Sources of Inspiration // Vietnam // Blue waters, magnificent caves and delicious cuisine // Top 10 travel tips

Like every year, December is a time to take a break and make some new memories. Travel, explore new places and soak up all the inspiration I need to start the new year all fresh and full of renewed energy. This year I traveled to Vietnam. A country with a horrific and complicated past. A country with glorious beaches and beautiful mountains, caves and rivers.

After a month of traveling from the North to the South experiencing unexpected cold weather, crazy bus trips and lazy taxi drivers, a typhoon coming our way, animals in our room and being constantly lost in translating we did also manage to enjoy ourselves too. So here is a little piece about the things that were actually pretty enjoyable. And it was a lot! So instead of a top 5 I turned it into a top 10 for you guys. If you ever visit any of these places I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

1 // Hanoi - Pearl of the North
The capital city of Hanoi is located in the North of Vietnam where we started our month of traveling. This city has an old center which is buzzing and filled with local bars, street food and boutiques. And very important: Proper coffee! Hanoi is a little hipster. Wandering around the streets you get a good impression of what once was. The city still has a lot of French influences, you can see it in the old quarter, the well preserved architecture and buildings take you back to colonial times. But Hanoi is a modern metropole. It is a fast developing city, a great hub from which you can visit the Northern part of Vietnam: Sa Pa and Ha Long are just a few hours away. I loved the easy atmosphere and starting our trip from this city was great: the people were friendly and welcoming. It was easy to navigate the streets and get a glimpse of the Vietnamese culture. Art Galleries, street art and small fashion boutiques. It was making my creative heart all warm and fuzzy! Asian cities can be overwhelming but Hanoi was fun.

2 // Sa Pa - Green Oasis
The North of Vietnam is simply breathtaking. We traveled from Hanoi to visit Sa Pa with a sleeper bus. It takes only a few hours to get there so if you are traveling North I can recommend taking a bus in which you can actually sit. The sleeper bus is way too tiny for our western sizes. Safe yourself the backache! It was a pretty funny experience though. So many people packed in a tiny bus is always very amusing.

A home cooked meal
The village of Sa Pa is one you can skip. There is not a whole lot to do. If you visit Sa Pa make sure you book a place in the green ease Sa Pa is. We stayed in a small eco lodge, which wasn't very eco but the food was delicious and we had a tiny cabin overlooking the rice field. A beautiful view to wake up with. From the lodge we took a short hike to the small town of Lao Chai. Together with our Sa Pa guide we walked through the rice fields up to her family home where she and her sister-in-law made us a delicious lunch. Sa Pa is definitely a place to visit. Unfortunately we visit Sa Pa in the winter when it was all foggy and crazy cold. If you plan on going North, keep in mind that it can be extremely cold and rainy during winter time it is probably not the best time to visit. So happy we had an electric blanket to warm up during those cold evenings!

3 // Rice fields and mountains
Ninh Binh Provence is a great place to recharge. With it's karst mountains, caves and rice fields it is a great destination to take a little break and recharge. We had a tiny home stay lodge in a valley surrounded by rice fields. This area is a beautiful place for a hike or you can get around by bike to explore the wonderful landscapes. From here we cycled through the rice fields. And we also visit the Caves of Trang An by rowing boat. A three hour trip will take you through canals and caves leading to beautiful temples and pagoda’s.



4 // Magnificent caves in Phong Na National Park
I love being surrounded by nature. For me it is the ultimate way to recharge so I was a little sad when we only got to see some caves while visiting Phong Na National Park. We were, well, let’s call it ‘unlucky.’ The weather was too shitty to actually do all the things we wanted to do. This UNESCO world heritage park is lush and green and you can do all sorts of activities, take a dive within the caves, go climb the mountains or hike through the jungle. When I visit this National park, me and my friend could only do a day tour which meant we had to pick only two caves to explore. We did not have any more time and the weather limited our options. But nevertheless, what we saw was magnificent!

Phong Nha
All trips within this park were organized so we took a small boat with 4 other tourists to visit the Phong Nha cave. With our small boat we entered the magical underground cave river from where we could enjoy the cave in all it’s glory. The colors and shapes. The spectacular textures created by nature over time. Within the cave we got off the boat for a small hike climbing the grottoes and following the passage we walked until we saw daylight. Such a wonderful experience. But we still had another cave to see.

Paradise Cave
The Thiên Đường Cave, better known as the Paradise Cave. This cave has a length of 31 kilometers! Only 1 kilometer is open for tourists, but it gives you more than enough to see. The entrance is located high up the mountain and on a hot day the climb will definitely be a challenge. So bring some water and protect yourself from mosquitos while going up hill. When you enter this cave and have a first glimpse of the magnitude of this gem you will forget the struggle going up right away. The boardwalk will take you up to a kilometer in, and every few meters the cave changes in color & texture. Small pools of water reflect the pastel colors and the soft acoustics turn this cave in a magical unearthly landscape. Hopefully one day I have the chance to see more of this National Park. But the two caves were crazy mind blowing already. So if you want to see nature at it’s best, this is a must see place when you travel through the Northern parts of Vietnam.



