Hoek van Holland
A few km away from the city you can enjoy Rotterdam’s beach in the Hoek van Holland district. Not the most beautiful, but enormous, enough space for the crowds, plenty of choices for bars with big (maybe a little too big) terraces to chill on the beach. There are beautiful dunes with foot and cycle paths, which are recommendable any time of the year.
The industrial view of the Europoort is very impressive. The lined up windmills create a nice skyline to admire from the sand.
You can get there by train wich will leave you about 20 minutes away from the beach. If you don’t fancy walking you can always take the tourist choo-choo train that is about a couple of euros and leaves you straight at the beach.
De Parade.
De Parade is on for two months around different cities in The Netherlands. Theatre, music, food, drinks, games and shops. The entry is free from 15:00 to 17:00. Yesterday was the last day here in Rotterdam but it will be going to Den Haag, Utrecht and Amsterdam next. (Speaking a little Dutch is a bit of a must to enjoy the plays, of course.)
More info here: http://www.deparade.nl/
Sunday Market.
One of my favourite things is walking around second hand markets. Rotterdam is really good for that, I think The Netherlands in general is. There’s a nice one I went to today, Sunday, on the Heemraadsingel. I was specially impressed by the “Sloan’s Zalf” label, I love the graphics on it.
Room for everyone under the sun.
So the sun is finally shining full blast in Rotterdam and guess what: you’re not the only one that feels like having a drink on a terrace. For some reason, this great big one in the city center was almost empty on one of the warmest days of June. It’s a bit of a trendy wannabe to my taste, but still a great option for a sunny day. Proper cocktails and juices are served too.
It’s on Prinsenhof (crossing Pannekoekstraat).
Rust & Instruments.
Having a Sunday cycle around the north of Rotterdam I drove past this second hand store full of treasures like colourful ukeleles and a cheap, retro motorbike. I’m tempted to keep the address to myself, but then that would contradict with the whole idea of this site. It’s on the corner of Paradijslaan / Rakstraat. Looks like they’re having a sale on the 20th of this month! Ukeleles don’t seem too hard to play…
Singeldingen
Singeldingen had it’s opening yesterday and it was a big success. It’s meant to get people (both adults and kids) together in the Hemradspark and make the most of the green public space. It’s a lovely spot to stop and have a more than decent cup of coffee and really yummy snacks. Activities will be organised for children.
It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
For more info check the site out: http://www.singeldingen.nl
Unusual Flora.
I was impressed by the original selection of flowers this flower-tea-decoration shop has. It has a fancy bar area where you can chose from a wide selection of teas and coffees to later chill amongst amazing vegetation. The owner, Franc Nissen, also gives a warm welcome.
Franc Nissen - Flowers, Tea & Decorations
Goudsesingel 334a - Rotterdam
Motel Mozaïque.
Dag för Dag
Handsome Furs
The Whitest Boy Alive
Motel Mozaïque is a Music, Art and Performance festival in Rotterdam. It’s a good chance to find lots of good music out and also see some of your favourite bands. (I specially enjoyed The Whitest Boy Alive, who looked like they had as much fun as the public.)
If you pay a little extra, you also get to sleepover “in art” or in special spots of the city.
Blooker Cacao
This Dutch cocoa brand has existed since 1814. Nowadays the original factory is closed but the chocolate can still be found in supermarkets (for 99 cents!) and is produced by Rademaker BV.The abandoned factory still exists in Amsterdam, I found some nice pictures of it here.
I think the packaging was really nice. The top and bottom stripes are golden.
More info (in Dutch) in wikipedia.