Here I gathered the best countries for solo travel, based on criteria such as safety, culture, ease of movement and accommodation for single travelers.

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Saturday, February 16, 2019

Independent trip to Vienna

February 16, 2019

Vienna is a beautiful European city with a rich history. The mild climate, developed infrastructure, a huge number of attractions attracts a huge number of travelers from around the world. It is a pleasure to relax here, as evidenced by at least the fact that Vienna is recognized as the best place in the world for quality of life. And this article is just devoted to how to go on an independent trip to Vienna to fully enjoy the magnificence of this city.
Vienna

Organizing a trip to Vienna alone is quite simple. This can be done in a few hours, but it is better to approach planning more thoroughly and spend a little more time on it, read reviews about interesting places, compare hotels, find out which area is better to stay and the like. This article is entirely devoted to the topic of travel, this information is enough to go to Vienna at least tomorrow. And so, to specific actions to rest without the help of travel agencies.
Housing
It is cheaper to book a hotel not in the central areas of the city. Since Vienna's transport network is well developed, you can get to any place very quickly and fairly cheaply, especially if you buy a travel card.
sights
The correct solution would be to purchase a guide to Vienna. With it you will be better able to navigate in the city and will be able to quickly understand what a particular place or object means, and you will always know what to see and where to go. In general, do not spend money on a guide, it will definitely come in handy.
Renting a car in order to go to the suburbs of Vienna and in different parts of Austria, in order to see even more interesting places - this is a great solution. If the budget of the trip allows you to rent a car, then do it, there will be much more vivid impressions.
It’s worth taking the euro and a bank card on an independent trip to Vienna. And it does not matter much in what currency the card account is opened, when paying for purchases the amount is automatically converted into the necessary currency.
Be careful when withdrawing money from an ATM on the street. Although Austria is one of the safest countries in the world, there are even thieves there (mostly people from non-EU countries).
The cost of independent travel to Vienna depends only on the travelers themselves. Goals, priorities, opportunities, style of rest, dates of beginning and end of holidays - all this affects the price of the trip.
If, however, money is not very much, then thanks to the course of 7 steps to travel, you can cut costs several times, only you need to understand that the less money is spent on rest, the less comfortable it will be. Although it all depends on the person and his vital attitude, it will be more comfortable for someone to travel around the world, living in mediocre hotels, preparing meals on their own and saving on much more than sitting all day in a stuffy office in their homeland. But still budget rest is real.
Independent travel through Vienna can be inexpensive. Tips and recommendations written in this section will help save up to 70% of the money, the only thing you need to do is decide where to draw that line, after which savings will damage rest, because someone will be in a bad mood if they live in the cheapest hotel and eat fast food. But even without such extreme measures, you can significantly save money without losing your level of comfort.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Trip to mongolia

February 15, 2019

Few travelers visit Mongolia, and those who visit call it one of the most impressive countries they have ever seen. This was the first reason I went to this country. The second - in June, there was held the “House for All”: the project of the Academy of Free Travels, which is periodically organized in different countries of the world. In this house any traveler can live for free. I was attracted by the opportunity to talk with different travelers and learn something new from them.
Mongolia

