The following feature was first published in The Luxury Travel Guide - Europe Edition 2013, in which Monique Goldschmit and FEEL! Bike Tours acted as the experts on

visiting Luxembourg.

To view the Full guide please click here

The LUXURY travel guide

European Edition

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LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg

onique Goldschmit created Velosophie in 2008 to offer bicycle tours and holidays in Luxembourg and

its surrounding areas. Feel! Bike Tours was created by Simone d’Hondt in 2010 and is now also running under her leadership. As a native Luxembourger, she shows you her home country with the knowledge and enthusiasm of somebody who loves her home country and the internationality of its inhabitants and visitors. As a keen cyclist, it is Monique’s expert opinion that Luxembourg City features the most beautiful and unusual places in the whole country.

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Cycling in Luxembourg

bike tour allows you to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature. In Luxembourg it also allows you to admire the country ’s stunning natural landscape, converse with its fascinat-ing citizens, visit its charming towns and cities and learn about its many cultural and historical landmarks.

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Monique GoldschmitManager,

Velosophie/Feel!

uxembourg’s cycling scene sprung into life in 1909, when François Faber became the first Luxembourgish cyclist to be crowned Tour de France champion; a feat that has been achieved four times in total. Nicolas Frantz won back-to-back titles dur-ing the 1920’s and was unquestionably the biggest influence on the masses who

decided to pick up a bike and set out across the country.

The way to explore Luxembourg to the full is with a bike tour, which you can choice to take individually or as part of a group of any size. Travel along any number of the 23 inter-secting routes that make up the National Network of Cycle Routes. Set up in 1999, the project will cover a length of 950km once completed and is designed to connect major cities to quaint towns and villages to stunning woodland and countryside and so on. The country ’s flat and hilly terrain - combined with excellently planned routes - allow people of all ages and skill levels to get involved.

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“Take your colleagues or business partners on a fun and relaxing bike adventure. We at FEEL! Bike Tours would be delighted to turn your next corporate outing

into a day to remember, just cruising through the beautiful Luxembourgish countryside. Pause along the

way for a tasting of local treats or wine.”

Monique Goldschmit

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Nature Luxembourg City, Kirchberg uring The Middle Ages, the Count of Ardennes proposed a grand project to

build a castle upon the elevated mount of land now known as the Bock. The finished product would become Luxembourg Castle and its encircling settle-ment grew over centuries to become Luxembourg City. The Bock is part of a sector of the nation’s capital which has been bestowed with great historical

significance. The old town and the well-preserved series of tunnels that run underneath its walls have been declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luxembourg City ’s old town is an engrossing place to visit.

While you’re there pay a visit to the pedestrian shopping area in the centreof town for one of the city ’s most extravagant shopping experience.

The north-eastern side of the city however has a completely different vibe and aesthetic. Kirchberg is the nerve centre of Luxembourg’s business culture, where you will find Euro-pean institutions, top business offices and international banks, as well as the University of Luxembourg. Several buildings in this part of the cityscape were designed by celebrated American architect Richard Meier, such as the alluring white facade of the Hypobank Headquarters. While you’re there pay a visit to the pedestrian shopping area in the cen-tre of town for one of the city ’s most extravagant shopping experience.

DF rom Schengen in the east to Martelange in the west, Luxembourg’s rural regions are known for their untouched beauty. Many of the cycling routes that run through these areas are mapped out to accentuate their most serene and tranquil fea-tures. Much like its neighbour Germany, Luxembourg’s rural landscape is distinguish-

able by its thick green forestry. Take a ride along the country ’s most eastwardly frontier and you will lose yourself in scenic views. Whilst exploring the rustic havens at Vianden and Echternach, your route will take you across the old stone bridges that are scattered throughout, where you’ll hear the gentle trickle of the charming streams below. Their idyllic aesthetics make the areas a popular location for both hiking and camping.

Riding from the south-east to the north, you’ll also find Luxembourg’s agricultural regions; famous for their sloping hills and plush fields. Wellenstein stands out in particular for its picturesque aesthetic. The bewitching village is famous for its grape vineyards, and a tour of the boarder would not be complete without a visit!

