:) CITIES : MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS
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Pointers from our Maastricht Global Explorer, Laura B.:
Top Ten Highlights of Maastricht, Netherlands (For more information, contact the VVV tourist office www.vvvmaastricht.nl, + 31 43 325 2121) 
1.) Visit the Vrijthof, where you'll find two gorgeous churches overlooking a square which frequently hosts events and is lined with approximately 12 (outdoor) cafés. It's always bustling, but mostly with tourists. If you get hungry or thirsty and get the urge to sit at a café on a big square with a gorgeous church, proceed to the next big square in town…
2.) The more intimate of Maastricht's two best-known squares, the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein is where the locals go. With its one magnificent "Church of Our Lady" basilica looming over it, the entire tree-lined square is covered with tables and chairs. On a warm summer night, you might have to circle around once or twice. But once you find a seat, just relax, order a drink, watch the people and enjoy the buzz of conversation and laughter in the air. It is the perfect summer night in Maastricht.  3.) The Mountain of Maastricht - The Netherlands does translate to the "Lowlands," so a hill (by most standards) is a big deal here. Sint Pietersberg is a great place to go for a walk and enjoy the views over the city. It also houses some pretty cool places to visit… 4.) Vineyards. Yes, Maastricht has its own vineyards - plural, located atop St. Pietersberg. As you're going up a road only wide enough for one small car, you can't see anything to the left or right because the greenery is so overgrown. When you turn left into the Apostelhoeve you wonder where along that tiny road you crossed a border into France. This farmhouse location of a family vineyard is beautifully landscaped with tons of flowers and offers stunning views of the city. It's open for tours (including 3 glasses wine) on Saturdays from May through September, EUR 9.00. Private tours can also be arranged throughout the year for a minimum of 14 people (except on Sundays).  5.) The Caves - also located on St. Pietersberg are a series of caves carved out of the limestone hills. In additional to providing building blocks for much of the local architecture, the caves have served many purposes in the history of Maastricht. During the many occupations of the city, the locals used the caves as a hiding place for people and valuables. Most recently the caves offered shelter to Rembrandt's famous painting,  the Night Watch during World War II. That specific area of the caves was just opened to the public in June 2005.
6.) The River Maas - Maastricht offers a wide variety of boat cruises along the river, all departing from brand new (summer 2005) docks. Take a cruise to the St. Pietersberg and visit the caves. Take a day trip on the boat from Maastricht to the neighboring Belgian city of Liege. Or just take a relaxing scenic tour enjoying the Maastricht skyline. 
7.) Seasonal Fun - Forget Venice and Rio. Mardi Gras? Puh-lease. The Maastrichtenaars celebrate Carnaval like noboby else. The feast before the fast of the Lenten season of the Catholic Church, Carnaval in Maastricht is unbelievable. Normal life and business virtually comes to a halt. All the cafes and bars are wildly decorated. The costumes - from beautiful and enticing to creative and comical - you wont believe your eyes. And with amazing Carnaval and samba bands all over town, the whole city is dancing, singing and jumping around. If you get the chance, TAKE IT (and bring plenty of aspirin!).
And the summer fun - 't Preuvenemint. Located on the Vrijthof Square, it is a huge food and drink festival held the last weekend of August. Visitors purchase books of coupons that are traded in for small dishes of tasty treats and for glasses of fine wine and beer. There is always a great program of live music. The Maastrichtenaars get dressed up to see and be seen.  8.) Where to Raise a Glass, Summer and Winter - Dating back to the 1600's when it served as a brewery, the Knijpke today is a cozy, brick wine cellar also known for its Belgian beers, cheese boards (French, Dutch or combo) and frog legs. With an open-hearth fireplace, it's the perfect place to snuggle up on a chilly winter evening after a long day of shopping. For a unique twist, they also have a small movie theater showing offbeat films upstairs. Located on the Bernadusstraat.
Located on the Stokstraat, In d'n Morian is the smallest bar in the Netherlands and also happens to have the nicest outdoor café in the city. Definitely only visited by the locals, the terrace out back is on a square called the "Thermen" because it was the site of Roman baths in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. 9.) Speaking of the Romans - in the 1970's the Hotel Derlon (on the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein) was digging underneath the property with the intention of creating a parking garage. Instead, they discovered Roman ruins. The cellar of the Derlon is now a museum open to the public free of charge. It's worth it to drop in and have a look. Reading about the Romans can make a tourist thirsty. Stop in for a cocktail at the hotel's swanky new bar.  10.) Hello Good Times - There's always some fun to be found in Maastricht - and it's usually found on the Platielstraat. With some of the most fun cafes in the city (especially the Clinique and De Dikke), it's impossible not to find a good time. And once those bars all close (2:00am weeknights, 3:00am Friday and Saturday), it's on to the late night club, the Alla.
And the bonus tip - Frites (fries) with mayonnaise. It's a must for all visitors to the Netherlands. Just TRY it. Editor's tip - if that goes well, try the Frites Oorlog (fries with mayo and sate (Indonesian peanut) sauce. Great after a night on the Platielstraat! |
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with certain inalianable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
-Thomas Jefferson