5 // Street Food
Vietnam has a strong street food culture. Breakfast and lunch are mostly eaten on the street where little carts and stalls offer simple one dish meals that are cooked right in front of you. Every new day the little stools and tables are carefully installed near parks, crossings and along the busy roads. Small street corners turn into little outside restaurants and locals are sharing a meal and conversation before heading home around 9PM when everything get’s cleaned up again.

One of the reasons to visit Vietnam for me personally definitely is the food. I love the mix of herbs and spices they use and during our trip we couldn't get enough of it! The Pho noodle soup, the fresh spring rolls, shrimp dumplings. And of course the Bahn Mi. Every place you visit has it's own local specialty and we tried a whole bunch of them. What I didn't expect was the amount of meat Vietnamese eat.

Veggies
For veggies Vietnam can be pretty difficult since all dishes are either based in meat or fish. When you order a veggie version they use a lot of tofu. Most dishes have a base of fish sauce, so if you order a dish and leave out the meat or fish to go veggie they also miss the base ingredient. I would recommend ordering lot's of vegetable side dishes so you can mix and match so your meal won't be too dull.

Vietnamese faves
The most famous meal of the Vietnamese must be the Pho Bo. Noodle soup with raw chunks of beef. This is considered to be a proper breakfast and we never skipped a day without a Pho Bo. There are super tasty ones with fresh herbs and veggies and more dull versions that only have noodles and beef. They are never the same. 

One of my other faves is the papaya salad. With lots of greens we simply don't have in Holland. Mustard leaves, lettuce, shrimp, sprouts, sesame seeds and peanuts form the base of this fresh salad. So delicious!

In Nimh Binh we stayed in a tiny town where goat meat was considered to be their specialty. I did not try it though, those burned full body animals presented on food carts on the side of the roads did not look very appealing to me. I am not a big meat eater so this was an easy one to skip. But Vietnamese food is very meat & fish based. It was hard to avoid both meat and fish. In Huè we first tasted shrimp pancakes. Definitely another high light food wise! With a fresh salad and cilantro and mint this dish was definitely one of my faves up until I tasted the Hoi An pancakes with similar ingredients but with a thin and crispy crust. Super yummy!



6 // Hoi An
We visit Hoi An after our second week in Vietnam after visiting the Northern part. During the first two weeks we managed to avoid the messy tourist places and actually thought we wouldn't be seeing many tourists for the weeks ahead. So when we entered the ancient city of Hoi An we were stunned. It felt like all tourists were centered in the small streets of this city. Mass tourism at it’s best. But it wasn’t all bad, the old town has quit a charm with it’s colorful lanterns and small alleys. And with tourists comes proper coffee. That’s a plus! Hoi An has a great street food culture and you can snack on every corner. It has a buzzing night market where you can find the local food: Vietnamese Pizza and ice rolls. Yum!

Made in Vietnam
And the city is famous for it’s tailored fashion. Shoes, wedding dresses, bikini's..., what is in your closet you wish you had another piece from? Let the Hoi An tailors recreate your fave pieces. I fell into the trap and found a girl who could make me the leather backpack I was looking for. I love handmade leather goods and carry my brown leather backpack everywhere. I was looking for a replacement but couldn't find one back home. With some small tweaks she created the perfect black backpack. There are some places that are just worth the trip even though it is packed with tourists and Hoi An is one of those places. it is easy, fun and there is lot's to see.

7 // Boat trippin’ - Cat Ba & Ha Long Bay
You have probably heard of Halong Bay, one of the most gorgeous bay's in the world. But it is also packed with tourists and we decided to go off the beaten track and visit the bay from Cat Ba Island. A small island south of Ha Long from which you can take a boat trip through the bay. The village of Cat Ba has lost it's glory, it is not the most inspirational place but a good alternative destination from which you can also visit the Cat Ba national park. A small hike leads you to one of the mountain tops from where you have a 360 degree view over the lush Cat Ba mountains. 

8 // Cooking class
Of course a great way to learn a thing or two about local cuisine is to take a cooking class. My friend and I took a class while staying in Hoi An. With a local cook we visit the food market in the heart of the city. We walked through the aisles and I was amazed by the amount of fruits, veggies and fish I had never seen before. We collected our ingredients for the day and took a bike ride to a small village outside of Hoi An to start cooking. It was fun to make some typical Vietnamese dishes, we prepared squid, spring rolls and pan cakes. Unfortunately I already forgot the recipes. Hopefully my friend still has them written down somewhere. I am such a sloppy student! Always have been.