“Luxembourg is the ideal destination for a bike tour – the country’s small size means that you will be able to cover much of it during a cycling holiday and even

cross the border to its neighbours. It is very European. Cycling through Luxembourg brings you to scenic

views, beautiful rivers, lovely forests and friendly, open-minded people.”

Monique Goldschmit

Monique Goldschmit

“In Luxembourg, the ancient and the contemporary go together well, as you will discover while on Kirchberg,

Luxembourg City’s business district. It holds some of the most stunning contemporary architecture in

Luxembourg. Or for example take the charming small streets in the picturesque old neighbourhoods of the old

town area.”

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he name Moselle is mostly associated with the Moselle River, which flows through France, Luxembourg and Germany before reaching the North Sea via the Rhein at Koblenz. Beside the far-reaching river is Moselle Valley, which again tra-verses Luxembourg’s two neighbouring countries. However, this is more than just a

natural border between the Grand Duchy and Germany. It is a picturesque setting for a relaxing cycling route through the region, commanding a multitude of truly unforgettable views along the way.

Not content with providing a visual splendour, the Moselle Valley is quick to replenish the sense of taste and smell too. The Moselle Valley is an incredibly popular destination among the wine connoisseurs and offers the most spectacular wine tasting experience in the entire country. Take the famed Wine Route and you will cross the entire expanse of the valley while discovering the ample range of vineyards and widespread collection of small wine villages, eager to share their treasures.

So get in touch with nature, the history and the culture of Luxembourg. See it all in a matter of days with a cross-country bike tour which you will not regret!

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Monique Goldschmit

“The Moselle valley has a history of winemaking that goes back almost 2000 years. By the end of the 16th

century the Moselle wines were highly valued all over Europe. In recent times winemakers in the Moselle valley are focusing on the quality of the area’s dry

wines. For wine lovers the quality of Moselle wines is beyond question!”

Echternachocated but a stone’s throw away from the German border, Echternach is the histori-cal home of a former Benedictine monastery, which came into being at the climax of the seventh century. The abbey’s importance amongst many of Luxembourg’s former rulers has made the surrounding town a premier attraction for nationwide tours.

Although the landmark now serves as a grandeur school building for local high school students, the nearby basilica and museum still allow visitors to learn of the abbey’s illustri-ous past. You cannot visit the eastern town without seeing the excavated Roman villa. Although the striking white pillars that protrude out of its surface are an amazing sight, the real treat lies underground in the villa’s intricate cellars and basements.

Venture east on the spectacular cycle path that leads you out of Echternach, and you will discover the vast wilderness of the Mullerthal region. On your relaxing ride you will get the chance to admire the aches of lush greenery, streams, lakes and even small waterfalls that are found in its forests. This Eden-like setting will have you wishing you never had to leave.

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“The Mullerthal region, also called “Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland”, is known for its natural particularities. Bicycle lanes pass through forests, impressive canyons

and bizarre rock formations. This creates a very special atmosphere. Discover Echternach, Luxemburg’s oldest

town with its Baroque Benedictine abbey, the market square with its gothic town hall and the municipal park

with its Rococo pavilion.”

Monique Goldschmit

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EEL! offers affordable bike tours in Luxembourg City, the surrounding countryside and the vineyards of the Moselle, providing tours seven days a week. Because they operate on a small scale, FEEL! are able to offer their guests a highly personal service and to accommodate individual wishes. They can even tailor tours especially to the needs of your group! This makes their tours highly suit-able for corporate outings and teambuilding events.

With FEEL! You will experience Luxembourg with all of your senses. Hop on your bike and discover places that you otherwise might not see. Tours would not be complete without the insiders’ knowledge, a taste of the local treats and stories that you won’t find in your travel guide.

Bike tours are suitable for all ages and all fitness levels. You’ll be with a small group, so you set the pace. Their tours let you take your time to take beautiful pictures, and they can give the places and subjects you’re inter-ested in more attention.

Tours are guided in English, French, German, Luxemburgish or in Dutch. High quality bikes allow you to cruise com-fortably through the Luxembourg landscape. Electric bikes are also available upon request.

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www.feel-biketours.comWT E

+352 26200132

FEEL! Luxembourg Bike Tours

feel@velosophie.lu

www.velosophie.lu

by velosophie.lu

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