Le Luxembourg

In grade three French, we had to learn all the countries of Western Europe and their capitals in French. I never forgot "le luxembourg et le luxembourg" because it was my guaranteed 2 marks. So obviously when I noticed I would be able to stop in le luxembourg en route to Brussels, I jumped at the chance. Besides, who wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see one of the smallest countries in the world?

It's funny, for all those years I've known almost nothing about this little gem. I had no idea that the touristy core was a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that the city is an ancient walled city stemming from being the site of numerous kingdoms, and not to mention utterly stunning. Below the walls is a lush, green ravine full of flowering trees, jogging trails, and crumbling ancient structures. Behind the walls stand historic buildings centred around cobbled squares and grand cathedrals. Locals move about in fashionable suits, particularly between banks and other businesses, while tourists wander in shorts and t-shirts (it was really hot today). Cafes fill all the gaps (and are therefore everywhere). Crossing the bridges takes you to even more history on one side or modern glass towers on the other.

Maybe all of Europe is like this, I don't know, but I am constantly left wondering now why I never thought about visiting Europe before now....