There are a bunch of tiny countries in Europe that many people visit just for the passport stamp: Liechtenstein, San Marino and Andorra to name a few. But my favourite, and one I can recommend visiting for more than just the passport stamp, is Luxembourg.

Its official name is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and its size is just under 1000 square miles. The main city is also named Luxembourg, and an overnight stay here was my first introduction to Luxembourg. Having heard that it's a trilingual country - French, German and Luxembourgish are the three official languages - I tried to order a hot chocolate and crepes at a café in the city center in German. But the waitress seemed to only speak French, so I had to return to my best sign language.

Walking around the center of Luxembourg on a rainy day didn't destroy the impact of this pretty city. A funny mix of old Fachwerk buildings, French style cafes, and some very royal looking architecture, I didn't feel quite sure that I knew where I was or what culture belonged there, but it was a comfortable place to visit just the same. And it had some especially pretty places, including a spot named the Balcony of Europe. The famous bridge, Pont Adolphe, was covered in multicoloured autumn leaves when I was there, and a misty valley below the "Balcony" made it a very photogenic view.

Luxembourg during the week is increasingly full of Europeans from across the continent, as its now home to several parts of the European Union bureaucracy. That means that getting a hotel room during the week can often be difficult and quite expensive, but there are bargains to be had on the weekends.

In the countryside of Luxembourg, there are valleys of vineyards and farmland. I visited the old village of Esch-sur-Sure, and climbed up to the top of the castle ruins that looked down over the village and the river. Wandering around such a pretty village was also good for clearing the head and ensuring a relaxing holiday. Spending some time in vineyards (and trying some of their produce of course) also helps with such a goal.

So if you're travelling in Germany, Belgium or France, think about taking a trip into neighboring Luxembourg. With immigration freedoms of the European Union, you probably won't get a stamp in your passport, but you will be able to add another country to your list and actually really enjoy it too.