Crosswords

Our Crossword

CrossWorD

across

1 Superior of a monastery (5) 4 Type of gum (6) 9 Waterproof fabric (7) 10 Chocolate ingredient (5) 11 Yellowish citrus fruit (5) 12 Mysterious (7) 13 French national holiday (8,3) 17 Begin (4,3) 19 Brother of Moses (5) 20 Precipitous (5) 21 Blow up (7) 22 Go back (6) 23 Intestine (5

Down

1 Ancient Greek sun god (6) 2 Eating disturbance (7) 3 Kidnapped (5) 5 Adapt for new use (7) 6 Cured pig meat (5) 7 Insane (5) 8 Unentitled (11) 14 Cavalry soldier (7) 15 Flight personnel (7) 16 Imaginary (6) 17 Intense light beam (5) 18 Proficient (5) 19 Unscripted (2,3)

Answers for mARCH/APRIL 22 Across: 1 Dress, 4 Offal, 7 Baku, 8 Absorbed, 9 Psalter, 10 Cache, 12 Havana, 14 Anorak, 16 Psych, 18 Edition, 21 Rotarian, 22 Esau, 23 Romeo, 24 Rodeo. Down: Dead sea, 2 Equal, 3 Spaceman, 4 Oust, 5 Farrago, 6 Leech, 11 Gardener, 13 Acclaim, 15 Avocado, 17 Scour, 19 Treed, 20 Kilo.

Let us take the stress away and make sure you enjoy what really matters.

UK HOLIDAYS

FAMILY CRUISE RAIL & TOURING

WHY DESTINA?

LONG HAUL GETAWAYS SKI & WINTER

CUSTOMER

We offer friendly and personalised service to get to know you and how you like to travel

CHOICE

We work with trusted travel partners to provide you with the widest choice of destinations and holiday types

EXPERIENCE

We are experienced agents with a wealth of travel knowledge and offer a non-biased approach to booking

CITY BREAKS

PROTECTION

We offer financial protection on your holiday so you can rest assured knowing that your booking is safe with us

COMPANIES WE BOOK THROUGH

AND MORE!

SCAN ME

TO SIGN UP

TO OUR NEWSLETTER

www.destinatravel.co.uk

01562 883795

enquiry@destinatravel.co.uk

@DestinaTravelUK | @destinatravelhagley

CaptIvatIng CIty of LUXemboUrg

by rebecca Underwood, travel Journalist

Casemates_Fat Betty Run© LFT_Gregor Lengler

Prior to the outbreak of Covid19 I was fortunate to visit the captivating City of Luxembourg, at the conflux of the Alzette River and its tributary, the Pétrusse. The capital of the Grand duchy of Luxembourg is the only remaining Grand duchy in the world and one of the smallest sovereign nations in Europe.

Luxembourg shares its borders with France, Germany and Belgium, and Luxembourg City is the site of the ruins of Luxembourg Castle, which sits on a promontory, known as the Bock. The drawbridge, which once linked the rocky outcrop to the city, was replaced by the double storey Pont du Château in 1745 by the Austrians. Records show that the Romans, and later the Franks, built the original fort and a medieval town materialised.

In 1443 the castle fell to the control of the Burgundians and over the next four hundred years the most highly skilled military engineers transformed the stronghold, which became known as the ‘Gibraltar of the North’. The bastion was strengthened by three fortified rings with 24 forts, 16 additional works of defence, and a network of casemates stretching for 23 kilometres.

Following the declaration of neutrality on 11 May 1867, the military vacated the fortress and over the following 16 years 90% of the defences were destroyed but the casemates remained. The entrances were sealed and 17 kilometres of the tunnels remain in place today. The Old Town and the casemates were recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994 ensuring that visitor numbers continue to grow every year.

Other attractions include the glorious Palace of the Grand dukes, parts of which reflect the outstanding beauty of the Flemish Renaissance style, and which dates back to 1572. Adjoined to the palace is the chamber of deputies, which dates back to 1859 and the City Palace, which is connected to the city by a bridge.

To appreciate how the city has developed into today’s thriving banking and administrative centre I took a stroll around Kirchberg in the north eastern quarter of the capital. Several European Union institutions including branches of the European Commission, the European Court of Justice and the Secretariat of the European Parliament are based in this area.

Feeing in need of a breather, I headed for the Grund, a precinct located in a valley below the heart of the city along the banks of the Alzette River. A trifle weary, and seeking the easy option, I hopped in the elevator, which descends through the cliff.

Another popular site is the imposing Notre dame Cathedral. The property was once a Jesuit church, dating back to 1613, and it is an excellent example of Gothic architecture with Renaissance adornments. In the late 18th century the church obtained the miraculous

image of the Maria Consolatrix Afflictorum, the patron saint of Luxembourg. Five decades later the church was consecrated and in 1870 the Church of Our Lady was raised to Cathedral status and renamed the Notre dame by Pope Piux IX, the longest reigning elected pope in the Catholic Church. The crypt is the final resting place for prominent members of the Grand ducal family including the Grand duchess of Luxembourg, the Consort of Grand duke William IV.

After my explorations I was easily persuaded to take an afternoon snooze. The Place d’Armes hotel located on Place d’Armes square, in the centre of the city, offers the highest levels of service. I was most fortunate to secure one of the spacious duplex suites measuring 50 m2. The contemporary furnishings, plush carpeting and rich fabrics ensure the ultimate standard of comfort and with a separate living room on the lower floor and a tranquil bedroom above; I enjoyed a deep and rejuvenating slumber.

For another exceptional dining experience I didn’t need to venture outside. La Cristallerie, the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, offers an enticing selection of delicious dishes served in opulent surroundings. Or, if you prefer a more informal affair, visit the Big Beer Company on Rives de Clausen. Consider sampling the national dish, a bowl of ‘bouneschlupp’, which is a hearty green bean soup with bacon, potatoes and onions. Order a pint of home brewed ale and raise your glass to Luxembourg City, the only European city to achieve the title ‘European Capital of Culture’ twice.

Hotel images, courtesy Le Place d'Ames.

Luxembourg images courtesy visitluxembourg.com

Our Travel

Place d'Armes Accommodation

Cristallerie at Place d'Armes

Adolphe Bridge© LFT_Alphonso Salgueiro