Yes, well, a couple of nights in Maastricht in May 2025. What did I get up to? Was it worth the effort?
The answer to the second question is a definite “yes”!
As for the first question, mostly I just wandered around taking it all in and chilling. I was on holiday after all.
I had a wonderful pizza in Utrecht. I enjoy a good pizza, and this one was very classy. I spent one night in Utrecht and stayed at the Moxy again. It suits me. It is a long story.
I cycled in the Netherlands for the first time. I loved it. Such a pleasant experience as compared with Scotland. I just downloaded Arriva’s Deelfiets app and used one of their bikes for 23 hours. It cost €9. Ideal.
I ran my first Parkrun in the Netherlands. The Maastricht event takes place at Tapijn in the municipal park just south of the city centre. The weather was too warm and the sun too strong for a northerner. I struggled. But it is a lovely park and easy to get to. I would go back in the cooler months.
I jogged a bit on the Friday too, hoping to get the travel legs out of my system. That was fun as well.
My hotel (the Garner – one of the Holiday Inn brands) was excellent. Being outside the city centre kept street noise out of the equation.
I had arrived in Maastricht on an NS train. It was comfortable, on time and quick. I left on an Arriva train bound for Aachen, changed to a Rhein Ruhr Express at Herzogenrath, and made my way to Düsseldorf Airport for my flight home with Eurowings.
I stayed the night at the Novotel at the airport. It was lovely. Another one to add to the “go back anytime” list.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2025
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