Things to do in Efteling, Maastricht & the South

Efteling in Kaatsheuvel is a fairytale-themed park open 365 days a year, from the round-the-world Carnaval Festival ride to the free fall in Baron 1898 and the Symbolica dark ride, and at Safaripark Beekse Bergen the car, bus, boat and walking safaris are all included in the ticket. Eindhoven combines the modern and contemporary art of the Van Abbemuseum with the Philips Museum, where children can join the daily Mission Eureka activity, and in 's-Hertogenbosch the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center explores the painter's life and work inside the former St Jacob's church. In Maastricht, guided tours lead through the Caves North and Fort Sint Pieter, and the Dominicanen Bookshop fills a centuries-old Dominican church with shelves and a café in the former chancel. On the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier, Deltapark Neeltje Jans has an interactive exhibition on how the Oosterschelde was formed and a VR trip into the underwater world, and in winter Efteling and Maastricht's Vrijthof add ice rinks while the caves of Valkenburg host Christmas markets.

Good to knowEfteling ticket prices vary by date and children up to 3 enter free, while the bus safari at Beekse Bergen runs only from October to March and the boat safari can pause for maintenance. Caves North tours run daily in groups limited to 14, so book online, and the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center needs no reservation but, like the Van Abbemuseum, is closed on Mondays. Deltapark Neeltje Jans opens only on selected days in winter, so check its calendar first.