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Take the train to Maastricht

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Maastricht is the ideal city for taking time out. Once you’re there, you can start by enjoying a cappuccino on one of the terraces in the Onze Lieve Vrouwenplein square, a stone’s throw from the Vrijthof, the city’s main square. It’s the ideal place for enjoying the hubbub and the setting, as well as for trying the culinary delights offered by the many restaurants. And there is a wide selection of hotels nearby.

Leave your luggage at reception or in your room, and set off to stroll round the old historic centre with its imposing façades and cobbled alleyways. There are no fewer than 1590 listed monuments here for you to discover. The Basilicas of Saint Servatius and Our Lady, housing great collections of religious art, testify to the city’s rich Roman and medieval past.

And the story doesn’t stop there! At the Bonnefantenmuseum, you will find a major collection of medieval art, as well as early Renaissance works by Italian, German and Dutch painters, and a permanent collection of very prominent contemporary art.

At Maastricht, it is impossible not to be carried away by the art of shopping. The Wyck quarter is a good place for investing in fashion, art, antiques, design, interior design, and gastronomy. However, you’ll find the most exclusive luxury boutiques around the Stokstraat.

Maastricht owes its image as an epicurean city to its many restaurants, pavement cafés, and regional specialities (strawberries, asparagus, ‘Rommedoe’ cheese, mushrooms, local beers and some wines), it is true, but also to its five restaurants with Michelin stars. And in case you still need convincing of its gastronomic excellence, in the last weekend of August every year, the city lays on 4 days of sheer culinary delight with the “Preuvenemint”, an internationally renowned feast when more than 30 restaurants present their most succulent dishes. Enjoy!

Tips and practical information

Maastricht

This is the town's oldest monument, built on a Roman site. The building was already there in 1000 AD, and the front part looking over the square dates from this period. The upper part with the turrets was added later. Admire the narthex, choir and the very pretty sculptures. Immerse yourself in its special atmosphere. If you come at exam time, you will see that the candles are often sold out.

Address: Granmarkt 1, Maastricht

The casemates are part of an enormous, complex system of underground fortifications built between 1575 and 1825. Today only a small section of about 14 km survives. A visit to the casemates will take you into the town’s past and reveal its strategic importance. The amazingly ingenious system includes traps, caponiers and listening posts. The visit also brings key stages of certain military offensives to life. Among other things, this network served as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Inside the casemates there is a war museum and also an area devoted to the Cold War (with bunk beds, a ventilation system and toilets), so the casemates could be used in the event of a nuclear attack.

Address: Waldeckbastion, Maastricht

More information: http://www.maastrichtunderground.nl/content.php?id=3

Marres is a contemporary cultural centre showing various interesting works of photography, video, and more. This centre also hosts shows, happenings, and discussions on specific subjects. Useful information: there is a free guided visit of the exhibition on the last Sunday of every month

Address: Capucijnenstraat 98, Maastricht

More information: http://www.marres.org/nl

In Maastricht you can enjoy one of the local beers, but why not try the wines as well? The Apostelhoeve Vineyard is a prime example. It produces a particularly fine Riesling (as well as a Pinot Noir and a Müller-Thurgau). The amazing setting is worth the trip in itself! If you want to taste Dutch wines, a visit to the vineyard is recommended. A walk through the “Hoeve Nekum” and “Château Neercanne” is also worth the trip!

Address: De Apostelhoeve Susserweg 201, Maastricht

More information: http://www.apostelhoeve.nl

These river boats provide pleasant and entertaining sightseeing trips up and down the Meuse. Several packages are available with opportunities to visit the Mount Saint Peter caves, go to Liège or even enjoy brunch or an evening meal.

Address: Maaspromenade 58, 6211 HS Maastricht

More information: http://www.stiphout.nl/





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Travel time
Brussels Midi
Return from
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Amsterdam 1h53 € 48
Schiphol 1h37 € 46
Rotterdam 1h11 € 33
The Hague 1h35 € 37
Maastricht 1h27 € 19
Delft 1h34 € 37
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* Unless expressly stated otherwise, all fares quoted are per person (VAT included), based on a return journey in 2nd Class from Brussels and subject to availability.