Proudly Presents.....

 

           DISCOVER LUXEMBOURG 2010

 

              A Heritage, Cultural and Gastronomical Tour

            of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

  May 21 - June 1, 2010

 

 

Luxembourg American Cultural Society & Center

262-476-5086

www.luxamculturalsociety.org

 

 

 

Join the Luxembourg American Cultural Society for its second, unforgettable Heritage, Cultural and Gastronomical Tour of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.  This will be a tour like none other featuring personalized experiences with some of Luxembourg’s most incredible people and places!  This tour will help you to know and experience our beloved Grand Duchy in a way that will forever enrich your life!

 

Jim Michels, Aurora, Illinois writes the following about the 2008 LACS Tour of Luxembourg: 

 

My sister and brother-in-law and my wife Carole and I traveled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the LACS Tour in September 2008.  It was the trip of lifetime! Everything was well thought out and we had access to people and places that we would not have had if not for the LACS.  LACS Board Member Barbara Hames did an excellent job in leading our group of 27 and the more experienced travelers said the trip was worth much more than we paid.  For a “frugal” American of Luxembourger descent, it is always reassuring to know that the trip was of very good value besides being a great experience.

 

Brought to you by the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, Inc.

With your Tour Director:

 

Kevin Wester

 

LACS Director of Development & Membership

kwester@luxamculturalsociety.org

Work - 262-476-5086

Cell - 262-355-5758

 

May 21 - June 1, 2010

Departing Chicago, Illinois to Brussels, Belgium, to Luxembourg

 

Price:

$3,895 – Round-trip from Chicago (double occupancy)

$700 – Single supplement

 

Hotels – Transportation – Meals:

 

Special Events:

Discover Luxembourg 2010 --- Itinerary

 

Day 1, Friday, May 21- CHICAGO - O’HARE DEPARTURE

United Airlines Flight 950 departing Chicago O’Hare at 1:15 p.m., with a 1 hour and 45 minute layover (with a change of aircraft) at Dulles Airport in Washington D.C.  Departing  Washington Dulles at 6 pm with arrival in BRUSSELS at 7:30 am Saturday, May 22, 2010

 

Day 2, Saturday, May 22- ARRIVAL IN CLERVAUX, LUXEMBOURG

After arriving in Brussels, we will have a two hour bus trip via luxury coach  to Clervaux for check in at the Hotel Internationale.  The afternoon will be free to explore the medieval city of Clervaux or to rest up after the overseas flight. The evening will be a Welcome Reception (including dinner) with Rene Daubenfeld of "Building Bridges Tours" and friends and dignitaries from the Grand Duchy.

 

Day 3, Sunday, May 23-  BENEDICTINES AND BASTOGNE

 After breakfast at the hotel, we will attend Mass at the historic Benedictine Abbey in Clervaux.  We will travel by coach bus just over the border to Bastogne, Belgium for a walking tour of the city and lunch on your own.   Following lunch there will be a group tour of the impressive American Battle of the Bugle Memorial and Museum at Bastogne.  On way back to Clervaux we will drive through Esch-sur-Sure, one of Luxembourg's most interesting villages.   A group dinner will follow at the hotel.

 

Day 4, Monday, May 24- FAMILY OF MAN AND WWII MUSEUMS

After breakfast at the hotel, we will tour the famous Family of Man Exhibit by Luxembourg American photographer Edward Steichen at the Clervaux castle.  We will then head to Bourscheid to visit the historic castle there.  The next stop of the day is Diekirch.  We will enjoy a walking tour and lunch on your own and then tour the moving American Military Museum.  Then on to nearby Ettelbruck to view the General Patton Monument & Museum.  On the way back to our hotel in Clervaux we will drive through Colmar-Berg and see the Grand Ducal Castle.  A group dinner will follow at the hotel.

