TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(EUR)
Euro |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 352 |
Time:
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before
last Sunday in October).
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone:
Full IDD is available. Country code: 352 (no area codes).
Outgoing international code: 00. International phones have a yellow
sign showing a telephone dial with a receiver in the centre.
Climate:
Warm weather from May to September and snow likely during winter
months. The north (the Ardennes region) tends to be wetter and
colder than the south.
Clothing:
Waterproofs are advisable at all times of the year.
Food & Drink: Luxembourg cooking combines
German heartiness with Franco-Belgian finesse. Local dishes include
carré de porc fumé (smoked pork and broad beans
or sauerkraut), cochon de lait en gelée (jellied suckling
pig), and jambon d’Ardennes (famous smoked Ardennes ham).
The preparation of trout, pike and crayfish is excellent, as are
the pastries and cakes. Tarte aux quetsches is recommended. Delicious
desserts are prepared with local liqueurs and some restaurants
will make omelette soufflée au kirsch. A dash of quetsch,
mirabelle or kirsch will be added to babas or fruit cups. Most
aspects of restaurants and bars are similar to the rest of Europe.
Luxembourg’s white Moselle wines resemble those of the Rhine,
but are drier than the fruitier wines of the French Moselle. Beer
is another speciality and is a traditional industry. Best-known
brands are Mousel, Bofferding, Diekirch and Simon. There are also
many local liqueurs and strong spirits such as Eau de vie (45-50
per cent alcohol). The minimum age for drinking in bars is 17,
and anyone younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult in
cafes and bars. Hours are generally from 0700-2400 (weekdays)
and until 0300 (weekends and public holidays). Nightclubs are
generally open until 0300.
Shopping:
Special purchases include beautiful porcelain and crystal. Villeroy
& Boch’s crystal factories in Septfontaines are open
to visitors. A regional speciality is earthenware pottery from
Nospelt, where in August there is a fortnight’s exhibition
of local work. Shopping hours: Mon 1400-1800, Tues-Sat 0830-1800.
Tipping:
Bills generally include service, but a rounding up is often given.
Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of meter charge.
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is
now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Luxembourg).
The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002;
the Luxembourg Franc was completely replaced by the Euro on 28
February 2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations
of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations
of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Credit
& debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Visa,
Diners Club and others are all widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque
cards. Many retailers require a minimum (eg €12-25) before
accepting credit/debit cards. Check with your credit or debit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services
which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange
rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques
in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
