An alternative to the "usual" trip to Netherlands among the best known cities it is possible: it is sufficient to start from a border area, rich in history of the twentieth century but still too unknown, cross it far and wide and thus discover one of the regions closest to Italy for the culture of its inhabitants, and in any case very well integrated into the North European cosmopolitan context: the Limburg.
We are in a transit area between Belgium and Holland, completely moved east to the border with Germany, a region full of energy and evolutionary thrusts a bit like it often happens in sparkling areas like this one. There Dutch capital of this region is Maastricht, so central that it was the protagonist of European history in the early nineties. Got the situation framed?
Well, here it is 6 things to do to spend a few pleasant days, taking the opportunity to totally immerse yourself in the local reality, without being surrounded by tourists.
1. Whether you are within the Belgian or Dutch border, take a tour of the ancient windmills, almost all renovated, with vaulted blades painted in patriotic colors: they are truly a charm! Their variety, the different shapes and sizes, the perfect integration in the middle of nature, the nearby canals or the dense cycle paths will have the ability to amaze you continuously. And in the evening, seeing them illuminated, they will be able to surprise you a second time. In Maasmechelen (Belgian Limburg) there is also some one became a hotel, at least original.
2. The coal mines in the Belgian part they retain the forgotten history of post-war Italian immigration. Closed since the late XNUMXs, they are not open to visitors, but it is possible to explore the subject further with a tour of the museum in Beringen (Belgian Limburg).
3. Maastricht (Dutch Limburg) is the capital to visit on foot and deserves at least a romantic touch and escape, a shopping trip and a walk along the Maas River (the Meuse) which flows into the North Sea near Rotterdam. Famous for issues related to current European politics, it is much more and Ryanair allows us to reach it from Barcelona.
4. The hills, which the locals even call "mountains", although it is unusual to see heights in the vast plain of the Netherlands, are the only ones visible in this area of Europe. The Vaalserberg, in particular, it is the highest point in the entire state and is famous for its cycling circuits that allow cycling enthusiasts a good workout.
5. One of the most famous is held in Hasselt (Belgian Limburg) summer music festivals: the Pukkelpop which generally lasts three full days and hosts hundreds of thousands of young people who, since the previous weekend, have stopped in the meadows adjacent to the exhibition with sleeping bags and barbecues while waiting for the gates to open. It is a truly felt event for true international music fans from half of Europe. Here are the dates on which it will be held in 2014.
6. Still within the Belgian border, in Genk, on Bokrijk park allows you to immerse yourself in Flemish culture and nature using the local means of transport par excellence: the bicycle. A short, relaxing ride is worth it.
