If You're Ever in The Netherlands
My cousins & I were sitting in the garden with their friends on Sunday, soaking up the last of an evening spent celebrating a birthday.
Annie & I were planning on taking a mini road trip somewhere the next day but weren’t quite set on any place in particular — 12 hours to takeoff with target destination (or direction, for that matter).
So we asked everyone where we should go.
I should mention that this group of people are some of the most worldly — Dutch, South African, Italian & American expats in Germany.
One of the Dutch friends, Sandra, immediately began pushing us towards Maastricht. A town I’ve never heard of in a country I’ve always wanted to see.
Everyone went back to their own homes while Sandra continued texting my cousin with recommendations for and charms of the town, encouraging us to go see how lovely it is for ourselves.
So we did!
Maastricht
Eat
Falafel salad. A salad with local grown greens, toasted cashews, crispy falafel, fresh veg, vegan tahini mayo, olive oil + Danish rye. The Dutch know how to pull off a good falafel. Write that down!
Apfelshorle. Like Martinelli’s, just way better.
I adored this place so strongly. The worker was a true comic, so kind in nature, too.
Avo & egg. (Bread quality is everything, and the Dutch now their rye bread. This might have been the best toasts I’ve ever been graced with.) Roasted Danish rye bread with loads of avocado, tomato tapenade, fried egg, chili, chives & olive oil
Luna Rossa Gelateria
Pistachio & yogurt amarena. With a waffle crisp & piece of white chocolate.
Mocha crème brûlée on a doughy sponge with caramel sauce. As someone who typically opts for decadent, dark chocolate desserts, this was right up my alley. Not too sweet, perfectly creamy.
DO
Send someone a postcard.
There’s a little shop called Traders Pop that has ridiculously expensive clothing but more importantly sick postcards for 1€. I found one with a photo of Bob Dylan in New York City, 1962. I sent it to a friend who has quite a keen love for the guy for 1,50€ at a local post office. A Netherlands stamp & a specially chosen card for less than $3 and the 5 minutes it takes to write and send off, a charming “thinking of you” to say the least.
Drink
Valkenburg
Eat
There’s a gelato place at up by the Valkenburg Castle Ruins, a nearly demolished castle from the 14th century. No sign to tell my the name of it, but this is the place where I fell in love with hazelnut praline gelato, let it be known. The strawberry sorbetto was also unimaginably fresh & creamy.
Do
Traditional live music.
Benches everywhere.
A river flowing through the middle of town.
Centuries old architecture.
Vintage shops.
Go for a mini hike up to the castle.
Walk everywhere, down every street and alley you pass.
Look in open doors. Sit & people watch.
Learn what it’s like for everyday to feel full & slow.
This is the type of place you go to remember what it feels like to live simple and relish in a community of happy people. It’s so slow and deserving of a few hours of your day. It’s only 15 minutes away from Maastricht. Take a break from the city (though Maastricht is quite a small one) and head to Valkenburg!
The gratitude I have for getting to visit these tiny towns after being told to just the night before (!!) we planned to road trip somewhere is huge. Spending time with family is rich. Doing it here isn’t shabby either!
Quiet residential streets. Cobblestone. Cyclists. Vespas. Sitting at a street cafe sharing a crème brûlée at 10pm while others did similarly. Postcards. Café workers who talk about their job with a lot of joy. The Netherlands is a really special place. If you ever have the chance to find yourself there… do.