Russian travelers and tourists do not particularly indulge Mongolia. I met with those who lived near the border with the birthplace of Genghis Khan, but had never been there. And in vain! A wanderer will have something to see in this country, and the bonus will be that the majority of the population speaks Russian (many in conversation with me called Mongolia the 16th USSR Republic).
They use those tugriks as currency. The banknotes depict the founder of the Mongol Empire - the great Genghis Khan. In general, with his name or image you will meet all the time in Mongolia - in the names of hotels, shops, beer and various dishes. The Mongols are still very much loved and honored by Genghis Khan.
Most of the hotels in Mongolia are concentrated in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, where you can find accommodation for every taste and budget. So, the cheapest hostel will cost from € 3, and the “presidential suite” in the hotel “Ulaanbaatar” will cost € 500. In general, the country’s couchsurfing is also worth looking for only in Ulaanbaatar. True, they can try to sell you a tour around the country through couchsurfing - either to the desert or to real nomads, do not agree. I personally received many such requests (I even remembered Morocco, where there was exactly the same situation with couchsurfing), but ordinary Mongols also wrote, who happily invited me to their home.
You cannot write a lot about transport in Mongolia, simply because it is missing. You can get around the city and for short distances with the help of buses, but if you want to go to the Gobi Desert or to some other interesting cities, then the only option is a car (either hitchhiking or rent).
In my opinion, hitchhiking in Mongolia is beautiful, people pick up very willingly. But here you will have to face three difficulties at once - sometimes these same wonderful people will ask you for money, the second - in parts of the distant parts of Ulan Bator, traffic is much less busy. Once I even had to wait one car for two hours. The third difficulty is that in some parts of Mongolia there are no roads at all.
Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
We spent a little bit in the city and that's enough, it's time to go to nature! Good in Mongolia, only one nature is, as well as many national parks. You can get to Gorkhi-Terelzh by bus, which will cost a little less than a euro, take about two hours.
The park is very beautiful: camels themselves graze between the mountains, and some even offer to ride them. The most famous park brought rocks of extraordinary shape, created by nature. Also inside the park is a Buddhist temple Aryabal, where you should definitely look! This is a place of power, a place where the soul and body rest. During the ascent to the temple you will have to overcome 100 white and 8 black steps, at this time you will be surrounded by wooden tablets on which Buddhist wisdom is written.
Elsen-Tasarkhay National Park

If you, like me, do not want to spend a lot of time and money to visit the Gobi, go to the park of Elsen-Tasharhai, where you can see a piece of the desert. It takes about four hours to get from Ulan Bator here, and public transport does not go here, so you have two options: hitchhiking or renting a car. Huge dunes and whistling wind - this is what will allow you to feel yourself in the real desert. At night, the stars here shine brightly as ever. To see it all, take a tent with you, or beg for a night to the local nomads.

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Pizza in Italy - my impressions

February 09, 2019
Pizza in Italy

Pizza in Italy - my impressions.
Pizza in Italy is undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes in this country (along with pasta and the famous Italian ice cream). And, of course, traveling in Italy, I could not help but try this national dish. And today I want to share with you my impressions.
Many of us, arriving in Italy, have already heard that no other pizza can match Italian. And so that, after the first slice, there is no disappointment, carefully select the place where to taste this famous national dish. Today, pizza production is on stream. Pizza in Italy is sold at every step. The only question is the quality of this dish.
There are many restaurants, pizzerias and street cafes and snack bars, where you can buy pizza. And sometimes the elegant sign of the place does not mean that here you can taste the most delicious pizza in the city. Sometimes, in long, small, unremarkable pizzerias, huge queues are lined up, since they serve exactly real homemade pizza, the preparation of which takes place right before your eyes.
This homemade pizza is cooked in a wood oven. In Italy, this is not uncommon. Dry heat makes the crust crisp, and the filling allows you to remain tender and juicy.
Real pizza in Italy is cooked at a temperature of 485 degrees and baked there for only 2 minutes.
In street eateries, which are very popular with tourists, prices, of course, are much lower than in restaurants, but the quality leaves much to be desired. 
Very often in Italian restaurants there is an extra charge for a seat at the table (about 1-2 euro per person). And you will know about it only when they bring you an account. Therefore, if you do not want to overpay, then when choosing a place, be sure to see that it says: “NO CHARGE FOR SEATING” (without a fee for a seat). But since this often scares off tourists, many restaurants already refuse this additional fee.
Italian Pizza Varieties
Traditional pizza in Italy has a round shape. The main component of Italian pizza is Mozzarella (young cheese). Today in Italy more than two thousand types of pizza. Pizza is “stuffed” with anything: fish, ham, garlic, onions, peppers, mushrooms, eggplants, seafood, sausages, sausages, meat, greens, cheeses, dairy products and much more.

