A winter concert as a highlight in enchanting Maastricht
Typical wintertime activities, twinkling lights, a cosy winter event on Vrijthof square, and beautiful concerts by André Rieu: Maastricht is a magical place in December. Are you planning to come to one of the winter concerts? Combine your visit with one – or perhaps two – overnight stays. This way, you can enjoy all the wonderful things the city has to offer.
A perfect mini-break in Maastricht
After arriving in Maastricht with your companion(s) on Thursday afternoon, you check into Designhotel Maastricht at around 15.00h. It’s easy to get here by train, but you can also park your car in the nearby parking garage at a special rate. After checking in and dropping off your luggage, you take a stroll through the captivating Wyck district. For dinner, you have booked a table at Cinq, a luxury restaurant and bar on the Meuse. There’s no better place to savour refined dishes and exclusive wines while admiring the twinkling lights of city’s skyline by night! After dinner, you take a leisurely stroll past the many festive Christmas decorations before warming up again at the hotel.
Shopping & lunch
Friday morning starts with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Now it’s time for a more thorough exploration of the city! You start by shopping for some original Christmas items at the Wyck District’s many little boutiques and speciality shops. From here, you can easily cross the St Servatius Bridge to the charming Stokstraat quarter, where you stop for a delightful lunch at Petit Café Moriaan. This small but convivial eatery, nestled amidst the quarter’s beautiful buildings and luxury shops, is the perfect place to unwind.
Magical Maastricht
After all that shopping, it’s time to check out Magisch Maastricht Vrijthof, the famous backdrop to André Rieu’s summer concert series. The magical winter event held here is a long-standing and beloved tradition in this area, and not without reason. There’s something here for everyone! You take a ride on the Ferris Wheel or go skating on the ice rink, enjoy mulled wine or a hot chocolate at one of the cosy cabins and stroll past the numerous stalls with their vast selection of Christmas goodies. Surrounded by all the twinkling lights and festive decorations, there’s no better place to get in the mood for Christmas!
Dinner & concert
Now it’s time for dinner, so you saunter to Le Petit Bonheur, a charming French-style restaurant. The varied menu offers a wealth of appetizing dishes. Although you could easily spend another hour here, you have to leave for the next item on your programme: a winter concert by André Rieu! So, after dinner, you walk back to the hotel to drop off your shopping and freshen up. You travel to MECC Maastricht by car or public transport, where a unique experience awaits you. An evening celebrating the festive season, packed with romantic waltzes and Christmas carols. This is sure to be the absolute highlight of your trip to Maastricht! Tired but happy, you return to the hotel for a rejuvenating night’s sleep.
Taking in some culture
On Saturday morning, there’s plenty of time to chat about the concert over breakfast. You check out of the hotel, leaving your luggage here. It would be a pity to leave the city without taking in some of its amazing cultural highlights, after all! A stroll along the Meuse takes you to the Bonnefanten Museum, a prominent landmark due its iconic architecture. Inside, a wide variety of art collections and interactive experiences await. After taking in this bounty, you revive yourself with a tasty bite and a drink at the museum café before it’s time to collect your luggage from the hotel and head home again. One thing is certain: if you weren’t in the Christmas spirit already, you are now!
This is just an example of a long weekend in Maastricht in winter. André Rieu Travel also offers a variety of packages that combine a concert with a lunch, dinner, and/or overnight stay.
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Experience André Rieu in his home town Maastricht
Experience André Rieu in his home town MaastrichtThis event has become an established tradition in Maastricht. Violinist André Rieu will be transforming his beloved Vrijthof square into the largest, most romantic open-air concert hall in the Netherlands.
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