Some of the most delightful spots in Luxembourg are actually outside the hustle and bustle of Luxembourg City. On our last day there, we headed to a charming town called Echternach, taking a quick bus ride to get there.
Our timing was perfect as it was Whit Tuesday, which is when Echternach hosts its famous annual dancing procession. People from near and far come together to dance through the city. This tradition has been going strong since the 1300s and is the last traditional dancing procession in Europe. Its cultural significance has earned it a place on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The event is taken very seriously in Luxembourg, with government workers even getting half a day off to participate.
Everyone was so involved and lively, hopping around the city with joy! Live bands played the main songs for the procession, and it wasn’t long before we felt the urge to join in on the dancing too.
After enjoying the vibrant atmosphere for a while, we decided to explore Echternach. The architecture in the town had a distinct German feel, which made sense once we discovered the river acting as a border between Luxembourg and Germany. It was quite an experience to be so close to both countries at the same time, and driving along the river felt almost surreal.
From Echternach, we made our way to Clervaux for lunch at Restaurant Les Ecuries du Parc – Pärdsstall. This cozy, out-of-the-way spot had menus only in Luxembourgish, but luckily we had Sandy and Nicole with us to help with translations. We started with kir royales, made with local berry mixers, followed by some white wine.
The restaurant is quite reputable, even attracting visits from the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg! We kicked off with delicious escargots in garlic sauce. It was Lloyd’s first time trying them, and he loved it. Travel has certainly broadened his culinary horizons!
For the main courses, I chose duck, while Lloyd opted for a chicken pie. By the end of our meal, we were so full that dessert was out of the question—a rare occurrence given my love for sweets! Overall, we left satisfied and ready for our next adventure before heading back to London. More on that in the next update!