Traditional pizza in Italy is Pizza Margherita (Margherita), which includes tomatoes, basil, and, of course, mozzarella. Pizza Salami (with smoked spicy sausage) is very popular among tourists.
Pepperoni Pizza (with red and green pepper) is equally popular. Moreover, if the menu is written Pepperoni, then you will be served a pizza exclusively with pepper. It will not have any additives in the form of the same pieces of sausages, to which we are used to ordering Pepperoni pizza in Russian pizzerias. For example, I really liked Pizza con funghi e pancetta (pizza with mushrooms and bacon), and Pizza con tonno (pizza with tuna).

Friday, February 8, 2019

My trip to Milan: what to see, how to get to Milan

February 08, 2019
Milan, Italy is the 15th largest city in the European Union and is recognized worldwide for being the capital of world design and fashion. The city consists of several so-called parts of charm and passion - football, opera and fashion.
 Milan

Nevertheless, as long as there is brilliance, fashion and several historical monuments, for me this city served as an excellent place to stay for only a few days. I cannot say that I liked the city very much, since even its local residents stated to me with confidence that it was a city, first of all, for work, but not for tourism. However, in my opinion, the city is still worth a visit, only if not for long.
Let's start with the most common method that has found recognition worldwide. Given the importance of the city, I can please you with the fact that planes fly from Moscow to Milan. If you are going to go to conquer Milan independently and independently, then it is better to buy tickets to this glorious Italian city through the online ticket service. It will be more convenient, easier, and, of course, cheaper. In general, I planned to arrange a budget trip for myself, and that is why I tried to live in Milan as cheaply as possible. I began, of course, with the purchase of air tickets. Moreover, I booked cheap tickets to Milan through the aforementioned service for the sale of tickets and a few weeks before departure. After buying tickets in Milan, I started searching for a suitable accommodation for me. By the way, I had to choose between several places to sleep at night (by type, of course). I began to consider first hostels. For a hostel be prepared to pay from 20 to 30 US dollars for staying in a common room and 80 US dollars for a private double room in a hostel. With regards to prices for a cheap hotel, you have to pay at least $ 50 per night in a cozy hotel for a double room. Prices increase dramatically during the summer months, so keep in mind. 
Try to pick up housing with your own kitchen, because food in cafes and restaurants will definitely cost you a lot of money. And so, if you have your own kitchen, you can live a fortune of fifty dollars for a week. Then, as only one trip to the restaurant will have to pay about sixty US dollars.
What to see in Milan
Visit the Cathedral. Let's start with the historical sites of Milan. Massive gothic cathedral hanging over Piazza del Duomo. Here you can count about 3500 statues, 135 spiers and 5 bronze doors, which is not surprising, given that this architectural wonder has been built for almost five hundred years. You will definitely lose the gift of speech from its magnitude. Take the elevator to the roof, and if you are really lucky with the weather, you may see the Alps (I'm not talking about the city of Milan and its surroundings). The Madonnia city symbol, also located on the top of the roof, may be subject to detailed inspection at will. Admire the Last Supper. This masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci is located in the church of Santa Maria della Grazie. The picture, of course, speaks for itself, as it captures the moment when Jesus reveals the fact that one of his disciples will soon betray him. Despite all the trials and tribulations that this work of art had to overcome, the fresco looks wonderful to this day. Book a visit to the mural a few months in advance if you want to get there during the peak season. If you are traveling on a budget, then at least buy yourself a cup of coffee and watch the high society of Milan pass by you.
milan-in-rome

