A student guide to Utrecht - Discover the hidden gems!

We all enjoy discovering a city in the most unique and memorable way possible. And the best way to do so, is by being accompanied by a local from the area or city. As being a local of Utrecht, I would like to provide you with the best spots and hidden gems of the stunning city. You should definitely check them out when visiting!

Utrecht is a buzzing student city, located right in the heart of the Netherlands. Just a 40 minute train ride from the capital city of Amsterdam, the city is easy reachable and a day trip is possible. The city attracts visitors with its beautiful canals, a historic city centre and laid back cafés and bars.

Getting around 

OV-fiets
To explore the city in the best way possible, it is recommendable to rent a bike! Be aware, that if you are not used to biking in the Netherlands it can be quite overwhelming in the beginning. But on the other hand, biking in the Netherlands is perfect, as bicycle lanes are provided all around the city and you are way quicker, than you would ever be by foot. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to discover a wider reach of the city.

Address: Stationsplein 131
Opening Times: 24 hours
Recommendation: /
Price: €€

 Cafés and food 

Brunch at Anne & Max
Since the last year the chain has two spots in the city. I would recommend the bigger one, which is located at Donkere Gaard 4.
The cozy cafe serves brunch and breakfast options in a relaxing setting. Anne & Max offer vegan and vegetarian friendly options and the pricing is moderate. I can highly redommend to order banana bread and a 'verse muntthee'.

Address: Donkere Gaard 4
Opening Times: 8:00/9:00 till afternoon
Recommendation: Banana bread
Price: €-€€





Lemongrass Thai Takeaway 
Lemongrass is a small Thai food delivery service. Hidden in one of the narrow streets, it is quite difficult to find, but tourists and locals alike take the search to enjoy a hot Thai dish. As they take in your order, your dish will be freshly prepared and within minutes the small shop is filled with tasty smell of spices and coconut. Overall the whole atmosphere is welcoming and lively! Depending on the weather, you have the option to either take your food and see if you can find a spot at the canals, or you can grab a bar chair and enjoy your food in the restaurant.

Address: Nicolaasstraat 1
Opening Times: closed on Monday, 12:00-21:00
Recommendation: A curry with tofu
Price: €




Jasmijn & Ik
This asian-fusion kitchen inspired restaurant is worth a visit. The taste of the dishes will be a discovery of new spice combinations and your tastebuds will have a celebration. Another plus point for me, is that the menu can be adapted to diet requirements, such a vegan and vegetarian. As the dishes arrive at your table you will be stunned by the detailed presentation of the dishes! One last point to mention: If you are on a student budget this might be a place to either be taken from your parents, or only do once in a year, it can be a bit pricy!

Address: Kanaalstraat 219-221
Opening Times: closed on Sunday and Monday, 17:30-23:00/0:00
Recommendation: Vegan Dumplings
Price: €€-€€€

Shopping 

Twijnstraat 
If you are in the mood for a round of window shopping, I can only advise you to check out Twijnstraat! Twijnstraat is one of the oldest shopping streets in the city of Utrecht. The beautiful shopping street is home to a variety of small boutiques, cafés and original gift shops! A shop close to the Twijnstraat is the chocolate shop 'Cacao' (Address: Oudegracht 179). Make sure to pass by for a visit, as the shop offers a selection of handmade chocolates and pralines. If you are lucky you might be offered a small bite of chocolate to try. Delicious!

Address: Twijnstraat
Opening Times: most of the shops morning till late afternoon
Recommendation: Chocolate Shop Cacao
Price: €- €€-€€€



Lijnmarkt 
Besides the Wijnstraat you can check out Lijnmarkt, a street which lays close by. Many boutiques offer great choices to add some fashionable pieces to your wardrobe. The Lijnmarkt is a lovely street filled with many shoe and fashion stores. When looking for some individual pieces, I would recommend a visit to the Domstraat. The small stores with their handpicked fashion items will amaze you! Concluding, when looking for a shopping opportunity within the Netherlands, Utrecht is definitely worth a visit, or even two!

Address: Lijnmarkt
Opening Times: most of the shops morning till late afternoon
Recommendation:
Price: €- €€-€€€

Sightseeing and Parks

Domtoren 
Nestled right in the heart of the city is the Dom Tower of Utrecht. The climb of the historical Dom Tower will take you exactly 465 steps up. Luckily the tour up the Tower includes some stops so you won't have to climb it all in one go. In addition the rewarding waits for you as soon as you reach the top: The view over the city is breathtaking! The Dom Tower is open to visitors all year long and you will be able to explore the Tower in a guided tour. Furthermore, special activities within the Dom Tower are offered once in a while.

