Make the most out of your wonderful stay in Brighton Beach, by learning the basics of sea kayaking conducted by the qualified B.C.U. coaches of B.K. Kayaking. The courses are designed for beginners or as refresher courses for those who already have experience. Just bring a towel and a pair of tight-fitting shoes, because all the equipment needed will be provided.

It’s all here, whether you go for the big names or those cute little boutiques you find nowhere else. And whether you prefer an upmarket department store or a covered shopping centre for your whole new wardrobe, or enjoy running from shop to shop in search of that one perfect item. Here in the Maastricht city centre, there’s something for every shopaholic, young or old, boy or girl. Comb the Grote Staat and be dazzled by all the known and lesser-known chains you find here. Take a peek at the shopping centre Entre Deux, worth a visit for its architecture alone, and for the huge shops for famous labels you’ll find here. There are still a few surprises for you in store at the shopping centre Mosae Forum, just next to the Markt. And don’t overlook the basement floor, where you’ll find some hidden gems (of the edible kind!). But it’s not all fashion, beauty, and lifestyle; there’s also a special place for books, in the amazing bookshop in the medieval Dominican church, a highlight of the city centre not to be missed. Need a breather? When you’re ready to take a break from your shopping adventure, you’ll be pleased to find that the amazing array of shops is interspersed with pubs, cafés, and charming restaurants.

Saigon Outcast is a vibrant venue particularly favored by the younger crowd, where all manner of events, festivals and movie screenings (every Thursday) are held throughout the year – the "Wednesday free food" event enjoys an understandable popularity. There's even a climbing wall on-site, plus a miniature skate park. Check their website for event schedules and flea markets.

‘This is where the cultural, creative, and enterprising urban district Sphinx will arise.’ So reads the ambition behind the plans for the development of the Sphinx area. Plans focus on the place where Maastricht’s industrial revolution began. It was here that Petrus Regout built his ‘Sphinx Factory,’ the start of what grew into an enormous industry, producing bathroom fixtures, tiles, and the products that made Maastricht great. The factory operated until 2006, and since then efforts have been under way to redevelop this area as a district that fits in with the city, but as something Maastricht does not already have. That’s why this district is being designed to attract creative types, young residents, national and international students, and expatriates. It will be internationally oriented, with room for flexible space and temporary functions. Where this area is going is becoming clearer and clearer, in things like the arrival of the pop music stage in a former sawmill, and the newly opened Brandweer(kantine), with workspaces and meeting places for creative entrepreneurs. But not everything in this part of the city is new and different. The historic and picturesque river harbour ‘t Bassin, adjacent to the Sphinx area, makes a perfect buffer for the transition from the more familiar and better known Maastricht to this new part of town.