Playtime in Luxembourg City

Our final day was spent exploring Luxembourg City. The most impressive thing about it was how it is built up on a hill and had great views over the old parts of the city from the top. Otherwise, the city was a wreck with massive, noisy construction projects so that took away from its appeal on this visit. It would be nice to go back in warmer weather for comparison- totally doable at it is only 4 hours away. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of Luxembourg before we moved here (I'm a math and science gal, not a geography buff!). European countries that are even smaller than Luxembourg: Vatican City (check), Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Malta (our April break destination), and Andorra. Had you heard of all of these?

We went to the tourist office and got directions to the infamous "pirate ship" playground in the city park. People in Luxembourg speak French, German and Luxembourgish as well as English and who knows what other languages! Apparently in schools there, the students alternate the language they are taught in every year! We had heard that the international school there was very well paying and considered looking into a move there in the future, but we are happy in Amsterdam and enjoy the city here a lot more.

Built into the bedrock under the original Luxembourg City fortress are extensive casements that began around 1644. You can still tour the tunnels that remain, which would have been really cool, but it was not stroller accessible so that was out. So instead, we took the much more modern elevator to the old district of the Grund below. The Natural History Museum was closed for renovations, but we found another playground at the foot of the fortress where Maeve took her first swing ride!

Back at the AirBnB I offered to take Maeve for a walk, while the boys picked up dinner so that I could enjoy the beautiful scenery. It was really nice to spend "fall break" soaking in fall instead of trying to find warmer weather elsewhere. Looking forward already to next year's trip... wherever that may be! Au revoir and chus Herfstvakantie!

Next Stop: Luxembourg!

Thursday we were off for the last stop on our road trip, a tiny town in France on the border of Luxembourg. This is what happens when you wait last minute to book a place to stay in Luxembourg city and can't find a place! Very unlike me! We just moved house with two little ones so I'll cut myself slack.

The Vosges mountains were peppered with castles, chateaux, and fortresses, all inviting you to drive up into the mountains to have a look. With limited time, we chose one spot to visit on the recommendation of a friend and headed to the Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey, a current nunnery. It was a grey, foggy morning and very cool to see the fog filtering over the mountains. They say this is the driest region of France because the mountains keep the poor weather away. Most days that is! You know what else is cool? The leaves of vineyards also change color in the fall! This never occurred to me before, but all of the hillsides were a beautiful deep yellow color from the changing leaves!

It was cold and wet at the top so we zoomed around the outside, taking in the buildings and then took shelter in the cafeteria. The sky was clearing as we left, giving way to great views over the Alsace and of the autumn colors.

From the abbey, we hit the road and after a quick roadside blowout fix (not a tire), both kiddos were fast asleep and we enjoyed the most beautiful, silent ride through the countryside! We passed through so many adorable towns as we made our way to the main highway.

After checking into our AirBnB, we crossed the border into Luxembourg- a new country for all of the Durneys! One of Pete's coworkers used to live in Luxembourg city and had given us a few recommendations. We drove to Remich, a town on the Mosel river bordering Germany, also known for its wine. We hit a wine bar to try the goods and then had a lovely stroll along the river. No playground in site, but we made our own fun with a pile of leaves and a muddy puddle.

Remich

Mosel river

Germany on the other side of the river

I love fall!

We were on our way back and I was directing Pete with my phone from the back seat. I told him to turn left and was so confused when he made a sharp right into a parking lot. And then I saw what was before my eyes! Pizza Hut!!! Where was this when I was pregnant and craving it. Never mind, I was so excited just the same. Nothing like a gourmet meal in a new country :) Jude loved it, too! So now we just need to drive to Luxembourg on the reg to fulfill my cravings! 

Strasbourg, France

We day tripped to Strasbourg, getting a late start after Pete let me nap with Maeve after a rough night. We didn't have much on the agenda other than to take a boat tour around the city and try to find tarte flambee, a pizza-like specialty of the region. We succeeded on both counts, but didn't do much else as it was a cold, windy day! After seeing Colmar and Eguishem we felt a little underwhelmed by Strasbourg, though of course it is an amazingly beautiful city in its own right. It is about the size of Amsterdam and was teeming with young people as it has a prestigious university (the second largest in France with 46,000 students!). Strasbourg is the official seat of European parliament and the boat tour took us past these modern buildings. A look inside the hemicycle building. We are glad that the House Hunters episode led us to this part of the continent, an area we weren't likely to have stumbled upon otherwise! 

Going through one of the city locks- very cool!

Tarte flambee with Emmental cheese

Cute aprons- should have bought one!

"We're dancing in the streets!"

Main square

Inside the Cathedral. Jude did well considering he's told us he doesn't want to go in churches, only castles :)

Very cool astronomical clock inside the cathedral

And it wouldn't be a French city without a beautiful carousel to ride :) 

Got that wave down!