Arnab Nandy walks his way around the old world charm of Maastricht
When the average Indian traveller plans to visit Europe, Amsterdam, Paris and Rome are on the must-see list. The discerning traveller seeks the lesser-known places where it is easier to experience the life of the local people without having to break through the touristy facade of such big cities, like Maastricht in the Netherlands.
Maastricht apparently has the largest number of pubs and bars per square kilometre in The Netherlands.
But there are still more reasons to visit this city, which is arguably the oldest in the country.
Just about two-and-a-half hours by train from Amsterdam, it has cobbled roads to give you that old-world feel. That may impress tourists, but not local residents. “It just makes cycling difficult,” says Harry Sanders who studies European law at the University of Maastricht.
Cycling is a great way to see any place in The Netherlands, but for Maastricht, walking is probably a better idea because it is so small. If you enjoy walking, you’ll know all the lanes and by lanes by the end of a couple of days.
From the railway station, you could walk to the beautiful public library and see the square beside it where the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992. Then cross the Mass river to enter the old town where parts of the old city wall still stand.
Walk through the narrow cobbled lanes with hundreds of cafes and pubs along them to reach the main square where the Saint Servatius Basilica is situated. It looks like a dream with the lights at night.
If you’re interested in the nightlife, drop by at one of the pubs, down a few drinks and head to one of the nightclubs. Remember, not many people visit these clubs before 1.30am. Another thing is, coffee shops in The Netherlands are places where you can procure weed. If you want coffee, go to a café.
If you’re in town on a Friday, make sure you check out the weekly market. It’s a lively affair with everything from fried fish, vegetables and meat to jewellery clothes and cosmetics on sale.
There is also an interesting fort, some parks and museums. So, if you’re into history, you are headed for a nice time.