From lowland with love: Valkenburg

Oh, don't even try to pronounce this word—it might just twist your tongue into a knot! Dutch is a tricky language to learn, and some of my overly confident friends say it sounds like German… Oh boy, if you say that to a Dutchie, prepare for a long lecture and a very unimpressed face!

I think this love-hate relationship started sometime after the war, but who really knows? Anyway, in English, this city's name translates to Falcon Castle, probably because of the ancient castle ruins perched on top of the hill. (Or as I like to call it—a mountain! But you guys just say "hillish.")

This spot is actually the highest place in the lowlands, a little hilly, very romantic, and super famous for the Amstel Gold Race. Every Easter, cyclists from all over the world gather here to conquer the slopes.

But for me, this place is my secret retreat. I love climbing up to the castle ruins, sitting at the top, and gazing down at the city below—it makes my heart so happy. Sometimes, I close my eyes and imagine what life was like here in ancient times. Just me, the wind, and my daydreams.

While waiting for my prince on a white horse to come sweep me away, I wandered down to the historical city—full of charming little buildings and a fairy-tale bridge. Oh, how I adore this bridge! (Well, to be fair, I love all bridges.) They always seem to hold so many untold stories… if only they could whisper them to me.

I could stand here for hours, just soaking in the view. I wish I had the strength to pick up my sketchbook again and bring these moments to life… sigh. But enough with the sad faces! Time to grab a cold drink and a little something delicious to snack on.

My friend and I decided to take a little stroll through the tiny village since the weather was absolutely perfect—24°C, a lovely summer day in the middle of autumn!

A cold Aperol Spritz sounded like the perfect choice. NO, I refused to try Limburg beers (even though they’re really tasty) because, well… I had to drive home. So obviously, a cocktail was the more responsible choice. (Welcome to Ephie’s logic! ) Cheers!

Once you find yourself in Valkenburg, you absolutely must take a walk through its charming history. From the beautiful churches and ancient city walls to the old watermills and castles—yes, there are three of them!

I only made it to the castle ruins (because, let’s be honest, it was way too hot for me to explore the others ). But the caves—oh, there are tons of them! One even served as a hiding place for Jewish families during the war.

And honestly, just strolling down the main street feels like a treat in itself—history, charm, and that magical Valkenburg vibe all around.

It’s been such a lovely Saturday! I truly enjoyed spending quality time with my friend—someone I hadn’t talked to in ages. And what better place to catch up and plan our next adventure than Valkenburg?

I feel so blessed to have amazing friends who never hesitate to jump into the roller coaster of my life and make every moment a blast.

Life is short. Sometimes, life just happens while we’re busy making other plans—so true! And oh, a little reminder: don’t set your expectations too high, because they often lead to disappointment. Just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

Cheers to a beautiful Saturday!  Hope you all have a magical weekend!

Valkenburg, Sat, Sept14th.