As the days get shorter, Valkenburg changes into an atmospheric Christmas town in the already fairytale-like Heuvelland. Thousands of lights, Christmas trees, angels, and sometimes an unexpected blanket of snow, fully cover Valkenburg in the Christmas atmosphere. Be sure to visit the unique underground Christmas market in the cave! Did you know that Valkenburg was in the CNN Top 10 World Christmas Destinations?

Go back to the time of knights and damsels at the Castle Ruins! Walk through the knights' hall, the armoury and the chapel of the only hilltop castle in the Netherlands. The Fluweelengrot is home to many secrets, a wealth of impressive wall paintings and much more to discover.

Valkenburg is surrounded by beautiful caves. Experience unique underground activities that you don’t want to miss out on, such as the Cave Experience. Or how about cave biking? Unique in Europe!

Experience the hidden Rome in an underground labyrinth! A visit to the Roman Catacombs Museum is a fascinating and unforgettable experience. Wandering through the subterranean passages, visitors travel back in time to the Rome of the third and fourth centuries. Visitors descend to the tombs of common Roman citizens and to the beautiful, colourful burial chambers of prominent Romans.

Take a ride to the top of the mountain on the only open-air cable car in the Netherlands. Once at the top you can climb the Wilhelmina Tower and then slide down on the toboggan run.

At the top of the Cauberg is the only spa park in the Netherlands. Unwind in Thermae 2OOO or take a gamble in Holland Casino. Enjoy the beautiful view of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands; the Geul- and Gulp Valley with its church villages. Did you know that this landscape has been awarded 5 stars?

Holland Casino is located on top of the Cauberg in Valkenburg, one of the most beautiful spots in South Limburg. Literally a top location, where excitement and relaxation come together in a perfect way. Whether you are exploring the spacious games room with gaming tables and slot machines or our atmospheric restaurant: you are out in a beautiful environment where everything seems possible.

Descend into a 'real' coal mine in search of the black gold! Find out all about the heavy work and life of miners. A world that normally remains hidden, deep underground.

Valkenburg and its surroundings are perfect for a lovely cycling or hiking trip. Explore the beautiful Mergelland and Heuvelland at your own pace, with Hotel Riche as the ideal starting point.

From the Tripoint on the Vaalserberg to the most famous cityscapes of Maastricht: on this car route, you get to see all the highlights of the South Limburg hills. The Mergelland Route, which can be followed via the special hexagonal Mergelland Route signs, is rightfully one of the best-known car routes in the Netherlands. On this 110 km long route along mostly quiet roads, you will pass through beautiful nature with a different breathtaking view from every hilltop. You will also get to know the authentic South Limburg culture in the cosy villages, such as Epen, Slenaken and Eijsden. Each village has its own spacious terraces with unique regional dishes, so it will be difficult to choose where to take a break! The official starting point of this popular route is Maastricht station, but it is possible to ‘jump in’ at any point. On the special map, available at Visit South Limburg, you can see the various highlights and attractions of this unforgettable car route.

The extreme south of the Netherlands is formed by the province of Limburg, which lies between neighbouring countries Belgium and Germany. At the southernmost tip, the city of Vaals is just five kilometres from Aachen, Germany. Most Dutch people live in flat polders, sometimes even below sea level, so we are proud of our 323-metre high Vaalserberg. This ‘berg’ (mountain) is therefore a popular destination for day trips. The lookout tower at the top offers an unobstructed view of three countries: Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The ten tallest mountains in the Netherlands are all located in the province of Limburg (if we don't count the 877-metre high Mount Scenery on the island of Saba in the Caribbean Netherlands).

More than 8,000 soldiers are buried at this solely American cemetery in the Netherlands. The majority were killed during the liberation of the South-Eastern Netherlands in WWII and the advance through Germany. A thirty-metre tall tower offers a wide view of the cemetery. The territory of the cemetery has been made available to the government of the United States of America for perpetual use.

Get in for an unforgettable ride on the steam and diesel train along the most beautiful spots of Heuvelland in South Limburg! Be carried away by the enchanting landscape, the special events and a nostalgic journey back in time.

Discover the oldest brewery in the Netherlands (since 1340). Get acquainted with the centuries-old history of the beer Limburg is proud of. Feel, smell and experience how Brand is still brewed every day with passion and love for the craft and learn everything about the brewing process. The tour ends in the Brand Tasting Room. The place where the Brand DNA truly comes into its own. Where you can experience the true hospitality of Brand yourself and the absolute best place to taste all Brand beers.

Historic buildings and trendy design shops. Stately churches and adventurous caves. Menus full of taste sensations and terraces full of conviviality. Vibrant festivals and high-profile exhibitions. Wide squares and extensive vineyards. Maastricht is all that and more: the star among the cities! It is for good reason that it is a popular destination for a day of shopping, a weekend trip or a worldly vacation.

