Around Easter, the tourist season traditionally gets under way in Luxembourg. If more exotic destinations are proving less attractive this year because of the war in Iran and high air fares, the outlook for European tourism this summer may not be too bad.
In Vianden, one of Luxembourg’s best-known tourist destinations, there was certainly no shortage of visitors over the Easter weekend, and local businesses say the crowd is becoming increasingly international.
The medieval castle remains the town’s main draw. But visitors are not coming to the Oesling region for the backdrop alone. Many Dutch, Belgian, and German tourists are also attracted by the nature and sense of calm they associate with Luxembourg.
Speaking from Vianden, young Vegas Staats, who helps run a restaurant with her family, said there had been especially large numbers of motorcyclists, mainly from the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, but that she had also recently noticed more Americans and Brazilians, which showed just how international the clientele is becoming.
The view from the Belvedere across to the castle is one of the most photographed in the country, and particularly striking in spring. From there, it was already clear by midday that the town was much livelier again. Vianden has long drawn visitors, among them Victor Hugo in the 19th century.
Among the tourists were visitors travelling from the Netherlands, who said Luxembourg made for an attractive Easter weekend destination because of its many places to visit, its beautiful countryside, and the pleasant weather. A woman from Luxembourg, showing Italian friends around the country’s castles, said they were delighted by the Grand Duchy.
Other tourists highlighted the peace and quiet of the area, while a visitor from Belgium said they had come for the natural setting and the historical site, which he described as beautiful.
By Monday afternoon, the terraces along the Our were packed. People stopped for a drink or a meal before heading off again, whether to visit one of the museums, walk one of the trails, or continue exploring the area by motorbike or bicycle.
Staats said the season had started very well for her family’s restaurant and for the town more broadly. Lunch service had been particularly busy, she said, and Vianden was full of activity, with plenty of cars and visitors. She also pointed to the reopening of the chairlift and a new restaurant at the top, saying everything seemed to be off to a very good start.
There is no shortage of walking trails around Vianden. For many tourists, however, even the climb up the Grand-Rue towards the castle is already an effort in itself. Those with more energy can continue up the narrow path to the chairlift chalet, or, as many did on Monday, take things a little more gently and simply enjoy the view over the valley.
More information about Vianden is available at www.visit-vianden.lu.
