Maastricht (Limburgish and city dialect: Mestreech) is a municipality, and capital of the Dutch province of Limburg. The city is situated on both sides of the Meuse river (Maas in Dutch) in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands between Belgium and Germany. To the west is Belgium, to the south is Belgium and Luxembourg. To the east is North Rhine Westphalia. The name of the city is derived from its Latin name Trajectum Ad Mosam or Mosae Trajectum (Mosa-crossing), referring to the bridge built by the Romans during the reign of Augustus Caesar.
For years, the city has been arguing with Nijmegen as to which of them is the oldest city in the Netherlands. Nijmegen was the first city with Roman city rights in what is now the Netherlands. Maastricht was the first with medieval city rights, a system which evolved to the current system and, thanks to the Romans, the first settlement with city allure. Roman sources mention a Celtic settlement (probably inhabited by the Eburones) at the location they used for the bridge. Other sources mention a Celtic settlement at a river crossing near where Wyck, a city district located on the eastern side of the Meuse river, is now located.
Aachen is a historic spa city in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany. It is the westernmost city of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. A place to visit a typical German Christmas market, also known as Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the advent, mainly the four weeks preceding Christmas Day. These markets originated in Germany, but are now being held all over the world.
| Time | What | How |
| 8:30 | Departure from central train station of Nijmegen | Coach |
| 10:30 | Arrival at Valkenburg caves, guided tour | Guide |
| 12:00 | Departure to Maastricht, free time | Coach |
| 16:00 | Departure to Christmas market in Aachen (D) | Coach |
| 16:45 | Arrival in Aachen, free time | |
| 20:00 | Departure from Aachen to Nijmegen | Coach |
| 22:30 | Arrival in Nijmegen (NO stop in Lent on the way back) | Coach |
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