First settled under the Romans around the turn of the millennium, Utrecht was, for a long time, the Netherlands’s cultural and religious capital. Given its ideal placement in the center of the country, the city is a good staging ground for all kinds of festivals and events and remains at the heart of Dutch life even though it is no longer the country’s capital. Remnants of the city’s religious past live on in the beautiful medieval churches and the stunning Domkerk. Not being the modern-day capital, however, means that Utrecht is small, easily accessible, and pedestrian friendly. Its rows of old-fashioned houses, church spires, and long walkways lining canals set below street level make it quite the belle ville. But we wouldn’t have you thinking it’s all sweetness and quiet here: with one of the Netherlands’s largest universities and a student population pushing 60,000, Utrecht’s got great nightlife and a buzzing, youthful feel. This makes it the ideal stop for those who want to experience the Netherlands at its most picturesque without totally leaving the urban jungle behind.