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Up early for the included breakfast, which is always a major plus, that I totally abused. Jam and Nutella bread, cereals and compote. Hm…

The hostel is located right down the casemates and the rail aqueduct, giving some wonderful views as I left to explore the lower part of the city. I was going to the train station when I noticed the 65-m high panoramic elevator, that get you straight to the old town. It goes up and down super fast, and like any form of public transport(!) in Luxembourg, it’s completely free! I crossed the old city, which is shaped like a pentagon, almost fully encircled by a deep ravine. Hence I found myself facing the more modern part of the city, separated by this huge park down the chasm.

I took the free tramway to the central station, where I met with my dad and stepmother, who came in Luxembourg [Luxembourg City] today to join me. My dad has been all over the World, but never in this city, so it was a great occasion to visit.

We walked back all the way to the old town, but failed to find some affordable things to eat. We were shocked to see that many luxe brands clustered at the same place. So we took the tram and went back to the more popular center, and they offered me the restaurant (thanks!)

We jumped back into the tram in the opposite direction this time, and I took them to the elevator from this morning. It goes down to the remnants of the Vauban fortifications.

And also to a funicular that we took just for the sake of it, although it’s very short and not that impressive.

It stops in the economically part of Luxembourg, so we quickly fled with the tram, again. This time we crossed the old town West to East, until reaching the casemates and the old fortifications. The view from there on the Alzette river, and the lower part of the city is quite beautiful. Luxembourg might not be a name you associate with history and architectural beauty, but it truly is.

We walked back along the edge of the city, and crossed back into the new town, where we took a coffee and headed back to the station. We said our goodbyes as our trains went opposite direction. It was a great day of exploring and it was very nice of them to come visit me! After that and the week-end with Kévin, I feel like my social battery got charged up again.

Unfortunately, I left Luxembourg the same way I entered it, by complete darkness, so I never got to see the Luxemburgish countryside. My original plan was not necessarily to go to Luxembourg, but rather Vianden castle or some short hike, but given the price of the cheapest bed in the country, that’ll be for another time.

Hallo België!

Or good night, as I go to bed as soon as I reach Luik [Lièges].