1 Flattened by bombs in World War II, Rotterdam made the most of a clean slate with bold constructions that put the harbour city on the world map for its modern architecture. Check out Piet Blom’s cube houses and Rem Koolhaas’ Kunsthal in the Museumpark.
2 Away from the tourists and stoned daytrippers that blight Amsterdam, Rotterdam’s nightlife is the one that draws the local dollar with multi-storey clubs like Now & Wow, Las Palmas, Off_Corso and Nighttown. Head to areas like Witte de Withstraat, the Nieuwe Binnenweg or the Stadhuisplein to find the coolest bars.
3 A summer full of various festivals proves that Rotterdam’s love of a good party isn’t confined to indoor events. On August 13, the ninth FFWD Heineken Dance Parade (www.ffwdheinekendanceparade.nl) is set to attract around 350,000 spectators with 50,000 going on to the spectacular after-party that’s become tradition.
4 Named European Capital of Sport 2005 (www.sportjaar2005.nl), Rotterdam is this year hosting 133 sports events from hockey to catamaran sailing. If you want to get active instead of just spectate, do the Dutch thing and take a cycle tour around town. This is also a city that welcomes skaters – there’s a custom-designed skate park right in the centre of town.
5 Witte de Withstraat – or ‘Witte de Wit’ – is a good analogy for the city’s powers of transformation: once an inner-city no-go zone, the influx of artists and galleries and the cafés, bars and boutiques that followed have made the thoroughfare Rotterdam’s cultural heart. At number 16, Bazar is a fine example of the city’s embrace of ethnic culture – feast on global cuisine at the World Eatery then check in to one of the themed hotel rooms upstairs.
The Essentials
Time from London: 1 hour
Getting there: Flights to Rotterdam with Transavia (www.transavia.com) start at £36.99 one-way including tax.
What to say: Vanavond gaan we uit ons dak” (fonaafond han vuh utt uns dock): “Tonight we plan to get completely off our heads”
Price of a beer: €2-€2.50
– ELISE RANA”
