Extend your stay – International Surgical Group

Highlights

There are plenty of things to do in Utrecht, apart from what the programme will offer, here are a few additional interesting attractions.

Domunder – This carefully curated archaeological experience allows visitors to discover 2,000 years of history underneath the Domplein Square.
De Haar Castle – A magical castle just outside the city of Utrecht, surrounded by beautiful gardens and landscaped parks(30 minute drive).
Dom Church – This gothic church was built as a cathedral for the bishop of Utrecht and dedicated to St Maarten.
Dom Tower – The tallest church tower in the Netherlands is not just a landmark, it is an emblem of the city’s rich heritage and cultural significance.
Railway Museum – Discover the story behind 175 years of railways in the Netherlands.
Rietveld Schroder huis – The architectural highlight of the art movement De Stijl and a World Heritage site.
The Centraal Museum – A mixture of old, modern, applied art, fashion and city history collections (included in the partner programme).
Catharijne Convent – Medieval religious art.
Museum Speelklok – Collection of mechanical music machines from big barrel organs to small musical boxes.

Places to Stay

There are plenty of places to stay in Utrecht, from five-star luxury to charming boutique hotels.

Grand Hotel Karel V will offer additional nights to extend your stay, but if you would prefer to stay elsewhere in Utrecht, here are some other options:

Food and Drink

There are plenty of places to stay in Utrecht, from five-star luxury to charming boutique hotels.

Fine Dining

Le Jardin Utrecht (French cuisine)
El Qatarijne (Eastern inspired)
FICO (Modern)
Koenraad Utrecht (Dutch cuisine)
Brass (Modern classics)
Heron Petit (Local produce)
Florent (French cuisine)
Restaurant Hemel en Aarde (Dutch cuisine)
Brasserie Grace (French cuisine)
The Seasalt Saloon (Cosy bistro)
Bar-bistro Madeleine
Restaurant Wilhelminapark (Nicely situated in old city park)
Hotel Karel V restaurant
Hotel Karel V brasserie
De Rechtbank (Old courthouse)

Waterside Terraces

Just walk into town and you will see lots of wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water

Cantina di David (Fine Italian dining serving outside when the weather allows)
Teds (Brunch)
Theehuise Rhijnauwen (Pancakes) (Out of town/short drive)
Het Muzieklokaal (Modern cuisine with classical music)
Taplokaal Gist (Speciality beers) (Outside the city centre/20 minute walk from Karel V)

Vegetarian and Vegan

Le Jardin Utrecht (French vegetarian cuisine with ‘every now and then ’ a nice piece of meat, fish or poultry).
De Veldkeuken
Karibu
The Green House
GYS

Explore The Netherlands

A small country but one with lots to see and do, if you would like to explore more of the Netherlands, there is inspiration at Discover the Netherlands.

If you are planning on traveling around and visiting other cities or places the following is a list we would recommend:

Amsterdam

Not suitable to move around with a big group as it has become a rather hectic and overcrowded city, but of course still very nice to explore on your own.

If you are planning to visit museums in Amsterdam, please make sure you book your tickets at the official sites of the popular museums (also the cheapest option) well in advance to secure availability:

Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh museum
Anne Frank House: Every Tuesday at 10am CEST, all tickets become available for a visit six weeks later. If there are no more tickets available on the selected date, they are sold out. So if you would want to go there mark July 22^nd in your diary!
Museum Rembrandt Huis: the house where Rembrandt lived and worked from for most of his career.
Joods Cultureel Kwartier (Consisting of four museums: the National Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagoge and the Hollandsche Schouwburg: on four centuries of Jewish culture (separate tickets per museum are also available)
Our Lord in the Attic Museum: well-preserved canal house from the 17th century with a complete church in the attic.

Amsterdam is just a half an hour train ride from Utrecht which will bring you to the city centre. But if you wish to stay in Amsterdam before or after the conference, here are a few suggestions:

Haarlem

Charming relaxed city close to Amsterdam and Schiphol airport. Renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture, such as the Grote Kerk (St. Bavokerk) in the main square.

ML Hotel
Amrath Frans Hals Hotel
Teylers Museum
Frans Hals Museum (Showing works by the Dutch Golden Age painter Frans Hals).
Visit Haarlem

(60 kms from Utrecht)

Leiden

Picturesque city in the Netherlands, typical student city (it is home to the oldest university in the country) with charming canals, historic windmills and famous museums.

Steenhof Suites Boutique Hotel
Villa Beukenhof (Small hotel just outside Leiden)
Restaurant het Prentenkabinet
Restaurant the Bishop
Museum Boerhaave (Science)
The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities)
Hortus Botanicus (One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world).

(60 kms from Utrecht)

Delft

A bit similar to Leiden, also famed for its charming canals and historic architecture. Best known as the birthplace of the painter Johannes Vermeer and for its iconic blue-and-white Delftware pottery.

(70 kms from Utrecht)

Hoorn

Small and charming historic city that served as an important trading hub and base for the Dutch East India Company with well-preserved 17th-century architecture.

(90 kms from Utrecht (near Alkmaar)

Texel

The largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, travel time from/to Utrecht will be around 3,5 hours. (The city of Hoorn and Amsterdam would be on the way.)

(120 kms from Utrecht to Den Helder; from there 20 minutes by ferry)

On this site you will find nice independent hotels throughout the country: https://qualitylodgings.com/nl

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like further information on places you would like to visit during your stay!