River Cruise 2015 - Day 2, part 2 - Utrecht

After visiting Keukenhof Gardens in the morning, we went on to spend the afternoon in the city of Utrecht. It is a very old and interesting city, dating back to the Romans , and even beyond.

We started our tour with a boat ride around the old canal system, getting a good overview of the city. 

 
 This is the oldest of the bridges, built in the 1300's. 

There was a system of wharves built along the canals, with storage facilities at canal level, then the main street was built on top of these, with houses.  The one with the cross was once a church.

 


The carving shows what was traded in this area by the canal.  This area would have been for cattle....... 

 ......and the horse traders....... 

 


......and the milk maids........etc. 

This fellow was enjoying the canals as well. 

 

If you are feeling energetic, you can rent one of these pedal boats built for 4. 

After the boat ride, we had a walking tour of the main area of the town.  The streets were narrow, with cars, pedestrians, and bikers.

The buildings at canal level are now mostly restaurants, boutiques, but some are homes as well. 

The "Tour de France" (I think I got that right) will take place in Utrecht this summer.   

The Dom Tower, a part of the Cathedral of St. Martin, was built in the 11th and 12th century.                                     

This lovely entryway goes to the garden area of the Dom Tower.  

When we were left to tour on our own for a while, we decided to have a coffee, and tried this cafe on the right.  When inside, we discovered that it was not so much for drinking coffee as it was for having "a smoke".  There was a menu on the wall such as I have never seen before!!! 

So we went on down the street and had the best hot chocolate I have ever had!  

Just a really fun and lovely town.

.....until next time.....