#Maasgouw
Holiday Park; Among nature; Near water
From Parc Maasresidence Thorn you can walk across the quaint blue bridge to reach the town of Thorn. This charming town, which used to be a tiny principality, is known for its striking white brick-and-mortar houses, monumental buildings, and authentic cobbled streets created with stones from the Maas. The town is different from any other Dutch town, yet fills any passer-by with a warm sense of familiarity. Feel free to take a leisurely stroll through the historical center in order to visit the little shops and enjoy the numerous cozy terraces with delicious regional specialties. In short: Thorn is well worth visiting!
The historic city of Roermond lies a mere 20 minutes by car away from Parc Maasresidence Thorn. This episcopal city has a beautiful, one-of-a-kind center with a bustling market square and sun-swept terraces that look out upon the imposing Saint Christopher's Cathedral and the town hall. Just a five-minute walk away from the center, you will find Designer Outlet Roermond, where no fewer than 185 shops and 25 catering establishments await. If you enjoy shopping, this place is a must-see! Another fun and relaxing activity is taking a cruise. It is the ideal way to experience how huge and vast the Maasplassen truly are. You can get on the boat in the city center of Roermond on the Roerkade. It is also possible to take the boat to Roermond directly from the resort, making a trip to this city even more fun!
During a holiday in Limburg, the city of Maastricht cannot be overlooked. This bustling provincial capital is home to all kinds of historical buildings, stately churches, museums, trendy design shops, food courts, and terraces. If you are not afraid of the dark and are in for an adventure, then go visit the impressive caves underneath the city. The restaurants of Maastricht are a true pallet-teaser. Indulge in their unique snack culture or savor the finer tastes of the Michelin Star restaurants. All in all, the old city of Maastricht is a must-see on any travel itinerary.
A day abroad? No problem! From the resort, you can easily walk to the Belgian border or visit cities such as Genk and the French-speaking Liège by car. Germany is also just around the corner. The famous church and bustling city center of Aachen, for example, are well within reach from the park. If you choose this route, take a look at the Drielandenpunt or make a pit stop at the town and castle ruins of Valkenburg.
GaiaZOO in Kerkrade is highly recommended for families with children. You will stand face-to-face with unique animal species such as red pandas, wolves, giraffes, and gorillas. If you would rather go for a day of immeasurable water fun, then go visit Fun Beach Panheel. This huge water theme park has a massive floating island with all kinds of exciting contraptions!
Tired of all the water fun? Then hop on a bike! You can enjoy cycling along the floodplains of the Maas, which are surrounded by the most beautiful of nature reserves. With the cycling way-marker network, you can easily plan your own route. Incidentally, this network fits in perfectly with the German and Belgian cycling networks as well. Why not go for a coffee in The Netherlands in the morning, have a nice Belgian beer in the afternoon, and end the day with a schnitzel in Germany?
Besides the lush waters of the Maasplassen, the mainland also has quite a lot to offer. Aerwinkel castle, built by famous architect Pierre Cuypers in 1854, for example, is a highly intriguing building, with architectural elements that can be found in the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam. Not only is the castle interesting, but the vast park surrounding it is also beautiful. In any case, there are plenty of hiking trails waiting to be explored. For a snack and drink, you can walk to the Gasterij which has a beautiful Burgundian backdrop. It is not a restaurant, but for a good lunch and a specialty beer (for example the local Aerwinkel beer) it will do just fine!
