The Netherlands
Medieval canals dug on two levels, then a village with not a single road, where travel happens exclusively by boat
The Netherlands
A journey far from Amsterdam and the tulip fields: Utrecht, a university town whose medieval Oudegracht canals were dug as early as the 12th century on two distinct levels, a system unique in the world where lower wharves historically served as warehouses directly accessible from the water, then Giethoorn, a village nicknamed the "Venice of the North," whose near-total absence of driveable roads has for centuries required travel exclusively by boat across a network of canals lined with thatched-roof houses.
When
April to Sept
Price
From 1 900€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
4 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-2
The first chapter unfolds in Utrecht, a university town whose historic centre is organised around the Oudegracht, a medieval canal dug as early as the 12th century following a system unique in the world of stacked wharves on two distinct levels. The lower wharves, directly at the water's edge, historically served as warehouses and merchant cellars accessible from boats, while the upper wharves handled the city's pedestrian and commercial traffic, an architectural configuration that radically distinguishes Utrecht from Amsterdam and its single-level canals.
Day 1
A boat ride along the Oudegracht
A boat ride along the Oudegracht, discovering from the water the unique system of stacked two-level wharves that characterises Utrecht.
Day 2
Dom Tower and the historic centre
An ascent of Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, followed by a stroll through Utrecht's historic university centre.
Days 1-2
The road to Giethoorn, a village nicknamed the "Venice of the North" whose origin dates back to the 13th century, when monks fleeing religious persecution settled there and began extracting peat, gradually digging the network of canals that would become the village's main means of circulation. To this day, Giethoorn has virtually no driveable roads at the heart of its historic centre, requiring residents and visitors alike to travel exclusively by silent electric boat or rowing boat along canals lined with over a hundred and eighty wooden bridges and traditional thatched-roof houses.
Day 1
A silent boat trip through Giethoorn
A trip by silent electric boat through the canals of Giethoorn, a village with no driveable road at the heart of its historic centre.
Day 2
Cycling along the towpaths
A bike ride along the towpaths that run alongside Giethoorn's canals, between traditional thatched cottages and flower gardens.
Other trips built in the same spirit — more to draw inspiration from.
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