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"Rotterdam, the most vibrant Dutch city ! " a Rotterdam Travel Page by ATLC

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"Rotterdam, the most vibrant Dutch city ! " a Rotterdam Travel Page by ATLC

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ATLC    
The notion that the world is round makes me feel quite giddy! (quote Miss Matty, Cranford)


Real Name: Anke-Thea
Lives In: Brielle, NL
Member Since: Oct 30, 2001
VT Rank: 28

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Page Views: 24,731            Last Visit to Rotterdam: August, 2008      I Work Here

Rotterdam, the most vibrant Dutch city !

by ATLC - last update: Aug 28, 2008

The return of the cruise ships.

QUEEN MARY 2 IN ROTTERDAM

This is my favourite Dutch city. This is purely personal. It isn't the most beautiful but it is vibrant, down-to-earth, and I have worked here since 1990.

On July 21st 2004, the Queen Mary 2 docked for one day in the harbour in central Rotterdam. Which attraced thousands of spectators and threw city traffic into chaos!
Hotel New York (the low, old building on the right) used to be the headquarters of the Holland-America Line. The highrise next to it wasn't even there 10 years ago.
Compared to these buildings you can truly appreciate the size of the ship.
Have a look at my Travelogue return of the cruise ships with photos of some special moments...

Rotterdam holds something special for me. Not only have I worked there since 1990, but I also left Rotterdam on a world trip to New Zealand by boat. But that was about 35 years ago and our actual cruiseship was waiting for us in Southampton (UK). I still remember though, the smell and busy atmosphere of people leaving and saying goodbye. In those days one did rarely return if one emigrated to far away!

My special tours of Rotterdam

For architecture lovers, I've added 24 tips under Off The Beaten Path about the Sonneveld house, built between 1929-1933 which will amaze you with its modern 21st century style. The tour starts here

New I went on a discovery tour in one of the downtown Rotterdam areas called Afrikaanderwijk. A multicultural area, partly renovated, partly old. It was a free audiotour and you learn a lot about urban living, many cultures, typical inner city problems and some nice surprises. The tour (22 tips/about 100 photos) starts here.
Edgar Davids, Dutch star football player

EVENTS & FESTIVALS 2008

More Festivals in 2008 in Rotterdam can be found in my Nightlife tips.
Some tips still need updating but as the dates for 2008 become known, I'll add the info.


Open air cinema until 31 August 2008. World cinema at the Lloyd Multiplein. Chairs can be rented for 1 euro. Location: Lloyd Multiplein. How to get there: Tram: 8, stop Oostkousdijk. Entrance: free
For information click here.

Flying Grass Carpet until 15 September 2008. A temporary city park on the Schouwburgplein. Go picnic, sunbath, frisbee. Enjoy activities every weekend such as street theatre, face painting, circus demonstrations. More info here . Location: Schouwburgplein. How to get there: walk 5 minutes south from Central Station.


Open air classic concert. Weekend of 31/31 August 2008.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic plays on Saturday and the Junior Rotterdam Philharmonic on Sunday. Enjoy it at the most pittoresque harbour in Rotterdam, the Veerhaven And its free! More info. How to get there: Tram: 7, stop Westplein; 8 en 20, stop Vasteland and 23 en 25, stop Leuvehaven. Have fun!

Football


To be honest, I do not even like football. But it is a big thing in our country. So I am also a Feyenoord fan when I have to be. Or Sparta. Both Rotterdam football clubs.

In my Sports travel tip, you'll find the full season of Feyenoord 2007-2008.

PHOTOS: Edgar Davids, Dutch star football player on the building of the Nationale Nederlanden (insurance company world wide) during EURO 2000.
EDGAR DAVIDS

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Vibrant, hardworking, down-to-earth, spectacular"
Cons:"not as quaint as Amsterdam (this is not a con at all!)"
In A Nutshell:"The best city in The Netherlands"
ATLC's Rotterdam Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 21 - Photos: 33
 
Restaurants
Tips: 29 - Photos: 18
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 6 - Photos: 3
 
Nightlife
Tips: 18 - Photos: 1
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 26 - Photos: 25
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 9 - Photos: 12
Local Customs
Tips: 26 - Photos: 112
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 10 - Photos: 10
 
Sports Travel
Tips: 5 - Photos: 7
General Tips
Tips: 2 - Photos: 1

ATLC's Rotterdam Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Return of the cruise ships- 9
Rotterdam WatercityJune, 2007 9
Scheepvaartkwartier- 2
SchouwburgpleinJune, 2007 6
Two tours through Rotterdam by car and on footJune, 2007 2
Rotterdam, the world harbour- 3
Rotterdam postcards- 8
Map and a discussion on city planningApril, 2003 7
Cubic housesDecember, 2002 9
Bridges2002 4
Donner, bookstoreSeptember, 2002 11
Museum Park- 5
VT meeting August 2002July, 2007 5
VT meeting 13 June 2003June, 2003 8

Comments for ATLC about Rotterdam
aussirose Sun Mar 1, 2009 06:42 UTC
 I see I've been here before Anke....but enjoyed the read again :o) There's so much to do here! Think I might add it to my list of places to see when we come to Europe in 2011. Still love those cube houses :o) Cheers, Ann.
roamer61 Fri Jan 30, 2009 15:49 UTC
 Hi Anke. Nice page on Rotterdam. I could have gone there but didn't as there is not much of personal interest to me there.
HooptheWorld Wed Oct 8, 2008 22:00 UTC
 Now you have me seriously thinking about a day or two trip to Rotterdam! Excellent tips and photos. Thanks!
catnl Sun Sep 14, 2008 19:54 UTC
 hmmmmmmmmmmm reading the new shopping tips about food....getting hungry again:-)
See More Comments

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