Current reads

You know his Luxembourg Wurst articles, but now local satirist J.P. Gomez has, somewhat annoyingly, unveiled something else that he is deeply talented at. I’m talking about his new book, The Idiot of St. Benedict and Other Stories,  of the Luxembourg literary prize 2022 and released on 28 September by Black Fountain Press. It’s long removed from wurst territory: flawed and relatable characters navigate strange worlds or loop back onto their own pasts in this literary short story collection that features alien invaders, medieval monks, high school bullies and plenty more. Don’t be an idiot--. JP

Listen to this

Check out the debut album of popstar hopeful Josh Island, multicultural musician homegrown (mostly) in Luxembourg. He’s the grand duchy in Eurovision 2024 and recently signed with record label Dox Amsterdam. Catchy tunes with hopeful messaging,  was released in September 2023. JP

Essential viewing

I rarely go to the cinema and usually prefer “lighter” fare when I do go to the movies (think along the lines of cartoons, rom-coms, etc.--I saw Puss in Boots 2 during my last expedition to the Kinepolis in Kirchberg in December). That being said, I saw a few weeks ago (my alma mater had a few seconds of fame; I was practically obliged to see it) and found it to be an excellent film that was both thought-provoking and tragic. And the actors are terrific. Yes, it does gloss over the actual mathematics (running calculations can’t be as easy as it seems on screen, or else everybody would be a nuclear physicist within a day’s time), but the themes that are covered are quite profound--war, the tremendous death toll due to the atomic bomb in Japan, scientific progress and how hard people can fall from the pedestal that the world has placed them on--and I like how the film gives faces to the “behind-the-scenes” research carried out by scientists. It also makes you wonder how close humanity really is to destroying the planet. (Side note: the film is three hours long, so make a bathroom stop before the movie starts.) LL

We just finished the first season of  (Netflix), about a widowed single mom of an 8-year-old who has superpowers. It is very sweet and family-friendly, but not in a cheesy way. On to season two… AG

For foodies

You can build your own focaccia at the in Luxembourg’s Ville-Haute by selecting the type of meat, the toppings (try the dried tomatoes) and the sauce that you want. A focaccia sandwich costs €11.50 (at the time of writing) and is both tasty and filling. I managed to finish mine by nibbling on it over the course of an afternoon; a colleague saved half of their focaccia for lunch the next day. LL

A nice restaurant close to the Gare/Place de Paris is , which has a lunch buffet available for €18.70 (at the time of writing). Lentil soup, chicken, stews with meat, vegetables, and chickpeas, rice, falafel, fatouche, taboule, aubergine dip, hummus and more… The desserts--try the baklava or mohallabyia (a sort of rose-flavoured milk pudding)--are pretty light and a good way to round off your meal. You can also order individual items off the menu (à la carte) if you prefer. LL

Outdoors with family

Looking for the perfect family day out that offers nature, adventure and delicious food, all within a 50-minute drive from Luxembourg? Head to Mettlach’s Saarschleife to explore a captivating treetop walk, culminating in a breathtaking 42-metre-high observation tower. Bask in the panoramic views of the Saar Loop before savouring freshly prepared fries at the starting point’s restaurant. If it’s sunny, a refreshing ‘radler’ is highly recommended. Young explorers are also well catered for, with designated play areas to keep them entertained. Feeling daring? Take the hike from the lower viewing deck down to the river and back--just make sure you’re equipped with sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks. Admission for the is €12.50 per adult, but a family pass for two adults and their children is a steal at just €29. Ground-level walking is, of course, free, and washrooms are complimentary too. Pro tip: Swing by the nearby Rewe supermarket to grab some ready-to-eat picnic packs and, if you like, enjoy free parking while you're at it--just 400m away from the designated parking lot. KH

Remerschen is a little town near Remich, where one or a family could walk the various easy footpaths for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon in autumn in the vineyards or around the ponds. The nearest parking lots are Biodiverum / Baggerweier. Alternatively, it is also reachable by bus (stop: Remerschen, Al Schoul). Find more information about the Remerschen circular walk . SB