19 Days Luxembourg & The Heart of Europe Odyssey

Über das Reiseziel: Poised at the edge of two steep gorges, Luxembourg is one of the most physically dramatic capitals in Europe. The country’s rolling landscapes penetrate the city, and medieval walls and spires share the skyline with prosperous international banks and office complexes. The city’s most impressive sight is the Bock, the oldest part of the town fortress. A masterwork of tunnels and storerooms. From the entrance explore its corkscrew staircases and catch tremendous views through the loopholes. The streets nearby are the oldest in town. St-Michael’s Church has stones laid in 987. The earliest section of the façade of the Grand Ducal Palace is a magnificent example of the Spanish Renaissance style. When you tire of the crowded old city, head for parks along the shaded River Pétrusse or, for a change of pace, visit the Portuguese and Italian quarter in the Alzette ravine. You can hear guitars, bands, and choirs in the evening at place d’Armes.

Über das Reiseziel: From its breathtaking medieval centre to its 21st-century temple to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels offers the visitor a great deal more than just beer and chocolate and is resoundingly unlike its unfortunate staid image as the home of EU bureaucrats. Indeed, Brussels is a creative, dynamic city. Its compact city centre is clustered with bars, restaurants and museums set along cobbled streets. Inevitably, most tourists head to the Grand-Place. With its ornate Flemish guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful square in the whole of Europe. It deservedly is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the city’s crowning jewel. Wander next to the nearby Royal and Sablon districts teeming with art galleries and antique shops. Throw away your map and meander down a myriad side streets, discovering flea markets, art-deco houses and boutique stores. The Bruxellois take pride in their self-effacing, intellectual sense of humour, underpinned by a strong appreciation of the bizarre. The city has a long-running love affair with the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, epitomised by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a telling irony in the fact that the city's best-known landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a tiny statuette of a urinating boy. Meanwhile, all of this sits alongside world-class collections of art, fabulous cooking including mussels, frites, waffles and whelks, some of Europe’s best and unique beers (literally, there are thousands of varieties), and master-chocolatiers. The city’s cultural calendar is packed with events for everyone from the massive, raucous Foire du Midi street fair every July teeming with stalls and fairground attractions to the legendary Christmas Market that takes centre stage in the Place Sainte Catherine with 240 stalls, a skating rink, a big wheel, and numerous rides. One of the biggest events is Art Brussels, showcasing the city’s edgier, creative side and a hub for art connoisseurs from around the globe. If you’re a Euro-loving national, check out the European Quarter, centered around Schuman and the Berlaymont. Its liveliest part is the Place du Luxembourg: all its bars fill up around 6pm on week days with some of the 20,000 diplomats, politicians and civil servants who reside in the city after Brussels became the centre of international political following WWII. Open your eyes and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all that Brussels has to offer.

Über das Reiseziel: Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city that never fails to delight visitors with its charming canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture. This beautiful city offers something for everyone, from art lovers and history buffs to foodies and party-goers. One of the most iconic features of Amsterdam is its canal system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a boat tour or stroll along the canals to admire the picturesque bridges and colorful houseboats that line the waterways. The city is also home to many world-renowned museums, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, which houses a vast collection of Dutch art and artifacts. For those looking to indulge in some shopping, Amsterdam has plenty of options. The city's main shopping district is centered around Dam Square, where you'll find everything from high-end fashion to quirky boutiques. And when it comes to dining, Amsterdam is a food lover's paradise. From traditional Dutch dishes like stroopwafels and bitterballen to international cuisine from all corners of the globe, there's something to suit every taste. When the sun goes down, Amsterdam comes alive with a buzzing nightlife scene. Head to the famous Red Light District for a taste of the city's more risqué offerings, or hit up one of the many bars and clubs that dot the city's streets. No matter what your interests, Amsterdam is a city that's sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

Über das Reiseziel: Cologne, a centre for industry and transportation since ancient Roman times, has an extremely rich cultural tradition. During WWII 95% of the city was demolished, but the city miraculously recovered and many of its old churches and monuments have been meticulously restored. Cologne is now an attractive and lively centre of European art. It’s worth visiting this city, if only for the famous cathedral, though there’s much more to see. Situated on the Rhine River, the skyline of Cologne is dominated by the cathedral. This breathtaking cathedral, with its brilliant stained-glass windows, is justly famous as one of the world’s purest expressions of High-Gothic architecture. Cologne has one of the most extensive old town centres in the country, and the cathedral is its heart and soul. Across the square from the cathedral is the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, which displays artefacts from the original Roman colony. The Wallrof-Richartz museum and Museum Ludwig is a must for art enthusiasts. It is one of the country’s finest art galleries and makes brilliant use of natural light. A host of 12th and 13th century churches and several more of an ultra-modern post-war style also dot the streets of the old town. Cosmopolitan, open-minded, friendly are characteristics describing people from Cologne. Evenings and weekends in the city are like miniature carnivals, with bustling crowds and lots of things to do. Beer is the beverage of choice and there are lots of places to enjoy it.

