YOUR NEXT GREAT RIDE

LUXEMBOURG

WE’RE BIG FANS of Europe’s smallest nation. It’s much more than just the eponymous city. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a compact country of rolling hills, covered with quiet farmland and well-maintained woodland. The roads that criss-cross the land between its quaint villages are twisty, quiet and often surfaced with the most astonishing racetrack-grade tarmac.

Luxembourg’s a perfect destination for a short biking trip. It’s only few hours’ ride from the coast, whether you’re doing a Dover-calais or Hull-rotterdam crossing. Luxembourg City is a bustling, sophisticated European capital with every facility a traveller could want, but there are plenty of small towns and sleepy villages with hotels to cater for every taste. The country has castles, museums, vineyards and some seriously good restaurants to visit.

The riding is the real attraction, though. You can plan routes that scroll through the forests and gorges and open farmland, tackling every kind of corner from first-gear hairpins to wide-open sweepers. It’s easy to spend all day in the saddle, without ever leaving Luxembourg – though the riding is excellent in the neighbouring parts of France, Germany and Belgium as well.

What we like most about all this amazing riding is that it’s so accessible – and so easy to enjoy on a short time scale. It also makes Luxembourg a great place to enjoy at a relaxed pace with a pillion. So when looking for a destination for long-weekend spring biking trip, think small. Think Luxembourg. HOW TO GET THERE: from Calais, we’d take the motorways to Namur in Belgium; from Rotterdam, Zeebrugge or the Hook of Holland we’d aim for Liege. From either city it’s then a great ride across the Ardennes to Luxembourg. WHEN TO GO: April to November. It’s Northern Europe, so showers are possible in spring or autumn, but it’s usually warmer than the UK. WHERE TO STAY: For urban sophistication, stay in Luxembourg City – the Radisson Park Hotel (www.parkinn.com) is a five-minute walk from the historic centre; the Legere Hotel (www.legere-hotels-online.com) is a short cab ride further out. To get away from it all, stay in a village (try Hotel Petry in Vianden, www. hotelpetry.com; or Hotel International in Clervaux, www.interclervaux.com) WHERE TO RIDE: for a pre-planned trip, see www.ride.co.uk/europe2 and scroll down to the “Routes in Luxembourg” section.