Bar hopping in Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the Netherlands most charming cities. Not too big, it's medeival city center is made even more quaint by it's unique canals.

Here, they run up to five meter below street level, with wide quays lined with trees. These low-level promenades made it possible for the merchants of old to unload the barges straight into their basement warehouses. On top, at street level, they built beautiful townhouses.

Today, the quays are filled with terraces and buzzing with locals and
tourists alike, enjoying the beautiful settings. That's why I am here this weekend, to write a story about the bars and restaurants along the canals of Utrecht.

New Years party in Utrecht

New Years Eve! We went back to Ruth and Sander in Utrecht, who threw a combined New Years-party and housewarming party. Our mutual friends Nienke and Marten was also there. Together, we cooked Spanish tapas (I made albondigas – spicy meatballs in tomato sauce, and Femke made a lovely tortilla). Great food. At midnight, it was time for champagne and lots of fireworks. The neighbors had some serious large caliber-stuff, but Ruth also had a stockpile of crackers and rockets.

The rest of the night we danced and danced and danced. But somewhere after three in the morning, we ran out of energy and went to bed. A great party!

Femke and her lovely tortilla

Dancing all night

Femke throwing firecrackers

Friends in Utrecht

Having so little holiday, (Femke only has 13 days a year at the moment), it is hard to find time to see all friends and the family when you make it to Europe. But today, we managed to go to Utrecht to meet Ruth (a very old friend of Femke) and her boyfriend Sander. They just finished renovating their new house, and what a beauty it is.

In Ruth's and Sander's new house