The Netherlands
Sunny Blues in Nuenen
In 2018, we cycled from Belgium to Granada in Andalucia, Spain. During the first half of this trip, we met Marja and Benni, also with Santos bikes and on their way to Girona. We ended up in the same restaurant watching a football match of the world cup. The day after and 80 km's further, we bumped again in to each other, and yes, we had made reservations in the same restaurant. A few months later, we were cycling the 2nd part of this trip and guess what, the week that we arrived in Malaga, Marja and Benni were on a city trip also in Malaga.
We planned to come and visit each other the next year.
Benni's musical passion is the blues and with some friends, they are organising about 8 times a year a Blues Sunday afternoon with a live band in Cafe Schafrath in Nuenen.
Whenever we have time, we take this as an opportunity to enjoy a nice blues performance and to meet up with our friends.
Once a year, they are also organising an open air Blues festival with several live performances in the Nuenen city park.
Entrance for the festival and the Sunday blues afternoons is always free. Just don't forget to make a small contribution when Berry passes by with his cap.
For more info :
Nuenen is a stop on the Van Gogh cycle route to Paris. Vincent lived in Nuenen for a few years and this is also where he made the famous Potato eaters oil painting. The Vincent Van Gogh museum in Nuenen is certainly worth visiting.
Experience Cabin life in the Lemelerberg Lodge, Overijssel
The nearly 100-year old lodge is located in the middle of a nature reserve. Electricity from solar panels only, drinkable water from the jerrycan which you can fill up a little further away, warmth from an old stove with local chopped wood.
The ideal place for a weekend or midweek away from the busy world.
More info at https://bymolle.com/pages/lemelerberg-lodge
Stay in a tiny house on wheels: Waterland Huisje, Eindhoven
Located in Strijp-S, a trendy area of Eindhovens centre. A well equipped wagon on a small plot right in between huge buildings, close to the old Phillips site. Check it out on https://waterland-huisje.nl
Go for a fancy burger at Burgerlijk, Maastricht
We very seldomly eat burgers but we were told this place is special and also has nice options for vegetarians. Happy that we tried it out. Burgerlijk is located in the trendy "Wyck" district of Maastricht, just across the river Meuse from the old citycenter. A plus is also that the restaurant does not take reservations so if you have time to wait, you will always get served. We tried the seaweed burger, accompanied by sweet potato fries. Delicious
Have a look at their website www.burgerlijk.eu
Mabi Hotel, Maastricht
The Mabi hotel is located in the historical centre of Maastricht. Everything you can think of within walking distance. We were attracted by the "Good value for money", the nice renovation of the hotel and the friendly staff. An yes, there was a viewmaster in the room with pictures of Maastricht.