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The pocket-size nation of Luxembourg's
capital Luxembourg City is regarded as one of Europe's
quietest. Scenic, pretty, and located high above a valley,
the city boasts nearly a fifth of the country's population.
In fact Luxembourg is so small that on leaving the city's
outskirts you find yourself close to either France, Belgium,
or Germany. Here, the lush forests of the Ardennes
make for a pleasant retreat where you can view hill-top castles
and rivers aplenty. As a crossroads of Europe, the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg was destroyed and rebuilt some twenty times
over four centuries until it finally achieved independence
in 1830 and since then it's flourished, albeit quietly!
When to go
All these nations enjoy cool, temperate weather with mild
summers and cool winters and rainy variations throughout the
year - particularly in the Netherlands. Summer temperatures
average 77°F while winters average 45°F. Summer extremes
can reach 90°F. May to mid-October are best for vacations.
Although July and August are the warmest months, May and June
are the sunniest.
Belgium
Festivals and the arts are a prominent part of Belgian life.
One of the most famous festivals is the spectacular three-day
Carnival of the Gilles in Binche, south of Brussels,
held just before the start of Lent. During the event, men
known as Gilles dress in giant bright costumes and, in keeping
with strange rituals, toss oranges to spectators. Another
famous pageant is the Procession of the Holy Blood
held in Brugge in May, then the nation celebrates its
Independence Day on June 21, when the Belgians indulge
themselves in folklore festivals, rhythm n' blues, and rock
concerts. The unusual Flower Festival takes place from
the 13th to 15th of August on even years; Brussels' Grand
Place square is carpeted with 700,000 flowers in intricate
and beautiful patterns. December 6th is St Nicholas Day, an
important children's holiday.
Netherlands
Every year in January, the nation turns its attention to
the weather to see if the Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities
Race), an intensive 200 kilometers skating marathon though
the countryside of Friesland, can take place. The last
one was held in 1997 and it can only go ahead if the whole
area has iced over. Amsterdam gets even crazier than
usual on Queens Day, 30th of April, when the whole
of the centre becomes a giant street party and market where
anything can be sold and pretty much everything is tolerated.
The Netherlands' oldest town, Nijmegen, is host to
the country's biggest walking festival. The Vierdaagse
(four-day march) over 200 kilometers through the surrounding
countryside is a major event for serious walkers as well as
party animals. The annual event starts on the Tuesday of the
third week of July.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg's character is encapsulated in its national motto:
'We want to remain what we are'. This might explain why the
European Union's smallest country, with around 440,000 inhabitants,
has few internationally recognized natives known outside its
borders. That said, it really emerges from its shell on 23rd
of June, its National Day. Luxembourgers celebrate
it in the same vain as a European New Year's Eve. After sunset
on the evening of 22nd of June, torch lit parades illuminate
the city centre. Fireworks are launched from one of the city's
many inspiring bridges, while rock concerts take centre stage
in the main squares. The celebrations also mark the official
birthday of the Grand Duke and the inauguration of the Summer
in the City festival, which runs until September each
year. Meanwhile, the unusual Echternach Dancing Procession,
held five days after Easter, sees parish people walk to the
town's abbey to bear offerings. It draws so many thousands
of visitors that the procession is repeated on Whit Tuesday.
Language
English is spoken widely across all three countries,
especially in the capital and major cities.
Netherlands and Belgium
Although English speakers differentiate between the languages
spoken by inhabitants of the northern Belgium as Flemish
and the Netherlands as Dutch, they are in fact the
same language and its correct term is Netherlandic
or Nederlands; it's just the pronunciation that sets
them apart. French is spoken across the southern region of
Belgium.
Luxembourg
Multilingualism is universal among Luxembourgers and both
the German and French languages are used in
the press, in politics, and in daily life. French is most
common in government and schools, though Lëtzebuergesch
(Luxembourgish) is the language you'll hear most frequently
on the street as it's the oral language of the nation. It's
Germanic in origin (from around the fourth century) but has
changed sufficiently to make it unintelligible to German speakers.
