Villas in Limburg

Simpelveld and Bemelen suit walkers and cyclists in the hills near Maastricht, while Arcen and Heythuysen sit by the Maas further north. There is no coast. Most of our houses are in Simpelveld, close to the German border, and Aachen is nearer than Amsterdam, so many visitors drive rather than fly.

Where

Villas: 76
From, per week: £409
Cheapest month: November
Nearest airports: Eindhoven has budget flights from London and is around an hour from Simpelveld and Bemelen. Düsseldorf suits Arcen. Amsterdam Schiphol is around two and a half hours from the south. Eurostar to Brussels, then a train or hire car, is another option. Driving from Calais to Maastricht takes roughly four hours.

Where to stay in Limburg

Simpelveld and the Heuvelland (south)

Most of our Limburg houses are in Simpelveld, a village in the rolling chalk country of the far south. It is the base of the Miljoenenlijn, a heritage steam railway running to Kerkrade and towards Valkenburg. The Vaalserberg, the highest point in the European Netherlands and the meeting point with Germany and Belgium, is around 15 minutes away. Aachen is about 20 minutes, Maastricht around half an hour.

Best for: Walkers and road cyclists who want real hills and border day trips

Not for you if: You want flat, easy cycling: the lanes here climb and drop all day.

Bemelen (next to Maastricht and Valkenburg)

Bemelen is a small village on the slope of the Bemelerberg, a chalk hill with flower-rich grassland and views over the Maas valley. Maastricht, around ten minutes away, has the Vrijthof square, the Basilica of Saint Servatius and a lot of good restaurants. Valkenburg, with its castle ruin and old marl caves, is a similar distance in the other direction and holds Christmas markets underground in late autumn.

Best for: Couples who want Maastricht's restaurants and countryside walks together

Not for you if: You want to avoid crowds: Valkenburg is the busiest day-trip town in Limburg.

Schinveld (Brunssummerheide)

Schinveld sits on the edge of the Brunssummerheide, an open heath with sandy paths, pools and woodland, on the old mining belt of the region. Landgraaf, next door, has SnowWorld, a large indoor ski slope, and hosts the Pinkpop music festival in June. Simpelveld's hills are about 20 minutes south. Maastricht is around 30 to 40 minutes by car.

Best for: Families who want heathland walks and an indoor ski slope nearby

Not for you if: You are sensitive to aircraft noise: the NATO air base at Geilenkirchen is just over the border.

Heythuysen and Ohe en Laak (Midden-Limburg)

Ohe en Laak is a small village by the Maasplassen, a big network of lakes left by gravel digging, with marinas, sailing and swimming spots. Thorn, a small town of whitewashed houses, is close by. Heythuysen sits among woods and stream valleys in Leudal, a little inland. Roermond, with its outlet centre and old town, is about 20 minutes away. Eindhoven airport is roughly 45 minutes.

Best for: Boating, swimming lakes and quiet cycling on the flat

Not for you if: You came for hills: this part of Limburg is as flat as most of the country.

Arcen (Noord-Limburg)

Arcen is a riverside village on the Maas with a castle surrounded by large formal gardens, the Kasteeltuinen, and a thermal spa. To the north, the Maasduinen National Park has sandy ridges, heath and pine woods. Venlo is around 15 minutes away, and Germany starts across the fields to the east. Düsseldorf airport is roughly an hour by car.

Best for: Gardens, a thermal spa and walks in the Maas dunes

Not for you if: You want a big choice of houses: there are only a few here.

When to go to Limburg

Spring and early autumn suit walking and cycling best, with blossom in the orchards around April and quieter lanes in September. July and August are the busiest months, and Valkenburg and Maastricht get crowded at weekends. Inland summers can be hot. Carnival, in February or early March, is a big event in Limburg, with street parades and fancy dress over several days. From mid-November Valkenburg's cave Christmas markets draw coach parties, so book early for December.