You’ll feel like you’ve crossed the border, but you’re not quite there yet. Of course, you’re aware that Maastricht’s central location in the Euregio means you can be in Belgium very quickly. But you don’t really feel it until you see how the city, and the countryside around it, is layered with a unique mix of foreign influences. With the Sint Pietersberg hill, the historic caves, the vineyards, Fort Sint Pieter, and Château Neercanne as backdrop, this part of the city has everything you need to capture that holiday feeling. Sint Pieter was its own municipality until 1920. This part of the city was always outside the city walls (and so had it the toughest in times of war). Then, it was mainly farmers who lived here; now, it’s mostly families, epicureans, and a few descendants of the inhabitants of that old Sint Pieter. Today, Sint Pieter is Maastricht’s most popular residential district, not just for its beautiful houses but because of its ideal location between city and green. And it still feels like its own town, with its own social life, and charm, even though it’s just a stone’s throw away from the city park. In fact, it has the best of both worlds: village and city. Nature and culture.

A ferry trip to Dry Tortugas is a full-day affair that is worth embarking on. This spacious ocean vessel offers comfort and relaxation as you drift along on the open blue waters. Explore the 19th-century fort and learn about this great piece of history. You can also enjoy snorkeling in the surrounding island waters. This 100-square-mile park is also a sanctuary for endangered species.

At Wild Dolphin Tours, you'll be able to get up close and personal with these friendly marine mammals. Alternatively, you can enjoy the sun setting over the ocean with their sunset charters.