Maastricht
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in Maastricht and Limburg gives you the complete extraordinary depth of the Netherlands' southernmost and most distinctive province, from the 4th-century basilica and underground catacombs of Maastricht through the hill cycling of Valkenburg and the all-white village of Thorn to the Dutch Design capital of Eindhoven and the Limburg vineyard slopes producing the Netherlands' only appellation wine above the fossils of the Mosasaurus. This route covers the complete Limburg experience from the most European city in the Netherlands and the finest hill country in the country through the Belgian border antiques culture and the Meuse valley villages to the extraordinary design heritage of Eindhoven and the remarkable Apostelhoeve vineyards giving the finest and most surprising wine tasting in the Benelux. Five extraordinary days in the south.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train from Amsterdam or fly to Eindhoven (EIN)
Getting Around
Car for Limburg hills, train Maastricht to Eindhoven
Budget Per Day
Approx 130 to 365 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate
DAY 1
MAASTRICHT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
MORNING
MAASTRICHT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND MOST EUROPEAN CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Maastricht is the most extraordinary city in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Vrijthof square flanked by the Sint-Servaasbasiliek, the oldest church in the Low Countries from the 4th century, and the Sint-Janskerk with the finest red tower in the country, its remarkable Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the extraordinary Bookshop Dominicanen in a 13th-century Dominican church and the remarkable Stadspark riverside walk making it the finest city experience in the southern Netherlands. Sint-Servaas treasury approx 8 euros. Train/Travel: 2 hours train
MIDDAY
THE MAASTRICHT CATACOMBS AND THE FINEST UNDERGROUND HERITAGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Maastricht catacombs beneath the Sint-Pietersberg hill are the most extraordinary underground heritage site in the Netherlands, their extraordinary 200km of passages carved from the soft marlstone, the remarkable charcoal drawings dating from the 16th century including Napoleon's signature, and the extraordinary wartime hiding places used during the Second World War making them the finest underground experience in the Benelux. Guided tours only, approx 9 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE BONNEFANTENMUSEUM AND THE FINEST ART MUSEUM IN LIMBURG
The Bonnefantenmuseum by Aldo Rossi on the Maas is the most extraordinary art museum in Limburg, its remarkable collection of medieval sculpture and Italian and Flemish old masters alongside the finest contemporary art collection in the south Netherlands. The extraordinary circular tower above the Maas is the finest modern building in Maastricht. Entry approx 14 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Helpoort in Maastricht is the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands, a gate from 1229 protecting the southern entrance to the medieval city. The extraordinary position above the Jeker river, the remarkably complete preservation and the extraordinary view of the Maas plain from the gate walkway make it
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Sjiek, Maastricht Outstanding Maastricht breakfast at the most characterful traditional cafe in the city. Local Limburg bread. | Lunch: Bistro Breuers, Maastricht Outstanding Maastricht lunch at the finest traditional bistro near the Vrijthof. Local Limburg asparagus. | Dinner: Beluga Loves You, Maastricht The finest restaurant in Maastricht. Outstanding two Michelin star creative cuisine. Book months ahead.
DAY 2
THE LIMBURG HILLS AND VALKENBURG
MORNING
VALKENBURG, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HILL TOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS
Valkenburg is the most extraordinary and only hill town in the Netherlands, its extraordinary ruined castle above the Geul valley, the remarkable cave Christmas market held annually in the sandstone caves, the extraordinary Fluweelengrot and Gemeentegrot show caves beneath the castle hill and the remarkable thermal Thermae 2000 spa making it the finest inland resort in the south Netherlands. Castle ruin entry approx 5 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
THE ZUID-LIMBURG CYCLING ROUTES AND THE FINEST HILLS IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Zuid-Limburg hill country between Valkenburg, Gulpen and Vaals is the most extraordinary cycling landscape in the Netherlands, its extraordinary sunken lane network of hoewe paths through the finest fruit orchard and chalk grassland scenery in the country. The Drielandenpunt at Vaals is the highest point in the Netherlands at 322.5 metres where the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet. Entry to Drielandenpunt free. Train/Travel: Cycle
AFTERNOON
THE ORANJE NASSAU COAL MINE MUSEUM AND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
The Oranje Nassau mine site in Heerlen is the most extraordinary industrial heritage site in Limburg, its extraordinary pithead gear preserved above the most important coalfield in the Netherlands, which was mined from 1899 until 1974. The Glaspaleis building in Heerlen by Frits Peutz from 1935 is the finest art deco architecture in the Netherlands. Mine museum approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Gerendal valley south of Valkenburg is the finest hidden chalk grassland in the Netherlands, its extraordinary wild orchid meadows, the hoewe sunken lanes through the finest apple and pear orchards in the country and the extraordinary view of the Geul river valley from the chalk ridge making it the
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Grand Cafe des Arts, Valkenburg Outstanding Limburg hill town breakfast at the finest cafe in the most extraordinary valley town. | Lunch: Kasteel Geulzicht, Valkenburg Outstanding cave restaurant lunch at the finest estate restaurant in the Geul valley. Local Limburg asparagus. | Dinner: De Burgemeester, Valkenburg The finest traditional restaurant in Valkenburg. Outstanding Limburg cuisine and local Gulpener beer.