Address: Domtoren
Opening Times: 10:00-17:00
Recommendation:
Price: 7.50€ / Student



Wilhelminapark
Last but not least, the Wilhelminapark. Located in the East of Utrecht, the park offers a great opportunity for a lunch break. Make sure to bring some typical dutch 'borrel' and stop by at an Albert Heijn to grab some baguette, hummus and some drinks. The popular park is visited by locals and tourists alike and everyone enjoys the green space in the city. With its memorable fountain and many old trees the park has something enchanted, almost fairytale like. During the weekdays you can spot yoga courses, runners and football teams in the park.

Address: Wilhelminapark
Opening Times: /
Recommendation:  grab some snacks at Juuls Hummus
Price: free

Have you visited the city of Utrecht yet? If so, what are your secret gems in Utrecht?

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50+ simple tips be become more sustainable in 2020!

Good afternoon,
the new year is here! And what would be a better start for the new year then some good lifestyle changes! Therefore I would like to share over 50 tips with you on how you can adapt to a more sustainable lifestyle and that in all kind of areas of your life. Furthermore these tips are easy and simple and you can start implementing them right now. Especially when it comes to topics such as eco-friendliness and sustainability it is important to keep in mind that every little step and change has an impact! Even if you are not able to perform all of these tips at once it is worth trying to do your best each and every day. If you have additional tips which I should not have mentioned in this article then please feel free to share them in the comments.

Content of this article:

➤ Sustainable lifestyle - what does this mean?

➤ Daily activities - Sustainable tips

➤ Travel - Sustainable tips

➤ Grocery shopping - Sustainable tips

➤ Transport - Sustainable tips

➤ Kitchen - Sustainable tips

➤ Office - Sustainable tips

What does a sustainable lifestyle mean:

First and foremost, the definition of a sustainable lifestyle differs from person to person. In the past year I identified for myself that a sustainable lifestyle includes being mindful about all my daily activities. Bringing my own bags to grocery shopping, buying more products plastic free and in bulk, always bringing a reusable water bottle, as well as coffee mug and much more. Especially during that time, I realized that even the small steps can make a big difference and I would like to share some of them with you. I hope they might help you to start the new year with a happier and more environmentally friendly approach. It could be a great idea to pick a few points from each area and try to implement more and more tips as you go. There could not be a better way to challenge yourself in the beginning of 2020!

