Luxembourg may be Lilliputian in size and not big enough to contain the letters of its name on a map of Europe, but it makes up in snazz what it lacks in size. It has a wealth of verdant landscapes crisscrossed by rivers and dotted with the sort of rural hamlets that most people associate with fairy tales. Luxembourg's people are justifiably proud of their heritage with the nations motto inscribed everywhere throughout Luxembourg city, the capital - Mir welle bleiwe wat mir sin - ‘We want to remain what we are'. After a visit, you are sure to hope that they do.

Best time to visit

March to June, for the most pleasant weather.

Essential experiences

Feeling claustrophobic in Luxembourg City's fortress casements; spending a lazy day visiting the wineries along the Moselle Valley's Route du Vin; playing ‘king of the castle' at Vianden; taking in the superb panoramas from Citadelle du St Esprit in Luxembourg city.

In a few words, Luxembourg is

Home to the most dramatically situated capital city in Europe, dumplings, a tax haven and stunning castles.

Did you know?

Whitsunday is celebrated with a handkerchief pageant in honour of St Willibrord and the Moselle Valley's wine festival is held from August to November's ‘New Wine' celebration in Wormeldange.