“Moien” is how the inhabitants say “hello” to each other in the Grand Duchy. The starting point of our golfing journey is in Luxembourg, which is the capital of… Luxembourg. Like Singapore, Panama, Kuwait, Guatemala and Mexico (non-exhaustive list), the main city here bears the same name as the country. Within the deep gorges carved by the rivers of Alzette and Pétrusse, the city of Luxembourg is famous for its banks and for its fortifications, classified as World Heritage by Unesco (the fortifications, not the banks). Here, historic buildings rub shoulders with brand new high-tech constructions such as Mudam, the Museum of Modern Art.

Kikuoka, for your viewing pleasure

Head east to the Moselle region, one of Luxembourg's main rivers that forms the natural border with Germany. Here we find the most beautiful valleys in the country, renowned for its charming hotels, medieval towns and wines, especially white grape varieties such as Riesling, Auxerrois or Pinot Gris. It was in the wine-growing village of Schengen that the famous agreement was signed in June 1985, the first step towards removing borders in the European Union.

25 minutes drive from the capital, Kikuoka Country Golf is a beautiful 18-hole course, which winds through the heart of the Luxembourg countryside. Built in 1991 by the Kikuoka family - which owns many golf courses in Japan - and designed by Iwao Uematsu, this lightly wooded par 72 looks like an American course with its ponds and 90 bunkers. The scenic hole n ° 2, a par 5 that zigzags between water obstacles and a sea of ​​sand, sets the tone for what will be this beautiful golf walk. The greens are perfectly maintained and the par 3s, especially the 3 and 7, are quite a challenge due to their length (over 200 meters from the white balls). The par 3 of 10, which requires flying over a small lake, will thrill even the most seasoned golf-trotters. In short, a course of international standing which has also hosted a Challenge Tour event for five years.

WHAT TO VISIT? In Moselle, the European Schengen Museum returns to the origin of the famous treaty and offers a permanent exhibition on the European Union. Haff Reimech Nature Reserve, at the foot of the vineyards, is appreciated for its ornithological richness as well as its particularly rare flora and fauna.

Where to stay? A quarter of an hour from the golf course, Mondorf Parc Hotel has one of the largest spa and wellness centers in Europe (5500 m²) with 12 types of saunas. This 4 * hotel has three restaurants, including De Jangeli, which offers a tasty bistronomic menu made with fresh produce. The perfect place to relax after a day of golf.

Take up the challenge of golf in Luxembourg

Head north-east, 25 minutes by car, in the Mullerthal region, considered the little Switzerland of Luxembourg because of its hilly landscape, but also an exceptional biotope characterized by astonishing rock formations. Arranged around an XNUMXth century farm^e century which now functions as a clubhouse, Luxembourg golf seems to commune with nature. Adorned with oaks and beeches, the course is hilly, especially from the 12th and each hole offers a different panoramic view. Fast greens (between 2,60 m and 2,75 m at the Stimpmeter) and formidable and sometimes blind doglegs make this par 72 a real golf test, as evidenced by the course record (68), held by a young 17 year old amateur.

WHAT TO VISIT? In the Mullerthal region (Luxembourg's little Switzerland), the Aquatower Berdorf worth the detour for its panoramic view as well as its exposure to drinking water. Echternach abbey, founded in 698 by the Benedictines, is known for its scriptorium and its precious illuminations from the XI^e century. The Tudor Museum, interactive, is dedicated to electricity.

Clervaux, a natural course

We end our golfing weekend on the northern tip of the country (55 minutes from the Luxembourg golf course), in the heart of the Ardennes. Nestled at an altitude of 500 meters, the golf of Clervaux is a craggy green setting (the cart is not a luxury here) which highlights the beauty and diversity of the surrounding landscape. This par 72 is to match, with some particularly spectacular holes, such as the 11, a long par 5 which leans dangerously to the right and has false airs of Queen Elizabeth. To avoid the forest on the right, you almost have to aim for the out of bounds on the left… Watch out for shipwreck on this hole. A beautiful bucolic stroll on an 18-hole 100% ecological, which does not use any pesticides or phytosanitary products for the maintenance of the course. The clubhouse restaurant (and the golf hotel) and its pretty panoramic terrace is the icing on the cake.

WHAT TO VISIT? The natural parks of Haute-Sûre and Our embrace the golf of Clervaux. At Château de Clervaux, five minutes from the route, the exhibition "The family of the Man" is a humanist manifesto of more than 500 black and white photos, collected by the painter and photographer Edward Steichen. Restored in 1977, the astonishing Vianden castle, perched on a hill, was built from the XI^e century on the foundations of a Roman castle and a Carolingian refuge. In Wiltz, thehe Museum of the Battle of the Bulge is dedicated to the terrible fight that the Allies fought against the Nazis during the winter of 1944-45.

WHERE TO STAY? In the heart of the Our natural park, about ten minutes from the golf course, thehe Urspelt Castle houses 56 subtly decorated rooms and suites. A gourmet restaurant offering a wide range of Luxembourg wines and crémants is one of the strengths of this completely renovated 4 * hotel.

What to visit in Luxembourg?

Bock casemates are the remains of a fortress originally built by Count Sigefroi in… 963. Mudam (Museum of Modern Art) built by Pei, the architect of the Louvre pyramid, exhibits world-renowned collections. Built in 2005, the Philharmonie Luxembourg is one of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe, welcoming more than 150 listeners each year.

Frank Crudo

https://www.visitluxembourg.com/fr