Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Valkenburg, The Netherlands

Travel to Valkenburg

Take a short sea crossing from Dover to Calais and travel to Valkenburg in Holland for the next 4 nights.  If time allows, before dinner, maybe take a stroll into town.

Valkenburg at leisure (driver’s rest day)

Valkenburg, sometimes called ‘Marlstone Town’ because of the lime found in the soil and the soft yellow marlstone which has, since Roman times, been quarried as building material. As a result, there is now a network of over 150 miles of underground caves beneath the town.

On a tour of the cave by tourist train (with English commentary), discover the history of the Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave), a former chalk quarry and WW11 hiding place where the walls are decorated with charcoal drawings and ancient inscriptions.   Another cave worth visiting is the Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave), a 5km long labyrinth with wall paintings, sculptures and a hidden chapel located directly below the castle ruins which can be accessed from the cave. (Guided tours recommended).  Apart from the caves, the town has plenty of shops, bars and cafes.

Maastricht ‘Paris of the Benelux’

The southernmost city in the Netherlands, Maastricht is also known as the ‘Paris of the Benelux’. Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour which will show you around the prettiest parts of the old city centre. You will see the Town Hall on the Markt**, Stokstraat Quarter, the Basilica of Our Lady, the Ramparts and much more.  This will be followed by a sightseeing cruise on the Meuse River for an alternative view of the city.

After some free time, return to Valkenburg and make a stop at the Netherlands American War Cemetery and Memorial with over 8000 graves. Stroll around the beautiful gardens and see the Court of Honor, the Chapel, the visitor centre and the Tablets of the Missing.

**Market days are usually Wednesday and Friday subject to confirmation.

Three Countries Corner, Aachen and the Eiffel Mountains

Vaalserberg is a hill located at the point where the countries of Belgium, Holland and Germany converge (accessed via the nearby town of Vaals). It is a well known tourist attraction with a tower, a maze and restaurant on site (check for opening times).  After a brief stop, continue to Aachen (Germany) where the main attraction is the cathedral which was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic town hall and the Elisenbrunnen with its two pavilions and fountains of thermal waters. Take time to stroll around and get some lunch.  Driving through the stunning scenery of the Eiffel Mountains, arrive at the picturesque village of Monschau (Germany) famous for its half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets overlooked by a medieval castle.  Visit the Mustard Mill (located just out of town) where you can taste and purchase this local speciality which has more than 18 varieties.  The famous ‘moutarde de montjoie’ is the perfect souvenir to take home!

Return to Valkenburg for your final evening.

Return to the UK

Drive to Calais for the ferry crossing to the UK.

South Limburg Steam Train

Why not enjoy a nostalgic Steam train ride through the rolling hills of South Limburg on the Miljoenenlijn.  Several options are available, one-way journeys or return journeys, some routes can start and end in Valkenburg.  But we recommend a return journey from Simpelvald where there is a museum to visit and optional lunches can be arranged.  Please note that the train only carries 5 carriages so can get booked up fairly quickly.