Looking at Luxembourg

Our first base on our Europe trip was the country of Luxembourg. We stayed at the youth hostel in Remerschen, south of Luxembourg city, near the borders of France and Germany. It consisted of two buildings, a large, old house and a modern building, connected by a bridge. We were on the ground floor of the older building which was convenient, but we did have to go outside to get to the other building where the dining room and accessible shower were located. Our rooms were basic, but big enough to manoeuvre Racheal’s wheelchair and hoist easily and to have her changing table up. The sitting room had a stained glass window which looked impressive when the sun shone through it. There was no guest kitchen or facilities to make a drink, so we were glad of our travel kettle, electric cool box and picnic things so we could be self sufficient for one meal a day. Breakfast was provided and we ate out at lunchtime, saving some of our meals to blend for Racheal later. The weather was cold while we were here, but our room was toasty warm and we have plenty of warm clothes to wrap up when we’re outside so, apart from having to deal de-ice the car in the mornings it didn’t alter our plans.

We spent the two days we had here looking around the city which was half an hour’s drive and a short ‘park and ride’ bus journey away. Racheal always loves a bus ride!

The first day we explored the compact old city with its beautiful architecture, pretty parks and squares, and cobbled streets. It was quite easy to navigate and despite being perched high above the rivers which run through it, there weren’t too many steep hills.

The Pfaffenthal bridge and lift offer an impressive view from the top, then descends 65m to a small residential area, with a village feel, in one of the gorges carved by the river.

Back up in the old city we took a tram to the Adolphe Bridge before visiting the cathedral.

Next stop was the City Centre of Luxembourg Museum where we found an old wheelchair similar to Racheal’s Treki, some interesting lighting effects and an enormous lift between the different floors of the museum.

On the second day we had our first taste of Christmas markets, enjoying a walk through three of the small markets in the old city, before making our way to another museum which held an immersive art exhibition. We had hoped to visit the Grand Palais Ducal, having been told it was fully wheelchair accessible, but unfortunately it was closed. Another time perhaps.

Public transport is free in the whole of Luxembourg and museums are free for people with disabilities and essential companions so this was a very economical few days, and somewhere I’d certainly like to visit again.