My followes know how much I love Dutch paintings and have a particular admiration for Master Vermeer.
The amazing painter was born and raised in Delft about 6 centuries ago.
Mine friends Nicholas and Sophie (awesome hosts) live in Utrecht, that’s a match!
The curiosity to see how they were living plus the pleasure in exploring both towns, divided by just under an hour by train , triggered me to explore the ‘Rand-stad’ Area.
Once landed in Eindhoven I took the Sprinter train to Utrecht Leidsche Rhijn.
Dutch railways impeccable and I am amazed by the effectiveness and how easy and nice is to travel around Netherlands.
UTRECHT
Fourth Dutch city by population, perhaps the beauty of the town lies in the fact of combining nature and urban development.
The city center is pleasant, Piazza Naude excellent starting point and the dozens’ view of canals.
In the center also the Dom Toren, the second tallest tower in Holland.
86 meters, I suggest to book in advance since it became the favourite attraction for tourists.
Near the Tower there is a cloister hosting the Garden of the Pandhof: discreet but not up to the description magnified on the Net.
The Gothic Cathedral gives the typical Nordic atmosphere and in the surroundings we also find a quote from another Prophet, bearer of football emotions.
Multiculturalism here is a fact.
A truly remarkable choice of bars, restaurants and bistros combined with a romantic aesthetic, well represented by cleanliness and order.
As evidence of what has just been said, just think of the taste of a delicious pizza with figs!
The harmony sorted out by the timeless De Stijl intersects with modernity and also the search for the unusual..
Look at the next photo to believe!
There is also the house museum of Gerrit Rittveld but skipped for lack of time.
.Spoorwegmuseum
Very interactive and with models and memorabilia, the full entrance at the Museum costs 17 euros (Nederland Spoorwegmuseum).
I started with a room on the right dedicated to the most serious railway crashed in Netherland occurring in Hamerlen year 1962.
You can board many locomotives; I was amazed by tons of workshops and the passion that surrounds this world.
Utrecht is also home to other museums definitely worth to discover.
The Museum Speelklok, with an amazing collection of automatic musical instruments.
The Museum of Aboriginal Art, the only museum in Europe on this subject.
The charm of the provincial city with a varied and cosmopolitan cultural offer will make you fully appreciate a surprises travel.
DELFT
The city-symbol of ceramics is the ideal definition of a jewel as a fantastic mix of art, nature and discoveries.
I immediately discover that the old canal connecting was called Delf and here is explained the origin of the name.
My visit begins with the 2 Churches, Old and New.
I buy the 10 euro ticket that allows you to save money including a visit to the Tower, the second highest in the land of Tulips.
The Gothic Tower lies around the Chiesa Nuova and has a slightly sloping incline.
After the fateful 376 steps you can enjoy a fabulous view from 105 meters high.
The very large Market Square below is superb!
My attention is immediately captured by the tomb of Jan Vermeer, which is accompanied by 399 other great Dutch of all time.
Also magnificent is the tomb of William I of Orange made by Hendrick de Kayser.
Close there is also the Prinsenhof Museum, the living place where you can learn all about the turbulent history of Holland.
The Town Hall is closed; Master Vermeer married Catahrijne Bonsal in this austere palace.
Walking for 5 minutes you reach the New Church where the Dutch painter is buried.
You can easily find the Het Blauwe Hart. an extra sized statue in blue glass reminiscent of local ceramic color.
The visit to the Prinsenhof lasts 1 hour.
I get lost among the thousand paintings of the Dutch Baroque and the explanations about William the Silent, the Batavians and the sieges of Alkmaar and Den Haag….
The Prinzerkwartier is bohemian and calmly I look around where inside I also discover an eclectic local artist.
Caroline Van de Loo (https://www.instagram.com/carolinevdl93/), specialized in paintings with ‘recycled’ fabrics (torn jeans, chair covers etc.).
I start wandering through the streets of the center and I cannot avoid a cliche’ photo.
I come across Vleeshal, the ancient meat market, which is easily recognized by the two ox heads on the façade.
Then there’s a dedal of streets and water; Voorstraat, Hippolytusbuurt and Wijnhaven, where noble buildings alternate with ethnic shops in a maze of canals, tiled frescoes and crowded bicycles everywhere.
The city is proud of its Delft-ware, the production of some of the finest porcelain in Europe.
Visit Delft and you won’t regret it!
It is a vibrant city, with so many things to see and activities for every taste in the heart of Netherlands.
It is so well linked to Utrecht, Amsterdam and Den Haag; an ideal visit should be spllited in 3/4 days.