A week-end in Luxembourg

Last week-end we went to Luxembourg, which is not too far from home but far enough to feel a bit like a small holiday. The place is rather small but with many historical and beautiful restored buildings, like the ducal palace or the government one (see the photos). Lot of shops .... from body shops - which looks like selling icecream (see the photo) but sell soaps - to luxury goods - I mean the Gucci, LuisVitton, etc, etc.

It is not a bargain city/state, since everything is more expensive despite having lower VAT. I mean ... I looked at Nikon lenses and they were constantly 20% more expensive that average-Joe shop in Belgium.

But the best shop must be a new chocolaterie (Oberweis) we found. You know .. Belgians are proud about their chocolate, but even Elke was impressed. I took away a bar of their New Guinea dark chocolate ... mmm ... so smooth, powdery, full of flavor including roasted moka and spices. Really a treat! I should have bought more! I now declare Luxembourg a chocolate-lover dream-land!

Eating there is something tricky, or better somewhat disappointing considering it sits near France and Belgium. Long ago we enjoyed a very nice meal in a restaurant now no longer in existence .... lately we only got rising bills with lowering taste. This time I even got served (for a considerable price) frozen fish which appeared to me as microwaved. Kind of ridiculous considering the posh-ness of the place (le jardin du president) we were!

Overall, Luxembourg is worth a short stop but not a dedicated trip ... except when you live (like us) nearby. If you are in its neighborhood, maybe consider to stop there for a night. Beware ... it might be cold in winter!