Although I wasn't born and raised here, after years of living here, I feel somewhat like a local in Limburg. Especially in South Limburg. And for practically any outsider visiting the southern part of the province, it's love at first sight.
Most beautiful time of the year to visit
You could argue that the hills in South Limburg are at their most beautiful when they are covered in snow. However, when picking a date for your holiday or weekend getaway, you won't know if that will be the case. Personally, I find South Limburg, and the Heuvelland in particular, most beautiful in early autumn. The variations in colour on the wooded slopes guarantee spectacular views. One of my favourite villages in the Heuvelland is Gulpen with its Gulperberg. The Brunssummerheide, with its heathland landscape unique to Limburg, also looks beautiful then. Don't you like wet weather? On a lovely summer's day, South Limburg will make you feel as though you're in the South of France or Tuscany.
More than the Heuvelland
The terms South Limburg and Hilly Country are often used interchangeably. But they don't mean the same thing. While the Hilly Country makes up about half the surface area of South Limburg, there is much more to discover. The Grensmaas Valley, the northern tip of South Limburg, is an area often overlooked on the way south. This is despite the fact that the city of Sittard is certainly worth a visit. And while the "calf-biters" of the Hilly Country pose a challenge for many walkers and cyclists, the flatter Grensmaas Valley is much gentler in character. Parkstad, the former Eastern Mining Region, also offers plenty of natural beauty. In addition to various tourist attractions, such as GaiaZOO, Mondo Verde, and SnowWorld. Parkstad also borders Germany for a large part. A day trip to Aachen, for example, can therefore be made quickly from here.
Maastricht and Valkenburg
During their visit to South Limburg, few tourists skip Maastricht and Valkenburg. And rightly so. Valkenburg is the epicentre of the Heuvelland and has traditionally had a tourist function. The town is therefore brimming with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and tourist attractions. In addition to being a cycling city, Valkenburg is increasingly developing into a spa town and wellness resort. Maastricht is, of course, the capital and largest city in Limburg. The city's inhabitants are true bon vivants, a way of life that is infectious for visitors to the city. There is an enormous amount to see and do in Maastricht, and you can shop endlessly there. Looking for places to free or cheap parking in MaastrichtLees het op onze blog!
Exploring South Limburg
You can of course explore South Limburg in your own car. Don't have your own transport? Then you can rent a cheap one from us car hire during your weekend break or holiday in South Limburg. Or a Minibus if you need a bit more space. Would you like to explore South Limburg in style? Then hire one of our Classics. Please note, our classic cars are stored in Heerlen and can only be collected from here. You're not supposed to say it about your own ‘children’, but my favourite is The Boss. A real eye-catcher. Definitely keep an eye on the weather forecast, as this car doesn't have a (foldable) roof! Did you know that I built this car myself, by the way?
