Luxembourg surprised me and I ended up there at the urging of a friend. Actually, many folks ignore the place. After all, France and Germany are close by, bigger, and fantastic destinations. But honestly, I feel they may have missed the best secret that Europe has on offer.

Small, Beautiful & Not Crowded

One of the best things about the little country is that less than a million people live there. So, it’s not crowded. One of the smallest places in Europe, it’s actually a Grand Duchy that covers an area smaller than the USA’s state of Rhode Island. However, that doesn’t mean it’s boring in the slightest. Luxembourg’s the kind of place where history and modern convenience go hand in hand.

To my surprise, I hardly ever, in fact not once, opened my purse to pay for public transport. Need a train or a tram? Well, you just hop aboard and off you go. As for places to visit and things to do, small doesn’t mean there’s not much to see. For example, the city is set on two levels. And, the Upper City looks down over awesome gorges.

Things To Do

You shouldn’t miss the Grund area at the bottom of the canyon. The village looks like some sort of movie set with lots of stonework, and is amazing. Then, there’s the fascinating Bock Casemates. Way back in the day, soldiers used the tunnels that were carved into the cliffs to defend the city. And then, there’s the stunning view from the Chemin de la Corniche balcony.

Vineyards and castles intermixed nicely. There’s nothing quite as stunning as a castle because the sense of history is so strong. If you visit Luxembourg, be sure to place Vianden Castle on your itinerary. You can catch a chairlift up the hill and wear your camera out snapping stunning views.

Don’t leave off visiting the Mullerthal region, locally known as “Little Switzerland.” Hiking is great and you get to see the Schiessentümpel waterfall. Walking through the thickly wooded forests, it seemed incredible that the city wasn’t far away, either.

Beautiful Vineyards

I finished my trip in the Moselle Valley. Really, it’s worth visiting because of the beautiful vineyards. Naturally, I tested some of the local wines, and fell in love with a local sparkling wine called Crémant. But, there are plenty to try out.

Everywhere I went, I heard German and French being spoken, but the real surprise came in the cuisine. There’s a mix of both cultures on the dining table. Sort of like German food but cooked with a French style and flavor.

Well, in my book, and that’s important these days, I felt safe. Not for a second did I ever feel threatened by anyone in dark alleys. Mostly, the locals were friendly, and seemed happy to share their space with me. One day I’d like to go back there because I think I discovered Europe’s best kept secret.

Did you ever visit Luxembourg? What did you think of it? Shout out in the comments below, and come back here often for all your travel news and updates.