Our visit included much walking, a hop-a-bus tour, and a nighttime river cruise. While not our favorite stop in Europe, Paris has much to see and is a great city for walking.
Paris Opera
Opened in 1875, is a Paris landmark built for an emperor, but finished only after he left the scene. While the city’s primary setting for opera is now the Opera Bastille, a mix of ballet and opera are performed here on a regular basis. Our visit also included a projected art show. While the performance was amazing, the atmosphere can be a bit chaotic.
A delightful little Duchy, Luxembourg was contested by French, German, and Hapsburg empires well into the 20thCentury. Luxembourg City combines efficiency with many historic attractions. Our visit coincided with the Schueberfouer, Luxembourg’s annual state fair that dates back to 1340.
Located at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the strategic importance of Namur has been recognized since Roman times. Our trip included a stop here to see the great Citadel with its maze of tunnels and the town itself.
The iconic Manneken Pis statue
Belgium’s capital city is a terrific base for a low-countries vacation. The rail network allows for easy transit within Belgium as well as neighboring countries. The main tourist attractions are centrally located, and underappreciated. Belgium is also the home of the European Parliament, with many exhibitions for visitors.
The popular, some would say overly so, city of Amsterdam is the home of canals and bicycles. Our visit included a stop at the Rijksmuseum and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. And, no visit is complete without a Canal tour.
The Markt
One of the earliest financial centers of the Renaissance outside of Italy, Bruges’s historic prominence is still evident. The medieval market square is not to be missed. However, it is not a requirement to climb the Belfry. Bruges also offers tours of the city on canal boats and working windmills.
Little-known Leuven is just 15 miles east of Brussels, but is a world away from the more popular destinations in Belgium. Leuven’s history as a university town dates back nearly 600 years. The remarkable town hall is surrounded by a small but lively city center. It’s an easy day-trip from Brussels, and well worth the slight effort.
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