Über das Reiseziel: Poised right on the German border, sophisticated Strasbourg has been shuffled back and forth between Germany and France for centuries. Today it is a symbol of reconciliation between nations. In 1955 it was chosen the seat of the European Parliament. Cosmopolitan Strasbourg nonetheless remains thoroughly Alsatian in appearance, with its half-timbered houses, covered bridges and flower-lined canals. Start a tour at the mesmerising Gothic cathedral, whose light, open spire rises above the historic core of the city. While you wait for the delightful play of the horloge astronomique, astrological clock, be sure to see the Pilier des Anges, one of the high points of Gothic sculpture. Across from the cathedral are the elegant 18th Château des Rohan, housing a porcelain, archaeology, and fine arts museum and the Maison de l’Oeuvre Notre-Dame, a huge collection of medieval and Renaissance art. For folklore, visit the Musée Alsacien. During the summer, there are folklore and music programs, and a walk along the quays of La Petite France, the old quarter, is best on a warm summer night. Get a taste of the delicious Alsatian cuisine in one of the many riverside restaurants.

Über das Reiseziel: Die Stadt Zürich ist mit 402'762 Einwohnern (Stand 31. Dezember 2016)[6] mit Abstand die grösste Stadt der Schweiz und weist eine Bevölkerungsdichte von 4384 Einwohnern pro Quadratkilometer auf. Die Stadt Zürich gibt die Wohnbevölkerung nach dem wirtschaftlichen Wohnsitzbegriff (umfasst unter anderem auch Wochenaufenthalter, Asylsuchende, Flüchtlinge mit vorläufiger Aufnahme) mit 423'478 Personen per November 2017 an.[7] Mit 32,1 Prozent (31. Dezember 2016)[8] weist Zürich einen überdurchschnittlich hohen Ausländeranteil (registrierte Bevölkerung ohne Schweizer Bürgerrecht) auf. Das Umland ist dicht besiedelt, so dass in der Agglomeration Zürich etwa 1,3 Millionen[9] und in der Metropolitanregion Zürich etwa 1,83 Millionen Menschen leben.[10] Der Bezirk Zürich ist mit dem Stadtgebiet identisch. Die Stadt liegt im östlichen Schweizer Mittelland, an der Limmat am Ausfluss des Zürichsees. Ihre Einwohner werden Zürcher genannt (bzw. Stadtzürcher zur Differenzierung mit den übrigen Einwohnern des Kantons). Das aus dem römischen Stützpunkt Turicum entstandene Zürich wurde 1262 freie Reichsstadt und 1351 Mitglied der Eidgenossenschaft. Die Stadt des Reformators Huldrych Zwingli erlebte im Industriezeitalter ihren Aufstieg zur heutigen Wirtschaftsmetropole der Schweiz. 2014 wurde Zürich der Ehrentitel „Reformationsstadt Europas“ durch die Gemeinschaft Evangelischer Kirchen in Europa verliehen. Mit ihrem Hauptbahnhof, dem grössten Bahnhof der Schweiz, und dem Flughafen ist die Stadt Zürich ein kontinentaler Verkehrsknotenpunkt. Dank der ansässigen Grossbanken (u. a. UBS und Credit Suisse) und Versicherungen (Zurich Insurance Group und Swiss Re) ist sie ein internationaler Finanzplatz und der grösste Finanzplatz der Schweiz, gefolgt von Genf und Lugano. Daneben beherbergt die Stadt mit der Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule Zürich und der Universität Zürich die zwei grössten universitären Hochschulen der Schweiz. Trotz der vergleichsweise geringen Einwohnerzahl wird Zürich daher zu den Weltstädten gezählt. Überdurchschnittlich viele Medienunternehmen haben hier ihren Sitz. Mit seiner Lage am Zürichsee, seiner gut erhaltenen mittelalterlichen Altstadt und einem vielseitigen Kulturangebot und Nachtleben ist es zudem ein Zentrum des Tourismus.