Hello, fellow love adventurers! Valentine’s Day lies just around the corner and obviously, I am super-duper… stressed! I’m sorry, but all this Valentine’s stuff has never been my strong suit. Don’t get me wrong, I love dedicating a day to love, but I never know what to plan. On the one hand, I want to avoid a day filled with romantic clichés, but on the other hand, I totally want to lean into it! Walking through the forest hand in hand, sauntering past quaint little shops, following some kind of workshop in candle making, or nostalgically looking back on our relationship over a candlelit dinner… awful! Splendid!
Personally, I have zero, zip, nil inspiration when it comes to planning for Valentine’s Day. Ever since the 14 of February 2023, I looked upon this day with dread. However, throughout last year, I kept my eyes and ears open, listening to the dates my colleagues went on and casually asking them about the most romantic spots in Limburg. Finally, I gathered enough intel to come up with five great Valentine’s Day ideas. As I am, in all likelihood, not the only one who has inspiration problems for this day, I would love to share them with you:
There is no denying it: when celebrating Valentine’s Day at Parc Maasresidence Thorn, Maastricht will be high up on your list. The narrow, winding, cobblestone streets, lined with boutique stores and old cafés, beckon many an impassioned couple to saunter side by side whilst enjoying both the city’s and each other’s company. After having strolled around for a bit, make sure to grab a table at the Vrijthof where you can share a mug of hot chocolate and a traditional Limburg “Vlaai”. Continue your romantic journey southward and walk across the city wall from the Berenkuil to the Helpoort. Along the way, you are bound to bump into other couples, so you can ask them to take a photo of the two of you next to the old waterways or in front of a cannon (as we all know, nothing symbolizes love like a cannon). Before deciding to head back to the resort, catch your breath and have it taken away again on the Sint Servaasbrug. Put your heads together as you watch the sun set behind the old brick-and-mortar facades and the pensive Maas River in a blazing aura of orange and red.
The picturesque city of Valkenburg, just outside of Maastricht, is one of my favorite destinations for Valentine’s Day. The old town brims with charming alleys, old churches, and time-lost ruins. Take a trip around the city center before quite literally going in-depth together by visiting some of the unique caves located beneath the city. Personally, I would suggest starting off at the Gemeentegrot before admiring the model coal mine in the Ackermansgroeve. End the adventure at the Fluweelengrot, a system of caves that, throughout the ages, served as a shelter and an escape route throughout various sieges of the Valkenburg castle. These days, the old tunnels are filled with amazing exhibitions, murals, and sculptures. Take everything in while walking hand in hand and be amazed by eras of beauty that define the history of Valkenburg... and should the date go horribly wrong for some reason, then you can always try to lose your counterpart in the labyrinth of tunnels!
If you wish to keep the car parked in the driveway of your villa or apartment on Valentine’s Day, then I would suggest a day out in the medieval city of Thorn. Walk across the famous Blue Drawbridge before getting acquainted with the characteristic whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and the famous, striped church tower that can be found on almost every postcard. One of my favorite Valentine’s Day pastimes is simply sauntering past quirky shops with unique doodads, handmade trinkets, and antique baubles. It’s in these kinds of shops that you always find a lovely little memory to take home. In Thorn, I therefore suggest visiting Mrs B Antiek, Leut – Koffie en Cadeau, Vintage Atelier Thorn, and Bad en Tafel. Furthermore, a visit to the Abbey Church and the surrounding gardens definitely makes for an amorous afternoon. The cozy benches are the perfect place for a romantic photo op.
Burgundian food is the embodiment of love. Rich tastes, local ingredients, strong wines, and an intimate atmosphere are the signature themes of the cuisine in Limburg, and Humphrey’s Thorn is no exception. This restaurant, situated on the shores of the Maasplassen in our resort, boasts a whole variety of romantic tables for two. Pick one near the window and marvel at the view across the water whilst enjoying a carefully selected three-course menu. In the meantime, make sure to look deeply into your partner’s eyes… I heard this is mandatory on Valentine’s Day. I would recommend the gnocchi with Italian stew as a main course. It’s a truly unique taste sensation! Finish the evening with a cup of coffee before romantically suggesting splitting the bill (you’re in The Netherlands after all!)
On Valentine’s Day, I honestly don’t mind seeing anyone but my significant other for the entire day. Loitering around in pajamas, cuddling up on the couch, cooking together… nothing can beat that! Add one of our Premium Water villas with a private sauna to the mix and you will have yourself an awesome date. Relax every fiber of your being in the authentic sauna before folding into one of the soft Parc Maasresidence Thorn bathrobes whilst taking in the last rays of sunshine with a glass of bubbles on your covered terrace. Once the February cold starts to settle in, move the party inside toward the warm, spacious living room and watch a romantic Valentine’s Day movie… such as Die Hard or Predator.
Planning the ideal Valentine’s Day can be stressful. You want to check off all the gooey romantic stuff, but you also want the day to feel authentic and spur-of-the-moment. Eventually, you will always end up somewhere in the middle, and there’s nothing wrong with that. With the aforementioned suggestions, I hope to have lit a small spark of inspiration for February 14th. However, at the end of the day, you know your partner best, so just follow your heart! From the comforts of your cozy villa or apartment at Parc Maasresidence Thorn, Limburg, the most romantic province of The Netherlands, lies at your feet!
