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logo 17 • CAMLOG Partner Magazine • March 2018 LIFESTYLE 42 ROTTERDAM A BUSTLING PORT METROPOLIS WITH HIGH LIFESTYLE POTENTIAL Those who paid close attention in geography classes will immediately remember that Rotterdam with its more than 600,000 inhabitants is the second largest city in the Netherlands. It is also Europe’s largest seaport, making Rotterdam the third largest seaprot in the world. Founded in 1230, the city on the estuary of the Rhine is not only a traffic hub and a major industrial center, it is also developing into a cultural and architectural center of great appeal, whose rise to fame is evident in the impressive and continuously growing city skyline. Architecture to please everyone’s taste Rotterdam’s starting point for developing into an architectural jewel was the ghostly remnants of bombings from World War II. Unlike other European cities, the Dutch port city took advantage of this opportunity to create a generous and courageous reconstruction. When strolling through this city with an open mind, it becomes obvious that the basic idea was not to build a “car-friendly” metropolis but rather to create a metropolis that embraces culture and people. Probably the most futuristic are the “cube apartments”, 38 apartments in the Blaak district that are tilted by 45 degrees. What are the absolute musts for sightseeing? The Markthal is the perfect place to fortify yourself for city excursions. With more than 100 #stalls, eight restaurants, and 15 grocery stores, this, the largest market hall in the Netherlands, offers such a wealth of culinary offerings that it is advisable not to visit the Markthal too hungry. You otherwise run the risk of overeating because, as we all know, our eyes are often bigger than our stomachs. A maritime experience at its best Of course, one should not leave the world’s third largest port without having ventured on a proper harbor tour. The traditional “Spido” boats offer a perfect view of Rotterdam’s architecture with its partly very bold, progressive approaches to design. The Erasmus bridge, referred to by locals as the “Swan,” the imposing Euromast, and the city’s modern sky- scrapers along the Wilhelminakade are all spectacular examples of the characteristic architecture. If this little boat ride has given you a taste for more of the sea, you should include a visit to the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam. With more than one million marine objects and all kinds of (inter-)active experiences, the museum provides an excellent insight into the long and eventful history of the Dutch seafarers, including the dreaded “Sea Beggars”, the Dutch pirates who gave the Spaniards so much grief. Culture – high and “alternative” The Museum Boijmans van Beuningen showcases both contemporary art and the old masters in a remarkable concept, and the Kunsthal, which has become an icon of contemporary Dutch architecture thanks to its impressive construction, surprising