During the months of April to September, one can take a three hour boat trip to the delightful Dutch village Kinderdijk, renowned for its well preserved windmills. One can take a tour inside the windmill and see the windmill in operation.
As Holland lies in a low lying delta, it is always under the threat of being flooded. No wonder it is said that God created the world and the dykes created the Netherlands. To understand more about dykes and to actually operate a mini-dyke, a visit to The Keringhuis is imperative.
A major tourist attraction the Rotterdam Zoo has more than 1.5 million visitors a year. Within walking distance from the Rotterdam central station, the zoo and its oceanium is a must see for young and old alike.
The cube houses are a fascinating example of Dutch architecture. The brainchild of the Dutch architect Piet Blom, the cube houses are an amalgamation of aesthetics with practicality.
If in the mood for some space adventure, a visit to the space tower of Euromast is a must. From the top of Euromast one gets a bird's eye view of the entire city and its port. It is also possible to enjoy a meal with a view from one of the restaurants located at the top of the tower.
Lovers of art can enjoy more than 60 rare and poignant medieval paintings of Holland at the musuem Boijmans Van Beuningen. Other museums worth a visit are the Wereldmuseum for encounters with cultures from different parts of the world and the Maritime museum for maritime objects dating back to the 19th century.
Within an hour's drive from Rotterdam is Zaanse Schans, a delightful little hamlet. With its windmills, green painted houses, small bridges, beautiful gardens and the possibility of taking a boat trip down the canal, it serves as an ideal picnic destination. Here, one can also visit the cheese factory to get an idea of the cheese making process.
With so many possibilities, no matter what your interests are, Rotterdam is sure to pleasantly surprise you.
