Stopover in Luxembourg

The tiny state of Luxembourg is a popular stopover for fuel, cigarettes and alcohol. The taxes for fuel and some other goods are lower and many drivers from neighbouring Germany, France and Belgium come here to tank and shop. Characteristic for the Luxembourg economy is the well developed banking sector and the high incomes. The citizens of Luxembourg have the highest average income in the world - the per capita GDP was over U$62000 in 2005.

We stopped at a petrol station in Schengen and then drove to Kirchberg, a city quarter where most of the financial institutions are situated. Tsveti disappeared for over an hour in the Kirchberg shopping centre. I became impatient and had to call her. On the phone she said she had got lost in the Sephora shop :-)

The city of Luxembourg is well arranged and clean. Although the place is prospering, the local bankers remain thrifty with their money and you won't see any monumental arcs or exuberant architecture here.