DAY 3
THE BELGIAN BORDER AND THE MEUSE VALLEY
MORNING
TONGEREN, THE OLDEST CITY IN BELGIUM AND THE FINEST ANTIQUES MARKET IN THE BENELUX
Tongeren just across the Belgian border from Maastricht is the oldest city in Belgium, founded by the Romans in 57 BC, its extraordinary Sunday antiques market, the finest and largest in the Benelux with 350 dealers, the remarkable Basilica of Our Lady with the finest Romanesque nave in Belgium and the extraordinary Gallo-Roman Museum with the finest collection of Roman provincial finds in the Benelux. Museum approx 10 euros. Antiques market free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THORN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WHITE VILLAGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Thorn in North Limburg is the most extraordinary village in the Netherlands, its extraordinary all-white painted houses dating from a tradition established when the village became a principality in the 10th century, the remarkable Abdijkerk collegiate church and the extraordinary village atmosphere making it the finest white village in northwest Europe. Known as the White Village of the Netherlands. Entry free. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MEUSE RIVER VALLEY AND THE FINEST NATURAL LANDSCAPE IN LIMBURG
The Meuse valley between Venlo and Maastricht is the most extraordinary river landscape in Limburg, its extraordinary floodplain nature reserves of the Maasuiterwaarden, the remarkable medieval towns of Arcen with its castle gardens and the extraordinary Gennep with its finest river beach in the Netherlands giving the finest combination of nature and heritage in the Limburg river country. Castle gardens approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wittemerbos forest near Wittem in the Limburg hills is the finest deciduous forest walk in the Netherlands, its extraordinary chalk beech woodland, the wild garlic meadows in May and the remarkable Kasteel Wittem from 1100 giving the finest combination of ancient forest and castle in southern Limburg. The castle
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Brasserie Moriaan, Tongeren Outstanding Belgian-Dutch border breakfast at the finest brasserie in the oldest city in Belgium. | Lunch: De Abdij, Thorn Outstanding white village lunch at the finest restaurant in the extraordinary all-white village. | Dinner: Mediterrane, Maastricht Outstanding Mediterranean-influenced dinner at the finest terrace restaurant on the Maas. Book ahead.
