From Belgium to Luxembourg to Germany

We left our lovely B&B in Belgium for the long drive down to our B&B in Luxembourg. Along the way we stopped in at Val Dieu Abbey where we walked the grounds and bought some beer and cider in the abbey shop. On to Spa, where we ate lunch at Domino’s, a steakhouse that also featured Romanian dishes. We wandered the town, then continued on our way.

When we arrived at the B&B, it was a real disappointment. The owners seem to have a real aversion to well-lit rooms (perhaps they’re vampires). In the room we slept in last night (we’ve switched rooms for the second night), there was space for six bulbs in the chandelier, but only two worked. It took some arm-twisting to get more bulbs.

Then the bed was horrid. The box-springs was broken so the mattress sagged in the middle like a hammock. After an awkward night sleeping on the broken bed (my body kept wanting to roll into the middle) we did manage to get a different room with a perfectly fine bed. The only downside is the toilet is in the hall, but that’s no biggie.

The breakfast was stellar, despite the bed issues. Incredible chocolate croissant, a lemon curd filled pastry, rolls, thinly sliced ham and cheese as well as other meats. Fresh fruit and some good coffee.

We headed out to Larochette to hike. First up to the castle (quite a climb), where a beautiful cat followed us up, then through the countryside (including alongside some cornfields), then back into town. It was about a 7km hike in all, with some gorgeous scenery along the way. We had sandwiches at a patisserie (where the wind kicked up and nearly blew over all the umbrellas). My sandwich was ham on the world’s best baguette. Yum!

We then drove down to Echternach where we shopped, then walked along the Sauer River until we reached a bridge that crossed over into Germany. We hung out at a German pub where everyone but me drank a glass of Bitburger ale. I’m not much of a beer drinker, unless it’s a very malty variety.

We walked back into Luxembourg, then returned to the B&B. I should be resting, but I wanted to get the blog post and pictures out. Enjoy!