Visit the opera. Do you like opera? Want to see the opera in all its glory? Then, of course, you have definitely heard about La Scala. Of course, you have to starve for the next few days to allow yourself to buy one of these "golden" tickets and experience the best acoustics and performers in the world with your own eyes and ears. Or maybe you just want to look at this fantastic theater from the inside? Visit the theater museum of La Scala, and at the same time walk along the corridors of this magnificent structure.
Explore the Sforzesco Castle. Get a piece of fine art at Sforzesco Castle. Built in the 15th century by the famous Francesco Sforza castle, at this stage of time there are 12 mini-museums and an extensive archive, which, in essence, serves as a visual feast for the eyes! His collections include everything from the Renaissance, the unfinished latest work of Michelangelo and the famous Civiche Raccolte d’Arte Antica (world-famous sculptural gallery) and ending with the museum of musical instruments and ancient art.
Go to the football. If you consider yourself an avid football player, then pre-book your tickets for the match at the San Siro stadium in advance. Like any other football fanatic, you should know that San Siro is one of the world's most famous stadiums, while Milan itself is home to two football teams - Milan and Inter. Look at the water canals of the city. Surprised to hear that similar channels exist in Milan? Actually, there are, more precisely, two, to be exact. Do not expect, of course, that they will replace Venice for you, although they also deserve attention. According to the project of the great Leonardo da Vinci, the Milanese channels had to repeat exactly the same structure, known throughout the world, thanks to Venice. Originating in the Navigli area, these channels are incredibly charming and accessible to tourists during the summer months.
It is at this time that you can take a "lazy" boat trip looking at charming artists, perhaps painting you as their works on the shore. You can also spend your time dining at one of the dozens of restaurants located along its perimeter. In fact, this is a very large area and for the most part, it is designed for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wander through flea markets. Milan is famous not only because it is home to many fashion giants - the city is also home to huge flea markets that can be good news for your wallet!
Fiera di Senigallia is considered the most popular and ancient flea market in the city, where you can buy absolutely everything, from disco equipment to antique American comics. You can also visit the Papinian market, located a few steps away, where you can buy cheap shoes and clothing.
Visit the Brera Art Gallery. Although this place cannot be compared in size with the Sforzesco castle, the gallery certainly has its grandeur, displaying many of the best works of art by Raphael, Mantegna and Rembrandt.
Visit the park Idroskalo. Yes, this is the real urban jungle. One of the most iconic places recognized by local residents is the artificial lake Idroskalo. Here you will find beautiful parks and you can even have a barbecue. Here it is almost the same as on the Italian coast.
Take a walk along Corso Magenta. Located in the northwestern part of Milan, this street is home to several cafes, shops and palaces built in the Baroque style. It is noteworthy that the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the nearby monastery are exactly the place where the Last Supper was once held. Get on a sightseeing tour here will be better from the subway station.
Relax in Semipone Park. This park is so huge that it is considered the location of several ancient, majestic attractions such as Sforzesco Castle, the City Aquarium, Torre Branca, as well as dozens of different esoteric bars and much more.

