Find out everything you need to know about Valkenburg ahead of the second race in the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012 on February 2-4. Helping with the guided tour is wakeboarder Duncan Zuur; the Dutchman's more used to life on water, but, in town for the weekend, he's preparing to swap his board for a pair of skates...
5 PLACES TO VISIT
Valkenburg Caves (Cauberg 4)
Two labyrinthine networks of caves – the Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave) and Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave, directly below the castle) – first created as siege tunnels by the mining Romans are full of carvings, etchings, paintings and other secrets of the town’s past.
Valkenburg Castle (Grendelplein 13)
The ruins of this 12th-century castle (pictured, below) are so dungeonously atmospheric they’ve even inspired their own Task Force fantasy adventure game. The Knight’s Hall and weapons room are still visible.
Maastricht’s Casemates (Slavante 1, 6212NB Maastricht)
Another set of subterranean galleries, this time in neighbouring Maastricht, where you can take the adults and non-claustrophobes-only D'Artagnan Adventure Trip, inspired by the glorious musketeer who perished in 1673 during the siege of Maastricht. Find your way through the 16th-century underground fortifications, following D’Artagnan’s clues, with only your torch to light the way.
SnowWorld (Witte Wereld 1, 6372 VG Landgraaf)
If Red Bull Crashed Ice has whet your appetite for winter sports, a short train journey away in the beautiful surroundings of South Limburg is the largest indoor ski course in the world, with five slopes and eight lifts.
Area Historical Museum
Local history and a very big helping of modern art at this bright and bold little museum
Zuur says: 'Whatever you do, make sure you visit the mergel caves... amazing! Valkenburg's city centre is also a one of a kind'
5 FAMOUS 'VALKENBURGERS'
Johannes Franciscus "Jos" Verstappen
Born in neighbouring Montfort, ‘Jos the Boss’ is the Netherlands’ most successful Dutch Formula One driver.
Fred Rompelberg
Born in Maastricht in 1945, one of the world’s oldest professional cyclists still holds the world record for cycling behind a motor dragster – at 167.044mph.
Mark van Bommel
The Milan midfielder and captain of the Netherlands national team (and infamously frequent fouler at the 2010 World Cup) was born in Maastricht.
The Buckriders
Limburg’s legendary gang of ruthless robbers, operating in the 1700s, who were said to have made a pact with the devil… and hence rode through the sky on the backs of goats.
Duncan Zuur
An athlete, a pioneer, and a bit of a nutter - wakeboarder Duncan Zuur is one of his sport's most famous European exponents, thanks in no small part to his crazy, canal-crossing antics in Amsterdam and riding a flooded St Mark's Square in Venice (see below).
Zuur says: 'The event is a mix of Red Bull's favourite ingredients: speed, adrenaline and focus! Ever since I first saw Red Bull Crashed Ice I wanted to participate... and now I can!'
Jorg Mitter/Red Bull Photofiles
5 BEST BANDS
Close Combat
Oi! Punks who sing/shout in the Maastricht dialect.
The Hubn Bubn Polka Band
An unholy union of electric guitars, lederhosen and good-time line-dancing tunes, this lot are a favourite at festivals all over the world.
André Rieu
The Dutch violinist is one of Holland’s best-known exports, having created the waltz-playing Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Pussycat
Telephone operators turned teen pop stars who became the first Dutch act to top the UK singles chart in 1976, with the 5 million-selling Mississippi.
Rowwen Hèze
Pogues-inspired Limburg band who secured their place in Netherlands history with the carnival song, Niks Stront Niks (No Crap Nothing).
Zuur says: 'Limburg's most famous musically for its Pinkpop Festival. Many great artists and rock musicians have performed there'
5 BEST HANG-OUTS
Barserrie Nurgus (Grotestraat Centrum)
Dark and cosy bar and restaurant known for its boisterous crowds as well as a gut-busting menu full of local specialities.
Café Agora (Grotestraat Centrum 26)
This Latin American-themed dance bar and cocktail lounge bar attracts trendier types with its drinks list (we recommend the Flying Deer - Jägermeister and Red Bull) and live music.
T Hoekje (Grotestraat Centrum 30)
This café has been serving beers to the locals since 1984, and laying on themed music nights for regulars and tourists alike for slightly less.
Ipanema (Avenue Ceramique 250, Maastricht)
This uber-hip café-bar with a riverside terrace is located in the wing of Maastricht’s Bonnefanten Museum of fine and contemporary art, and turns into a club on sporadic weekends.
In Den Ouden Vogestruys (Vrijthof 15, Maastricht)
Also in nearby Maastricht, and with a claim to being the oldest café in the city, this grand old building marked with a golden ostrich is the perfect place for a relaxed pint. So much so, it’s come to be known as ‘the living room of Maastricht’.
Zuur says: 'There are so many bars to hang out in in Valkenburg... I'd recommend Café Agora'
HOW TO SPEND…
5 EUROS
Try a slice of Vlaai – a sweet pastry pie baked with fruit and cooked rice and custard porridge traditional to the southern regions of the Netherlands. Alternatively, for panoramic views the idiosyncratically Dutch way, take a chairlift up Wilhelmina Tower – and ride a toboggan down.
5O EUROS
Go cave biking. The Sibbergroeve is Valkenburg’s largest mine, and you can now traverse part of its 70-kilometre cave system by pedal, 40 metres below ground level. Tours cost €25 for a group of 10, though individuals can now book at weekends for €19 an hour. If you prefer to remain overground, the hilly terrain also services plenty of mountain biking tours.
500 EUROS
Relax in the hills in Valkenburg’s thermal outdoor pools. Thermae 2000 is an extra special spa resort at the top of the Cauberg and fed by 33°C spring water. Ease your muscles after all that cave biking with the Heaven Package (€248-€318.50 per person), which includes a hot stone massage, three-course lunch and two days' access to the Wellness center with baths and sauna.
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