Although an official written version of the language has been
set down in recent decades, it's not developed and nuanced
enough to be sufficient in written texts, so this is when
the use of French and German comes in to play.
Food and Drink
Belgium
One of Belgium's real gifts is food and the country has more
Michelin starred restaurants than France. Since its introduction
to the country several centuries ago, chocolate was
considered a gift in Belgium, especially after the filled
chocolate, praline, was invented in the early twentieth
century. In the capital, you will come across restaurants
serving mussels, often as moules a volonte (eat
as much as you like), while the selection of beers, from the
strong Trappist Abbey beers to the thirst quenching
Senne Valley breweries, is as expansive as you will
feel after your meals. Further south, the cuisine is not dissimilar
to traditional French fare, serving meats with rich ingredients
and sauces. In the Ardennes area, soups, smoked ham,
and pate are the order of the day.
The Netherlands
Traditional Dutch cuisine doesn't enjoy the best of reputations
but it's certainly hearty. Like the Belgians, the national
obsession is for frites (fries), usually sold from
a frituur (chip shop). Dinner tends to be thick soups,
meat or fish potatoes. Perhaps your best bet is heading to
Amsterdam; once something to be sniffed at, New
Dutch Cuisine is now an Amsterdam force to be reckoned
with. A new generation of chefs have thrown off the Dutch
penchant for over-boiling and frying to embrace the rich influences
of the Netherlands' large immigrant communities. They have
taken elements from world cuisines and the adoptive national
cuisine of Indonesia (its former colony) and fused
them with local, often organic, produce to come up with interesting
new creations. For cheap food take your pick from the overflow
of Surinam, Chinese, or Indonesian snack bars
across the city, while meat eaters won't be disappointed by
the amazing portions doled out at the Argentinean grill
houses.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg's cuisine - mainly centering around pork, seafood
and game - is made up of similar ingredients to those found
in the Dutch influenced Flanders area of Belgium. Local
specialties include liver dumplings with spiced pancakes,
smoked ham, plum tarts, and sauerkraut - an obvious
German influence. The Luxembourg wine is white, usually light,
and is best tasted in the Moselle Valley, half an hour
from the capital. Here you can sample and buy the regional
wines like Elbling, Rivaner, Auxerrois, and Gewürztraminer.
Travel
The national rail companies of Belgium and Luxembourg are
an excellent way to travel as well as modern and efficient.
The Benelux Tourrail is one such ticket that covers
Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands, which allows five
days unlimited rail travel during a one-month period throughout
Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Driving is a good
option outside of the main cities.
Cash
The local currency in all three countries is the Euro. One
Euro is worth slightly more than one $1 US, butFor up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter. ATM cash machines are commonplace in all cities and towns.
These are towards the more expensive countries to visit in
Europe. Budget for at least 40 euros per day for budget travel
staying in hostels, and closer to 100 to 150 euros if you
want to eat in proper restaurants and stay in a reasonable
hotel.
In Belgium be aware that budget hotels are few and
far between, but fortunately all prices include taxes, and
usually service, so there are no nasty surprises. Not so in
Luxembourg where a fifteen percent tax is added on
to everything except for hotel, restaurant and camping prices,
which are taxed at three percent.
Dress
There isn't any dress code to observe in these laid back
countries although you're especially advised to take wet weather
gear with you to the Netherlands in particular with its maritime
climate.
Visas
Belgium
Most visitors require a visa to enter Belgium which will
be issued upon arrival and those from Western countries will
usually be allowed to stay for up to three months. European
Union nationals don't need a visa providing they have a valid
passport.
Netherlands
European Union nationals can enter the Netherlands with
just a national identity card for three months, while visitors
from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore,
South Korea, and the United States don't need a visa, just
a valid passport for a stay of up to three months.
Luxembourg
European Union nationals can enter with a national identity
card or valid passport, although it's worth noting that entry
to nationals from some of the new member states are still
required to produce a passport. Many Western countries, including
the United States and Japan, are also allowed access with
just a valid passport; those from the rest of the world are
required to have a visa.
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