Maastricht - unknown Roman treasure
Written: Oct 04 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Atmosphere, history, eating and drinking
Cons: Not very well-known to the general travelling public
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| Dutch1Boy's Full Review: Maastricht |
As a graduate of the Maastricht University, writing about this city is a bit like writing about my home. Few cities have such a welcoming character and a charming atmosphere!
Maastricht is the capital of the southernmost province of Limburg in the Netherlands, about 2 hours by train from Amsterdam, 1 hour from Cologne and Brussels and about 15-20 minutes by train from Liege/Luik in Belgium. Train transportation in the Netherlands is excellent. Comfortable, normally on time, and the size of the country makes traveling by train very easy...
Maastricht probably comes closest to the lifestyle of the French: a lot of emphasis on eating and drinking in this city, with the highest number of bars per capita in the Netherlands. The city straddles the Maas river, with some beautiful old bridges crossing the slow but powerful current of the Maas.
As one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, Maastricht offers cobblestone streets, remains of Roman times, hundreds of small, intimate bars, residents who are just as comfortable speaking French, German or English as they are conversing in Dutch - or their local dialect. Home to one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the Netherlands, the city has a culture that is very distinct from that of other areas in the Netherlands.
My favorite activities? Walking through the cobble stoned streets. Drinking hot cocoa in one of the sidewalk cafes. Shopping for antiques. And eating: the city boasts some of the most imaginative restaurants in Holland. Visit the Bonnefantenmuseum, next to the Maas river. Walk through the sandstone caves. Cross the border into Germany (30 minutes) or Belgium (5 minutes).
There is so much to do, and the city is so charming - you are sure to enjoy it!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Dutch1Boy
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Member: Rob
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 90
Trusted by: 64 members
About Me:
Travel is my work and my passion!
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