Sunday – September 5th <\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n Sunny & comfortable – warm sun & cool breeze – perfect travel day<\/span><\/p>\n First thing in the morning, Jeff and I went out early to take photos of the magnificent train station and check on the car. The car was OK and the station was a visual treat.<\/span><\/p>\n We met two men who were also photographing the building.\u00a0 They said they lived 50 kilometers north of the city and had come to photograph the station.<\/span><\/p>\n We had good European coffee and croissants in a cafe at the station.<\/span><\/p>\n Afterwards, we checked out of the Hotel de la Couronne in Liege, Belgium, we loaded the trunk of the car with our luggage, and got on the A 26 \u2013 E 25 highway. <\/span><\/p>\n I have no idea why the highways have two numbers, but all the highways in \u201cBenelux\u201dseem to, which makes sign-reading an extra hassle. We left Liege and expected an easy highway drive to the capital city of Luxembourg. When we were about three-quarters of the way there, Jeff said that we needed gas. There were no gas stations along the highway, so we got off in some town that looked big enough to have a gas station. Since it was Sunday, many of the businesses were closed. We couldn’t find a gas station in any town. Traveler’s nightmare number two!<\/span><\/p>\n We nervously continued on the highway and just across the border of the country of Luxembourg, was a huge IKEA on a hill, in the middle of farmland! We got off the road hoping for civilization and a gas station. IKEA was closed and the huge parking lot was empty of cars. A few more anxious miles down the road and there was a large gas station with long lines of cars at each gas pump! Another lesson to learn: fill up before you leave town!<\/span><\/p>\n We arrived at the city of Luxembourg without a reservation, late on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a lovely city. The sun was shining brightly. Many of the shops were closed and there weren’t a lot of people out and about. We found the Tourist Information office at the train station and I went inside to ask for a city map and hotel guide.<\/span><\/p>\n Short Story Ending: We stayed at the Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal Hotel for two nights and fell in love with the hotel chain! <\/span><\/p>\n There is something wonderful to be said for luxury! A parking attendant whisked the car away and brought our luggage to the room. We have to pay for parking and the Internet, but the mini-bar is complementary. There is a Nespresso machine in the closet with a full compliment of coffee pods. I love the separate cabinet for the toilette! There are large closets, a huge dressing area, and best of all: a glass-enclosed shower in the bedroom with red & blue lights and an overhead \u201crain\u201d shower-head. It defies description…. <\/span><\/p>\n I decided to stay in the room and relax for the rest of the afternoon while Jeff walked to the center of the city to take photos. This was one of my better ideas………<\/span><\/p>\n Later, we went up to the 8th<\/sup> floor bar & restaurant for drinks and dinner. <\/span><\/p>\n There is a panoramic view of the center of the city from there. I tried the Luxembourg sparkling wine and Jeff had a grape martini. Then we had a wonderful dinner prepared by their famous \u201cFrench chef\u201d. It was a wonderful way to end the day.<\/span><\/p>\n Monday – September 6th<\/sup> It was another sunny and cool morning. <\/span><\/p>\n We went up to the 8th<\/sup> floor breakfast room\/restaurant to enjoy the morning view and have breakfast. Without boring the readers with the details, I can only say that the service was elegant and the breakfast was amazing!<\/span><\/p>\n Then Jeff and I went out to explore the City of Luxembourg. <\/span><\/p>\n It’s a lovely place with an air of refinement and wealth. There seemed to be a combination of tourists and business people and we walked around to explore and take photos. <\/span><\/p>\n The architecture is rather plain especially in comparison to Bruges, but it was still interesting to visit the center historical part of the city. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gallivantinggrandma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/DSC_0303.resized.jpg\" "\\"DSC_0303.resized\\"")
<\/a>The Liege Train Station<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Train Station<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Another View<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Another View of the Train Station<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Off the Highway
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Sofitel Hotel – Luxembourg<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Lobby of the Sofitel Hotel<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>8th Floor Bar with View of City<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Eighth Floor Breakfast Room
\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Place d’Armes<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Guillaume II Facing the Grand Ducal Palace<\/span><\/p>\n