UTRECHT Experience the heart of Holland!

UTRECHT Experience the heart of Holland! The City of Utrecht, with its inextricable combination of rich past and dynamic present, is a truly unique pl...
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UTRECHT Experience the heart of Holland! The City of Utrecht, with its inextricable combination of rich past and dynamic present, is a truly unique place. This 2000 year old city teems with a wide range of interesting museums and cultural­ events with programmes full of theatre, dance, art and more. Stroll down the quaint streets and along the canals in the Utrecht Museum Quarter and sample the pleasant, intimate atmosphere­ for which Utrecht is famous. 70,000 students represent the ­character of this lively city of creative young people. Welcome to Utrecht!

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ACCESSIBLE & COMPACT

Utrecht is conveniently located in the heart of the Netherlands on a crossroad of rails, roads and waterways. • By plane: there is a direct train connection to Utrecht (30 minutes) from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. • By train: the Utrecht main railway station is a European train ­junction, where international trains from all over Europe arrive daily: www.nshighspeed.nl. • By car: Utrecht is located 40 km southeast of Amsterdam, 125 km from Antwerp and 175 km from Brussels. Within Utrecht you can travel on the modern and efficient ­public transport system or you can stroll around the city by foot as ­everything is located within short distances. A RICH PAST

This city’s rich history began about twenty centuries ago. In 47 A.D. the Romans built a fortress as part of reinforcements along the Rhine where the Cathedral square (Domplein) is situated today. In the 7th century, when the English missionary Willibrord set ­himself up in that old fort, a town began to develop. Utrecht then started to grow into an important city with considerable ecclesiastical power. On church feast days, churches, monasteries, convents and abbeys were full. Many traces of these buildings can be seen throughout the city.

FACTS & FIGURES OF THE CITY OF UTRECHT

History • Around 47 AD, the Romans built the Traiectum castellum (fortress). • Willibrord redesigned the old castellum as a mission and converted the Netherlands (from 695 AD). • In the medieval hey-days, Utrecht is a religious and mercantile bastion and remains the largest and main city until the 16th century. • Union of Utrecht, 1579; foundation for the Dutch Republic. Peace Treaty of Utrecht, 1713 Famous Utrecht people and icons • Dom tower; highest church tower of the Netherlands • Medieval harbour complex with canals, wharves and wharf cellars through the city (to be nominated as UNESCO World Heritage site) • Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens; the only Dutch pope ever (Rome, 1522). • Gerrit Rietveld and Rietveld Schröder house (UNESCO World ­Heritage) • Dick Bruna and Miffy • Anton Geesink (Olympic judo champion, 1964); • Marco van Basten (FIFA World player of the year 1992) • Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan football player, winner of Champions League 2010)

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2014: International Year of Music In 2014, music will take centre stage in Utrecht more than ever. With a fantastic programme of festivals, concerts and numerous ­musical activities in the city and region, Utrecht is sure to rock all year long. Highlight is the official opening of the iconic TivoliVredenburg on Saturday 21 June, followed by many other splendid musical events at well-known as well as surprising locations. International events 2014 Utrecht 2014: International Year of Music SPRING Performing Arts Festival International Chamber Music Festival Early Music Festival Gaudeamus Music week 10th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition Opening TivoliVredenburg Opening DOM under Opening Museum Oud Amelisweerd City2Cities International Literature Festival Dutch Film Festival International events 2015 Grand Départ Tour de France Birthday Miffy 60 Years New Dutch Waterline 200 years & UNESCO-application International events 2016 Lustrum University Utrecht TREASURE TROVE OF CULTURE

On a cultural level, Utrecht has some truly great attractions. Utrecht is also proud of its unique Museum Quarter, where historic sights, museums and cultural institutions are to be found.

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A SELECTION OF UTRECHT ATTRACTIONS:

Dom Tower The Dom tower, over 600 years old and the highest medieval tower in the Netherlands, is naturally the symbol of Utrecht. At 112 metres, it soars above the Cathedral square, and high above the city. When the 465 steps are climbed accompanied by a tour guide, the effort is rewarded by a fantastic view over the city. DOM under The Dom square is a real treasury, from the remains of the Roman castellum a few metres under the ground to the St Martin wind vane on the 112-metre high Dom Tower. The exploratory expedition which takes in these visible and invisible traces from the past. Young and old learn about the history of Utrecht and the Dom square in particular in a fun and informative way. Centraal Museum The Centraal Museum was created in 1838 and is thus the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands, which becomes apparent upon entering: this is a true labyrinth! Mainly accommodated in a former medieval monastery, it consists of a number of buildings around a large courtyard. Wander through the numerous passages and stairwells and be surprised by the varied collection of old, modern and applied art as well as fashion and city history collections. The Rietveld Schröderhuis Visit the Rietveld Schröderhuis. Constructed in 1924 by furniture maker and architect Gerrit Rietveld, this is the only building that was ever realised according to the architectonic principles of the ‘De Stijl’ artistic trend. Utrecht is internationally known as the city where furniture maker and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) lived and worked all his life.

