5-Nights Luxembourg to the Netherlands Bike Tour — CALL

A popular destination from the 17th century onward for the famous hot springs, which claim to have healing powers, the original town of Spa has some beautiful grand buildings and parks dating from the time when it was the "cafe of Europe." In busy visiting periods (the summer months and December), the tourist office organizes guided tours, and the main museum, the Musee de la Ville d'eau, is worth a visit for its vintage posters advertising the advantages of Spa water.

However, we recommend Spa as a place to relax, sample the fine food and hike in the nearby forest rather than for sightseeing. Take a trip in a glass elevator up the hill to the Thermes de Spa to bathe in the famous waters, enjoy a massage, mud bath or beauty treatment and generally have the pampering of a lifetime. In winter time, there is a Christmas market and an ice rink. In sharp contrast to the sleepy atmosphere and romantic valleys of the surrounding countryside is the Spa-Francorchamps motor-racing circuit, which hosts a famous grand-prix race every autumn. Spa is 100 mi/160 km southeast of Brussels.

Beautiful Luxembourg, Luxembourg (sometimes known as Luxembourg Ville or Luxembourg City), was founded in AD 963. It is filled with museums, old churches, ruined fortresses and lovely parks. Much of the city is built on top of hills and cliffs overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse rivers and steep ravines.

The best way to see the city is on foot. The tourist office runs guided walks, and it also has self-guided walking-tour maps. Be sure to crisscross the beautiful bridges and stroll the Promenade de la Corniche—you'll see wonderful views of the city.

Luxembourg City was once one of the most fortified cities in Europe—it was called the Gibraltar of the North. A series of tunnels and passageways, called casemates, are just under the Corniche. They were extensive enough to shelter the entire city during times of siege. Many are still open to the public during the main tourist season, and they're fun to explore. The elegant Spanish turrets and the towers of Rham are other examples of the city's former defenses.

We also enjoyed visiting the National Museum, which has displays on minerals, archaeology, painting, natural science, history and industrial art. Modern art can be found at the architect I.M. Pei-designed MUDAM building.

Other points of interest include the 11th-century Abbey of Munster (now a cultural center), the 17th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg and Casino Luxembourg (a forum for contemporary art). An afternoon can be spent looking at the 10th-century St. Michael's Church, the Renaissance-style Grand-Ducal Palace and some of the government's ministries, housed in elegant belle epoque buildings.

The Place d'Armes is the city's main square. It's at the center of a pedestrian area, where you'll find many restaurants and open-air cafes. Gourmet dining is an integral part of life in Luxembourg, which has the most Michelin-star restaurants per capita in the world.

For shopping, visit the Grand Rue, home of big-name designers and jewelry stores. More affordable items and souvenirs can be found in the area around the central train station.

We recommend a two-night visit to Luxembourg City. Day trips can be taken to any point in Luxembourg.