel through them connecting the casemates. Wandered around, checking lettered signs against the guide leaflet. Had a look around the other bits of rock and ruin outside, and checked out the view from the bttlements.
Decided to hunt for somewhere for a drink. Trouble is, the bars still allow smoking. Eventually found a place that seemed a little too Irish in its beer selection but did at least offer Bofferding, which seems to be a local.
Feeling kinda tired already. Should grab dinner.
The station is in what appears to be the new part of town. The old part of town is a short walk , and while it's on the otehr side of a steep sided valley there's a handy viaduct. Impressive looking place. Seems like how Hollywood likes to envision small European monarchies. Basically mix France and Germany together and throw in a bit of Flanders and Austria. Bolt on a monarchy for good measure. You end up with something like Genovia (Hey, it's not a terrible movie, and Julia Andrews was great in it!)
The bottom of the valley looks like a lot of it is used as a park. From the bridge is an excellent view of the old part of the city. Castles and churches and other ancient buildings. A short walk took me to the town square, where I picked up a handy tourist map. The tourist map guided me to the Ducal Palace. It's not a hugely impressive palace but it does the job I'm sure. Out the front, a singe guard was patrolling. I had the impression that he was Luxembourg's equivalent of Shawn Ogg.
Decided to tour the Casemates Bock. The ancient city fortificiations. As mentioned, the city is built on the side of a steep sided valley. The sides of the valley were built up with impressive walls. Tunnels travel through them connecting the casemates. Wandered around, checking lettered signs against the guide leaflet. Had a look around the other bits of rock and ruin outside, and checked out the view from the bttlements.
Decided to hunt for somewhere for a drink. Trouble is, the bars still allow smoking. Eventually found a place that seemed a little too Irish in its beer selection but did at least offer Bofferding, which seems to be a local.
Feeling kinda tired already. Should grab dinner.
