The canal tour is the best way to explore Utrecht's rich history. As you cruise, marvel at the old wharf cellars, bridges and statues along the Oudegracht canal. Utrecht's houses along the canal are also something to admire, not to mention the iconic Dom Tower. The tour provides a comprehensive exploration of the city's history in multiple languages during the 1.5-hour sail. Children and pets are welcome on board when accompanied by an adult.

The Montego Bay Marine Park emerged as part of the effort to protect and preserve the fragile flora and fauna of the area, damaged by human activity and pollution. Guides can be hired a few days in advance, to accompany visitors on activities like snorkelling and canoeing.

In the Céramique district, you still feel the industrial past, even though you’re standing in the newest and most modern part of the city. It’s the kind of place where you look up and keep looking, to take in the impressive architecture, even as the ground around you buzzes with culture and activity. Céramique arose in the early 1990s on the site of ‘Société Céramique,’ a ceramics factory that operated from 1850 to 1985, best known for its tableware. When the factory was offered for sale to the municipality in the late 1980s, the idea to redevelop the area as a quality residential and commercial district quickly emerged, and Government Architect Jo Coenen was engaged to develop a master plan. One of his fundamental premises was to bring something of a Mediterranean feel to this part of the city. To achieve this, he brought in luminary architects from southern Europe for the design of the various residential and business complexes. The result is a total package of architectural high point after high point, like Mario Botta’s ‘La Fortezza,’ Alvaro Siza’s ‘Tower of Siza,’ and perhaps the crowning glory, Aldo Rossi’s Bonnefanten Museum. But despite all the forward-looking architecture, the connection to the past remains, in the street names, remnants of older buildings and tableware that turn up unexpectedly, and the exhibitions in the Bonnefanten Museum and Centre Céramique. Each and every one is a golden thread of history interwoven into the fabric of today.

What once used to be a cemetery is now the Janskerkhof Flower Market. Located in the square surrounding the historic Janskerk church, the area offers a vibrant flower market and a gathering place with cafes, restaurants and shops. Every Saturday visitors come here to admire not only the wide variety of flowers, but also its picturesque historic buildings and cobblestone streets.