Luxembourg

The city of Luxembourg is beautifully situated on a promontory overlooking the two gorges of the rivers Esch and Alzette, which meet in the city centre. As well as being pleasing to the eye, it is also a strong defensive position and for many centuries the city was a strong fortress. The fortifications were dismantled in 1867 as a way of trying to maintain peace between Prussia and France, but the old casemates and the vast underground system of passages and tunnels can still be visited. Other attractions include the Mudam Musem of Modern Art, the National Museum of History and Art and the Abbey of Neumunster, while just outside the city is the US War Cemetery at Hamm, final resting place of General George S Patton and over 5,000 other American soldiers, most of whom fell during the Battle of the Bulge.