Family Fun in Europe, Part 7: Luxembourg and Dinant

This is my seventh post about our family's 2024 trip to Europe. I recommend reading the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth posts before this one.

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Luxembourg and Dinant, Belgium

 

While I stayed in the hotel in Brussels, the rest of the family took a 12-hour guided tour of Luxembourg and Dinant, Belgium. The tour started with a 3-hour bus ride to Luxembourg City, where they had a walking tour. The tour attendees were a mix of English and Spanish speakers, so the guide presented everything in both languages. This delighted my mom, who, like me, is learning Spanish via Duolingo. I would have loved that too. 

They started at Place de Metz, named for the city of Metz in France. 

They walked across the Adolphe Bridge, a national symbol of sorts. 

  

Here's the view looking back at the Adolphe Bridge after crossing it.

Steve took the above pictures from the base of Gelle Fra, the Golden Lady. This 101-year old Monument of Remembrance honors the Luxembourg soldiers who died in World War 1. 

This is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, built in the 17th century. 

  

This is Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1919-1964. She was a popular leader who provided stability during a tumultuous time. She is considered a symbol of the sovereignty and prosperity of Luxembourg. 

This is the Grand Duchal Palace, the residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a duchy, not a kingdom. Interestingly, it is the sole remaining grand duchy in the world. 

Next, Fishmarket, the historic center of the city, built at the junction of two Roman roads.

This is St. Michael's, built in 1688. The first church built on that spot was constructed in 987. 

From the Palace of Justice...

... they had amazing views looking down at old city. 

This is where the walking tour ended. You can see the route they took below. 

They had 90 minutes on their own to get lunch, do a little exploring, and make their way back to the bus. 

  

Back on the bus, they drove to Dinant. It is about halfway between Luxembourg and Brussels. That church is Collegiale Notre Dame de Dinant. Above it, La Citadelle de Dinant. 

Dinant's most famous citizen was Adolphe Sax, a musician and inventor of the saxophone in the 1840's. The city has many beautifully painted saxophone statues on display. 

  

  

  

As you approach the Maison de Monsieur Sax, you'll find other saxophone-related public art leading the way. 

  

Rest for a bit with Mr. Sax himself! 

Dinant is known for more than its onion-domed church, a citadel, and the inventor of the saxophone. It's also famous for Couques de Dinant. 

These cookies have exactly two ingredients: equal amounts of whole wheat flour and honey. The dough is put in molds and cooked until the couques are extremely hard. You cannot bite into them; they have to be broken into pieces, then soaked in coffee or allowed to melt in your mouth. They're basically the sweet version of sea biscuits or hardtack. 

Downtown Dinant looks like a charming place. 

They got back to the hotel around 9:00 pm; as I mentioned, I was already in bed. I'm bummed that I missed an entire country that the rest of the family visited and I would have thoroughly enjoyed Dinant. To put it into perspective though, missing one day's activities was so much better than missing the entire trip, as I feared I'd have to do. I am incredibly grateful I was able to safely postpone cancer treatment to travel. Today is the halfway point in my radiation treatment. If you are interested, you're more than welcome to follow my cancer journey on CaringBridge.