The Netherlands: Maastricht

Ideally located close to Germany and Belgium, Maastricht warrants a closer look on several counts. For one, Europe’s annual Fine Arts Fair is held here, drawing curators, collectors, and enthusiasts to examine and possibly purchase artifacts, paintings, and furniture that span in time from ancient Greece to 20th century Spain. In keeping with its sponsorship of the fair, Maastricht also flaunts unique museums, including the Spanish Government House (17th and 18th century artwork and decorative items) and a gallery exhibiting Dutch masterworks, some by Rembrandt.

The city’s prime location, not to mention the wealth it accrued as a trade center, made Maastricht a coveted prize in the Middle Ages. Germany finally won it when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, and while Maastricht escaped the destruction heaped on the rest of the country and neighboring Belgium, its liberation by U.S. troops in 1944 came as a much-anticipated relief. In fact, citizens still pay homage to the 8,302 Americans buried in a nearby World War II cemetery by adorning their graves with flowers.

Owing to its vulnerability, early residents fortified Maastricht, and its walls now provide an excellent vantage point for looking out over the town. The result of careful architectural planning, squares break up the city into navigable areas flanked by both Catholic and Protestant churches. Indeed, Maastricht is a perfect city for pedestrians. Stroll through narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafes, occasionally stopping to sample Dutch culinary delights like gingerbread and Limburger cheese. Even the tourist center, housed in a 15th century courthouse, attests to Maastricht’s attractions for discriminating travelers.