Left Igel to Luxembourg
After a mini fry-up and Elisabeths strawberry jam on bread (voted best in the world by the food by Confiture Expert, Nicky Noo du Toit), we made our way to Echternach and Vianden in Luxembourg. These were suggested in one of our books, along with 2 other places Diekerch and another I cannot remember. Although we did not visit the latter, Echternach and Vianden set a solid understanding as why to visit. Castles on the hills and boulangeries (trans. Bakeries) and cafe's surrounding them in the old towns.
A bakery in Vianden provided us with a fresh French loaf to accompany our Maglida cheese, tomatoes and salami type wurst, all from Germany. We sat and soaked in the views of the Montee du Chateau (11th Century). These places you can generally drive or take a walk through. They are tiny little places. Fairy fantasy – but real life. The whole route was only 200km's, so it's an easy day trip.
TIP: No bikes here – very hilly!
Another TIP: Buy Diesel or Petrol in Luxembourg (approx. 25p/cent less per litre). As it is a tax haven everything is cheaper.
Arriving in Luxembourg City in early afternoon. A fantastic city which we will definitely visit again. Absolutely beautiful and has a sense of romance. There we bought tickets for the Petrusse Express (8.50 Euro p.p). It was in the same sort of train as in Cologne but this time it was informative and presented really well. The guide mentions that it is probably the most picturesque city in Europe. This it is, with the whole city situated on cliffs, bridges connecting the spaces with rivines flowing below. It is barely commercial or touristy though you can definitely sense the pride of the people. There is a huge banking district though it is totally unobtrusive. The cultures are so diverse yet they apparently have very few issues between any kind. Although it is small - this place has a huge amount of history and is worth more than a quick hello. It would be somewhere interesting to live, who knows? Maybe one day.
Beautiful Luxembourg!
And another TIP: They speak French and German and Letzebeurgesch (?) We came into contact with mostly French people.
It has been a good laugh remembering what language you should speak where. Especially that the tom tom took us from Germany, to Luxembourg, to France, to Germany and back into France (where we decided to free camp) all in ONE day!
Free Camping... we managed to brave our first free camp site. It is oddly nerve-wrecking! There are loads of pull-offs on the roads. Often with a few truckers about. Then, if you carry on a quiet road you might just find somewhere heavenly! We found a place tucked under some tall trees. The shade cooled us from the 30 degree heat. Cracked open a delicious bottle of wine from Onkel Norby and made dinner under the trees. Birds tweeting and the smell of the earth.
A little sherry and bed. The wind picked up so slightly. The breeze was welcomed. And then it hailed. It hailed like mad! Big thuds on our Rubys top! Then the rain. Rain and more rain. It was too late to move. The bikes were wet, tied up on the car outside. Our bed was made – with us in it. It was decided to brave this storm and stay. I fell asleep worrying that Ruby might be stuck in the morning.
TIP: Free camping is very common in France.
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