DAY 4
EINDHOVEN AND THE DESIGN CAPITAL OF THE NETHERLANDS
MORNING
EINDHOVEN, THE FINEST DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Eindhoven is the most extraordinary design and technology city in the Netherlands, home of Philips and the birthplace of the Dutch design movement, its extraordinary Strijp-S creative district in the former Philips factory complex, the remarkable Dutch Design Week, the finest design festival in Europe held every October, and the extraordinary Evoluon flying saucer building from 1966 giving the finest design heritage experience in the country. Strijp-S entry free. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train
MIDDAY
HE VAN ABBEMUSEUM, THE FINEST MODERN ART MUSEUM IN THE NETHERLANDS OUTSIDE AMSTERDAM
The Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven is the most extraordinary modern art museum outside Amsterdam, its extraordinary collection including the finest Picasso holdings in the Netherlands, the remarkable Lissitzky room and the extraordinary programme of contemporary art making it the finest museum in the south Netherlands. The building by Abel Cahen from 1936 and the extension by Abel Cahen junior from 2003 are both remarkable. Entry approx 15 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE HIGH TECH CAMPUS EINDHOVEN AND THE SMARTEST SQUARE KILOMETRE
The High Tech Campus Eindhoven is the most extraordinary technology campus in Europe, its extraordinary 12,000 scientists and engineers from 250 companies and institutes on one square kilometre creating the finest concentration of technology talent in the Netherlands. The campus is open to guided tours. The adjacent Philips Museum gives the finest account of the Dutch invention tradition from the light bulb to the CD. Museum approx 12.50 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The DAF Museum in Eindhoven contains the most extraordinary collection of Dutch automotive heritage, the complete history of DAF automobiles from the first car of 1958 to the finest Variomatic continuously variable transmission that made DAF unique in European car manufacturing. Entry approx 12 euros. The 1960s DAF city cars
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Usine, Eindhoven Outstanding Eindhoven breakfast at the finest converted factory cafe in Strijp-S. Local Dutch design aesthetic. | Lunch: Parcours, Eindhoven Outstanding Dutch design lunch at the finest restaurant in the Van Abbemuseum building. | Dinner: Avant-garde, Eindhoven The finest restaurant in Eindhoven. Outstanding creative Dutch cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 5
THE LIMBURG GRAPE HARVEST AND WINE COUNTRY
MORNING
THE APOSTELHOEVE WINERY AND THE FINEST DUTCH WINE ESTATE
Apostelhoeve near Maastricht is the most extraordinary wine estate in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Muller-Thurgau, Auxerrois and Pinot Gris vineyards on the south-facing chalk slopes of the Sint-Pietersberg giving the finest Dutch wine in the country. The Netherlands' only appellation wine is produced in Limburg. The vineyard walk and the estate tasting room give the finest Dutch wine experience. Tastings from approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
THE ROMAN VIA BELGICA AND THE FINEST ROMAN ROAD IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Via Belgica, the Roman road from Cologne to Boulogne-sur-Mer that passed through Maastricht, is the most extraordinary Roman heritage route in the Netherlands, its remarkable Roman milestones preserved in the landscape, the extraordinary Roman bridge foundations visible in the Maas and the remarkable Mosasaur fossils found in the Maastrichtian limestone quarries giving the finest Roman landscape experience in the country. Heritage sites free. Train/Travel: Drive
AFTERNOON
THE MOSASAUR MUSEUM AND THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FOSSIL IN DUTCH HISTORY
The Natural History Museum Maastricht contains the most extraordinary fossil in Dutch history, the original Mosasaurus hoffmannii skull found in 1770 in the Sint-Pietersberg quarries and the fossil that gave its name to the Maastrichtian geological age. The extraordinary collection of Maastrichtian marine reptile fossils makes it the finest palaeontology museum in the Benelux. Entry approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Chateau Neercanne near Maastricht is the only castle in the Netherlands built in terraced gardens, its extraordinary 17th-century chalk stone construction on the hillside above the Jeker valley and its classification as a national monument making it the finest country house in Limburg. The wine cellars carved into the chalk
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Apostelhoeve estate cafe Outstanding vineyard breakfast above Maastricht with extraordinary Sint-Pietersberg chalk slope views. | Lunch: Chateau Neercanne, Maastricht The finest restaurant in the Netherlands' only classified chateau. Outstanding Limburg wine and local asparagus. | Dinner: Tout a fait, Maastricht Outstanding farewell dinner at the finest wine bar restaurant in Maastricht's extraordinary Vrijthof quarter.
Where To Stay
Maastricht, Nights 1 and 5 Kruisherenhotel or Hotel Huis de Witt. Approx 120 to 300 euros per night. Valkenburg, Night 2 Thermae Resort Valkenburg. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Eindhoven, Night 4 Hotel Pullman or Park Inn. Approx 100 to 220 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Apostelhoeve tasting: book the vineyard walk and tasting combo. The Auxerrois is the finest Dutch white wine.
2. Gerendal valley wildflowers: the chalk grassland orchid meadows peak in June. Entirely free and unknown.
3. Chateau Neercanne dinner: book 4 to 6 weeks ahead. The wine cellar table is the finest setting in Limburg.
4. DAF Museum Eindhoven: the 1967 DAF 55 with Variomatic is the finest Dutch automotive invention. Free parking.
5. Thorn white village at dawn: arrive before 8am before the coach tours. The all-white streets are extraordinary.
6. Mosasaur skull original: the 1770 Maastrichtian skull is the most important fossil in Dutch natural history.
Total Budget
130 to 360 EUR/day