Trajectum Lumen An exploratory expedition in the dark which takes in artistically highlighted locations in the magnificent Utrecht city centre. From the centrally located Vredenburg, a light trail in the ground leads to works of art by renowned light artists who bring to life the present and past of the city. Utrecht from the water The outdoor cafés at the wharf, intriguing consoles and the beautiful canalside houses all invite you to explore the canals. An exploratory expedition by tour boat, pedal boat, canoe or motorboat. dick bruna huis There is just one Utrecht creation more famous than the Rietveld chair: Miffy, the little rabbit Dick Bruna created in 1955. The dick bruna huis is a museum for the young and old and has Dick Bruna’s work permanently on display. Modern architecture The Uithof university premises sets the tone in the area of highprofile modern architecture in the Netherlands like the prize-winning Educatorium by Rem Koolhaas/OMA, the Minnaert building by Neutelings Riedijk Architecten and the University library of Utrecht by van Wiel Arets Architects & Associates. Festivals Utrecht teems with cultural festivals all year round with a programme full of theatre, dance, music, films, workshops, etc. on large and small stages, squares and in parks.

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hotel ACCOMMODATION

The community of Utrecht has a wide range of classified hotel ­accommodations that offer approximately 1,500 rooms, 55% of these accommodations are located in the city center. Within a range of 20 kilometres another 1,800 hotel rooms are available. Hotel Service Utrecht

A free service for organizers of Congresses and Events. Hotel accommodation in Utrecht and surroundings in the 3, 4 and 5 star category can easily be booked (and paid if required) via an embedded page on the website of the event. From contracting to billing, one stop shop. CATEGORY

APPROXIMATE NO OF ROOMS

PRICE INDICATION BASED ON A STANDARD ROOM

5-star

121

e 140 - 225

4-star

874

e 100 - 200

3-star

338

e 90 - 140

2-star and less

223

e 60 - 120

Non classified (B&B/hostels etc) Total

e 35 - 75 1,556

Based on Best Available Rates 2014

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UTRECHT Other facts LANGUAGE

English is widely spoken in Utrecht, and many people have a ­command of several other languages. CLIMATE

Utrechts’s climate is quite temperate, with mild summers and cold winters. Rain is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Spring is sunny and pleasant, while hot and humid weather can occur from June to September. October and November are usually quite wet, while December to February are cold, but often sunny. DRESS CODE

Utrecht is a casual city, with many city workers dressed informally. Restaurants at some smarter hotels may require men to wear a suit and a tie. Dark suits for men and neat attire for women are common in business and banking circles. Generally, however, the dress code is relaxed, with T-shirts and jeans as common as black ties at the opera. TIME

Utrecht is one hour ahead of GMT.

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ACCESSIBILITY

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol - 40 km distance from the city center - 30 minutes travel by train to the city center - 103 international airlines - 313 direct international destinations (169 European and 144 intercontinental) International trains - Thalys (Paris) - Intercity Antwerp/Brussels - ICE International (Germany) - City Night Line (several cities in Europe)

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SUPPORT Utrecht Convention Bureau One of the key activities of the Utrecht Convention Bureau (UCB) is to inform and advise corporations, intermediaries, associations and (government) organisations about the possibilities the city of Utrecht has to offer in the field of Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Events (MICE). UCB is a neutral, independent organisation that operates on a non- profit basis. This means that all information and assistance offered by the UCB is free of charge. To give you an idea of what UCB could mean for you, please find here under a summary of our activities. Supporting activities: • Assistance in finding suitable venues and congress locations • Assistance if required regarding the social programme of the event • Organisation of site inspections • Production of bid books • Providing an information booth during conference • Free use of promotional material (city map, tourist guide e.d.) for conference bags For further details, please do not hesitate to contact: Utrecht Convention Bureau Monique André de la Porte Accountmanager T +31 30 236 00 35 F +31 30 236 00 37 E [email protected] W www.utrechtconventionbureau.com

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