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Rotterdam yes or no?

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Old May 22nd, 2007 | 04:00 AM
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Rotterdam yes or no?

My husband is going to Rotterdam in the late fall on business. I can go along pretty much for free, but I can't decide if it would be worth the pain of jet lag. Does anyone know the city? Think it would be worth a trip or not?
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Old May 22nd, 2007 | 05:29 AM
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Rotterdam is a vibrant and very interesting city. Escpecially if you like modern architecture. The city was bombed in WW II and instead of rebuilding the 'old' city, Rotterdam became sort of a showcase for modern architecture. So don't except canals and other typical Dutch-city features! It is also one of the largest harbours in the world.
Their are a lot of interesting musea, restaurants, some shopping. So yeah, if you can go for free, it really is a fun city to visit.

Btw; The Hague, Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam and a lot of other interesting historical cities are no more than one hour (A'dam) away by train!
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Old May 22nd, 2007 | 05:33 AM
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And there is the old dock where the Pilgrims left from for the New World after having fled England's tyranny to Dutch tolerance.

So many great places within a short hop - go for it.
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Old May 22nd, 2007 | 03:36 PM
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yk
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Agree with what TommieG said. It'a short train ride to many other towns in Netherland.

If you like art, don't miss the Boijmans Museum. It is fabulous!
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Old May 22nd, 2007 | 10:58 PM
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If you like modern architecture, yes Rotterdam is the place.
From there and not that far away are places like:
the old small town of Delft, (Vermeer..),visit Poceleyne Fles and see how Delft Blue is made. In the church in city-center dutch royals are buried.
Or make a tour to Kinderdijk, by car or boat and visit the old windmills.
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Old May 23rd, 2007 | 12:50 AM
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Is your husband planning to fly directly into Rotterdam or through another city?
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Old May 23rd, 2007 | 02:52 AM
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Gosh, jetlag isn't *that* painful, especially when the trip is free. I'd jump at the chance to go anywhere in the Netherlands. So get planning already, you're going to Rotterdam
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Old May 23rd, 2007 | 04:50 AM
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Thanx for everyone's ideas. I think I'm now leaning toward going.
We would go through A'dam at one end of the trip, which I have been to and like a lot. Delft sounds like a good day trip. I've traveled in the baggage before, if you haven't tried it can be pretty draining to wander around by yourself all day in a strange city.
nj
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Old May 23rd, 2007 | 05:47 AM
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Aanother nice city is Dordrecht (about 15 minutes by train to the south, whereas Delft is about 15 minutes to the north). It is a nice historical city, beautifully located by the river.

You can also take the Fast Ferry, a fast boat connecting Rotterdam and Dordrecht. Works just like a bus with regular departures. www.waterbus.nl (in Dutch).

But you are rigth. Wandering around alone in a strange city can be evry draining. Maybe the tourist information has some group-activities you could join?
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Old May 23rd, 2007 | 05:51 AM
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Forgot to mention; In Ridderkerk the Fast Ferry (waterbus) has a connection tot the Kinderdijk (a famous place to see 19 (!) windmills on a row in the Netherlands).

It is also possible to rent a bike in Rotterdam and then take in on the fast ferry. So you could for instance even bike from one stop to another and then take the boat agian!
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