I caught a direct train from Brussels to Luxembourg and enjoyed looking at the leafy countryside as I approached the Grand Duchy. Crossing the border came and went without incident, and again I arrived too early to get access to my digs. It was a warm day again so I decided to walk in the direction of the apartment, found an Italian street cafe just around the corner, and sat for an hour with a coke and a salad. I made a note to myself to try and build in more breaks like this. Brussels had been a bit manic at times and I needed to pace myself better.
Check in was, again, very smooth and I took the opportunity to do a small load of laundry. I was travelling very light wardrobe-wise and needed to keep on top of it. I then decided to take advantage of the city’s free public transport, and caught a bus into the old town. I was deposited by the river with the citadel itself looming high above me. I walked along the river for a while, learning about the legend of the mermaid through a Virtual cache, before doubling back and starting the steep ascent to the old town.
Being from Lincoln, you’d think I’d be prepared for this, but I arrived at the top sweaty and dishevelled! Another old cache in a tiny street, and then I walked to the main square via the magnificent Royal Palace, to where my guided walk would begin tomorrow, found a cafe and sat with a glass of red wine watching the world go by.
I didn’t want to spoil the walking tour, so after a while I walked back down to the bus stop via the Corniche, known quite rightly as ‘Europe’s most beautiful balcony‘ with astounding views of the lower city and the river valley. Down the staircases again and in no time I was back near the apartment where I spotted a pizza restaurant and indulged myself. This had been another long day so I showered and read for a while before turning in for the night.
The next day I was up early to see torrential rain and thunderstorms! Glad of my cheap pac-a-mac, I braved the weather and took the bus back to town, this time getting off near the Golden Lady or Monument of Remembrance, and taking a ride on the LOOK 360 rotating viewing platform, peering down on the area from what felt like a nosebleed-inducing height!
After breakfast in the Place Guillaume II, I wandered over to the start of my latest walking tour.
This was my second free tour (tips only) and it was a huge contrast to the one in Brussels. The guide was delightful and organised, but I didn’t feel that I learned much that I hadn’t already found on Wikipedia or by reading information boards. Otherwise it ticked all the boxes and I enjoyed the company of a diverse group, with the possible exception of one particular loud, rude and ignorant individual!
After lunch, and further thunderstorms, I visited the tourist centre and bought tickets for the Casemates du Bock, part of the extensive tunnels beneath the old city, with a fascinating history and an extremely knowledgeable guide. It was also a very welcome break from the downpours! The views from some of the tunnel entrances were, again, spectacular.
Once the tour was over I trudged through the rain one last time to the barbers where I’d earlier booked myself in for a wet shave. I’d decided that this would be a regular treat to myself on this trip and I was not disappointed! Clean shaven once again, I caught the bus ‘home’, picked up some groceries and packed up again ready for the three-leg to Hamburg in the morning. Two nights in Luxembourg on a trip like this felt about right, although I was quite taken with the place and it may yet prove to be a Project60 highlight!
A Wright
June 2026
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