Fifteen questions, answered without hedging.

Yes. There is no fee, no booking charge and nothing to buy at the end. Greeters are volunteers and the group is a member of the International Greeter Association, whose rules require it.

Please do not. Greeters find it uncomfortable and it is against the values they signed up to. If you want to do something, buy the coffee at the end or write a review.

Two to three hours. Some run longer because nobody noticed the time.

One to six, and six is a hard limit set by the International Greeter Association. Larger parties can split across two greeters on the same day if we have them free.

You choose the subject, your greeter chooses the route. Tell us in the form whether you are after history, architecture, food and drink, neighbourhoods, the river, student life or simply somewhere you would never have found.

Dutch, English, German, French and Limburgish, depending on who is available. Pick your language in the form and we match against it.

A week is comfortable. Two days often works. Same-day requests rarely do, because everyone involved has a life outside this.

We walk anyway. This is not a dry country. Bring a coat.

Yes, and it counts towards the six. Say the ages in the form and we will match a greeter who is good with them and a route with fewer museums in it.

Parts of the city are, parts genuinely are not. The old centre is cobbled and Sint Pieter is steep. Tell us what you need and we will plan a flatter route with a greeter who knows where the kerbs are.

Neighbours, retired teachers, students, people who like their city. No qualification is required beyond enthusiasm and a few free hours.

No. Greeters are not licensed guides and do not pretend to be. You get one person’s Maastricht, with opinions, rather than a script.

Life happens. We look for a replacement first and tell you straight away if we cannot find one. You will never be left standing on a bridge wondering.

Ask. We cannot promise it, but returning visitors often do, and greeters like it when it happens.

Write a review. It is the only thing we ask for, it helps other visitors decide, and it is what keeps volunteers volunteering.