Located on the River Sure on Germany’s border with Luxembourg, Mullerthal is called “Little Switzerland”. Luxembourg is often overlooked by travelers who tend to write it off as one big, drab international bank. This is simply not true. Luxembourg is a wonderfully green, scenic country.

Luxembourg is, in fact, a history-buff and nature lover’s paradise. The medieval town of Echternach, for example, is a historic hot spot. Artifacts from the Mesolithic era can be viewed at the Museum of Prehistory and excavations in this region have uncovered remnants from the first church built around 700 in Echternach, an ancient Roman camp. The most impressive structure is the Basilica of St. Willibrod with its multiple spires and towers. Remnants of fortifications date back to late Roman and Frankish times.

Nearby is the 12th century Beaufort Castle. Here you’ll find everything from graceful swans to a torture chamber. Don’t miss the specialty drink of the area. I recommend that visitors have a glass of black currant Cassis liquor in the castle’s tasting room. This castle is only open from March to October and guided tours show visitors what life was like in the middle ages. Quantities of copper and silver coins found in a nearby villa suggest that this was a Roman settlement in the 1st to 4th centuries. Highlights of the area include the Bock Casemates, a series of rock galleries that have been used for everything from slaughterhouses to bomb shelters.

“Little Switzerland’s” expansive valleys, dramatic cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls, and unusual rock formations make it the perfect setting for hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. The plant life native to this area is unique due to the unusually humid climate. During most of the year, the humidity is close to 100% which produces unique vegetation only found in very few locations in Europe.

If you are able to splurge, stay at the only 5 star hotel in the region, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, The Hotel Eden Au Lac . This hotel complex enables guests to combine comfort, sport, well-being and fantastic food in a green and relaxing atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel boasts a large spa-wellness center with sauna, steam room and Turkish baths. Moreover, the grounds offer small, inviting walking pathways for guests. The hotel will even prepare a picnic lunch for you to take on your walking tour.

If luxury is not in your budget, there are plenty of bed and breakfasts centrally located in Mullerthal. Rates are between $150 and $200 per night in off season. Also, there are over 50 campground sites for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Rent a car if you can, since train and bus service is limited and the roads are traffic free! The streets and landscape in Luxembourg make for great biking and I highly recommend that visitors rent a bike to get the full flavor of the surrounding area.

The quaint and charming small country of Luxembourg is about ½ the size of Delaware but wonderfully diverse. It’s wonderfully romantic and quite unforgettable. A must visit on your next European adventure.