You can see the hotels on a

Monday, February 4, 2019

PRAGUE

February 04, 2019

A magical city with an amazing architectural ensemble, which harmoniously combines 
medieval castles and modern buildings. The heart of old Europe with the magical charm
of narrow streets and picturesque landscapes. The European capital, which every year 
attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. All this, of course, Prague!
Sprawling on both sides of the Vltava River, Prague seems to symbolize the separation
between the past and the future of Europe. Moreover, the Czech capital surprisingly combines
these two worlds. Like many European cities, in Prague there is the Old Town and the new districts, only here they do not contrast, but harmoniously combine and create an amazing architectural symbiosis - on some of the narrow streets you can meet the existing water mill and right there, looking away , stumble upon a futuristic television tower. To understand this city, its rhythm of life and atmosphere, we advise you to get closer acquainted with the history and modern life of Prague.
The exact date of the founding of the city is unknown. It is believed that Prague was founded by the ancient Slavs around the VI century BC. e. It has always been the main city of the region: in the 10th century - the capital of the Czech state, since 1918 - the Czechoslovak Republic, since 1993 - the independent Czech Republic.
Prague practically did not suffer during the Second World War, therefore medieval cathedrals, castles and other architectural monuments are preserved here. Today the city is experiencing a construction boom, and modern buildings appear next to old buildings.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a fortress in Prague (similar to the East Slavic Kremlin), the
 residence of the Czech president (formerly the Czech kings, some emperors of the
Holy Roman Empire, the presidents of Czechoslovakia, the imperial protectors 
of Bohemia and Moravia). The largest presidential residence in the world, possibly
 also the largest castle in the world.
Located in Hradcany on a high hill, towering over Prague. Exceptionally rich in architectural, artistic and historical treasures.
In Grad there are many houses, although it contains many very famous buildings. Including in it are located: St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Church of All Saints, Basilica of St. George. Next to the Castle is the Royal Garden, which houses the Summer Palace of Queen Anne.
Golden Lane
Golden Lane
Golden Lane - the old street of Prague, located in Prague Castle, is one of 
the symbols of the city. The appearance of the street is characterized by dwarf
 two-story houses, built into the arches of the former fortress wall. The street is a popular tourist destination, miniature houses converted into 
souvenir shops with galleries and expositions. Entrance fee, the visit is 
included in the price of a comprehensive ticket for the Prague Castle.
Fair Palace
The fair palace was built in 1925-1928, located in the HoleÅ¡ovice district, Prague-7. The palace is the first building in Prague built in the style of functionalism. Previously, fairs were held here, offices of international companies were located, but in 1978 the building was transferred to the National Gallery. Nowadays, the complex is used to house the exhibition of contemporary art, famous for paintings by Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh, as well as the “Slavic epic” by Alphons Mucha.
St.Vitus Cathedral
St.Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic Catholic cathedral in Prague Castle, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The cathedral is ranked among the pearls of European Gothic, is an artistic and national-historical shrine of the Czech Republic. Czech kings and archbishops of Prague are buried in the chapels of the cathedral, and the coronation regalia of medieval Bohemia are also kept there.
The present building of the cathedral was built in several stages: 1344-1419,
1490-1510, 1556-1593 and 1873-1929 (the western part). Finally, the construction of the cathedral was completed only at the beginning of the XX century. The length of the main nave of the cathedral is 124 meters, the height of the Great South Tower is 96.5 meters. On the western side, there are two 82-meter neo-gothic stone towers with a 10-meter round window in the form of a rosette between them. Three portals of the cathedral are richly decorated with sculptures, stone and bronze reliefs.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands: walking through the streets

February 04, 2019

Rotterdam makes a completely different impression than Amsterdam. This is the second largest city of Holland, the center of engineering and a major transportation hub. So, the port of Rotterdam until 2004 was considered the largest in the world (but remains the largest in Europe). The city is also famous for its architecture, well-known architectural firms such as OMA and MVRDV are located here. 
Rotterdam

In Rotterdam come from Amsterdam by train. In total some time - and we are at the other end of the country, in the province of South Holland, in the area where the Nieve-Meuse flows into the North Sea. 
The sights of Rotterdam, as already mentioned, could be seen right at the exit from the hotel: the ultra-modern Erasnusbrug bridge looked so damn entertaining, I noted that in the evening when the crossing was highlighted. Built in 1996, the Erasmus bridge turned out to be extremely successful, and the architecture of the opposite bank turned out to be suitable for it. It is a pity that the fog somewhat concealed panoramas, and the overcast sky did not allow us to take bright pictures. I also had to postpone the planned Maas cruise for the future, and, apparently, not to me alone: ​​in front of my eyes I set off from the pier a completely empty boat, with which you can get from Rotterdam to Dordrecht on the river.
In addition to residential premises, the cubic houses of Rotterdam also burned some offices, a visit to those can give an idea of ​​the internal structure of the houses, they are unlikely to let tourists into the residential premises. Look, for example, the sign "Around Town", this is a bicycle rental office that allows you to feel like a real Dutchman. Rent a two-wheeled horse costs 15 euros per day, 25 euros per couple of days.
Rotterdam

