Exploring More

Sharing a window on the world

  • Home
  • More Explore
  • UK & Ireland
  • Europe & the Med
  • Going Global
  • News
  • Let’s Go
  • Travel Shop
  • Recommended

PADI launches world map diving guide

A breath of fresh air from Specialist Journeys

A turbulent start to 2020 for travel industry

Cycling Europe the e-asy way

You are here: Home / Europe & the Med / Utrecht – a Dutch delight

Utrecht – a Dutch delight

21st January 2018 By David Pike Leave a Comment

Utrecht – a Dutch delight – Quaint winding streets, historic buildings and canals lined with bustling cafes and city culture – no you are not in Amsterdam but another of Holland’s city gems.

The snapshot scenes are from the ancient city of Utrecht, a stone’s throw south of Amsterdam yet largely overlooked by UK visitors.

All that has been changing in recent times as Utrecht’s charm factor has raised its popularity among travellers looking for new experiences and different destinations.

As one of our nearest continental neighbours, Holland is a short flight, ferry or drive away.

Once there, getting around is convenience itself.

oude grachtHead for Utrecht from Amsterdam or the Ijmuden ferry terminal and you are looking at a short journey of between 20 to 30 miles. You’ll find it’s one well worth the taking.

Utrecht’s roots date back to 48AD and the Romans. At one time it was Holland’s most important mercantile city and evidence of that prosperity can be found round every corner, not least in the canal system, developed in the 14-century to serve the major trading houses.

Overlooked by imposing houses and the city’s focal point, the Dom Church with its 112-metre tower (465 steps for the adventurous), Utrecht’s quaysides are home to a thriving café society that includes some fine restaurants.

This is complemented by a vibrant theatre and club scene serving up a diverse programme of live music and entertainment. Canal cruises include a trip to the steam beer brewery of Stadskasteel Oudaen.

Rietveld_Schröderhuis_HayKranen-20Utrecht is a fascinating mix of old a new and home to the UNESCO world heritage site of Reitveld Schroderhuis. Designed in 1924 by architect Gerrit Reitveld, is described as “an icon of the Modern Movement in architecture.”

Other attractions on the culture list include the Dutch National Railways Museum, the Aboriginal Art Museum and the National Museum which houses a rare collection of musical clocks, musical boxes and street organs.

The City’s guardians have declared the city centre a motorised free zone, making it a pedestrians’ paradise.

Panorama Utrecht - high_rgb_5762Arriving by train at Utrecht Central Station you are immediately in the heart of Holland’s largest shopping mall, Hoog Catharijne; home to virtually every Dutch high street store – a sharp contrast to the narrow inner streets that house chic boutiques, delicatessens and antique shops.

And if you are in the mood to explore the province of Utrecht it has some beautiful castles and country estates to visit. Among them, De Haar Castle at Haarzullens that some say is the country’s most impressive and where the building and surrounding parks and gardens are open all year round.

Others of note include Groenvald Castle in Baarn, Huis Doorn Castle, Zeist Castle and Zuylen Castle in Oud-Zullen.

Useful links
www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/utrecht.htmwww.utrechtstad.com
www.visit-utrecht.com

Filed Under: Europe & the Med, Lead story

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

five × two =

A turbulent start to 2020 for travel industry

A turbulent start to 2020 for travel industry – So far, it’s been a very bumpy ride for the travel industry this year. And all the signs point to further tourism turbulence over the next few months as the fallout from the coronavirus continues to unfold. Shall we book or shall we wait – that‘s […]

Cycling Europe the e-asy way

Cycling Europe the e-asy way – Explore has the perfect e-bike cycling trips for those worried about punishing uphill climbs and sore legs. Boost your peddle power while still enjoying the incredible scenery on our most exciting cycling trips, from circumnavigating Mount Etna to cycling through vineyards in the Douro Valley. Cycling the Baltic States […]

