Maastricht and Valkenburg Christmas markets as a group: illuminated caves, the Vrijthof and the old town (2 days)

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Reference GRP-02-687

Duration 2 days
DepartureFrom the place of your choice
GroupFrom 20 participants
DateOn the date of your choice

Two Christmas days in Dutch Limburg: the cave markets of Valkenburg, then Magisch Maastricht on the Vrijthof.

Just across the Belgian border, Dutch Limburg offers two very different Christmases. In Valkenburg, which calls itself a ’Christmas town’ at the end of the year, the stalls are set up underground, in the passages carved into the marl of the Gemeentegrot and the Fluweelengrot, beneath the castle ruins. The next day, Maastricht reveals its elegant centre: the Basilica of Saint Servatius, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, the Helpoort gate and the Dominicanen bookshop, housed in a Gothic church. On the Vrijthof, Magisch Maastricht brings together stalls, an ice rink and a big wheel, perfect for a slice of Limburg vlaai or a mulled wine. The journey is short, leaving your group plenty of time to enjoy both towns.

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Programme

Day 1: Valkenburg and its Christmas caves

Departure in the late morning from the place of your choice.
Arrival in Valkenburg, a small town in Dutch Limburg below its castle ruins.
Visit to the underground Christmas market in the Gemeentegrot, in passages carved into the marl.
Visit to the second underground market in the Fluweelengrot, beneath the castle ruins (on request).
Free time in the illuminated streets of the centre.
Check-in at the hotel, in Valkenburg or Maastricht.
Group dinner in a restaurant in Valkenburg (on request).

Day 2: Maastricht and Magisch Maastricht

Breakfast at the hotel.
Guided walk through the old town: Basilica of Saint Servatius, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein and the Helpoort gate (on request).
Stop at the Dominicanen bookshop, housed in a former Gothic church.
Free time at Magisch Maastricht on the Vrijthof: stalls, ice rink and big wheel.
Lunch at leisure, perhaps a slice of Limburg vlaai or a mulled wine among the stalls.
Return to your home area in the late afternoon or evening, depending on your departure point.

The price includes

Coach transport from the departure point of your choice
The services of a driver
1 night in a 3-star hotel (4-star on request), double rooms with breakfast
The driver’s accommodation
Admission to the Christmas market in the Gemeentegrot in Valkenburg
Road and parking costs

The price does not include

Visit to the second underground market in the Fluweelengrot, beneath the castle ruins
Group dinner in a restaurant in Valkenburg
Guided walk through the old town: Basilica of Saint Servatius, Onze Lieve Vrouweplein and the Helpoort gate
Meals and drinks (except breakfasts)
Admission to museums and monuments
The tourist tax
The single room supplement
Cancellation and refund protection (optional)
Personal expenses

Good to know

A valid identity card is required for each participant; departure and return times are adapted to your group’s pick-up point.
The Valkenburg markets and Magisch Maastricht run from late November to late December (from mid-November in Valkenburg), to be checked each year; on some evenings an illuminated Christmas parade passes through Valkenburg.
It is cool and damp in the caves: bring warm clothes and good shoes.