Welcome to Zuid-Limburg The region Activities Family and children Spa and wellness Peace and spirituality Culture and events Accommodation and catering Highlights and service Zuid-Limburg – Enjoy Life! Welcome to Zuid-Limburg the southernmost region of The Netherlands, Zuid-Limburg is the southernmost part of with rolling hills, lush meadows and picturesque the province of Limburg; the northern part villages. Experience Zuid-Limburg’s warm is called Noord-Limburg and the central part hospitality, be surprised by its culture, and delight Midden-Limburg. in its extraordinary natural beauty. Relax and enjoy life! From the city of Heerlen at the easternmost point, to the city of Maastricht at the western- Great variety in a small space most point, the distance is just about 24 kilome- tres! The north and south of Zuid-Limburg are The Zuid-Limburg region borders on Germany only about 40 km apart. Zuid-Limburg is a tourist in the east and on Belgium in the south and area, truly deserving of the ‘small is beautiful’ west. As the centre of this border triangle, motto. Zuid-Limburg boasts a limitless variety in a small space. 2 3 Table of Contents The region 6 Activities 16 Family and children 22 Spa and wellness 26 Peace and spirituality 30 Culture and events 32 Accommodation and catering 38 Highlights 44 Service 50 ankommen, runterkommen, Address list 54 genießen Although only a small area, you and your com- Zuid-Limburg – A delight for all Landgraaf. This is only a short overview of the great many op- panions will be delighted with all that Zuid-Lim- seasons tions that the region offers on any rainy day! burg has to offer. There is something there to suit every traveller, whether young or old, inte- In addition to discovering the many ways that Take a discovery trip rested in sports or recreational activities. We in- Zuid-Limburg will delight you outdoors, there is vite you to relax and unwind, to get active and also a variety of bad-weather offerings – you will On the following pages, we will introduce the various parts of to explore! Just as you like it best. not be bored here! Instead of a mountain bike Zuid-Limburg with their typical regional characteristics and in- tour through the Heuvelland, you can, for exam- dividual offers. You will also find useful information and hel- Be active, relax, set out to ple, take a subterranean mountain bike tour pful tips on the highlights, accommodation and events of and discover new realms through the marlstone caves of Valkenburg*. in the region. In the event that you need some information on location, you are most welcome to visit one of our five Tourist In the event that the weather is not as good as Zuid-Limburg is famous for its numerous bicycle Information Centres or one of our many visitor information you hoped for, there really is no need to fear tracks and hiking trails and its traditional culinary points in the region. The Zuid-Limburg Tourist Board (VVV that the entire trip will end up in disappoint- delights, such as wine and cheese. And how Zuid-Limburg) was founded in 1885 and is the oldest tourist ment. Go and explore the Museumplein Lim- about a hot air balloon ride, a contemporary art board in the Netherlands. As you can see, tourism has a long burg* in Kerkrade or pay a visit to Mosaqua event or camping out in the middle of a mea- tradition here. Have fun exploring Zuid-Limburg! water park in Gulpen*. Take a trip through his- dow in full bloom? The possibilities are endless. tory and hop on the steam railway line Miljo- Take your time, discover something new and enenlijn* that will take you from Simpelveld to enjoy the simple and pleasant Dutch way of life. Valkenburg. And why not indulge yourself for a Plan your next getaway in Zuid-Limburg now. full day and relax in 32°C thermal water in the We look forward to welcoming you! exclusive spas of Valkenburg. Whoever prefers to be athletically active will meet their match in Europe’s largest indoor ski slope, SnowWorld* in 4 * See address list / map on the last pages * See address list / map on the last pages 5 Meerssen Basilica The Zuid-Limburg region Zuid-Limburg geography to the surface here in Zuid-Limburg. The marl- stone caves, resulting from the excavation, are To the north, in Grensmaasvallei, the region particularly well known in and around Valken- borders on the Maasplassen, a popular recrea- burg. tional area – especially for water sports – in Midden-Limburg. It covers about 3000 hectares Vlodrop s a Stevensweert a Berkelaar Montfort M Ohé en Laak St. Joost Posterholt Peij Echt Maria Hoop Roosteren Slek Dieteren Echterbosch Did you know ... Illikhoven Heide Susteren Schippers- Koningsbosch kerk Holtum and is considered to be the largest inland water- Papen- Buchten hoven Grevenbicht Born Nieuw- Obbicht stadt Graetheide Limbricht Natten- hoven Guttecoven Berg Einig- hausen SITTARD Urmond A2 Windraak Jabeek Maas- Stein E25 band