 |
 |
|
|
(page 1 of 6)
Luxembourg & Belgium
By way of our own
By Susan Manlin KatzmanLet’s get right to the heart of the matter: St. Louis is connected. Two of our city’s dynamic citizens are linking the heart of the United States to the heart of Europe. In the past two and a half years, President George W. Bush has tapped Ann Wagner of Ballwin and Sam Fox of Clayton to serve as ambassadors to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of Belgium, respectively.
Wagner was sworn into her role in August 2005, following two terms as co-chair of the Republican National Committee and six years as chair of the Missouri Republican Party. Despite the status of her office and her official responsibilities, she comes across as down-to-earth, during our interview juggling several roles—ambassador, wife and mother—with ease. Fox’s persona is that of a high-energy CEO. His movements are quick, and his conversation darts from subject to subject, often money-based and responsibility-focused. Sworn in during a recess appointment this past April, Fox is new to the job and seems a bit uncertain as to what is permissible to say, but his enthusiasm does break through the official verbiage. Each ambassador claims that his and her host country is the most sophisticated in all of Europe. Both ambassadors could be right.
Covering only 998 square miles, tiny Luxembourg sits landlocked, bordered by Belgium, France and Germany. Luxembourgers officially speak French, German and Luxembourgish, but add English and a variety of other languages to accommodate foreign residents of many different nationalities. With international banking and finance as its major businesses, Luxembourg is one of the world’s richest countries, reflected in the large number of Michelin-starred restaurants in such a small area. (Foodies will love Ristorante Mosconi in Luxembourg City and Restaurant Lea Linster in Frisange.) Wealth helps keep the whole of Luxembourg as manicured as a country club.
Advertisement
More complex, the 11,787-square-mile Belgium is considered the hub of Europe. Bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, with a short coastline on the North Sea, Belgium boasts three major regions: the Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, the French-speaking Wallonia in the south and the bilingual Brussels–Capital Region in between. Brussels serves as capital not only of Belgium, but also of Europe, as the region is headquarters of numerous major international organizations, including the European Union and NATO.
It’s hard to get Fox to pinpoint Belgium’s top tourists’ attractions, as he seems enthralled with it all. “You’ll be blown away by how much there is to do in Brussels alone,” he says, adding the cities of Bruges and Ghent and the rolling hills of Wallonia to his list of highlights. Fox contends that Belgium’s history and culture are rich enough to fill the itineraries of a variety of special-interest travelers.
Indeed, art and architecture aficionados can explore a treasure trove of Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, Art Nouveau homes and wonderful museums (like the Foundation Folon outside of Brussels). Tourists interested in the American Armed Forces can visit historic battlefields and pay tribute at World War I and II American military cemeteries, monuments and memorials established in various parts of the country. And those traveling with food first and foremost in mind will strike gold wherever they wander, as Belgium is famous for its beer, chocolate, waffles, mussels and frites.
Ambassador Wagner says that for such a tiny country, Luxembourg offers a variety of landscapes across five tourist regions: the northern, forested Ardennes, with national parks and hilltop castles (Vianden is a favorite for touring); the Mullerthal, known as “Little Switzerland” for its rocky formations and numerous hiking trails; the wine-producing Moselle region (noted for light and luscious Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and sparkling Crémant, bottled in such limited quantities that Luxembourgers alone consume the bounty); a narrow strip in the south called the Red Rock area; and Luxembourg capital and surroundings, which incorporates the historical and exceedingly picturesque Luxembourg City. Old Town and the city’s magnificent fortifications grace the UNESCO World Heritage List and are a must-see for every visitor. In addition, tourists can let the good times roll at great shops, fun and fine restaurants, interesting museums and entertainments of the highest quality.
The euro is the currency of both countries, and a weak dollar exchange could make travel expensive for budget-minded Americans. On the other hand, both countries offer accommodations in every price range, and traveling by car or train is cost-effective and easy, as roads are good and train connections plentiful.
Although clearly loving being ambassadors and greatly valuing the countries in which they serve, both Ambassador Wagner and Ambassador Fox say there is one downside to the job: They miss St. Louis and all that the city represents—family and friends and the sweet familiarity of home.
