As in every Holland city or town, the canals are the magnet. The Canals Area is one of the most attractive in Utrecht. It is full of hustling and bustling restaurants, cafes, old buildings and lovely bridges adorned with bright flowers. Such a pleasure to walk along the canals maze!

A bit crowded, but generally a pleasant experience. The area boasts numerous pubs, pastry shops, and bars with prices for all budgets. For those interested in a water excursion, there are various options available, from tours on one of the many cruises to renting a smaller boat for a more intimate experience. While the area is dotted with historical buildings, it's unfortunate that some of them are inaccessible to visitors. Additionally, popular attractions like the Dom Tower of Utrecht tend to be heavily crowded and, if you don't purchase your tickets at least a day in advance, you have no chance of gaining entry.

If you're going to go to The Netherlands, you're going to visit Amsterdam. Sure. But for pure Dutch charm and beauty, Utrecht is the better choice, by far. Everything you'll want to see and do (except the Castle Den Haar) is a comfortable walk within the old city center, and while there's plenty of things to do as a tourist, it's not overrun by tourists. My wife and I can pass for Dutch, and it was a nice contrast with Amsterdam to have the people speak to us first in Dutch rather than English. It felt like a Dutch city through and through, whereas Amsterdam felt more like New York. Do both, if you have time, of course. But don't overlook this true gem.