We've been approached by some keen guests about possible extensions to the Maastricht trip. It's a great idea, as there are many worthwhile stops en route or close by.
Here are a few suggestions... but the best thing to do is just to study a map and look where you'd like to go - it's all quite close.
- If travelling by car, on the way back to England (or vice versa), you could stop off in Brussels (1h drive from Maastricht), and/or Brugge (1h from Brussels), which is just over 1h from Calais.
- 2.5 h train journey from Maastricht to Amsterdam or 2h by car (can then visit Rotterdam, Brussels, Brugge en route to Calais too)
- Visit Aachen (1h from Maastricht) and Cologne (1h from Aachen) by train or less by car (40 minutes for each journey)
- To explore Germany further, you could take the train south from Cologne along Rhine - past Lorelei and other stunning scenery - all the way to Lake Constance. The lake borders Switzerland and Austria and offers many activities such as sailing, swimming, cycling and mountain climbing. Highly recommended by Jon. There are several airports nearby that have cheap airline connections to the rest of Germany and back to the UK (Friedrichshafen - Ryanair to Stansted, Stuttgart - Germanwings to Stansted, airberlin to German destinations, Zurich to international destinations).
The following website gives all the European train timetables and indications of cost: http://www.travelnotes.org/General/eurotrains.htm