Utrecht, May 2026

Social Program:

Our sincere thanks go to Johann Six and Jan Erik van der Wolf and his team for organising such a wonderful meeting in Utrecht, NL.

On Thursday, we enjoyed a relaxed and cheerful dinner at the Seasalt Saloon restaurant, a traditional fish bistro in the heart of Utrecht. The atmosphere was wonderfully warm and convivial, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening together. Seasalt Saloon prides itself on serving fresh, sustainably sourced produce, which made the dinner all the more special. It was a lovely start to our time together, filled with laughter, good conversations and great company.

On Friday, we took part in the Courtyard Walk Utrecht (Hofjeswandeling). The busy streets and lively squares of the city conceal a remarkable history: that of the courtyards and almshouses. Many of these places were founded centuries ago by wealthy citizens or religious institutions to provide safe shelter for the elderly, widows and others in need. Today, they are still inhabited and contribute greatly to the unique and charming atmosphere of Utrecht. We all greatly appreciated discovering these hidden corners of the city together.

For lunch, we visited the Muntkelder pancake restaurant. This historic wharf cellar, where delicious pancakes are now prepared, was home to the Royal Mint’s stamp factory until 1911. The cosy surroundings and excellent food made for a delightful midday break, and the group thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed and happy atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we took a boat tour through the canals of Utrecht. During the hour-long tour, the skipper guided us through the canals and waterways of the city, passing a number of remarkable historical sites. It was a wonderful way to experience Utrecht from a different perspective, and everyone had great fun enjoying the views and each other’s company.

Dinner took place at Restaurant Bulk, located in a historic church. The setting was truly impressive, with the organ still visible and many elements of the former church and hotel infrastructure beautifully preserved. Even the surfaces and furnishings incorporated old church benches, creating a very unique atmosphere. The evening was lively, memorable and full of good spirits.

On Saturday morning, we had the pleasure of a champagne tasting with Wendy Rundberg, a friend of Johanna’s. This was a particularly enjoyable and personal experience, and we are very grateful for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with us.

Dinner was served in the beautiful garden room of Huize Molenaar, a monumental building with various elegant period rooms, which Jacob Molenaar moved into on 1 June 1892. Over the years, he built up a warm relationship with the city and university administrators of Utrecht. The surroundings were stunning and provided the perfect setting for our final evening together.

The farewell dinner truly spoiled us with delicious food, wonderful conversations and many moments of laughter. It was a very special conclusion to a memorable trip, and we are sincerely grateful for the warm hospitality, the excellent organisation and, above all, the wonderful company throughout these days together.