You would almost miss them. Almost. Because as soon as you pass the entryway to the St. Servaas Basilica, you’ll figure out that it’s worth walking on. You’ll see for yourself that Maastricht doesn’t end at the Vrijthof. Sometimes you just have to take those few extra steps. That’s when Maastricht will surprise you with just how surprising the city centre really is. The Vrijthof has a number of little streets leading into it from all directions. They include Brusselsestraat, Grote Gracht, and De Kommel. Unlike the more idyllic boulevards in most of the rest of the city, these streets evoke a feeling of the urban, the artistic, the unknown. Here, students and locals come and go: artists, designers, professionals. It’s an area that’s moving fast: new shops, start-ups, young businesses, surprising concepts. Yet at the same time, it’s bursting with historic buildings, and is still very much a place where locals want to live. In truth, you can’t really describe the streets around the Vrijthof in a few words. It’s where local, university, business, authentic, forward-looking, and surprising Maastricht all come together.

Part of the natural park of Ria Formosa, Ludo offers various trails between 5 and 15 kilometres long. Ideal for walking, running or cycling, these trails take in unique views of the lagoons, marshlands, and palm trees. As well as this, wild birds are abundant — including flamingoes!

Enjoy panoramic views of one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks from this glass-framed observation deck. Sitting 240 metres above the island, The View offers a full 360-degree panorama of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline. The space includes a café, exhibitions, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels, and a gift shop. For an even higher perspective, step up to The Next Level, 250 metres above ground, for the island’s highest vantage point and unobstructed views.

Often voted the world’s most luxurious hotel, the Burj Al Arab rises 321 metres above the Arabian Gulf, its sail-shaped silhouette perched on a private island just offshore. Beyond its grand design, it’s famous for its helipad—scene of jaw-dropping stunts from tennis matches to F1 doughnuts. For the first time, the hotel has opened up with a butler-guided, immersive tour, giving visitors a rare peek inside its gilded interiors and behind-the-scenes tales of its extravagant history.