De Tenders City Cruises
De Tenders City Cruises
De Tenders City Cruises (Brielselaan 69, Rotterdam) — There have always been boat trips through the impressive port of Rotterdam, but the Tenders add a City Cruise on waters like the Oude Haven, Leuvehaven, Delfshaven or the lakes of the river Rotte to the options. De Tenders are perfect for a party or meeting. A Tender can accommodate a maximum of 49 people, but City Cruises are best with 25 people. Catering is possible.
The four Tenders are not just for the chosen few, everybody is welcome. Going on a Tender is a great combination of cruising, seeing top sights and enjoying food and drinks. And not only that: Cruises during the World Port Days, luxury transport from/to soccer stadium De Kuip, leisurely floating along on the Rotte, a trip around the island of Brienenoord or a Sunset Cruise on a beautiful summer evening.
De Ster Windmill
Molino de viento De Ster
De Ster Windmill (Molenpark 3, Utrecht) – located just 20 minutes southeast of Amsterdam, this windmill dates from the 18th century (1739) and was in use as a timber business for centuries. In 1991, wind power was replaced by electricity, and the windmill on the roof was demolished. Years later, these plans came to fruition: in September 1998, the mill hull was put in place, and months later the mill was officially opened.
Every Saturday you can go inside the mill free of charge. The doors are opened between 1 pm and 4 pm and you can take a guided tour. If the wind comes from the right direction, you can see how they used to saw here, and enthusiastic guides are keen to explain how the mill works and tell you more about the history of the Molenpark area.
De Distilleerketel
De Distilleerketel
De Distilleerketel (210 Voorhaven, 3024 Rotterdam) — Catch the water taxi to Rotterdam’s historic corn mill, one of the Netherlands’ largest. You can tour it for €3 and stop in its farm shop to stock up on delicious rosemary cookies, ginger cake, artisan flours and more. There’s also a little café with homemade cakes –just the spot to take in panoramic views of Delfshaven’s loveliness. This windmill was originally built in 1727 and was destroyed during World War II, only to be rebuilt in 1986. Hours: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Wednesday & Saturday only; closed the rest of the week).
Winkelcentrum Zuidplein
Winkelcentrum Zuidplein
Winkelcentrum Zuidplein (Zuidplein 420, Rotterdam) — For nice day of shopping, go to shopping mall Zuidplein. This indoor shopping mall offers 155 stores varying from top brands to smaller shops and various restaurants. The shopping mall has over 1,400 parking places and is easily accessible by metro and bus.
Vroom & Dreesmann
Vroom & Dreesmann
Vroom & Dreesmann (Kalverstraat 203, The Old City Center (Het Centrum), Amsterdam) — If Dutch department store behemoth De Bijenkorf is Macy’s, V & D, as it’s called, is a much smaller version of New York’s landmark department store. From ties to towels, the selections are more than decent, though none will make much of an impression nor, when it comes to your wallet, a depression. That noted, in recent years the women’s clothes have become quite trendy. Check out the children’s section as well as in-house eatery La Place, whose bakery practically spills into the department store, scenting the accessories department with a dash of sugar.
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat (Amsterdam) — Amsterdam’s mini Fifth Avenue, located in the Museum Quarter neighborhood, is home to high-end classics (Chanel, Gucci, Hermés, Louis Vuitton), jewelry (Chopard, Cartier) and lifestyle stores, as well as several boutiques selling more luxury labels. Azzurro at 142 is the city’s only retailer of Christian Louboutin shoes. More moderate shoppers can find reasonable prices in stores like Mexx and Claudia Strater.
Maison de Bonneterie
Maison de Bonneterie
Maison de Bonneterie (Rokin 140-142, The Old City Center (Het Centrum), Amsterdam) — With its over-a-century-old skylighted cupola, chandeliers, and majestic staircases, this is Amsterdam’s loving homage to the grand magasin. The prices aren’t always right, but the ambience is appreciated by many types of shoppers, from fashion plates in need of a last-minute designer frock to proper ladies who dutifully match handbag with shoes.
Leidsestraat
Leidsestraat
Leidsestraat (Amsterdam) – this area features chic clothing stores like the UK-based Karen Millen alongside cheap souvenir traps, night shops and fast-food joints. There are also shoe stores galore (Camper is a favorite) and a high-end department store in a monumental building (Metz & Co.), on the top floor of which you can have lunch overlooking the Central Canal Belt.
Kalvertstraat
Kalvertstraat
Kalvertstraat (Amsterdam) — this pedestrian-only street and its adjacent alleys and “Kalvertoren” shopping center feature a mix of chain clothing stores (Esprit, H&M, Mexx, WE, Zara), dozens of shoe stores, Dutch staple stores like HEMA and a pricey, chic department store, Maison de Bonneterie. If you can tolerate the ever-present crowds, you’re likely to leave this street with a new purchase in hand.
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf (Dam 1, The Old City Center (Het Centrum), Amsterdam) — Holland’s answer to New York City’s Macy’s department store, De Bijenkorf (Dutch for “The Beehive”) is the nation’s best-known department store and the swarming ground of its moneyed middle classes. Top international designer lines of clothing, shoes, and cosmetics are well stocked, along with a decent repertoire of furniture, appliances, and one of the best stationery selections in town. The in-house eateries are upscale with a ground-floor café corner that successfully channels a retail refueling post à la Paris..
