A neat package of wonder and wineries, wrapped with ribbons of scenic delight. Not even big enough on most maps of Europe to contain the letters of its name, Lilliputian Luxembourg makes up in snazz what it lacks in size. It has a wealth of verdant landscapes crisscrossed by rivers and dotted with the sort of rural hamlets that most people associate with fairy tales.
Capital: Luxembourg
Grand Duke: Henri
Prime Minister: Jean-Claude Juncker
Government: constitutional monarchy
Time zone: GMT +1
Area: 2586
Population: 454000
Languages: Closely related to German. Proclaimed national language in 1984. 97% Roman Catholic
Currency: Euro (€)
Country Dialing Code: 352
The international airport, Findel, is 6km (4mi) east of the capital and is serviced by frequent buses. The national airline, Luxair, flies to a number of European destinations, including Amsterdam, Athens and London. Other airlines fly to Cuba, Morocco, Russia, Tenerife and the USA. The departure tax is included in the price of tickets. Eurail, Inter-Rail, Europass and Flexipass are valid on Luxembourg's train system, as is the Benelux Tourrail pass, which is also good on Luxembourg Railways' bus routes. Buses and trains connect the capital to all of Europe's major cities as well as many neighbouring towns and villages. The major automobile routes into and out of the Grand Duchy include the A4 to Brussels and Paris, the A31 via Dudelange to France and the A48 via Trier to Germany. The touristy MV Princesse Marie-Astrid plies the Moselle River en route from Schengen, at the southernmost tip of Luxembourg, to Bernkastel and Trier in Germany during the summer.
Unlike its Benelux partners, Luxembourg does not have an extensive railway system, so getting around once you leave the main north-south line can take time. The bus network, on the other hand, is thorough, and the fare system for both networks is simple, with unlimited day tickets and standard charges for set lengths of travel. Almost all railway stations have luggage storage facilities, but many bus terminals do not. Luxembourg's road network is very good. Drivers must by law wear seatbelts, and all driving is done on the right. The price of fuel is among the cheapest in Western Europe - so much so that German and Belgian drivers are known to swing across the border to fill up. Conversely, car rental is expensive, though it may be your best bet for short stays. Be sure to ask about insurance, taxes (TVA) and unlimited kilometres. Outside of the capital, public transportation consists mainly of taxis, which hike their fees by 25% on Sundays. Bicycle rental is an option, though it's not as popular here as in the rest of Western Europe.
Diminutive Luxembourg has a fairly standard climate for a landlocked Central European country. The forest and hills in the north of the country are wetter and see slightly less sunlight but are generally identical in temperature. Summer days are usually mild, averaging 22-24° C (71-75° F) while winter days usually sit just above zero (32° F), but can occasionally become quite bleak. A small, secluded pocket in the southeast of the country sees warm summer temperatures creep into autumn.
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