Luxembourg

In front of Patton’s tomb (2022)

Country Information:

In Luxembourg about 650,000 people live here (2022). The country was founded in 963 and its capital is Luxembourg City. The official languages are French, German, and Luxembourgish and the dominant religion Roman Catholicism. Its top exports are plastics, vehicles, iron or steel products, rubber, electronics, dairy, eggs, honey, aluminum, and paper – but much of its wealth also comes from financial services and banking. 

Jim’s Perspectives:

Have visited Luxembourg twice, most recently in ’22. If you’re interested in WWII memorials, General Patton was buried at the cemetery honoring U.S. soldiers. After conquering Hitler, Patton died from injuries in a low-speed car accident. A fascinating sight in Luxembourg City are the underground tunnels built in the 17th century as part of the city’s defenses. These tunnels were used as air raid shelters during WWI and WWII.

Luxembourg is reportedly one of the safest countries in the world, with only two prisons. Also unique is that Luxembourg has the  highest GDP per capita in the world (surpassing Qatar) and is one of the safest countries in the world, with only two prisons.

 

Vatican City

At the Vatican with the family, 2017. Jim's Perspectives: Traveling with the family has been the biggest highlight! After 100s of solo journeys around the world it was fun to play tour guide in Germany, Switzerland and Italy and Vatican City. Took sightseeing tours of...

Laos

Country Information: A country slightly larger than Utah, Laos is a landlocked country home to approximately 7.5 million people. The capital of Laos is Vientiane. The official language of Laos is Lao, but French, English and various ethnic languages are also widely...

Antigua and Barbuda

Country Information: Christopher Columbus came to Antigua in 1493 and the Spanish settlers grew sugarcane and tobacco there. It was colonized by the British in 1632 and remained a British possession until 1981. Jim's Perspectives: In 1993, my wife (who I was then...