Aachen is characterised by the Dom, the old centre and the 'Elisenbrunnen'. Those are traditional cafes and modern boutique cafes. There are students, families, young and old. As versatile as our city is, so are the sights. Located at the Germany-Belgium-Netherlands Tripoint, Aachen manages to enchant its guests time and again. Visit the monuments and squares, stroll through the narrow alleys and enjoy the flair of Germany's westernmost city.

In a metropolis worth living in, such as Cologne, sights and cultural attractions play a major role, and the city on the Rhine has a lot to offer: Cologne Cathedral is known to everyone and is always a worth a visit. In addition, cultural travellers, like the inhabitants of Cologne, will find plenty of other highlights worth seeing, from Cologne's museums to Romanesque churches to a multitude of monuments and fountains. You can stroll through the quaint streets lined with traditional houses and countless breweries in Cologne's Old Town. In the modern Rheinauhafen you will find an exciting contrast to this.

Liège is located in the northeast of Belgium in the Belgian Ardennes. It is one of the largest cities in Belgium and the capital of the province of Liège. Liège has traditionally been nicknamed the “Fiery City”, a nickname the city is still proud of. Liège has traditionally been known as a dirty industrial city, and although frantic efforts are made to make the city more attractive to the public, Liège continues to retain this name. In recent years, beautiful projects have been created in the city to give Liège a different look. This includes the construction of the Liège-Guillemins station and the combination of smaller museums into beautiful museums with a very complete collection. In addition, many of the beautiful old buildings, churches and cathedrals in the city are being renovated.

Maasmechelen Village outlet shopping is located at the crossroads of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, just 20 minutes from Maastricht. Prestigious Belgian and international brands such as Scapa, Furla, Escada, Versace, Calvin Klein Underwear, Villeroy & Boch, The Soc13ty Shop, McGregor and many others offer previous collections, at 30 to 60% off, all year round. With more than 100 boutiques located in a charming, car-free environment, Maasmechelen Village is the perfect location for a stress-free day of shopping. Here you will find everything you are looking for: from women's fashion to children's clothing, jewellery and lingerie. And of course, various restaurants and lunchrooms as well. Do you want to enjoy Belgian specialties, typical Italian cuisine or just a cup of coffee after shopping? There is plenty of choice!

Hoensbroek Castle is one of the most beautiful, best preserved and most accessible castles in Europe.

At the top of the Louwberg, in the beautiful Jeker Valley on the south side of Maastricht, lies the monumental 15th-century Apostelhoeve. It is the oldest and largest vineyard in the Netherlands! During a guided tour, you will walk among the vines with a beautiful view over the Jeker Valley and you will hear everything about growing wine. Afterwards, you get to enjoy a delicious wine tasting, all under the guidance of an expert winegrower.

GaiaZOO offers a breathtaking world of animals and nature. Due to a new and unique zoo concept, the South Limburg zoo has already been chosen as the 'Most Beautiful Zoo in the Benelux’ by the public four times and was crowned ANWB's 'Best Outing of the Netherlands' in 2020, 2018 and 2013. In GaiaZOO, you get to travel all over the world in one day and you meet many special and unique animal species. GaiaZOO offers an unforgettable day out for young and old.

The LeisureDome in Kerkrade provides entertainment for everyone in the broadest sense of the word. LeisureDome is the ultimate day out, your location for (company) parties and entertainment for young and old all in one place. There is a megacinema, bowling and lounge, laser tag, a soccer arena, an Escape Room, a children's play paradise, a GlowGolf, a game and arcade hall, the Space Jump, Happy Italy, WOK Parkstad Plaza and much more. The ample free parking and the established other businesses in the area provide an excellent base for wide-ranging entertainment.

Take off your shoes and socks and experience nature like never before! The largest barefoot path in the Benelux. Barefoot Park Brunssum challenges, relaxes and lets you experience the forest with all your senses! 100% natural and healthy.

Amusement park De Valkenier is a super fun family park for young and old! Endless exciting attractions! Race along on the roller coaster, go fast in the cobra water slide, discover the obstacles in the barefoot path and clamber around in Pirate Land! And: double the fun, because it is one of the most inexpensive amusement parks in Europe. New in 2020: come and ride the new roller coaster, Krummel!

Mondo Verde was acquired by the Van der Honing family in 2007. They have transformed the park into a beautiful family park with many different types of animals, attractions and gardens. In this park, 3 generations can have a lot of fun 365 days a year.

In 1933, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the girl Mariette Beco up to eight times and introduced herself as the Virgin of the Poor. Since then, about 600,000 pilgrims from all nations come annually to the Well reserved by Mary "for the sick of all nations". The Sanctuary of Banneux has an esplanade, several chapels, framed in a wooded setting, a 350-bed hospital and a large church with 4000 seats. The current Chapel of the Apparition was built and consecrated in 1933. The source of the Virgin of the Poor, the sanctuary and the various chapels in a wooded area, the church, hospitality, the esplanade.