Luxembourg city

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Tuesday 6th August

Today we caught the bus into the city.  We had a great time exploring the old town,


one of the strange fountains



visited the Cathedral, enjoyed lunch at a pavement cafe, then went on our booked tour of the Grand Ducal Palace.
 

We weren't allowed to take our bags on the tour, take photos, or disobey any of the rules of the palace.  This included 'thou shalt not touch any walls, furniture, tapestries etc.'  Everywhere we were taken was very palacial with chandeliers and gilt edged pillars and portraits of the various dukes of Luxembourg.  We reached the second room and our observant guide spotted John leaning on a table!!  We did escape without charge, so hopefully not another country we can't ever return to!

Next stop was a Chocolate Cafe.

I went in to order and learnt that you first choose your cake for a raffle ticket to be placed on it and I was given the corresponding ticket.  I also asked for 2 hot chocolates and was told to choose which flavours from a huge display of little bags with chunks of chocolate with wooden spoons.
 I chose a caramel and a brownie and was told to take them to our table.  Our cake was then delivered to us.  It took a long time to come, but eventually a waitress came with mugs of hot milk for us to make our drink by dunking the chocolate lolly.  Our cake was long gone by then! 
 Next was a walk to the Bock Casemates - a huge underground military defence system built in 1644 and enlarged to 23km of long underground galleries 40 years later.  About 17km of these are still under the city and its outskirts, with just this small section open to the public. 

Great views from inside the galleries:







 A most enjoyable day out, especially as it has been a lot cooler.  It did sprinkle with rain a bit in the night last night, and again during this evening.  Moving on again tomorrow.













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