 

Day 5, Tuesday, May 25-  ANNUAL SPRING DANCING PROCESSION

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Echternach for the Annual Spring Dancing Procession in honor of St. Willibrord.   After a group lunch in Echternach, we will get a personal tour of Echternach including the Basilica and Tomb of St Willibrord, the Roman ruins, etc. As we head back to our hotel in Clervaux, we will drive through Luxembourg's "Little Switzerland" region and enjoy the amazing scenery.  Group dinner at the hotel.

 

Day 6, Wednesday,  May 26- LUXEMBOURG CITY

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart our hotel in Clervaux for Luxembourg City.   We will tour some of Luxembourg's Cities most fascinating sites including the medieval Casements,  St. Michel's Church, the Grand Ducal Palais, the Fish Market, etc.  There will be free time to shop and explore with lunch on your own.  Following lunch we will take a train ride through the breath-taking Petrusse Valley.  We will then check into the Hotel Cravat for the remainder of our stay.  Group dinner that evening.

 

Day 7, Thursday, May 27 – BEER, BIRDS, AND BISHOP!

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Luxembourg's new Museum of Modern Art.  We will then travel to the Bofferding Brewery in Bascharage for a brewery tour followed by a light lunch and beer tasting.  After lunch we will make our way to Koerich to visit Luxembourg's most spectacular Baroque church as we make our way to the village of Nospelt, famous for its native pottery and “peckvillerchen” (traditional clay bird whistles).  We will see the potters at work, visit the local pottery museum and have an opportunity to purchase peckvillerchen - a great souvenir to take home.  In the early evening, we will celebrate Mass at Notre Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral in Luxembourg City with his Excellency, Archbishop Fernand Franck, officiating.  This will be followed by a reception with hors d'oeuvres  at the Archbishop’s palais (personal residence). 

 

Day 8, Friday, May 28- FREE DAY!

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be free to do as you please --- shop, explore, do genealogy, visit ancestral villages, meet with family or friends, or get together a group to hire a minibus for an excursion to nearby Trier- the oldest city in Germany.  The day is yours to enjoy!

 

Day 9, Saturday, May 29 – WINE AND THE MOSELLE

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart by motor coach to Remich on the Moselle River.  We will have a walking tour of this charming village and some free time to have lunch on your own and to shop and explore. In the afternoon, we will take a relaxing boat cruise up the Moselle River to view the breath-taking villages and vineyards along Luxembourg's Moselle.  After disembarking in the charming village of Schengen, we will head to the Schlink Winery for a wine tasting experience, followed by a "pre-farewell" reception (including dinner) with Luxembourg dignitaries and friends.

 

 

Day 10, Sunday, May 30 –  CASTLES AND CULINARY

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have the opportunity to attend Mass.  We will then depart by motor coach to see some of Luxembourg's most noteworthy castles.  We will drive past the castles in Ansembourg, Hollenfels, Schoenfels, Mersch, and Larochette as we make our way to the charming village of Vianden.  After lunch on your own, we will tour the famous Vianden castle.  In the afternoon we will depart for the castle ruins in Beaufort as we make our way to the Bourglinster.  We will visit the impressive castle there and actually dine at the famous Castle Restaurant under the direction of chef Rene Mathieu.  He will prepare a memorable, seasonal meal for us. 

 

Day 11, Monday, May 31-  U.S. MEMORIAL DAY

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart by motor coach for U.S. Memorial Day Services at the inspirational American Military Cemetery in Hamm.  This is the burial site of General George Patton and over 5,000 fallen American soldiers from WWII.  Following this ceremony, we will have a group lunch at the nearby, private Grand Ducal Country Club.  This will be followed by free time in Luxembourg City, dinner on our own and packing for the trip back home.   

 

Day 12, Tuesday, June 1- DEPART FOR THE US

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will check out of the Hotel Cravat and head to Brussels, Belgium by motor coach for the return flight to the U.S - United Airlines Flight # 951 departing Brussels at 12:10 p.m.  After clearing customs in Washington, D.C., the return flight to Chicago O'Hare will be United Airlines Flight #951 departing at 5:40 pm and arriving at Chicago O’Hare at 6:53 pm.

 

PLEASE NOTE: