Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Oh My!

We spent last weekend freezing our butts off in Luxembourg. The rental car (ehem, yes, you saw correctly, it was a Mercedes) kept telling us it was -2C (28F) but we're positive it was a liar. We had a low-key Friday evening strolling the Christmas markets with gluhwein and a relaxed dinner & drinks. Saturday we decided to venture out to a few of the WWII memorials in the area. The American Cemetry in Luxembourg was a moving, dramatic sight. For a good part of our time there, we were the only visitors and it was so quiet, so cold, so serene which I suppose is just how a cemetery is supposed to feel...

Next we headed over to Bastogne, Belgium (1-1.5 hour ride) which was where Hitler gave it one more final go in the dead of the winter of 1944. Belgium erected this giant star shaped memorial to the Americans who defended and died there. We topped the day off with a Christmas market in Trier, Germany (almost 2 hours from Bastogne, 20 mins from Luxembourg). All these events we accomplished in one afternoon. Gotta give it up to small rich countries in the middle of Europe. They are easy to get around, generally far too expensive and a nice place to call home. Although they can't create the excitement that we are feeling as we prepare to head back to our heimatland (homeland/birthplace), only 48 hours until we arrive!!