We set sail from Kinderdijk and made our way to Rotterdam, a city with old world charm and yet one that is more modern that historical. Rotterdam is nestled along the banks of the River Maas.

As our river cruise ship glided into Rotterdam, the first thing we noticed was the city’s sleek skyline and unique architecture. That bridge…how lovely! We joined a small group tour for about an hour to start off our time in Rotterdam, and then broke off on our own once we reached the marketplace. But more on that shortly.

Our guide shared that Rotterdam and the Netherlands in general was a Pacifist country. They were focused on building infrastructure and housing, but did not build an army. When Nazi Germany attacked, they were unable to prevent the assault or the destruction to their city. So many old style buildings were lost.

Devastated by bombings in war that necessitated rebuilding, creativity and innovation resulted in a more contemporary city. After World War II, when it was time to rebuild, Rotterdam made the decision to rebuild the city into a modern and open city.

Rotterdam Today

Today, the port town of Rotterdam is a great place to visit if you love modern architecture. Many students spend time studying and learning in Rotterdam, as they are able to appreciate a blend of both the old and the new. Many would say the architects were ahead of their time and after visiting for ourselves, we can understand why.

It’s an interesting city. We especially enjoyed the picturesque views of the landscape from up high. Being more modern than quaint, however, I would not describe Rotterdam as a “charming” city. That said, however, there were a lot of unique and special things about this city that really sets it apart from others.

Markthal

One of our favorite things was visiting the horseshoe shaped Markthal, a large indoor market adorned by an impressive colorful mural titled Horn of Plenty.

This artwork is an explosion of vibrant flowers, insects, fruit, and vegetables and it spans a majority of the domes ceiling, visible from almost everywhere.

The Markthal offers over one hundred food stalls, flower stores, specialty shops, and restaurants. You can find fresh produce, as in most markets, but you will also stumble upon exotic spices and international cuisine.

We found delicious Belgian Chocolate and even discovered one of our all time favorites…

Pastel de Nata from Portugal, just out of the oven. It may not look like much to you, but trust me when I say it is one of the most delicious treats I have ever had…especially when it is just out of the over. It literally melts in your mouth.

The atmosphere inside the Markthal is buzzing with the energy of shoppers, locals, and tourists alike. Many stores offer samples, so it’s a fun place to try a lot of new things, and then pick a few of your favorites to enjoy.

Of course, there is so much more to Rotterdam than in this short blog. There are the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge (also known as the ‘Swan’ due to its graceful curves – and pictured near the top of this post) and the Maritime Museum, to name just a few. For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.