Why you always want to take a weekend trip to Maastricht

My first train ride to Maastricht felt like I was traveling to the end of the world: we were a group on our way to the auditions for the Theater Academy and kept joking about whether they had ever heard of Albert Heijn and McDonald's. A bit shy, I stepped off the train, afraid of what awaited me. When I found out after a month that I had been accepted into the Theater Academy, I broke out in a sweat: so that means four years of Maastricht as my base. By now, I have embraced this beautiful city in my heart and it always feels a bit like coming home as soon as I walk over the Sint Servaas Bridge. If you have never traveled this far south, this city is definitely worth a weekend trip.

• Maastricht radiates something ‘un-Dutch’. There's a good chance this is because it borders Belgium and Germany, but when I walk through the city center, I always feel a bit like I'm abroad. The small streets with cobblestones, the beautiful city wall you can walk along, and the Maas river flowing through the city provide plenty of Insta-worthy pictures. Moreover, three-quarters of the residents speak a dialect you can't understand, which certainly adds to the experience.
• For those who only eat salads and drink detox juices, this city may not be the best choice. But if you love Burgundian dining, you'll find plenty to enjoy here. All my student funds went straight to the most delicious restaurants. And the service in the Randstad could learn a thing or two from that South Limburg hospitality. My favorite spots are restaurant ‘O’ for the best fish dishes, Gio's if you want an Italian evening, and Witloof to experience the local specialties. If you really want to plan a special and super culinary evening, check out restaurant Beluga and Château Neercanne.
• That extreme hospitality can be found everywhere in the city, from clothing stores to hotels. And to truly experience that, you need to spend a night in Maastricht. There are plenty of beautiful hotels located in monuments or lovely buildings. For example, hotel Monastère is in a former monastery; I would love to move into all the rooms. There are also plenty of low-budget spots in the city, like my favorite hotel Kaboom: a beautiful design hotel with a patio garden, nice hotel rooms, and a delicious breakfast.
• Make sure to bring your credit card so you have a bit more budget for shopping, because besides the big chains like Zara (which I strangely find more appealing abroad than at home, and yes, this city really feels like abroad), you'll find all sorts of boutiques with cool and lesser-known brands. If you don't like shopping (which is almost impossible), there are plenty of museums and art to explore where you can indulge your cultural heart. Check out the Bonnefantenmuseum for the current exhibitions.