Excursions

When the weather gets nicer (now!) let’s say starting from the end of May and through the summer, Rotterdam really seems to wake up from some deep sleep; Shaking off the rust left by winter. I personally think that when the clouds clear and the sun shines through, only then do you see the real colors of Rotterdam. Everything is just so more colorful and vivid, nothing grey about it. So whatever your liking, there is a route for you to take. (Of course you don’t have to wait for summer).

The walks through the city do not have to be walks at all. If you’re in a sporty mood you can rent a bike (or even better, buy a bike for much cheaper from a junkie!!) and cycle your way around. There are bicycle taxis, and water taxis, and bus tours and Boat tours. All that’s left for you to do is to choose what and how. You can easily make your own tour beginning in the city center and heading south; just start riding/walking, you’ll find more then you expect (great as a first activity in Rotterdam)  

Take the architecture tour- but which one? Since architecture here is a big deal, there are a lot of diff tours to take; ‘The modern Rotterdam’ including the cubic houses, the Erasmus Bridge and ‘Kop van Zuid’.

The education department of the National Architecture Institute (NAI) also holds excursions in the city (with special arrangements you can even arrange tailored tours and request specific locations) details at: http://www.nai.nl/e/visitors/tours.html  

‘The Mass’ – since a lot of harbor activities moved downriver, many locations on the mass have become available for development, with public housing, and small shopping districts. These are especially noticeable at the old ports of Rotterdam such as

Another quiet peaceful walk would be from the EuroMast park along the mass until the Erasmus Bridge.

Rotterdam is probably most known for its massive harbor. Just as the harbor can at times cast its shadow on the city (rendering it as an industrial city – and thus less attractive for tourists) it in itself is an interesting tour to take. From far, The ports and industrial structures really give the city an 1800 feeling. (I love how you can see the silhouette of the cranes from a far distance – the Erasmus Bridge for instance). There are official organized tours, held by the “Port of Rotterdam” see: www.portofrotterdam.com for more details.

If you’d like to rent a bike or have a bicycle excursion contact Rotterdam bicycle:

Tel: 010-2051518

Website: www.rotterdambycycle.nl.

At least once youre going to have to take the big touristy boat tour on the Spido (www.spido.nl),  that leaves from under the Erasmus bridge and sails down the river to the industrial area (and the cranes!!), so you might as well get it over with.