Bingelrade Schinveld Munstergeleen s Doenrade a Veldschuur a … that Zuid-Limburg is the most M Kleine Geleen Meers Nieuw-Nieuw Klein Meers DhtDouvergenhout dorp Sweik- Puth Doenrade Elsloo Merkelbeek Neer- huizen Oirsbeek Brunssum sports area of the Netherlands. Terhagen beek A76 Schinnen Hobbekade Amstenrade Catsop Beek Spaubeek E314 Thull Aan de Klein Genhout Groot Vaesrade Maas Moor- Geverik Genhout veld Nierhoven Hoensbroek West- Kelmond Geulle Grijzegrubben broek Ubach over Brom- Nuth Landgraaf Worms melen Schimmert Kasen Schiete- Ulestraten Helle Wijnandsrade coven Groot Bunde Aalbeek Itteren Humecoven Haasdal Hulsberg Meerssen Arensgen- popular domestic destination with the Borgharen hout A79 HEERLEN Rothem Voeren- daal MAASTRICHT Klimmen A76 Amby Berg Valkenburg Kerkrade Ransdaal E314 N281 Vilt Ubachsberg Schin op Geul Bemelen Terblijt Sibbe Huls Etenaken IJzeren Wijlre Simpelveld Cadier Scheulder en Keer Margraten Eys A2 N278 N281 E25 Ingber Neerkanne Gulpen Honthem Wahlwiller Bocholtz Eckelrade Gronsveld Wittem Reijmerstok Nijswiller Dutchmen? To the south, Zuid-Limburg borders on the foot- Herkenrade Euverem Oost- Banholt Mechelen Maarland St. Geertruid N278 Vijlen Mheer Beutenaken Maria- Epen Lemiers Eijsden dorp Heijenrath Terpoorten Vaals Slenaken s Mesch Diependalp a a Noorbeek hills of the Ardennes / High Fens, and Eifel. This M Kuttingen gives the region its character, which is not typi- cal for the Netherlands at all; the wide and It is possible to explore the caves by bicycle, gently rolling hills are in strong contrast with the mountain bike or on a guided tour. A very spe- otherwise thoroughly flat Dutch landscape! In cial tip: At Christmas time, the marlstone caves the far south, we can find the highest point in serve as the setting for a Christmas market – a the Netherlands: the Vaalserberg (322.5 m). This truly underground delight! region is also affectionately called ‘Little Switzer- land’. Furthermore the hilly region is valued for its nu- merous cycling and hiking routes, such as the Something that is characteristic for the region marlstone country track, which is very popular too, is an area known as Mergelland (literally: with cycling enthusiasts. marl country).The yellow marl, a soft, 70 to 80 million year old type of sandstone, which is also Zuid-Limburg to the east, was heavily influenced an important ingredient for cement, rises directly by the mining of black coal. However, in and 6 7 Mechelen Hoeve de Plei Grensmaasvallei The River Maas around Heerlen and Kerkrade, only a few re- Bathhouse in Heerlen, which nowadays is part impression as though the lord of the castle has from the coal-chemical to petro-chemical field. mains still hint at the now bygone days of mi- of the Thermenmuseum* (spa museum). Evi- just left in a hurry. At the beginning of the 19th CBS (the national statistical offices) was moved ning. Today, the Dutch Mining Museum* in dence of subsequent settlements is provided by Century, Limburg was divided among various to Heerlen and the university of Maastricht was Heerlen, which has been set up in one of the nations. It was only in 1839 that the region was established, resulting in more jobs in the service old winding towers, brings back memories of Did you know ... divided up into a Dutch and a Belgian province. industry and the educational sector. The univer- this part of history. In the west of Zuid-Limburg, ... that Holland is the name of a former pro- The history of Limburg has been significantly in- sity of Maastricht attracts many international there is the dynamic city of Maastricht, the capi- vince which was divided into Noord-Holland fluenced by the Dutch, Germans and the French students these days. Additionally Maastricht of- tal of the province of Limburg, and the most im- and Zuid-Holland and does not stand for the and therefore can be regarded as a truly original fers a suitable location to a large number of in- portant centre of the region. From north to entire Netherlands, as it is often used in the European region, even way before the Maas- ternational companies and European research English speaking world? south, the river Maas (Meuse) flows through the tricht Treaty. The various influences are still facilities. city and offers visitors a variety of activities and reflected in the regional characteristics, such as cultural opportunities, such as kayak and canoe its historic towns – with churches, timbered the Limburg cuisine. The provincial capital of Nowadays another important branch of industry tours or numerous boat trips, where you can ex- houses and water mills – and a variety of pala- Maastricht even impresses beyond that, with in Zuid-Limburg is the tourism and service In- plore the city from a completely different per- ces, castles and country houses across the coun- museums and important cultural treasures, but dustry, which is shown by the great deal of ho- spective.