Been there | Tips http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. Visit Maastricht http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14018
But after your stay in Amsterdam, get yourself on one of the other best European train systems and make the trip to Maastricht. This is probably the most vibrant city of the Netherlands, likened to a miniature Paris with its cobbled streets and fantastic cuisine.

The city centre is excellent for the more contemporary shops while the older part of town contains high-class boutiques where the proprietors don't seem too fazed by the odd nose impression against the window.

After a hard day's shopping, fortify yourself with a coffee at one of the coffee shops (not that kind of coffee shop!) around the Wyck or Ceramique district before crossing the Hoge bridge and strolling around the Jekerkwartier area. Here you'll find romantic cobbled streets and a real sense of calm in this exciting city. But the best thing about Maastricht? You can get there easily from Bruges and Brussels too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14018 Da Groene Lantaarn http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13993
Every kind of fondue is on offer, but no meal is finished until you have the chocolate fondue. It's a terrifically romantic place, and we were lucky enough to be there in the snow - it holds many happy memories.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13993 Spend New Year in Amsterdam http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13956
Clink glasses with jolly Dutchmen shouting 'Happy New Years'; stay up all night, flitting between bars around the square, singing along to Europop ('Heyyyyy, baby - ooh, ahh'); then wander back across romantic canal bridges.

On New Year's Day, oliebollen for breakfast then people-watching at the glamorous (in a Dutch sort of way) Cafe Luxembourg. Book early though!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13956 Eat at the Restaurant De Belhamel http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13954 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13954 Japanese Pancake World http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13862 L'Indochine http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4401 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4401 Blauw aan de Wal http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4396 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4396 Barok Restaurant http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1389