I remembered the cubic houses of Rotterdam, but did not like it; much more of these freaks impressed me with the buildings along Haringvliet, the former harbor of fishing boats. Here there were truly marvelous buildings, just the way I like them, in the typical Dutch style. Unfortunately, the neighborhood of small neat buildings were huge skyscrapers, built over the past few decades and completely redesigned the historical view of the city.
The park itself corrected my mood, quite nice, even despite the “icy winter season”. Probably, in summer, the local landscapes look gorgeous at all, only the green array is definitely deprived of the attention of tourists: the guests of Rotterdam are in a hurry to climb the Euromacht, and skip past. Meanwhile, this territory is considered the most beautiful park of the city. In the center of the city I still remember the church of Peter and Paul, built in the neo-baroque style. The date of its birth is 1910, but the temple has stood at this place since at least the 18th century, and the current building is considered to be its successor: not only is the location and name preserved, the new building inherited many of the details of the old interior; in particular, the altar of the 1720s, skillfully made by the Flemish masters, passed to it. There were also such sights of Rotterdam that did not impress me. Take here at least the town hall: remembering how colorfully decorated similar buildings in Brussels and Antwerp, I was extremely disappointed to see a massive, devoid of decor building. He is partly excused by the modern origin - the construction belongs to the period of 1914-1920, and yet, it seems to me, the architect could have created a memorable building, if he were to deal with a twinkle. After two days of sightseeing in Rotterdam, I was quite pleased: I was able to fulfill and even exceed the plan for exploring the city. Another thing is that due to bad weather I never got to the most interesting Dordrecht. But at the end, I finally managed to get from Rotterdam to The Hague - trains on this route run several times an hour, so I sat down on one of the trains, hoping for the rest of the day not only to see the capital of Holland, but also to get to the North Coast seas. 

Friday, February 1, 2019

Luxembourg

February 01, 2019

Luxembourg

I was also provoked by the logic of travel to visit the largest of the dwarf states in Europe: I like to dilute long journeys with stops for sightseeing. Luxembourg in this case came across just on the way from the North Sea coast to Dusseldorf, where we had to rent a rental car and put it home. And although there was a hefty detour on the route, I considered him to be tolerant: all the cities along the road, such as Maastricht, Liege, Namur, I saw, which means that it was necessary to replenish the baggage of impressions with something new.
No, strictly speaking, I had already had the opportunity to visit the territory of the Grand Duchy, but only a few hours drive, and definitely should have seen the sights of Luxembourg more thoughtfully. So I decided to get to the ducal capital and enjoy its beauty slowly, to the full.
Here are just my plans remained plans, because on arrival at the place of work went awry. Calculating time, I decided that, as usual, we would park somewhere near the city center and calmly walk. The reality turned out to be different: there are major problems with parking in Luxembourg.
And the history of Luxembourg began in a very masculine way: the foundation of the future state was laid in 963, when the powerful fort of Lisilinburg was erected on the remains of an ancient Roman fort. Its owner, Count Siegfried, managed to retain sovereignty over the surrounding territory in the struggle against the Holy Roman Empire, having founded the Luxembourg House. His descendants tried to continue the line of independence, and even achieved that in 1354 the county of Luxembourg turned into a duchy, rising to a higher level. Problems began later, towards the end of the Middle Ages. At first, the powerful dukes of Burgundy, then on equal terms with the French kings, grabbed foreign possessions. Luxembourg tried to stay away from the confrontation between Spain and the rebels of the Netherlands, but its inhabitants failed to avoid the horrors of the Thirty Years War. Next were the French, followed by the Spaniards, and again the French, and again the Spaniards. France at one time tried to gain a foothold in the occupied lands seriously, and the local fortifications were built by the great Vauban himself, but another peace treaty concerning the so-called Spanish inheritance, gave power over Luxembourg to Austria. Napoleon swatted the dukedom in disguise and did not notice, but then, at the Congress of Vienna, the diplomats had to suffer, deciding what to do with this corner of Europe.
Luxembourg

