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Maastricht question - updates and info?
Hey gang. Been a while since I've posted here. This is a Maastricht question, but hopefully the "knowledge base" (DB, Boh, et al) here can help me out.
I'll be attending a conference in Brussels for a few days in October, so A'dam is kind of logistically out of the question this time around. (Damn.) However, I was hoping to take a side trip for a few days to Brugge and Maastricht (the latter to asuage my coffeeshop fix).
Dogbreath, among your other helpful recs for A'dam, I recall that you had some gen'l recommendations for Maastricht. I'm sort of pressing for updates and more detail here since it's been over 2 years. I'm wondering if someone can recommend a decent hotel in Maastricht (in the $70-90eu per night range), a coffeeshop update (for some good red Leb perhaps?), some pub info and also some tips for good eats.
Also, any tips for Brugge would be welcome.
I realize these are many questions, but I know you guys will come through.
If too off-topic for this board, you can email me at cagey444@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Cagey
OK, here is a copy of my stock Maastricht posting. It has been 4 or 5 years now since my last visit there. Not sure if this really answers your question, though........
***
There are a few good koffee shops in Maasstricht, though none are on par with Amsterdams' better establishments. About a 2.5 hour train ride from A'dam.
Interesting factoid: Was told by a Cloggie who runs a head shop in Maastricht, with a gleam in his eye and obvious pride, that Maastricht, Nederland has more koffee shops than any other Neder city, except A'dam. One look at the map and it is easy to understand, nestled between Belgium and Germany.
A nice coffee shop and clearly the top choice of the locals for weed...
there was a constant line of weed customers, sometimes 8 people deep, each person buying the max limit of 5 grams:
Koffee Shop Easy Going, on Hoenderstraat, near the river...... on the West side of the river. Weed from 12 to 16 NLG a gram. Hash sold too.
On the East side (train station side of river), Maxcy Coffee shop on
Rechtstraat. Decent place, but koffee was not up to typical Dutch koffee standards.
Also, of lesser quality, Koffee Shop New Orleans on Brusselse Straat,
Koffee Boat Mississippi... a boat coffee shop, downstream of the newer Wilhelminabrug Bridge.... with mixed vibes.
There are several other small coffee shops in town, but Easy Going and
Maxcy's appeared to be the better ones. And there are probably a few other unexplored coffee shops.
None of the shops had the vast weed selection we see in A'dam, but all
the well known strains can be found.
Maastricht is a very pleasant city, and even a few very low hills
nearby.
Enjoy your visit.
:-) Dogbreath
Thanks, DB. (Actually you provided this to me 3 years ago when I last enquired about "side trips." I have it on file. I think we were going to meet in A'dam, but you had to back out last minute?) Anyway, those tips of yours are the most helpful info on coffeeshops in Maastricht that I've found.
Was sort of wondering about updates from folks who've been there recently and also, what hotels and pubs they might recommend. I'd only have a day or 2, and would like to make the most of it.
Thanks again.
Hi Cagey,
I was in Maastricht in May. I can recommend the Best Western Grand Hotel de L'Empereur. It is across the street from the NS train station, on the east side of the river. Despite the imperial-sounding title, it is within your price range. Click the "check hotels" button on the Channels site (where it says "Support the Channels/Book your hotel here.") There you can check out various hotels in Maastricht besides the L'Empereur. I was there for more than one night, so I chose the Grand Package Discover Maastricht package (scroll down all the way to the "specials" section on the L'Empereur entry). It was very much worth the money. They have an indoor pool you can use too.
The other thing I will say about Maastricht is that a big attraction is to visit the incredible network of caves under the area. The entrances are under the hills DB referred to (the highest point in the NL: 300 feet). I used a package that included a boat ride and a guided tour of the caves. But, since I was the only English-speaker in the group, the guide did NOT give an English commentary. This was very disappointing. I learned later that there is an English-speaking tour. Inquire at the VVV tourist office (near the St. Sarvas Bridge on the west side of the river). I don't remember the details. I think it leaves at 12 or 12:15, and it might be only one day a week, maybe Tuesday. It uses the cave entrance at St. Pieter's Mount, which is nearer the city center. It will require digging to find this, but it's worth it.
Thanks a lot, Dred. That's super helpful for hotels. I'm looking forward to checking out the caves too.
I'll still take any and all other info on Maastricht eats, pubs, etc., if anyone else has tips.
Cagey
Thanks a lot, Dred. That's super helpful for hotels. I'm looking forward to checking out the caves too.
I'll still take any and all other info on Maastricht eats, pubs, etc., if anyone else has tips.
Cagey
Try coffeeshops Elamal on Hoogbrugstraat 55A, which is on par with anything Adam has to offer with cheaper prices and Kosbor on Kleine Gracht 3.
I visited Maastricht last Sept on a day trip from Amsterdam with the specific purpose of visiting the caves. Had a great day there.