Daily activities - tips 

1. Bring a water bottle wherever you go.

2. Use a shampoo and conditioner without micro plastic.

3. Reduce online shopping.

4. Take shorter showers.

5. Purchase plants for your rooms, they not only purify the air, but also improve your well-being.

6. Recycle your waste.

7. Eat home-cooked meals to prevent takeaway containers.

8. Avoid using the clothing-dryer and instead hang your clothes to dry.

9. Start second hand shopping.

10. Adapt small steps in your lifestyle.

11. Spread the word and knowledge with friends and family.

12. Choose native plants to attract bees and birds.

13. Have some veggie days during the week. 

Travel - tips

14. Reduce your flights to a limit.

15. Do not make use of the hotel laundry service.

16. Pack light and only what you need. 

17. Travel by land, if possible. 

18. Purchase Carbon-Offsets for potential flights. 

19. Eat at local places. 

Grocery shopping - tips 

20. Ditch plastic bags.

21. Try to buy plastic free products. 

22. If possible, buy products in bulk.

23. Buy loose tea.

24. Bring your own jute bags.

25. Use food waste saving apps, such as 'Too good to go'.

26. Shop at the farmers market.

27. When buying veggies and fruits try to purchase seasonal and local products. 

28. Check where the food is coming from. Long transportation routes should be prevented.

29. Buy imperfect products to reduce your carbon footprint. 

30. Potatoes are a great choice when trying to buy an eco friendly carb, as they do not require a lot of water. 

Kitchen - tips 

31. Only cook what you need.

32. Make use of reusable straws. 

33. Use bee-wax wrappers instead of plastic wrapping to keep products fresh.

34. Use glass jars for storage. 

35. Grow your own herbs.

36. Use chemical-free cleaning products, such as a natural dishwasher liquid.

37. Multi-use your pot while cooking, for example, boiling pasta water while steaming broccoli.

38. Use coffee ground as a dishwasher alternative to reduce stains in pots and pans. 

Transportation - tips 

39. Take your bike more often.

40. Always take the stairs over the elevator.

41. Drive sensible. Hard braking consumes more fuel.

42. Walk it out.

43. If you use the car, try to combine tasks and errands. 

44. Take bus and train when commuting.

Office tips

45. Bring your own lunchbox to the deli.

46. Only print if necessary.

47. Use double-sided printing option. 

48. Bring a reusable coffee mug.

49. Unplug electronic devices during the night.

50. Turn off / Dim lights and use as much natural light as possible.

51. Start a sustainability challenge with the whole office.

52. Buy a plant for your desk. 

53. Encourage shared transportation. 

54. Use a digital projector for agendas during meetings instead of printing them out. 

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15+ christmas ideas you have to do in 2019!

Good afternoon,

I wish everyone a joyful season. For this who celebrated, I hope you had some delicious food and a nice evening and morning with your loved ones! I have counted down the days before christmas and now that the day actually came around the corner I am just as surprised again how quickly time passes by. To keep the christmas spirit a bit longer I would like to present you over 15 ideas for activities and things you could still do within the next couple of days. Since the days before christmas are always quite packed and stressful it is nice to use the time right now for some bonding with family and friends!

These christmas activities will hopefully turn the upcoming days into a fun celebration and turn the last days of December in the best ones! Let's get started! Don't forget to let me know in the comments how you spend christmas and which of these ideas is your personal favorite.

 Host a friend cookie swap. Cookies are one of the best ways to celebrate the season. So gather all your friends, swap cookie recipes and then head to the kitchen to bake some of the best cookies. Have fun while decorating and to finish off have a jury rate the cookies based on look and of course taste! It is a cookie-celebration!

 Idea number two, one of the more chilled ones: Watch all the traditional christmas movies with your family. A movie afternoon with the whole family is a great christmas activity. Cuddle up with some nice blankets in front of the TV and put on 'Love actually', 'Polar Express' or maybe 'The Grinch'. And do not forget to snack on some christmas leftovers and nip on some hot chocolate!

Not so happy about your christmas presents? I am sure there is someone who might find more joy than you in that present: Therefore it could be the perfect time to throw a little secret santa gift exchange party! Often times you might make another person more than happy with your gift and all presents find a new lucky owner.

 Watching a christmas musical or going to a ballet show can be an amazing way to prolong the christmas vibes. Enjoy a nice dinner with your family beforehand and then head to the festivities. The music and the costumes are worth seeing!

 One of my favorite activities to do during the holidays is discovering christmas decorations within my town. I love seeing all the decorated houses and watching out for the most cheesiest and funniest decorations that are out there! To make it an engaging little competition you count count colorful christmas lights, or Santa's.

 Arts and crafts during the winter time are a must! Whether you are making an advent calendar, a christmas wreath or some hand lettered cards for family and friends. Grab your painting supplies, pick some nice scrapbooking paper and let's go! Pinterest is a great source to find inspiration!

 If you are lucky there are still some open christmas markets where you can enjoy the last 'Glühwein' of the year. Make sure to check out my latest post to find out which activities you should not miss and which christmas markets you have to see in Europe!

 Especially when it is getting a bit colder outside it is a great idea to provide some food for the birds outside. You can simply look for some instructions on which seeds you can use to make up a great mix for them. You can even make some birdseed ornaments which you can hang in your garden.

 Cooking your own hot chocolate is a definite To-Do for me during the holidays! Invite your friends over and sip on the hot and sweet drink together. It is a perfect idea to go for a walk in the cold air beforehand!

 Looking back on the past year is also a nice way to round off the last days of the year. Maybe you would like to make some New Years Resolutions, or you could think about crafting a photo album with some memories from the past twelve months!

 If you had not have the time to decorate a gingerbread house yet, I can only recommend to do it right now. It is one of the most fun activities to host between family members and a great way to spend a nice hour together. Design your dream house!

The time for S'mores in now! Roast some marshmallows over the fireplace and enjoy with some crackers and chocolate. Take a good book to read while your marshmallows are sizzling over the warmth.


