Luxembourg

Rained all night in Bastogne! Much cooler  again this morning - heater on for the first in a few weeks. Couldn't imagine the terrible winter of '44/'45 in the midst of the Battle of the Bulge.

Away shortly after breakfast for Luxembourg. A slow entry to the city - another with road works delaying traffic. It seems that infrastructure development is taking place all through Europe - government spending programs - sounds familiar.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg City was for centuries a thorn in Europe’s side. The “Gibraltar of the North” occupies a natural fortress, and the immensely powerful fortifications constructed around it by a parade of rulers made it a tough proposition to assault. These were dismantled in 1867. Today, parks cover ground once occupied by forts, and the city is an attractive mixture of historical interest and contemporary cha rm.

Luxembourg City

Luxembourg, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg’s capital (pop. 86,000), is a marvelously contrasting mix of the old and the new. The old part of town runs along a deep valley beneath casemates that have lent themselves readily to defense in times of war, while the more modern part of town crowns steep cliffs overlooking the old. The city is the headquarters of the European Court of Justice and of the European Investment Bank, and is one of the three seats of the European Parliament (along with Brussels and Strasbourg). Despite the many banks and the Euro-office towers, Luxembourg City has retained plenty of small-scale, provincial ambience. 

Luxembourg City

A big walking day as we attempted to do the city justice. Many magnificent sites to ponder in a city that is very much contained. The newer areas out from the centre shows just how important this town is to the  European Union. The very distinguished buildings going up could not just be funded by locals - population is about the same as Tasmania. If this was happening at home  then there  would be few complaints - all we need is a big benefactor .  Luxembourg's average income is one of the highest in the world ... and it shows!

Overlooking the valley of Luxembourg

Surprised to see that Trier was only 48 kms away so we decided  to move onto Germany and Trier for the overnight. Now at the start if the German part of the Moselle Valley and the sun is shining.

PS:  A note re diesel prices: It has been said that Luxembourg has the cheapest petrol prices in Europe - this was perhaps verified she. We crossed the border this afternoon from Luxembourg to Germany with perhaps  more than 50 trucks and cars lines up at the petrol  station  before entering Germany. 

Diesel in Australia is about $1.54 per litre, in the UK the cheapest was about $AUD2.15 per litre and in Luxembourg it's was about $AUD1.60 per litre.