5x Utrecht on the water The best way to enjoy a lovely summer’s day in Utrecht is on the water. Five different ways to admire the city at ‘wharf level’. 1 A canoe trip If you fancy a gentle paddle through the Utrecht canals, hire a canoe from Kanoverhuur Utrecht in the centre of town. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, then bike to De Rijnstroom (or take the number 12 bus from Utrecht Centraal) and hire a canoe to paddle through Kromme Rijn and explore the serene area to the east of Utrecht. It’s worth reserving one first in July and August. Kanoverhuur Utrecht Oudegracht a/d Werf 275 kanoverhuurutrecht.nl Botenverhuur De Rijnstroom Road to Rhijnauwen 2 rijnstroom.nl 2 Learn to SUP Paddling while standing up on a surfboard through the Utrecht canals: this is SUPping. You can learn how to do it at SUP School Domstad. A qualified instructor will spend two hours teaching you the basics of paddling and keeping your balance on the board. Once you’ve mastered the basic skills, you’re ready to go and explore the rest of the Utrecht canals. You can book a lesson or tour (in English too!) via the website. And earn up to € 5 discount on your lesson by fishing waste out of the canal. Two birds with one stone! SUP school Domstad Tolsteegbrug supschooldomstad.nl/english 3 Pedal-ho They’ve always been popular in the canals of Utrecht: pedalos. You can hire one from the pier at Oudegracht 167, opposite the Winkel van Sinkel. The desk is open every day in July and August from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And don’t be put off by a shower; the pedalos have optional roofs to keep you dry. Canal Bike Utrecht Oudegracht 167 stromma.nl/en 4 Take a cruise Would you rather sit back and relax while you sail through the canals? If so, go on a round trip of the city with Rederij Schuttevaer. The captain will take you on an hour-long cruise of the most stunning canal houses, green suburban canals and old canal-side basement buildings. Commentaries are given in various languages. Rederij Schuttevaer Opposite Oudegracht 85 schuttevaer.com 5 Hire a silent boat You can hire all kinds of boats, but an electric sloop is the best if you want to sail through the Utrecht canals. In fact, these silent boats are the only vessels allowed on the Nieuwegracht. You can hire one from Greenjoy, for example, or Sloepdelen. But remember that you have to bring them back by 10 p.m. Greenjoy Near Wittevrouwensingel 58 greenjoy.nl/en Sloepdelen Hooghiemstraplein 69 sloepdelen.nl/en TAKE A BREAK Het Muzieklokaal Tasters of classical music Bemuurde Weerd OZ 13 De Veldkeuken Organic and traditional Koningslaan 11A, Bunnik ROOST aan de Singel Outdoor and BBQ bar Paardenveld Klein Berlijn Waterside terrace Helling 22