The German princes were pulling the blanket over themselves; the neighboring Netherlands also wanted to expand their territory. Luxembourg was eventually proclaimed the Grand Duchy under the rule of the Dutch king Willem I. The status of an independent state of the land at the junction of Belgium, Holland and Germany was received at an international conference in 1867, when great powers, including the Russian Empire, declared Luxembourg a neutral country with a hereditary monarch from home nassau. Neutrality was twice violated by German troops during both World Wars, then the Grand Dukes themselves violated neutrality, making the country in 1949 a member of NATO. Another important step in the actual renunciation of sovereignty was the entry of Luxembourg into the European Union, which was at that time the European Coal and Steel Union; the headquarters of the new institution were located in the Luxembourg capital, and only much later did the European bureaucrats move to Brussels. 

At least there are already half a dozen mosques, and the Muslim community is growing. So, you see, soon, as in neighboring Belgium, there will be a party of sharia lovers, and there it is not far from before the introduction of sharia law. That's just how the promotion of Islamists will be combined with the indulgence of same-sex relationships, for me personally, a mystery - it is necessary to contrive either those or these not to offend.

From the fortress bastions, a colossal bridge bearing the name of the Grand Duchess Charlotte is also clearly visible. Personally, in her place I would be careful not to leave the memory of myself in a similar way: the building is completely inconspicuous and fits into the landscape of Luxembourg in much the same way as a cow cake on a festive table. And after all, they built a crossing according to the project that won the competition for dozens of others - what were they like ?! 
The eastern end of the Duchess Charlotte Bridge goes into new areas, bristling with skyscrapers. This is also not the best sight, so it is much more reasonable to take a course to the west, in the depth of the historical buildings. Then almost immediately the stylish church of Saint-Michel will come across. It is considered the oldest surviving temple in the country, some stones of its walls and foundation have been in place since the end of the 10th century.
The temple was rebuilt and modified several times, the look that now appears to the viewer is a mixture of Baroque and Romanesque styles of architecture that finally took shape more than three hundred years ago. There is nothing particularly exciting inside, so if you admire the old building from the outside, you have to go on to look at other sights of Luxembourg. This will not be the case: the National Museum of the country is located right to the right, and if you walk a couple of blocks forward and up Rue Sigefroi, then the Ducal Palace will be found around the left corner.
Strictly speaking, the complex of nice buildings was not originally intended for the placement of crowned heads, from 1572 to 1795 it was occupied by ordinary city officials. The fate of the palace experienced a sharp turn later, with the establishment of the power of the Netherlands, when the governor of the Dutch king chose the building for the residence. Finally, the Groussherzogleche Palais, as its name in the local dialect sounds in the hands of the highest authority, came in 1890, and has since been used as the official residence of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg. For their convenience, a new wing was added and the interiors were replaced.
Honestly, although the facade looks nice, you can easily walk past it, because there are plenty of pleasant-looking buildings in Luxembourg. The value of this particular architectural ensemble is issued except for the soldiers of the guard of honor near the entrance. The last time we saw one such guard, cold and sniffy. The current entry did not allow seeing any guards at all, the guard rooms were empty. Theoretically, anyone can visit the Palace of the Great Dukes of Luxembourg as part of the tour, such as tours are organized on weekdays in August and early September, but I could not get accurate information on this subject. So for now, the most reliable option to see the palace interiors is a visit as part of the official delegation: the ducal guests are accommodated in the residence. 
Summing up our tour of Luxembourg, I can say that I value the capital of the Grand Duchy as a C grade. It is, of course, interesting and has an ancient history, only its modern look in many ways repels rather than attracts. First of all, at the thought of a tiny country, I recall couples in love with homosexuals, then parking problems, then hordes of immigrants. Again, we still could not find a place to eat cheaply in Luxembourg.

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