On my first official day in Luxembourg City, I went to a highly reviewed local coffee shop and café called Ready?! that not only had great grapefruit lemonade and marble cake but access to free wifi, so I could enjoy the scenic view of the city while working on my blog posts.
After spending a few ours at Ready?! I took a stroll along the city center on my way to the Grand Ducal Palace and grabbed some strawberry sorbet ice cream which was amazingly sweet and refreshing from Ladurée. They had an adorable ice cream cart parked near local shops.
Upon arriving at the Grand Ducal Palace, I learned that it was originally built as a city hall but was transformed several times over its 450 year history. Since 1890, the Grand Ducal Palace is the residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg where he performs most of his duties as head of state of the Grand Duchy. The palace has unquestionably one of the most beautiful façades in the city with a 16th century Flemish Renaissance inspired aesthetic.
After admiring the Grand Ducal Palace, I made my way to the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Luxembourg City, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg. Upon entering the cathedral I learned that it was originally a Jesuit church, and its cornerstone was laid in 1613. The only cathedral in Luxembourg, the cathedral is also a noteworthy example of late gothic architecture; however, it also has many Renaissance elements and adornments. At the end of the 18th century, the church received the miraculous image of the Maria Consolatrix Afflictorum, the patron saint of both the city and the nation.
Additionally, the crypt of the Cathedral contains the remains of Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of Luxembourg some of which include Marie-Adélaïde I, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg; Felix, Prince Consort of Luxembourg; Charlotte I, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg; and Jean I, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
After exploring Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg, I went into an authentic Luxembourg souvenir shop called Luxembourg House. While there I picked up a few boxes of some adorable little cookies shaped as Luxembourg to take back home as gifts. I also went to an all English bookstore nearby before heading to the Chocolate House for dinner (more like dessert – haha).
At the Chocolate House, I got a traditional Luxembourg dessert called Traditioneller Baumkuchen. It was absolutely amazing with warm chocolate and cinnamon along with two scopes of ice cream (one chocolate, one vanilla) and lots of whipped cream.
On my second full day in Luxembourg City, I went to the Casemates du bock, which is Vast complex of underground tunnels and galleries, which were used as a bomb shelter for 35,000 people during World War II. Part of the tunnels are also comprise the dungeon of the 10th century Luxembourg Castle.
After exploring the Casemates du bock, I had dinner with music and a view at Café Français in the city center before going to a famous ice cream parlor called Glacier Bargello where they had the most amazing and refreshing mango strawberry sorbet.
For my third day and final day in Luxembourg city, I am headed to the upper town quarter near the fish market to visit the Musée national d’histoire et d’art to explore the major artworks and artifacts from all epochs of Luxembourg history.
Sarah's European Voyage 