See the highlights of Utrecht's medieval inner city during a cruise on the Oudegracht canal. Learn about the city's history as you pass centuries-old buildings, canal houses, wharf cellars, and the Dom Tower. Exchange your voucher at the ticket office and collect your audioguide. Then, descend the 21 steps to the waterside to board your boat. Once you are settled, the boat will set off along the Oudegrachtn (Old Canal). Admire the oldest part of the city, which dates back to Roman times. Then, pass the highest church tower in the Netherlands, the Dom Tower. Marvel at other significant historical buildings along the route. After half an hour, arrive at the city's outer moat, a former defensive structure. Learn about the old strongholds and casemates there. Take photos of the beautiful Zocherpark. See the Railway Museum or Hoog Catharijne, the largest mall in the Netherlands, from the water. Return to the Oudegracht canal and watch people enjoying themselves on the wharves. Try and spot the typical wharf cellars. Once back on dry land, you will have a good idea of what you want to visit next.

Join a friendly local guide to get an authentic experience of Utrecht on a personalized private tour. Explore this quintessentially Dutch city’s history, culture, and fantastic food scene as you’re led down its quaint, canal-flanked streets (and those off the well-trodden tourist trail). Your itinerary will be personalized according to your preferences. Once you’ve booked, someone from the local supplier's team will be in touch, so let then know if you have any special requirements. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Meet your host at Amsterdam Station, and take the train 30 minutes to the university town of Utrecht, an enchanting hub of subterranean wharves and canalside haunts. You could visit the central Domplein square in the shadow of the Domtoren (a 14th-century bell tower that’s the tallest in the country) and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin. Alternatively, see the city’s natural beauty at the sprawling Utrecht Botanic Gardens, and peer into pocket-sized shops and restaurants along the Oudegracht – the most-central of the city’s famous canals. Stroll down the bustling Amsterdamsestraatweg, a hive of university students, and see the wide selection of local brews at the beer specialty store. Savor the floral fragrance at the colorful Bloemenmarkt of Utrecht, and browse through stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese, and meat at the typical Dutch market on the Vredenburg. Experience a modern-day village vibe in Twijnstraat, one of the coolest streets in Utrecht, and join locals popping into small independent shops, then admire the hofjes (concealed courtyards surrounded by almshouses) that have existed in the city since the Middle Ages. If you’re up for some fun, end your day at one of the city’s many game cafes for a bite and board game before boarding the train back to Amsterdam!