‘This is where the cultural, creative, and enterprising urban district Sphinx will arise.’ So reads the ambition behind the plans for the development of the Sphinx area. Plans focus on the place where Maastricht’s industrial revolution began. It was here that Petrus Regout built his ‘Sphinx Factory,’ the start of what grew into an enormous industry, producing bathroom fixtures, tiles, and the products that made Maastricht great. The factory operated until 2006, and since then efforts have been under way to redevelop this area as a district that fits in with the city, but as something Maastricht does not already have. That’s why this district is being designed to attract creative types, young residents, national and international students, and expatriates. It will be internationally oriented, with room for flexible space and temporary functions. Where this area is going is becoming clearer and clearer, in things like the arrival of the pop music stage in a former sawmill, and the newly opened Brandweer(kantine), with workspaces and meeting places for creative entrepreneurs. But not everything in this part of the city is new and different. The historic and picturesque river harbour ‘t Bassin, adjacent to the Sphinx area, makes a perfect buffer for the transition from the more familiar and better known Maastricht to this new part of town.

The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park. In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.

Tivoli park was once the grounds of a castle barely two kilometres from the historic centre of Mechelen. These days you can enjoy a quiet stroll here across the large expanses of grass, past ancient trees, a highly-scented rose garden, a herb garden and other delightful nooks. Now pure white again, in 1990 the famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre wrapped the castle in sheets of paper covered with ballpoint lines for which 150,000 blue pens were required! Since 1991 the mansion has housed a catering establishment specializing in parties, seminars and the like. Drinks, snacks and lunches are served to the general public in the adjoining orangery. Small children will love meeting a whole variety of farm animals on the children's farm. Other attractions include the large bee colony and the educational nature trail where signs draw your attention to aspects of the park's history, fauna and flora.

Escape the bustle of the city and retreat to the tranquillity of the mountains. Bukhansan National Park has several gorges, granite peaks and more than 1,300 species of flora and fauna. There are also many historical and cultural sites including Bukhansanseong Fortress, Buddhist temples and monk’s cells. Bukhansan National Park Office: