Hello: I will be in Maastricht for the Tefaf fair and would liek some advise on:

1. Non touristy restaurants that are a must?

2. Places within the town or outside which can be recommended as not to be missed?

3. Has anyone been to AAchen?

Thank you so much.

ttt

Sorry, but I do not understand?

Hello mo1124. SalB was answering your post with a ttt which stands for "to the top." It brings older messages to the top so more people can see it and maybe answer, for example me.

I didn't respond initially because I've never been. But since you aren't getting much of a response I'll try.

I've never been to Aachen, but a college friend of mine has been. He said there's not that much to it and recommended I go to Dusseldorf instead. He said Dusseldorf was very nice.

Hopefully other posters will be able to give you more first hand experience like BTilke. She lives in Brussels and has lots of great advice about the area.

In the town of Margraten, is an American cemetery honoring 8,301 soldiers who died in southern Holland during WW2. It's a very somber place and it's hard not to shed a tear walking past the flag-marked graves. The gardens are very lovely and it's a nice way to spend a few hours, at the least.

Also, visit Valkenburg for a tour of various caves. You can witness rock formations formed millions of years ago and prehistoric fossils. It's something to do.

You can cross the border and head to Koln and see one of the most impressive Gothic Cathedrals in the world. Koln Cathedral will leave you in awe of it's size and beauty. A true masterpiece. Koln isn't too far away from where you will be and Koln has more to offer than Southern Holland.

aachen is nog huge; but it is a nice town to stroll in ... it was the seat of charlemagne who ruled almost all of western europe in around 800... there are thermal springs and baths on the inner ring road, and the center of town has the famous 8 wing early medieval church with a a very nice museum which is worth visiting.

I wanted to thank you all for the information and tip on moving up on the list.

Happy travels

Maastricht itself is a pleasant town: the walk round the walls is OK, and there are a few reasonably lived-in buildings. Little to detain you more than half a day

Don't be put off by the "Aachen is boring" crowd. It is - but its cathedral is glorious, and the cathedral treasury has some of Europe's greatest Gothic treasures. Aachen wasn't just Charlemagne's capital: the Cathedral was the site of his crowning himself Holy Roman Emperor in 800 - and much of continental Europe's history (and current self-delusions) stem from that act. Aachen's Rathaus (Town Hall) is prettyish, and has some interesting exhibits about the bombast today's Eurocrats surround themselves with.

This may sound geeky: but drive round Aachen's suburbs, where Holland, Belgium and Germany meet. Last time I was there (5-6 years ago), the tanktraps were still there. That's right: this, now, trivial interstate boundary was something milions of soldiers killed each other over twice in the past century.

One other place other posters may be able to identify. Somewhere on Belgian side of the road from Aachen to Liege (Dutch: Luik, German: uttich), there's a terribly pretty village, up a mountain road, which does great beer cafes. Mrs F-in-law has been nagging me for years to take her back there. Does anyone know what it's called?

hello; probably referring to Monschau !!
can't blame her !