I also took an overnight trip to Luxembourg because I was curious about this small country. The geography of Luxembourg City is striking as it's positioned at the confluence of two rivers, the Alzette and Pétrusse, and perched on high cliffs on terraced levels with bridges spanning the valleys.
Across the ravine is probably the City Hall, which was the former location of the High Authority of the European Coal Steel Community. It was disbanded way back in 1967, but today Luxembourg is the seat of several EU institutions.
This photo was probably taken from the Adolphe Bridge looking towards the city. Note the terracing which makes exploring this city so interesting. That garden with a flagpole seems to have been reworked extensively looking at more recent photos.
What can I say, I like wandering through markets.
Speaking of markets, Luxembourg is a well-known tax haven for multinationals and was recently persuaded by the EU to be more open with its financial transactions.
The city has extensive historical fortifications built into the rock. I went to see the Casemates du Bock.
Viaducts across the valleys are a feature of Luxembourg City scape.
There is a famous fountain in the middle of the city which celebrates a Luxembourgian tradition, the Hämmelsmarsch (page in Luxembourgish). Included in the statue are three band musicians, sheep, and two children under an umbrella, sheltering from the water pouring out of the tuba.
The distinctive topography makes Luxembourg an interesting corner of Europe to explore.
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is a must-visit. It has been running since 1843 and is the second oldest running theme park in the world. It's the most visited theme park in Scandinavia and 4th in Europe, according to the statistics. Both locals and tourists love it. I think this furthered the impression in my mind that the Danes are fun-loving people.
As the guide book suggested, I arrived before sundown to stroll around the place and take pictures in daylight, and then stay for the evening program.
The pantomine theatre. The lack of spoken words is an advantage with an international audience.
The fountains in the park area.
More elaborate fountains.
Circus acts.
A funambulist performing.
But the best time is after dark, when the buildings are lit up with special bulbs. The Chinese Pagoda is very attractively lit.
There is a concert hall in the Tivoli. I'm pretty sure I attended a concert there (for an extra charge) but I didn't take any pictures. If I recall correctly they played light classics and popular music. They also cracked some jokes but those were understood only by the Danes and perhaps other Scandinavians.
During summer there are fireworks every night.
Catherine Wheels.
And just so you don't forget the place you had a great evening at.
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and my chance to see a bit of the west coast. The Montana hostel there has stunning views over the city from its location on Mount Ulriken.
I encountered a senior hosteller there who looked in his 60s or 70s but fit as a fiddle. He was the oldest person I'd seen in a hostel so far and it planted the idea in my mind that age need not be a barrier to backpacking.
In the evening I joined a group of hostellers to await the sunset over the harbour.
And this is what we eventually were privileged to see.
Only an afterglow left.
The next day I explored the harbour which dates from the 11th century.
Grieg was born in Bergen and his home Trouldhaugen is a museum. Unfortunately it's some ways out of Bergen, so I had to leave it for another year, perhaps.
This fountain is in a lake near Byparken.
