The time has come! Your last meeting has finished, the car is loaded up, and the stove has been checked at least four times. Time to head out toward Parc Maasresidence Thorn in Limburg and fully embrace the holiday. You have done your research and know that those whacky Limburgians are true Burgundians when it comes to celebrating the holidays.
Then it hits you… what does that even mean? Burgundians… it’s quite an alien term for any non-Dutch speaker. How can you live the Burgundian lifestyle without actually knowing what it is? Sweat starts to drip down your forehead. Are you a true Burgundian? Will you be making the most of your holiday? Will everyone look at you and know you’re a fake Burgundian? Panic. Stress!
Uncertainty about living the Burgundian lifestyle affects many in the Benelux. It is an unspoken societal problem that thousands struggle with daily. Am I relaxing hard enough? Am I carelessly sauntering at the right pace? Should I have more fingerfood on my beer table? It’s true… one moment you are living the Burgundian lifestyle, and the next, it is living you. It can happen to anyone. Not to worry, however. That’s why I am here. Take a deep breath, grab an artisanal specialty beer, and prepare to learn all there is to know about being “Burgundian”.
The primary question is: where does the concept “Burgundian” come from? Well, it started out with a party… and not just any party. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, was clueless to the fact that on February 17th, 1454, he accidentally threw one of the most insane parties ever. Dubbed the Banquet of the Golden Pheasant, this party would go down in history for its ridiculous extravagance. There were more silver pans than guests. Game and poultry were served in pies shaped like the animal itself and one of the dining tables even hosted an entire orchestra. A nun casually came riding in on an elephant and the pièce de résistance was pheasant fully clad in gold! Oh, and he also had a pastry that popped open to reveal an ensemble of 20 musicians. It was a party that would bring all other parties to shame… and it was just the beginning. In the time of Philip the Good and his son, Charles the Bold, exorbitant parties like this one became the norm. That’s why we still call excessive conviviality “Burgundian” to this day.
Alright, so now we have some background information, but what does the “Burgundian Lifestyle” mean today? Do you really need to arrive at Parc Maasresidence Thorn by elephant to experience it? No. Luckily, the Burgundian concept has changed somewhat over time. Here are a few things you need to know about living the Burgundian lifestyle in the year 2023:
Food is an essential pillar of the Burgundian lifestyle. Burgundian food does not necessarily need to be expensive or exclusive. It should just give you a good, warm feeling. In many ways, it’s synonymous with the English “comfort food”. Should you wish to indulge in some Burgundian foods at Parc Maasresidence Thorn, there are a number of options. Firstly, Humphrey’s Thorn restaurant is proud to call its food truly Burgundian. Think of rich autumn salads, a mixed grill of various juicy meats, Dutch North Sea sole with a creamy sauce, tournedos, cheese platters, and a dame blanche to finish things off. It’s with good reason that their motto is Burgundian food that makes you feel good. Apart from Humphrey’s Thorn, you can also try to create your own Burgundian meal. Head down to the MRT Shop & Bakery for a variety of tasty bites and specialty beers. Then, invite your friends and family over for a long evening filled with laughter and nostalgic reminiscence. Personally, I would suggest booking a Premium Outdoor villa for the full Burgundian experience. This villa comes with a large garden, a ceramic barbecue, and an extra-spacious covered terrace that might just fit a pastry with a 20-man orchestra inside…
Alright… you are ready to explore a new city and have planned out exactly which route to take in order to see every important sight. WRONG! You have already broken the first rule of Burgundian sauntering. The whole idea of sauntering is that you have no goal in mind. You allow the streets, alleys, shops, and cafés to guide you. You are merely herded by what makes you feel happy. If you wish to grasp the fine art of sauntering, Maastricht is the ideal city to start off with. The old center is home to various little, winding alleys with curious boutiques and cozy cafés. A great place to saunter to is the Onze Lieve Vrouwe square, which is home to a charming church and a cornucopia of Burgundian Restaurants. Naturally, I will not reveal the location of this square. You will need to saunter into it by yourself!
The ultimate goal of the Burgundian lifestyle is to be completely at ease. Preferably, you will find yourself walking around with lazy eyes and a satisfied smile all the time. In order to achieve this level of relaxation, you need to pamper your entire body. Luckily, Parc Maasresidence Thorn has a lot to offer when it comes to Burgundian relaxation. Start off your day with an extensive breakfast on either your terrace or balcony before sauntering about on the long boulevard for a bit. Afterward, if the season allows it, you can rent a sloop at the MRT Marina and casually bob around on the tranquil Maasplassen, or cordially collapse at MRT Beach for a short siesta. Afterward, stroll over to the MRT Pool at your own pace, swim a few laps and then immerse yourself in the warm embrace of the whirlpool.
Another pro tip for the relaxation connoisseur: Book a Premium Water or Premium Outdoor villa and experience the unparalleled Burgundian luxury of a private sauna.
A final and fundamental part of the Burgundian lifestyle is truly soaking up your surroundings. If you have never wiped away a tear over a breathtaking view or felt overwhelmed by nostalgia after eating a hand-made apple pie, then you are not yet a true Burgundian. But not to worry, around Parc Maasresidence Thorn, there are numerous ways to get your fill of Burgundian appreciation. The easiest way is by renting a bike or e-bike at the reception and exploring the great outdoors. Personally, I would suggest cycling near the Maas, because the shores bustle with cozy cafés, castles, pretty viewpoints, windmills, and charming little villages, including the insanely quaint fortified city of Stevensweert. You will also come past the KessThor winery, where they make real, artisanal Limburgian wine. It’s a must-see for every aspiring Burgundian! While cycling on by, don’t forget to stop every once in a while, and enjoy the staggering natural landscape around the Maas.
There you have it: the basics of being Burgundian. If you take all of the above attributes into account for your Burgundian holiday in Limburg, not much can go wrong. You are ready to be reborn and baptized as a true epicurean; quite the honor! However, remember to take the aforementioned list with a grain of artisanal salt, because the #1 rule of the Burgundian lifestyle is: do whatever makes you feel good. If you think your craft beer soiree sorely misses a gold-cladded pheasant, then I say, go for it!
