When it rains, it pours. Right on the heels of my family visiting us in Italy, we flew to Luxembourg to meet up with Michael’s sister Melissa, her husband Mike, and their kids, Barrett and Violet.
We arrived in Luxembourg, but Lucas’ suitcase did not. It was bound to happen with how much we travel. Thanks to AirTags, we were able to help the airport in Italy locate the bag, and Lucas was reunited with it. One of the first things we discovered was that public transportation in Luxembourg is completely free! We took full advantage of it, hopping on trains and buses to visit different parts of the country without worrying about driving or parking. It made exploring so easy and stress-free. We were even able to easily swing by the airport after a day of sightseeing to pick up the lost suitcase.
Our Airbnb was a large four-story house that was centrally located. It had 5 bedrooms, but only 1.5 bathrooms. It made showering logistics a bit tricky, but it worked. It was also very dated and fully of things. It reminded me of my grandmother’s house. It can be hard to find the perfect accommodation for 8 people that doesn’t break the bank.
Our first day trip was to the Château de Vianden. It was easy to navigate outside the city on buses and trains. The castle, perched high above the town, looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. After exploring its towers, halls, and incredible views, we ate a quick lunch then hopped on another bus and headed out on the famous Mullerthal Trail. The scenic hike took us through forests, rocky passages, and mini waterfalls. It was an adventure everyone enjoyed.
While we explored together, we enjoyed a wine tasting at Cave Saint Martin, where we sampled some of Luxembourg’s local wines and the kids went crazy over the grape juice. It was a fun experience and a great way to discover another side of the country’s culture. We were right next to Germany, so we walked across the bridge after the wine tasting and found schnitzel for dinner. It isn’t every day you can casually walk from one country to another for a meal!
Of course, we spent plenty of time exploring Luxembourg City as well. We took a tour of the Grand Ducal Palace. The palace, which is the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, is only open to the public for tours during the summer months when the Grand Ducal family is away, so we felt lucky to be visiting at just the right time. It was a unique experience to walk through decorated rooms, learning about Luxembourg’s monarchy, and seeing a place that is still actively used for official state functions. No photos allowed, but we enjoyed this rare opportunity to step inside one of the country’s most important buildings and get a glimpse into Luxembourg’s history and traditions. We also rented bikes for half a day and rode throughout the city, discovering neighborhoods, scenic overlooks, and relaxing parks where the kids could play. The playgrounds in Luxembourg are impressive. We also explored the Casemates du Bock, wandering through the historic underground tunnels that once protected the city centuries ago.
More than anything, this trip was about spending quality time together. Whether we were riding trains, hiking trails, exploring castles, biking through the city, or simply sharing meals and conversations, we were having a good time. We’re so grateful that Melissa, Mike, Violet, and Barrett made the trip to visit us.
Luxembourg turned out to be the perfect place to start the family adventure with Melissa and her family, and it wasn’t done. After Luxembourg, we boarded a train to another country to continue the adventure with them.
