Population
Original Luxemburgers make up about one third of the population. There are more than 180 thousand foreigners living here, mainly Portuguese, Italians, Frenchmen, Belgians and Germans. Over 7,500 residents are officials of the European Union. Most of the population is Catholic, however there are small Protestant and Jewish communities. The country has 100% literacy.

Economy
The country has well developed industry and service sector. An important source of funds is tourism. Industry is focused on the processing of metals and chemicals, which are major export items. Among the trading partners of Luxembourg are the surrounding states of European Union. The country is also doing well in the banking sector which is mainly due to political stability and liberal laws.

History and culture
History of Luxembourg started to count at the time when Lützelburg castle was built. It happened around the year 963. Then, around the castle, began to develop a medieval city that became the center of a small estate. Between 1659 to 1839 the territory of Luxembourg was several times reduced. Luxembourg gained independence in the 19th century. After World War II Luxembourg stood at the birth of NATO and the European Community (in 1993 renamed to the European Union).

Cuisine
Luxembourg cuisine is similar to Belgian, but you’ll find also a German influences – e.g. dumplings with cabbage, etc. Luxembourg National dish is “Judd mat gaardebounen” – it’s smoked pork served with cabbage or beans.

Other specialties include:

Ferkelsrippchen-grilled ribs
Liewekniddelen mat sauerkratu – liver balls with cabbage
Traipen – black pudding
Kuddelfleck – boiled tripe (intestine)
Kachkeis – cooked cheese

The most popular coffee in Luxembourg is “café au lathes” – coffee with boiled milk, as well as cappuccino and espresso.

Tips for trips

• The city of Luxembourg (its beautiful historical center and the walls on the slopes of the River Alzette
• Ardennes
• Moselle valley
• Müllerthal

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Belgium is interesting with the diversity of its population. The country is divided into 3 areas, Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. In the northern part of Flanders, live Flemish, who speak Flemish (Belgian Flemish is a variant of Dutch). In the southern part, Wallonia, live Walloons, who speak French. In the region of Brussels there are Flemish and French speaking residents but also many foreigners. The third official language alongside French and Flemish in Belgium, is German.

Flemish are closer to the Dutch and Walloons to the French, both with the mentality and temperament, and way of life. Between Flemish and Walloons, there is a certain degree of jealousy and they are sometimes even talking about the possibility of division of land into two states.

Brussels – the capital of the EU
The capital of Belgium – Brussels is also sometimes called the capital of the European Union. Brussels houses the Council of Ministers and the European Commission, but also the European Parliament.

Brussels is bilingual, but if you go through the streets, you can hear a lot more languages ​​than just French or Flemish. A large number of foreigners live here, many of which are currently working in the institutions of the European Union. Brussels is a truly cosmopolitan city that offers many tourist sights and attractions such as: the Grand Place with historic houses and town hall, the famous Atomium and Mini-Europe – an entertainment center with models of buildings from different cities of the European Union.

Not least among the advantages of Belgium are their specialties and typical dishes and drinks. A very popular is fish in many ways, mussels, cheese or french fries with mayonnaise. From the candies you should try waffles and of course the world famous Belgian chocolates.

The most popular drink is beer. The best-known brands include Leffe, Chimey, Duvel, Jupiler, Maes, Hoegaarden and Stella Artois. They also have flavoured beers, such as cherry, strawberry or currant.

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But everything else you can even imagine you can experience in Hungary – the cultural and social events, concerts and discos, folklore festivals, good food and drink, especially a great wine, sports (fishing, bathing and swimming, excellent opportunities biking, ballooning, parachuting and hang-gliding, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing on Lake Balaton, beautiful horses with the opportunity to ride on them, craft workshops, nostalgic carriage or old trains rides, boat cruises, live gypsy music, visits to zoos and nature reserves, and last but not least, many wellness activities in famous Hungarian spa.

Hungarian cuisine

Like any other cuisine even Hungarian one is influenced by the cuisine of neighbouring countries – mostly Bulgarian and Slovak. This cuisine is characterized by a variety of tastes and looks. Its main ingredient is the pepper, which grown all around the country. Another important ingredient is sour cream. The most commonly used meat is from oxen, calves, pigs or rams. They can also prepare the turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese as well as different game. The local rivers are excellent providers of freshwater fish such as perch, Danube catfish, sturgeon, pike or carp.

The most famous Hungarian dish is definitely Hungarian goulash or Segedin goulash. Then it is gnocchi with sheep cheese, which is the apparent influence of Slovak cuisine. The most popular spice is the pepper, served in six kinds and gives the meal its right Hungarian flavour. Popular soup is halászlé (fish soup) and bean soup. Another traditional dish is Perkelt prepared from various types of meat in a pot on the fire. Furthermore, it is worth tasting Borsos Tokány – braised beef in red wine sauce with tomatoes or Tordai lacipecsenye – crisp roasted young pork wrapped in flour with hot peppers. Traditional dishes include chicken with mushrooms and pepper, fried liver, Transylvanian layered cabbage or noodles with cabbage. The meals are served with all kinds of vegetable and fruit salads, e.g. such as cucumber salad with sour cream. Very popular deserts are strudels or poppy tubes.

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Capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague is more than thousand years old, and offers rich architecture of different styles. Therefore, the city became a popular destination not only for tourists but also for many international film makers.

The most important economic sector is still a production, especially production of automobiles (Škoda), machinery, mechanical engineering and construction products. In Moravia, which forms the eastern part of the country, the iron and steel sector is predominant. The main crops grown include corn, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley and rye.

About 95% of the country covering the hills and mountains which are perfect for skiing, horseback and mountain bike tours. In the dense forests you can meet the wild boars and foxes.

World-famous beer is produced in the Czech Republic, for example, Pilsner Urquell. Wine is produced in southern regions of Moravia and in some parts of Bohemia. Thanks to the 900 natural springs the country produces large volumes of mineral water. From traditional meals you should taste dumplings made ​​from potatoes or bread.

Within the list of the famous Czech people you can find e.g. Art Nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha, composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana, marathon runner Antonin Zatopek, as well as the writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera.

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