I will be going to maastricht netherlands in april. what's your favorite belgian town/city near maastricht, and why do you like it? Looking for day-trip ideas....

I haven't been there, but I've been told to visit Monschau.

LOL. I mentioned Monschau on the Aachen thread.

Monschau would be ideal for a day trip. Another option is Thorn. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sple...orn/thorn.html

Monschau is pretty enough, but there are more interesting places more easily reached by mass transit. Monschau is a fairly touristy spot--it's the New Hope of Belgium (anyone from NJ/southeastern PA will know what I mean).

Even though it's in Germany.

<i>Monschau is a fairly touristy spot</i>

Precisely why people go there.

But not from long distances...it's just a place people in the general area go to on rare occasions (just like New Hope) to pass an afternoon. Not worth a special trip, there are many more interesting destinations in that area. I never met anyone in Belgium who thought it was worth going of the way for...but if you're already in the area...a good break for a coffee and stroll. We went there only because we were spending a week nearby in the Ardennes.

Gary, you're right, of course, it's in Germany, but most of the people popping in seem to be Belgian.

Sorry, I couldn't resist, even on Christmas.