Lure of Luxembourg

Often called 'Little Switzerland', this European state is well worth a quick stopover for foodies and castle-lovers alike

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of Europe's smallest sovereign states, covering 85km from one end to the other. A tiny landlocked country that is often overlooked, tourists often opt for its bigger, better known neighbours Belgium, France and Germany. But it is worth a stopover - even if it's just a short one.
The country covers two principal regions: the Oesling region in the north, which is part of the Ardennes, a collection of vast forests; and the more urbanised Gutland area (meaning good country, because of the fertile agricultural land this area covers) to the south.
The languages spoken here include French, German and Luxembourgish (yes, it is a language - Germanic, actually - although it does sound like something edible). Italian and Portuguese are widely spoken here, due to several decades of immigration from Southern Europe to the region. Often referred to as 'Little Switzerland' thanks to its supposed geographic similarities, Luxembourg has an estimated 130 chateaux (or mansions), so more than its fair share of castles too.

The Capital
Luxembourg City, the capital, is known for its medieval old town and its fortress, beautifully positioned on steep cliffs. The impressive valleys of the rivers Alzette and Pétrusse meet here. The Passerelle, otherwise known as the Luxembourg Viaduct, was built between 1859 and 1861, for the purpose of connecting the city's centre to the then new railway station. Nowadays, it runs from the south into the city centre, Ville Haute (one of its 24 quarters), carrying road traffic across the Pétrusse valley, and is a popular tourist attraction for its great views.
Several institutions of the European Union can be found in the capital, including the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, and the European Stability Mechanism, making it a prime financial center. In 2011, Luxembourg had the second highest GDP per capita in the world. In the same year, another survey found Luxembourg at number one for personal safety, but further down the list for quality of living.
Luxembourg City is considered one of the best-looking capitals in all of Europe. Despite that, the city seems more like a collection of villages than districts. To food lovers, that will be an oversight. With 13 Michelin-starred restaurants, three of which are in Luxembourg City, this small state has the most stars per capita of any city in the world. Take your pick from Italian, French, Japanese, Mediterranean, Thai and regional, amongst other cuisines - there is something for everyone in Luxembourg.

Vianden: on the border
Though it is hard to choose which castle town to visit, we opted for Vianden, which came well recommended as the one with the most impressive château. Just 47km away from Luxembourg City, the town is hidden away in forested hills, on the border between Luxembourg and Germany.
Visible from most points of the town due to its location, the castle is as impressive during the day as it is at night. With elements of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Knights'
armours, artefacts, and dungeons send visitors back in time, making it the perfect location to shoot a movie.
Movie buffs would certainly be interested in the fact that the castle served as a location for the 1991 TV movie, Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady, starring Christopher Lee; the 2001 production, The Musketeer with Catherine Deneuve; and the 2004 horror film Shadow of the Vampire, starring John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. There is a cosy little café on the grounds, the perfect place to warm up after the tour.
Not to be missed are the Grand Rue bridge, and the Victor Hugo bust by artist extraordinaire Auguste Rodin, one of the greatest sculptors of his time. The author of Les Misérables was a frequent visitor to Luxembourg after he was expelled from France for supporting the revolutionaries of 1848 (no surprise there!). He spent the summer of 1871 in Vianden, and the house he had stayed in at the time currently functions as a museum, with displays of his sketches and letters.
Regardless of whether you are a film lover or not, a stop at Ancien Cinéma Café is a must. This unique retro-style café is one of the top rated places to eat, not just in Vianden but in the country. There are regular film screenings and, if you're lucky, you might catch a live music act too.
In this lovely town, one can also find a Museum of Arts and Crafts (Musée d'Art rustique) as well as a Doll and Toy Museum (Musée de la Poupée et du Jouet).
Viaden is the perfect choice for walking, camping or
cycling. A well-organised cycle path runs through the Sauer and Our valleys to Vianden, along with signposted walks.
There are no direct flights to Luxembourg from the UAE, yet it is easily accessible by train and by road, once you are in Western Europe. Luxembourg is part of the Schengen area and its currency is the Euro.