"I couldn't do another church right now" he said, as we approached the imposing 800 year old Domincan Church in Maastricht. "I could do with a good coffee and a book though". And with that we entered, into what must be one of the most evocative bookshops we've come across, where you can eat, pray and - well - read and sightsee or no doubt, even find love if you wish - all at the same time. Built within the original restored church so as not to eclipse its presence, books (including English ones) are piled high on a 2 story central free standing steel bookshelf, framed by high meticulously painted arches and intricate stonework. Coffee and food can be had in the altar under a huge lead-light window that bathes the area with light. The space and quiet engulfs you. An independent bookshop it isn't, but it has an atmosphere all of its own.

Dominikanerkerkstraat 1
6211 CZ Maastricht
The Netherlands
+31(0)43 321 08 25
dominicanen@selexyz.nl

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The most comfortable way to get to Maastricht from London is: train to Brussels; Brussels to Liege-Guillemins; and lastly from Liege to Maastricht. Timed correctly, there's about a 15-minute wait at each station, and it's almost as fast as flying, as you'd have to go via Schiphol.

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The oldest bridge in the Netherlands, this attractive bridge was built in 1280 and it links the old city centre with the station, located in the Wijk district.

Over the River Maas between Maasbrugstraat and Wijkerbrugstraat.

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An excellent specialist beer bar in the university quarter of the city, Thembi sells a selection of about 10 beers on tap, with some 300 bottled beers available. The bar specialises in beers from the smaller Dutch breweries and has knowledgeable staff who will happily recommend a beer to suit your tastes. When I asked for "something dark, tasty and Dutch", I was presented with a bottle of 't Ij Columbus; since that's my favourite Dutch beer, I was impressed.Thembi can be hard to find, but is worth the effort.

Dopplerdomein 20, Maastricht. About 5 minutes' walk from Maastricht Randwijk station.Telephone 043-361-3621

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