Weather or Not
With a moderate climate, Luxembourg is a great destination any time of year. However, be prepared for a bit of rain. Traditionally, “in-season” has been defined as anytime from mid-April to mid-October. Peak season is July and August. Wine connoisseurs would do well to experience the full-bodied flavor of the Grevenmacher Wine and Grape Festival in mid-September.

Speak Up
Three primary languages are spoken in Luxembourg: Letzebuergesch or Luxembourgish (recognized as the national language), German, and French. English is also spoken, primarily in the city and its surrounding areas. Here’s a little Luxembourgish to get you started:

Moien - Hello
Addi or a voir – Goodbye
Merci – Thank you
Entschellegt – Excuse me
Wannechglift – Please
Pardon – Sorry


Easy Rider
There is an abundance of transportation options in Luxembourg, making it easy to get around. An efficient public-transportation system boasts reliable and economical buses and trains. Car rentals, which are reasonably priced, are even further attractive due to good gas prices. Hailing a taxi is another option, albeit an expensive one. Or, rent a bike from tourism offices in Luxembourg City, Diekirch, Echternach, Mondorf-les-Bains, Reisdorf, or Vianden. You can even transport bikes via train for a nominal fee. The Federation Luxembourgeoise des Sports Equestres offers horseback-riding tours in Luxembourg City and in rural areas. Of course, you can always break out your walking shoes, a popular choice in Luxembourg City.

Plane & Simple
Luxembourg’s airport, Findel Airport, is located 4 miles east of the city on the road to Grevenmacher. Luxair, the national airline, flies to 21 European destinations. At the present time, there are no non-stop or direct flights between North America and Luxembourg.


Bank on It
• Luxembourg residents have the highest income per capital of any country in the world.

• Luxembourg has the greatest concentration of banks in the European community. More than 220 banks, along with the European Investment Bank headquarters, are here. A strong steel and iron industry further contribute to the country’s healthy economy, as does agriculture, tourism, plastic and rubber, and electrical equipment.

Money Matters
• The currency of Luxembourg is the Euro, available in seven notes and eight coins.

• ATMS are available throughout Luxembourg, especially in more urban areas. Cash-withdrawal instructions are usually offered in several languages. Most ATM machines except debit cards bearing the Cirrus logo. Check with your local bank to find out if you can use your card in Luxembourg and if a special international PIN number is required to retrieve cash. Most major credit cards can also be used to withdraw cash but higher fees will be incurred.

• All major credit cards are generally accepted for purchases made in Luxembourg.

• Banks are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an hour off for lunch. Although some banks have limited hours on Saturday, most are closed on weekends.

Noteworthy
The majority of post offices in Luxembourg are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour off for lunch. Certain facilities have extended hours. Look for the conspicuous yellow mailboxes throughout Luxembourg.

On Paper
Luxembourg has several daily and weekly newspapers. The weekly Luxembourg News is written in English. The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, along with other popular United States publications are available in many urban areas.

Hold the Line
• Public phone booths are conveniently located in Luxembourg. Coin-operated phones are quickly being replaced with ones that accept only credit cards and telecards, available at most newsstands, post offices, and major train stations.

• When calling Luxembourg from abroad, dial the local international access code, then 352 for the country code, followed by the number. When calling Luxembourg from the United States, the international access code is 011. Please note that there are no area codes in Luxembourg. However, phone numbers range from five to nine digits.

• Luxembourg is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States. The country is in the Central European Time zone, which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. During Daylight Saving Time, Luxembourg is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

It's Electric
Luxembourg operates on 220 volts electricity as opposed to the United States which uses 110 volts.

Holidays
Public Holidays in the year 2009 in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

New Year's Day 1 January (Thursday)*
Carnival 23 February (Monday)
Good Friday 10 April (Friday)
Easter Monday 13 March (Monday)
May Day 1 May (Friday)
Ascension Day 21 May (Thursday)
Whit Monday 1 June (Monday)
National Day 23 June (Tuesday)
Assumption Day 15 August (Saturday)
Luxembourg City Fete 31 August (Monday) **
All Saints Day 1 November (Sunday)
All Souls Day 2 November (Monday)
Christmas Day 25 December (Friday)
St. Stephen's Day 26 December (Saturday)

* Public holidays falling on a Sunday are usually observed on the following Monday - decreed on 1st December of the year before to the maximum of two per annum.
* *applies only to the City of Luxembourg