Luxembourg - Recommendations / Tips / Etc

Yes, Vianden is lovely and actually easy to get to. Luxembourg (country) offers incredibly cheap public transit service: 4 euros for a an unlimited day pass, on buses and trains all over the country. (Albeit, it's a small country!). I think someday it is supposed to become completely free.

You'd get a bus to Vianden, but you might need to connect via a train or bus somewhere else. I would use Google Maps now but didn't have a smart phone when I was in Luxemborug (2013) - but you can certainly figure out the buses/trains via websites online if you can't with Google Maps. I found it very easy to get around.

Luxembourg City itself wasn't my favorite city, but it's certainly worth some time to see. The park down below town in the gully/canyon is a nice walk with dramatic views (you'd get to the tunnels from there, but I did not see them). There's also some sort of market in town. But, I would most definitely get out to the countryside - Luxembourg the country is beautiful, with lush green rolling hills and pretty towns like Vianden.

Besides Vianden, you could visit Diekirch (direct train from Luxembourg City), not quite the charming town that Vianden is but still pleasant. I visited to go to the World War II museum there, which features exhibits about the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, partly fought in this area. (The museum is kind of old and retro these days but still interesting.) I also took a bus out to the town of Hamm near Luxembourg City to the US military cemetery out there. (Bus gets you most of the way, then about a 1/2 mile walk as I recall.) Most of the dead buried there perished in the Battle of the Bulge. One person buried there who did not die in this battle is General George Patton (died shortly after the end of the war), who has a prominent monument there, outsized in death as was his personality in life.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

My next question then pertains to lodging: would it be best to spend the 3 nights in LXE City (at one place) or a spend the night in each part of the country? ie Lxe city the first night, viadan the 2nd and a different location the 3rd?

thanks

Well, I had only one (!) night in Luxembourg and I spent it in Luxembourg City - I packed a lot into my time. You have much more time than I did. With more time, I think I might have enjoyed a night in a town like Vianden - maybe. I mean, it's a tiny little town. Depends what your interests are, really. If you want quaint and relaxing, this might be fun. Otherwise, there isn't a whole lot to see in Vianden. At least cities like Luxembourg City offer a wide variety of restaurants, markets, some museums, etc. Really depends on your style.

We stayed at the Radisson Park Inn. Very conveniently located just a few blocks from the train and bus station. It has a nice little terrace out the back. The entrance is an elevator at street level that takes you up to the hotel which is located above the shops. Lots of shops nearby. I would be glad to stay in this hotel again.

We walked everywhere in the City from here. We took the bus and then walked to the American Cemetary which was a highlight for me.

https://www.parkinn.com/hotel-luxembourg

The CFL app is useful for transportation in the country.

The country is really small enough that relocating isn't necessary if your hotel is reasonably well located.

I agree about the places earlier mentioned - what are called the tunnels are actually what is left of an extensive defensive position, called the casemates.

The trains get to many parts of the country, and where they don't go there are buses that do. The buses are modern, long single deckers with seats quite high and very comfortable.

Maybe you are interested in seeing vineyards along the Moselle, or perhaps the little Switzerland area, or the redlands? There is a good Luxembourg tourist office, with plenty of online and printed material. I wish I knew more of your actual interests.

I go to Luxembourg most years on my annual European road trip from England.

Carol, I stayed at the Radisson Park Inn too. I was there only one night, but it was a nice hotel, convenient for day trips via the bus/train station. Might have been more fun to have stayed at the center of town, though, but it wasn't a far walk or bus ride in.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I think we may just spend the 3 nights in Lux City and then travel out from there. We have a wide range of interests. The wine tours/vineyards sound lovely (we try to do local food tours in the various cities that we visit) as do the museums and exploring towns. Our initial interest in Lux in general is family: my grandfather was born there so we're curious to see what it's like (obv. far different now). The tunnels are a definite must for us. Will check out the recommended hotels and go from there.

Do you know where in Luxembourg he is from?

If you don't, you could possibly narrow it down by his trade and language.

I appreciated your question as it was almost identical to what I had intended to post. My husband and I will be traveling to Luxembourg in June as well. We are currently trying to decide how long to stay, but will likely be 4 days. Our interest in the country stems from a family connection as well. My husband's great-grandfather was a citizen of Luxembourg and as a direct descendant he and our adult children recently acquired Luxembourg citizenship. I will post an additional question which might want to watch for to see if it is helpful to you. See you in Luxembourg!

Nigel - No unfortunately I do not know with certainty which part of Luxembourg he is from. We think SW as his wife was from France? We do know when he came to the US as we have the travel records.

Donna - that would be such a coincidence if we ran into each other while going out and about. I did not realize that we could also be citizens of LUX due to my grandfather. Interesting.

Thanks everyone!