I walked to the cave entrance nearest town (the north entrance?). The tour guide was a very friendly young lady who gave the tour in Dutch, French, and English.
I spent the time it took to walk there (over 30 minutes),and the time I waited at the caves for the tour to start, smoking several hash/tobac joints I had pre-rolled, which really made the tour interesing:)
I visted the New Orleans cs and walked right out again at a brief glance at the menu. Just not my kinda vibe there.
I stopped at a nice cs right near the train station before I departed for Amsterdam, but I don't have my travel notes handy and can't remember the shop's name. I do remember how to find it though. As you exit the station, turn left on the street right outside, Spoorweglaan, then turn right onto the first street you come to, Bourgognestraat. (Bourgognestr. runs parallel to Stationstraat) The cs is about a block or two toward the river on the right hand side. The dealer was very friendly and the gear I bought there was also high-quality.
thanks viking. I hope to do a bit more cs research before I go, but the w.o.m. tips definitely help.
Wonder if anyone knows about a headshop in town where I might pick up some hardware - pipe and / or papers. Did hope to handle some good shish when I get there.
More tips are welcome. Thx.
Why is Amsterdam out of the question? I have been to Maastricht twice and because it is a little out of the beaten path, it seems the train connections are a little circuitous. My last trip was AMS to Maastricht (direct)- an overnight stay- and then on to Antwerp the following day. I could be wrong but I think that I had to change trains once or twice, also the cost was a little on the high side because of 2 countries being involved. Have you checked train connections/cost from Brussels to Ams as opposed to Maastricht? If there is only an hour or so, why not take the direct train to Ams? Something to think about. Anyway you were asking about hotels, coffeshops I have stayed at the Botticelli- nice place across the river but I can't remember what it cost- also stayed at Hotel La Colombe, right smack in the middle of the town square. This place has a pub downstairs which serves as the breakfast room in the morning, also VERY steep stairs. Cost was 80-90 Euros, I think. As for coffeeshops, Wall Street was packed with college age people, stopped in for some papers but I didn't stay. Did spend some time in New Orleans coffeeshop, real mellow place. Note there are no wet coffeeshops in Maastricht, juice and softdrinks only. I guess the laws are different there. FYI Antwerp is worth a visit, I stayed at the Hotel Florida -about 60 Euros. Nice walking city, real funky zoo right outside train station. 11 Euros to get in but was worth it. Hope this helps
Again, thanks for the added tips. The only reason I'm not pursuing a side trip to A'dam this time is a) i only have a day and a half free and b) I've been to A'dam 4 times and never to Maastricht. Something new I guess.
I will check out that hotel for a one night stay though.
Thanks again.
Hi again Cagey,
Regarding the Hotel Botticelli, I talked to two people who recommended it, although I ended up staying at and liking (as I mentioned) the Grand Hotel de L'Empereur. Their web site is www.botticellihotel.nl. I was told it is often fully booked in the summer; I don't know the situation in October.
I highly recommend another web site: www.vvvmaastricht.nl. I think you will find this site very useful.
In particular, click the "Trips" button on the home page, and the first reference is to the cave tours. You will see that the "Northern" entrance tour is the one that has the English-language tour, at 1:30 PM daily, until October 26. This is the entrance Viking used for his tour. I went in early May; it turns out there were no English-language tours while I was there.
Maastricht is known as a shopping town; the shopping area has a real buzz to it. A lot of stores are closed on Sunday and Monday.
I noticed DB in his reply mentioned talking to a "cloggie" who owned a head shop; maybe he could recall its location? Maybe it's still open. (The VVV Maastricht web site does NOT have a link for coffeeshops and head shops, unfortunately.)
Looking at the VVV site reminded me how much there is to do in Maastricht and the vicinity. I could have spent a week there happily.
Regarding Bruges: I was only there for a day on a tour, but I could see it's an extraordinary town. There was someone who posted on Channels named Jim_L before I discovered this site; apparently he has a web site about Amsterdam and Bruges that might have some recommendations you could use, but I don't know the site address. Could anyone let us know the web site address?
Both JimL and I have sections on Brugges, you can click below for mine,. Jim's is www.amsterdam-holland-travel.com. I stayed at the Hansa Hotel when I was there (with Jim). It is a bit expensive but first class, great room, fine breakfast, garage parking (we were on an auto tour through Zeeland) and most of all, centrally located about 2 blocks from the town square.
Pax
Thanks much, BOhannon. I've added both sites to my favorites list. You and JimL have done a great job.
Yes, thanks to all once again. I'm looking forward to my brief jaunt to Brugge and Maastricht in October.
Cagey
Hi Cagey,
Please post your adventures and discoveries on the Channels. I think Maastricht and Bruges nicely complement Amsterdam.
Enjoy your visit.
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