Rotterdam Vacations, Tours & Travel Packages
Rotterdam offers a contrast to Amsterdam on Netherlands vacations as it was heavily destroyed during World War ll and had to be rebuilt resulting in being a city with some very contemporary architectural designs. You will marvel at the number of exceptionally designed buildings that exist here. It is Europe’s largest port due to its strategic location on the North Sea and is The Netherlands’ second-largest city. There is a saying: "Amsterdam to party, Rotterdam to work". However, Rotterdam is not lacking in culture and entertainment.
As a result of the destruction, very few historic buildings remain in the centre of Rotterdam. However, there are still a few to be found. This includes the Laurenskerk which has been restored and is the only building in Rotterdam from the middle ages. It was built between 1449 and 1525 and is the oldest building in Rotterdam. Inside the church is a mausoleum for Dutch sea heroes and the largest organ in The Netherlands with 7.600 pipes. If you climb the tower of the church, you will be rewarded with great views of the city. In front of the church is the Erasmus Statue, erected in 1622, the oldest bronze statue in the country.
One of Rotterdam's most distinctive landmarks is the Euromast. Erected in 1960, this 185-metre/435 feet high tower has two restaurants with superb views overlooking Rotterdam. Probably the most provocative architectural project is the city's famous Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) which are a block of houses with unique cube-shaped upper stories. One of them is a Show Cube which is open to the public. Another architectural gem is the White House (Witte Huis). Once Europe's tallest building, this is a stunning ten-story Art Nouveau structure built in 1898 and is now a National Heritage Site offering superb views from its rooftop. Rotterdam is home to the tallest office building in The Netherlands called 'Maastoren' which houses the Nationale-Nederlanden Insurance Company.
Another impressive and outstanding structure is the Erasmusbrug, built in 1996, a 79 metre/2,600 foot cable-stayed bridge linking the north and south of the city. It is held up by a tall pylon with an unusual bend, earning the bridge its nickname “The Swan”. The picturesque yacht marina is one of the few parts of the old city that survived the devastation. It has a remarkable history as it was the departure point from which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed for America. Rotterdam never seems to be finished, and construction cranes are ever-present. There are many new residential buildings and towers and the demand for new offices, hotels and cultural institutions continues, all to be experienced on Netherlands tours.
Rotterdam has many museums. Well-known museums are the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen which has exhibits of Dutch and European masters and contemporary art, the Wereldmuseum, which has more than 1800 ethnographic objects from various cultures in Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Americas and the Islamic heritage, the Kunsthal, an art gallery with no permanent collection but offering a wide range of temporary exhibits ranging from 20th Century masters to current contemporary art movements, the Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art and the Maritime Museum which has an exceptional collection of historic vessels. So, on Netherland vacations, culture is alive and well in Rotterdam as well as Amsterdam.
Extend your Stay
Consider an additional stopover to your Netherlands vacations on one of Goway's other European tours. You can also choose from a Paris vacation, a Belgium vacation or a London vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from the Netherlands.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Amsterdam & the Countryside
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the canals and architecture of Europe’s northwest on this Dutch vacation. In Amsterdam, see masterworks by Rembrandt and Van Gogh and learn about the brewing process behind the world-famous Heineken beer before taking a day trip to nearby Belgium to explore the medieval wonders of Bruges.- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,042
- Trip Type:
- Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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