Having a christmas song dance party is the best way to get moving after a filling meal. Put on your favorite playlist and "rock around the christmas tree".




A christmas brunch is a great way to catch up with some old friends and just spend time with people who are close to you. While enjoying nice food you have the chance to look back on the 'old days' or to just chat about the latest news! You will be surprised by how quickly time passes by.



Of course there are also some amazing parties you can visit during the christmas time! So put on your favorite red sequin dress and off you go with some friends or even family. Everyone loves to dance off the gained christmas pounds and sing out loud to your favorite songs.



Of course the christmas time would not be complete without a wintery walk through the forest. At the moment the cold temperatures create a frosty atmosphere, but the sun light is bringing warmth and a magical spirit. Definitely worth a red nose!

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The top 5 christmas markets in Europe!

*Dieser Artikel entstand in freundlicher Zusammenarbeit mit Christine Möller. 

Guten morgen!
Die schönste Zeit des Jahres verkürzt uns die Tage, die Vorweihnachtszeit! Weihnachtslieder laufen hoch und runter, Häuser sind festlich geschmückt und die Suche nach dem schönsten Weihnachtsbaum ist eröffnet. Während unter der Woche alles im Weihnachtsstress versinkt, so werden die Wochenenden zum gemütlichen Beisammensein genutzt. Nachmittage werden durch Spritzgebäck und Lebkuchen versüßt und der Weihnachtsfilm sorgt für entspannende Beschäftigung. Wer der Nachmittag allerdings nicht im eigenen Heim verbringt, den findet man mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit auf einem der unzähligen Weihnachtsmärkte. Mit der Familie, Freunden, gutem Essen und der weihnachtlichen Stimmung verfliegt die Zeit.
Und nicht nur in Deutschland ist der Besuch des Weihnachtsmarkts ein echtes Muss, in vielen Teilen Europas locken attraktive Marktstände. Damit ihr euch einen guten Überblick verschaffen könnt, stelle ich euch heute fünf Weihnachtsmärkte in Europa vor, bei denen sich ein Besuch nur empfiehlt!

What to wear on a christmas market? 

Eine Frage, die sich natürlich schnell stellt: was ziehe ich auf den Weihnachtsmarkt an? Ist es der kreative Weihnachtspulli, oder aber doch ein schickes Kleid? Im Grunde genommen, kann sich hier jeder ganz nach persönlichem Geschmack entscheiden, einige generelle Tipps wie Wärme und Gemütlichkeit sollte man aber auf jeden Fall im Hinterkopf behalten. Auf Handschuhe, einen dicken Schal und eine Pudelmütze sollte so nicht verzichtet werden.
Wenn es zum Thema richtige 'Schuhwahl' kommt, greife ich im Winter am liebsten zu Stiefeletten. Bei YOOX kann man zum Beispiel viele trendige Damen Stiefeletten online finden.

Which drinks and food can I find at the christmas market? 

 Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt angekommen, geht es gleich mitten ins Getümmel. Der ganze Rummel kann ganz schön Kräfte zehrend sein. Um neue Energie zu tanken, rufen die unzähligen Stände mit ihren köstlichen Leckereien. Der Geruch von gebrannten Mandeln hüllt den gesamten Markt ein und auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt findet sich wirklich jede Menge an Leckerbissen. Wer sich das Weihnachtsfeeling nach Hause holen möchte, der sollte dieses Rezept für Vanillekipferl auf alle Fälle nach backen!

What can I do at the christmas market?

Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt gibt es auch eine Reihe an Aktivitäten, die man sich nicht entgehen lassen sollte. Neben dem gemütlichen Glühwein trinken, kann man so meist viel auf den Märkten erleben.

Für rund einen Monat verwandelt sich eine Stadt in den Niederlanden in ein wahres Weihnachtsparadies. Gelegen in Limburg, nahe der Stadt Maastricht, liegt Valkenburg. Die Stadt wird nicht umsonst auch 'Kerststadt' in den Niederlanden genannt. Weihnachtsdekorationen soweit das Auge reicht!

When is the christmas market?

Vom 29ten November bis zum 6ten Januar kann man dem Markt einen Besuch abstatten! Aufgrund des großen Besucherandrangs lohnt sich eine frühe Anreise.

Why is it a must see? 

Dieser Weihnachtsmarkt muss unbedingt wegen seiner Höhlen besucht werden. Diese werden nämlich ebenfalls in ein Weihnachtsparadies verwandelt und können für einen kleinen Eintrittspreis besucht werden.

