Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, but not one of the least. It straddles the Germanic and Latin world, with both French and Letzeburg German as common languages. The capital of the Grand Duchy is also called Luxembourg, compact and vibrant, visibly prosperous with the international flair of a city hosting financial markets and several European institutions on the Kirschberg and above all with a cozy and pleasant atmosphere generated by the well preserved traces of the past, the massive defence structures, first built in the 10th century by the Counts of Luxembourg, and gradually expanded and enhanced by occupation forces from Spain, Austria and King Louis XIV's and Napoleon's France. Traces of the past are also finding their way into the present with the Grand Ducal Palace and other buildings dating back to the era of Orange-Nassau personal union between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy. Moreover, with a setting of rock promontories at the confluence of the Pétrusse and Alzette Rivers, Luxembourg is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque capital cities of Western Europe. While visiting the city my bucket list has grown with a project to return and discover also the more rural parts of the Grand Duchy, undoubtedly as surprisingly appealing as the capital city is.