Maastricht and South Limburg
Culture, history and enjoyment in a unique journey
- 3 nights with breakfast at the 4* Amrath Grand Hotel de L´Empereur
- 1 dinner in a typical Limburg restaurant
- Sightseeing tour of Maastricht
- Visit to the grottoes and Fort Sint Pieter
- Guided tour of South Limburg with stops at the American War Cemetery Margaten and Valkenburg
- Boat trip on the Meuse
TIP:
Extend this trip with a side trip to Belgium, e.g. with a visit to Liège or Tongeren
YOUR HOTEL:
The Amrâth Grand Hotel de L´Empereur is a traditional 4* hotel in the heart of Maastricht, directly opposite the central station. The Art Nouveau building dates back to 1902 and combines historical charm with modern comfort. The hotel has 149 rooms in various categories, including standard and superior rooms and spacious suites. All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, desk and tea and coffee making facilities. Other facilities include a restaurant serving international cuisine, a hotel bar and an indoor pool. Thanks to its central location, the hotel is an ideal base for sightseeing, shopping and cultural activities. The historic old town of Maastricht, the banks of the Meuse, the Vrijthof and numerous museums are all within walking distance.
Welcome to Maastricht – one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, where history, culture and joie de vivre come together. Stroll through the picturesque streets of the old town, enjoy excellent cuisine and experience the relaxed atmosphere on the banks of the Meuse. To the south, the rolling hills of South Limburg await you with their green valleys, historic villages and impressive viewpoints.
On the route of your choice, you will reach Maastricht, one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, beautifully situated in the border triangle of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, in the province of Limburg and on both sides of the Meuse. Maastricht is home to the most cultural monuments after Amsterdam. After checking into your stylish hotel, you will get to know the city on a guided walking tour. In the heart of the city you will find the beautiful Vrijthof square, known of course as the venue for André Rieu's summer concerts or the Magical Maastricht on the Vrijthof. The 1.5 hectare square is surrounded by numerous historic buildings that are reminiscent of the time when Maastricht was a religious center and a military fortress. These include the Sint Servaas Church, the Sint Janskerk, the Spaans Gouvernement, de Hoofdwacht and the Generaalshuis. The day ends with a typical Limburg dinner.
After breakfast, the exploration continues. First on the agenda is the Pietersberg. The fortress and the huge man-made cave system underneath are impressive. In the afternoon, explore the beauty of Maastricht on a leisurely boat tour on the Meuse.
Today you will explore the Maastricht region, more precisely the Heuvelland region – the ›Dutch hill country‹ with an almost Belgian-French flair. First you will follow in the footsteps of the more recent past. Not far from Maastricht, near Margraten, is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. The cemetery is located on historic ground near the famous road built by the Romans from Cologne to Boulogne, which was used by Caesar on his campaign in this area. Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon and Kaiser Wilhelm II all traveled along this road. The route then continues to Valkenburg aan de Geul. This romantic little town is home to the ruins of Valkenburg Castle, the only hilltop castle in the country. Valkenburg is a magnet for visitors, especially during the Advent season, thanks to its underground Christmas markets. End the evening in the lively old town of Maastricht.
After breakfast, return journey on the route of your choice. How about a detour to Aachen or Liège? Or a visit to the Radermacher distillery in Raeren, Belgium, just a few kilometers from the border crossing to Aachen?