Saving finest view at Blenheim Palace

Saving finest view at Blenheim Palace – A massive civil engineering project to help save the ‘finest view in England’ is set to get under way at Blenheim Palace later this year. The multi-million pound project will see more than 300,000 cubic metres of silt – enough to fill Wembley Stadium – removed from the […]

Culture calls from Dresden

Culture calls from Dresden – After seven years of part-closure and extensive renovation work, Dresden’s Old Masters Picture Gallery will officially reopen to visitors on February 29 – including a special late-night opening on February 28 and free admission until 1 March. Located in the Semper building gallery wing of Dresden’s Zwinger Palace, the Old […]

Bridge building at the Budock Vean Hotel

Bridge building at the Budock Vean Hotel – If you know your Major Suit Fits from your Splinters and Weak Twos but need some confidence for putting them into action, a new Bridge holiday at the Budock Vean Hotel on Cornwall’s Helford River could be just the trick. For 25 years scores of keen competitors […]

Recommended

For those of us who prefer the DIY approach to travelling – that’s Design it Yourself – good, accurate and reliable information is worth its weight in gold.

Our editorial columns already offer ideas and inspiration for the travelling public and Exploring More Recommended goes one step further, helping you to plan ahead with confidence when looking for quality accommodation and where to have a decent meal.

All establishments listed in Exploring More Recommended have been personally visited and endorsed by members of our reporting team. They score highly for quality, comfort, ambience and value for money.

Happy travelling

David Pike

Editor – Exploring More

Let's Go

Let’s Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s

Let’s Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s – They are turning the clock back at Blenheim Palace to celebrate a famously decadent decade. Running from 15th February to 13th April, 2020, ‘Let’s Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s’ offers a fascinating insight into the heady world of the upper classes – not surprisingly […]

A Liverpool date with Michael Bublé

A Liverpool date with Michael Bublé – Grammy Award-winning global superstar, Michael Bublé is in the middle of one of his biggest ever world tours, taking in 108 shows across 22 countries and three continents.  He makes a welcome return to the UK in the run up to Christmas, with shows at the M&S Bank […]

Golf breaks in the Dordogne

Golf breaks in the Dordogne – Golfers can take advantage of the most affordable golf in Europe when staying at Souillac Golf & Country Club this spring and summer – with seven-night unlimited golf breaks available from just €175 per person. Souillac’s breathtaking location in France’s Dordogne Valley is matched by great value breaks  for […]

Recent Posts

  • Getting into gear for the spectacular Via Emilia
  • PADI launches world map diving guide
  • A breath of fresh air from Specialist Journeys
  • A turbulent start to 2020 for travel industry
  • Cycling Europe the e-asy way
  • Saving finest view at Blenheim Palace
  • Culture calls from Dresden
  • Bridge building at the Budock Vean Hotel
  • A hotline to Festival Elijazzen
  • Travel in style with award winning Viking
  • Magical moments at Christmas markets in Rhineland-Palatinate
  • Let’s Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s
  • Christmas trail at Belton House says it with willow
  • Avoiding car hire holiday potholes
  • Time travelling with Andante
  • Have we Scot a good read for you

Tags

Activity holidays in Liguria Andante Travels art Best Loved Hotels Blenheim Palace Burgundy Burgundy Franche Comté City tours Costa Rica Croatia Edinburgh Eurocamp European Waterways Explore Exploring More Family Half-term Hiking Holiday Italy Kipling Liguria Murcia National Civil War Centre Newark Nicaragua river cruises Rudyard Kipling Sardinia's steam heritage Scottish Borders Walking Festival Scuba diving Murcia Semur Semur-en-Auxois Shearings Holidays South west Spain Steam railways in Sardinia Tenerife The Jungle Book The Railway Touring Company Touriocity Trujillo Villas Turkey Villas in Spain Volcano trail Western & Oriental

Copyright © 2021 · Exploring More - Privacy Policy