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 Die österreichische Stadt Salzburg ist nicht nur zur Weihnachtszeit ein echter Geheimtipp. Der Christkindlmarkt zählt zu einem der ältesten Märkte der Welt. Wer gerne weitere Tipps zu dem 'Salzburger Christkindlmarkt' haben möchte, sollte auf jeden Fall auf der Tourismus Seite vorbei schauen.

When is the christmas market?

Am Donnerstag in der Woche vor dem ersten Adventssonntag öffnet der Markt seine Stände. Am 26ten Dezember ist dann die ganze Magie vorbei und man muss sich wieder ein Jahr gedulden, bis es auf ein Neues los geht!

Why is it a must see? 

Durch die traditionellen Stände wird eine ganz besondere Atmosphäre geschaffen, die gleichermaßen Einheimische, als auch Touristen anzieht. Überspannt wird der Weihnachtsmarkt außerdem von einem 'Sternenhimmel'.

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 Im deutschen Nürnberg kommt der Weihnachtsliebhaber auf seine Kosten. Eine weitere Besonderheit des Markts ist die Auszeichnung der schönsten Buden. So vergibt die Stadt jährlich Preise an Budenbesitzer. Besonders am Abend ist ein Besuch empfehlenswert, da die Stände sich in ein Lichtermeer verwandeln.

When is the christmas market?

Vom 29ten November bis Heiligabend lohnt sich hier ein Besuch.

Why is it a must see? 

Überzeugt wird man vor allem von dem Angebot der lokalen Händler. Von komplizierten Handarbeiten, bis hin zu süßen Kleinigkeiten wie Lebkuchen und Spekulatius, mit leeren Händen verlässt man den Weihnachtsmarkt sicherlich nicht.

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London! Neben dem 'Christmas Wonderland' überzeugt auch die restliche Dekoration der Stadt. London ist so geschmückt mit unzähligen Weihnachtsbäumen, Lichtern und Girlanden. Für ein besonderes Erlebnis empfiehlt sich außerdem der Besuch eines der großen Kaufhäuser, wie zum Beispiel Macy`s.

When is the christmas market?

Viele der Märkte öffnen bereits im Beginn des Monats. Für genaue Daten am besten die einzelnen Märkte im Internet suchen. Besonders an den Wochenenden ist es in der Innenstadt relativ voll. Frühes Aufstehen ist angesagt, um Wartezeiten zu vermeiden und die Atmosphäre vollständig genießen zu können.

Why is it a must see? 

Ein Besuch der Hauptstadt empfiehlt sich in jedem Fall, da Events, Shows und Schlittschuhbahnen locken. Auch ein klassisches Musical ist einen Besuch wert. Viele Geschäfte werden weihnachtlich dekoriert und viele Einheimische genießen heiße Getränke in den Cafés. Auf der Seite Visit London habe ich außerdem 'diesen' tollen Artikel entdeckt, welcher 101 Dinge vorstellt, die man sich nicht entgehen lassen sollte.

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Wer gerne einen Weihnachtsmarkt ein bisschen weiter weg besuchen möchte dem empfiehlt sich Schweden, genauer gesagt die Stadt Gothenburg. Hier kann der Weihnachtsliebhaber auch gleich auf eine besonders besinnliche Stimmung hoffen, da die Chance auf Schnee relativ groß ist.

When is the christmas market?

Vom 29ten November bis zum 6ten Januar lohnt sich hier ein Besuch. Diese Daten beziehen sich nicht auf einen bestimmten Markt, sondern begrenzt die weihnachtliche Jahreszeit.

Why is it a must see? 

Eine ganz besonders Atmosphäre findet man im Freizeitpark Liseberg. In Skandinavien's größtem Vergnügungspark dreht sich so um die Weihnachtszeit herum alles um eine magische Atmosphäre. Der Park bietet märchenhafte Weihnachtsschnitzeljagden an oder man dreht eine Runden mit dem schnellen Karousell. Wer es eher ruhig angehen möchte, der kann natürlich auch eine der Musical Shows besuchen. Hier werden einem neben bezaubernder klassischer Musik auch atemberaubende Kostüme geboten.

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Welcher ist der schönste Weihnachtsmarkt, den ihr bis jetzt besucht habt?

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