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Nestled between Belgium and Germany in the south of the Netherlands, Maastricht is widely known as a university city and the birthplace of the Euro.<\/p>\n
But this charming city, popular with international students, is a destination filled with heritage and things to do – perfect for a winter getaway.<\/p>\n
One of the features that sets Maastricht apart from other cities in Europe is its tranquil City Park. Perfect for a relaxing walk or romantic picnic, it\u2019s a green haven within a vibrant city.<\/p>\n
An interesting feature of the park is the “bear pit” located near the Prins Bisschopssingel entrance, which used to be home to real brown bears but now houses a poignant art installation.<\/p>\n
Without knowing the backstory, it might seem slightly bizarre, but the empty bear pit is now filled with a series of animal sculptures, with the most prominent being a giraffe sprawled along the floor, accompanied by a woman in a red dress.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> \u2018I visited one of Europe\u2019s prettiest winter destinations\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The bears were fully removed from the pit in 1993 after local residents raised animal cruelty concerns. A sculpture of the last remaining bear, Jo, sits on a nearby bench looking crestfallen.<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the park is a statue of D\u2019Artagnan. Immortalised in literature and popular culture as one of The Three Musketeers, D\u2019Artagnan was a captain of the Royal French Guard. On first glance Maastricht may seem an unusual destination for a statue of D\u2019Artagnan, but it is actually the city where he died.<\/p>\n In fact the statue, unveiled in 1977, stands on the very spot where the famed Musketeer was killed during the siege of Maastricht as part of the Franco-Dutch War. Although more recognised for a fictionalised retelling of his life, it is a surreal experience to stand where such a recognisable figure was slain.<\/p>\n Regularly featuring on \u2018Most beautiful bookshops in the world\u2019 lists, and for good reason, the unique Dominicanen Bookshop is a must-visit in Maastricht.<\/p>\n Set inside the beautiful Dominicanenkerk (Dominican Church), is a magical independent bookstore that will take your breath away. You don\u2019t have to be a booklover to appreciate the beautifully designed and award-winning interior, which makes the store an attraction in its own right.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> ![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/25\/590x\/secondary\/Maastricht-5067314.jpg?r=1700049176361\")
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The ‘beautiful’ underrated city with an amazing Christmas market[CHRISTMAS MARKET] <\/strong>
Europe\u2019s best destinations for Christmas markets are \u2018enchanting\u2019[WINTER DESTINATION] <\/strong>
The beautiful city near UK with Europe’s ‘most underrated’ Christmas market[EUROPE HOLIDAYS] <\/strong><\/p>\n