Sign in with Facebook"Enjoying the Burgundian Lifestyle" Top 5 Page for this destination Maastricht by BillNJ
Maastricht Travel Guide: 1,497 reviews and 3,019 photos
One of the consequences of the First Treaty of London in 1839 was that the city of Maastricht in Limburg became part of the Netherlands. While Maastricht is politically part of the Netherlands, its culture is more accurately described as Burgundian. In the middle ages, the Realm of Burgundy stretched from West Switzerland to Flanders. A hallmark of Burgundian culture was an emphasis on living well, and in particular, eating well.
The city of Maastricht does its best to uphold the Burgundian tradition of eating well. The main pleins (squares) of the city are filled with delightful sidewalk cafés. Here, you can eat delicious food while overlooking lovely tree-lined streets, old churches, fountains, ... and lots of parked bikes and motorcycles!
In 1992, the nations of Europe signed the Treaty on European Union in Maastricht. For better or worse, the city of Maastricht will forever be linked to this important event in the history of Europe.
During the year of the treaty, it was the Netherlands turn to be chairman of the European Council. Of all of the great cities in the Netherlands, why was Maastricht selected to be the birthplace of the European Union? I don't know for certain -- but, after my visit, I suspect that the city's great restaurants and cafés played a role in the decision.
I spent two days in Maastricht -- on a Tuesday and a Wednesday. With the relaxing atmosphere and streets filled with shoppers and tourists, both days felt like a Saturday. I can only imagine how crowded Maastricht is on an actual Saturday!
- Pros:Picturesque Pleins (Squares); Sidewalk Cafés; Burgundian Culture
- Cons:Expensive
- In a nutshell:Come Enjoy the Burgundian Lifestyle in the South of the Netherlands!
Reviews (24)
Maastricht Flag
Local Customs
(3)
The city flag of Maastricht flies in many places throughout the city. The flag is red with a white star. It is based on... more travel advice
Great Pub By the River Maas
Nightlife
(1)
On my first day in Maastricht, I made a brief stop at 't Pothuiske which is a small pub near the River Maas. I sat... more travel advice
Visit Wyck
Things to Do
(8)
Wyck is the "other" part of the city across the River Maas (aka Meuse). The central train station is in Wyck. There are... more travel advice
Look for Street Signs at Intersections
Favorites
(1)
When first visiting Maastricht, the city center is a bit confusing -- even with a map! In the city center, there aren't... more travel advice
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Maastricht Travel Guide
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Food and Dining
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Comments (20)
We spent a wonderfulday here several years ago. Before my VT days.Thanks for your pages.
Friends told me about shopping in Maastricht. Nice for a day trip. And then we'll certainly end up in Pieke Potloed! Thanks for your excellent tips, Bill.
Taxi's, the bane of a tourist's life! Its nice to find one that charges you correctly or doesn't take the back roads instead of the highway! I to noticed that shops opened late, for me, half the day has gone!
The city centre with cobbled streets and all those sidewalk cafés seems to be a pleasant area to wander around! Though I am not really a beer drinker, I would like to try the raspberry flavoured Wieckse :)
Thanks for a great page Bill, I'll be in Maastricht for the first time in September. Looking forward to it. Thanks for your tips. Kate
It looks great with all the sidewalk cafés! Now as spring has arrived in Sweden they are opening up here as well and they soon get crowded. It has happened to me too that VT-members I was meeting couldn't come (both times I waited 30 minutes).
years since i was in Masstricht! good tips
Maastricht looks like a wonderful place!
Some good information on Maastricht. Next time you are around let me know, i only live about 5 miles from Maastricht.(in Belgium)
Maastricht sounds like a great little city. We'll have to add it to the list next time we hit the Netherlands. Great page.
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