SLIDESHOW: Maastricht, Holland - Biggleswade Today

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SLIDESHOW: Maastricht, Holland Video Click here to view pictures Food is cause for celebration in Maastricht!

« Previous « Previous Next » Next » ADVERTISEMENT Published Date: 10 September 2008 By Alan Wooding It's another Dutch delight .. especially at festival time! "First cut your courgettes into 4mm strips and then fry them in olive oil until they turn a light golden colour," instructed the head chef at Cucina Mosae. As one of six total novices attempting to prepare an edible dish under his gaze – and that of the Dutch shopping public! – I was anxiously hunched over a hot stove in the basement of the Mosae Forum centre which houses Maastricht's finest fine food market. Wrapped in a large black apron, I added various ingredients – tuna, creme fresh, garlic, capers, shredded basil, etc – for mine was just one of six 'culinary delights' that we'd munch for lunch! To take part in a lunch workshop – in which you prepare various dishes – costs 32.50 euros per person and includes wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee or tea. It was certainly a fun experience and an eye-opening introduction into the world of 'gourmet' cooking as we were visiting Holland's fifth largest city to enjoy Preuvenemint, one of Europe's biggest food and drink festivals. Now in its 27th year, the four-day festival – which has raised millions for charity – attracts around 200,000 visitors from all over Europe. Maastricht is a city of just 120,000 inhabitants yet there are over 450 cafes, bars and restaurant with no fewer

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than five boasting Michelin stars. The population is also boosted by around 60,000 students who attend either the university, teaching hospital, its polytechnic or the drama, arts and music academy. But nowhere else in The Netherlands can you find such culinary diversity, for in Maastricht there truly is a passion for fine food. Located in the Meuse valley set between the hills – which the Dutch claim are Holland's only mountains! – Masstricht is close to both Belgium and German in the southern part of the country in the region of South Limburg. And it certainly couldn't be easier to reach. We travelled via Eurostar (courtesy of Rail Europe) and only needed to change trains for Maastricht in Brussels. It costs from £89 and takes around four hours and you don't suffer those long waits at crowded airports. Maastricht is the city where former Prime Minister John Major signed Britain up to the treaty of the same name back in 1992 ... and that's when most people began searching for an atlas to find out where it actually was. And while the ratified Maastricht Treaty was to finally lead to the euro, today it's food, wine and beer and not politics that the Dutch people most talk about! Claimed to be Holland oldest city with links back to Roman times, modern day Maastricht is divided by the the River Maas, its famous Servaasbrug (St Servatius Bridge) linking the two banks. It is also a shoppers paradise with quaint cobbled streets, beautiful squares and so many churches that several have been turned over to other uses. Take the city's largest bookshop Selexyz. It is housed in a former gothic church in the stylish new Entre Deux shopping area while at the impressive Kruisherenhotel – part of the Chateau Hotels chain (www.chateauhotels.nl) – we enjoyed a right regal diner on our first night. We stayed at the Apple Park Hotel, a modern four-star hotel on the outskirts of the city, while its centrally located sister, the Hotel Derlon, boasts its own museum after excavations to build a swimming pool managed to uncovered its Roman past! But it was to Preuvenemint that we headed and the huge square overlooked by the theatre. Many of the city's most famous restaurants had stands with Beluga, one of the highly-rated Michelin establishments, taking pride of place, the huge queues proving its popularity. With drinks free-flowing and such diversity in culinary terms, it's no wonder that Preuvenemint brings the crowds in their thousands. And the audience's reaction to a series of musicians, singers and entertainers from across northern Europe only added to the fabulous party atmosphere. Entry is free while there is no cash actually taken at the festival. Instead you purchase 'preuvenelappen' (tickets) which cost 1.70 euro each and can be exchanged for food and drink at every single stall. The Maastricht Tourist Board offers daily walking tours which take in attractions like Ceramique, an ultramodern building which houses a museum, traditional pottery and is used as a lecture hall. Also on our schedule was the Bonnefanten Museum with its classical and traditional paintings alongside some downright weird art forms. We visited Bishops Mill, a traditional working bakery with its own waterwheel mill, enjoyed even more alcoholic refreshment at the Wine Cellar Thiessen at Grote Gracht close to Preuvenemint, and then spent time simply enjoying the city's pavement cafe culture. To sum up, Maastricht may not be the obvious weekend destination, but believe me there is more than enough

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to keep everyone happy, be they culture vultures or those keen on exploring. Maastricht certainly deserves far more than a casual glance. How to get there Return fares via Eurostar from London to Maastricht start at £89 in standard class. All prices are per person and subject to availability. For bookings visit www.raileurope.co.uk or call 0844 848 4070. Personal callers are welcome at the Rail Europe Travel Centre, 1 Regent Street, London SW1. Where to stay Golden Tulip Apple Park Hotel Maastricht Pierre de Coubertinweg 3 6225 XT Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 352 9000 F: +31 (0) 43 352 9001 E: [email protected] [email protected] W: www.applepark.nl Hotel Derlon Onze Lieve Vrouweplein 6 6211 HD Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 321 6770 F: +31 (0)43 325 1933 E: [email protected] W: www.derlon.com Kruisherenhotel Kruisherengang 19–23 6211 NW Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 329 2020 F: +31 (0)43 323 3030 E: [email protected] W: www.chateauhotels.nl Three-course dinner including wine starts from 56 euros. WHAT TO DO Guided Tour of Maastricht VVV Maastricht Kleine Staat 1 6211 ED Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 325 2121 E: [email protected] W: www.vvvmaastricht.nl Cost: adults 4.40 euro, children 3.40 euro. also for the same price Guided Tour Wyck & Céramique VVV Maastricht Kleine Staat 1 6211 ED Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 325 2121

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Bonnefantenmuseum Avenue Ceramique 250 6221 KX Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 3290190 F: +31 (0)43 3290199 E: [email protected] W: www.bonnefanten.nl Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 11am to 5pm; entry 8 euros adults, 4 euros children (13-17 years), under 12 free. Cucina Mosae laag gubbelstraat 38 I 6211 cg maastricht T: +31(0)43 455 8440 F: +31(0)43 455 8444 E: [email protected] W: www.cucinamosae.nl Lunchwork shop 'antipasta' 32.5 euros per person includes wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Other workshops are also available. Preuvenemint Festival E: [email protected] W: www.preuvenemint.nl The annual festival on the last full weekend of August, so on the last Sunday and the three days preceding it. Entry is free. You can pay with Preuvenelappen (tickets) and one preuvenelap costs 1.70 euros in 2008. Proceeds of the festival go to good causes and charities. Bisschopsmolen Stenenbrug 1-3 6211 HP Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 327 0613 F: +31 (0)43 327 0614 E: [email protected] Wine Cellar Thiessen Grote Gracht 18 6211 SW Maastricht T: +31 (0)43 325 1355 F: +31 (0)43 321 4715 E: [email protected] SPECIAL THANKS TO: Rianne Ojeh Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions E: [email protected] W: www.holland.com/uk and to Stephanie Hameleers Maastricht Tourist Board VVV Maastricht Het Dinghuis, Kleine Straat 1 6211 ED Maastricht

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E: [email protected] W: www.vvvmaastricht.nl Page 1 of 1




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