I know each of these cities have extensive pedestrian shopping areas, but does anyone know if they have decent Christmas markets in the winter? I'm going to be in the area, and wondering if re-visiting either city would be worthwhile during the Christmas season.
Aachen has a very nice Christmas Market, as does Vulkenburg in the NL. Vulkenburg is in the same general area as Aachen/Maastricht. Below are a few links I've been posting with details.
http://livingingk.blogspot.com/search/label/Markets%20-%20Christmas
http://www.worldreviewer.com/travel-guides/christmas-market/valkenburg-christmas-market/53341/
http://www.christmasmarkets.com/Holland/valkenburg-christmas-market.html
Enjoy your trip!