9 // Mekong river and coconut islands
South of Ho Chi Minh City you can find the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most tourists visit the crowded My Tho area but after two days of Ho Chi Minh madness I needed a break from the chaos so we decided to go a little more South to avoid more masses of people.

Ben Tre
We stayed a little South from the Ben Tre village and from there we made a wonderful bike trip to a small island. We took the local ferry to visit an island filled with palm trees, mangroves and coconuts. The lush palm leaves protected us from the burning sun. And every few minutes we stopped to capture the beautiful plants, butterflies and flowers. Exactly what I needed!



Explore the Mangroves
You can also take a boat trip through the mangroves. Oh I am such a sucker for mangroves. What is not to love about trees and water? We visit the bee farm and visit a coconut farm and got to try some fresh honey tea and coconut candy. The Mekong huge and some area’s are packed with tourists. Vietnam tourist is very ‘stubborn.’ And it can be difficult to get off the beaten track but try to make your own path anyway. It is lovely to see the more remote area’s and dive into the real Vietnamese experience.

10 // Vietnam for hipsters
It took us a while to figure it out but Vietnam is pretty hipster. By 2020 Vietnam wants to be a developed country and you can see the country is working hard to meet those expectations. Everywhere you go new buildings are rising and modern concept stores, small fashion labels, art galleries, coffee shops and cocktail bars are popping up in dodgy area’s and old, crumbling buildings.

Preparing for the future
The young generation knows what’s going on and influences Vietnams progressive out look. In the cities you can find a proper latte and craft beer is on the menu. We visit the Pasteur Street brewery in Saigon and had a little beer tasting. It doesn’t get any more hipster than that! Times are changing and so is Vietnam. It is a wonderful mix of it’s complex past and inescapable future.



Whether you choose to visit Vietnam during winter or summer, the country is divers and there is so much to see and do. We were a bit surprised about the crazy cold Sa Pa nights and were not at all prepared for two weeks of cold weather. The climate change is also effecting Vietnam so pack warm clothes! I loved the green and easy North and traveling South we noticed the difference in culture and customs. Making the Southern part very different from the North. I am curious which part you like most. Drop a line of two if you have any comments and if you’d like to share your experiences with this surprising country.

Uitagenda 10 years // Kunsthal Exhibit

Here is a little story about my first steps toward being a designer. When I was a graphic design student I had to do an internship in my third year of studying. And I was the lucky girl that was hired as a graphic intern at one of Rotterdams best theaters. During my time there I worked with just one designer colleague who taught me the technical aspects of prepping work for the printer, checking the press, thinking in concepts, designing new campaigns for cultural festivals. I loved it. Being dropped into this cultural melting pot and working with so many creative people within the theater was amazing and such a good prep for the real deal. I had a shitload of responsibilities as an intern and I love the freedom of it all.

10 years later I bumped into my intern colleague when my college was having an open house and we met up for coffee later. it was so much fun to catch up after all this time and while we were sitting down, discussing all the things that happened in those 10 years he also invited me to participate into a new project. At that time he was working for a cultural magazine that needed a cover for the new cultural season kick off. I created a cover and I also created a bunch of illustrated patterns for their kids section. A year long my work was spread throughout Rotterdam. And as you might know already, I have a soft spot for that city. A great project to work on.

That same magazine is now celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary. And they are properly celebrating! All covers made on those 10 years are now part of a Kunsthal exhibit. Last week was the grand opening during the kick-off of the new cultural season, of course. You can now see a beautiful overview of covers; photography, illustration and typography. A wonderful mix of graphic designers and illustrators who have created something unique. I am pretty ecstatic to be on the Kunsthal wall, one of my all time fave museums, in my fave city.

Sources of inspiration: Morocco // Country of the warm welcome // pastel landscapes and colorful patterns

Morocco has been on my travel bucket list for a while now. I have always been curious about this multi cultural country with it’s desert and mountains, delicious tagines and of course the medina’s and markets. This September I traveled around this breathtaking country. After seeing a little bit of the world already I was positively surprised by the warm welcome and sweet encounters.

I have always been attracted to Morocco. As you can imagine as a pattern designer I was very curious about the wonderful architecture and mosaic ornaments and decoration. The materials and texture, the craftsmanship. Very interesting indeed. The patterns were amazing, so many of them, so colorful.

It was a truly amazing visit and as you might already know after each trip I write a little piece about the country and share a few things that inspired me throughout my trip. Things you should really experience. This is a top 5 of things to do and places to visit.

1 // Ouarzazate colors
This city in the High Atlas is the gateway to the sahara desert but it also surprised me because it has such a great energy. I loved the small city and its colors. The palm forest and the sand. The blue sky. Most of the buildings are made out of clay and they are one with the breathtaking landscapes. The colors are wonderful. Every few meters there is a minty color pop. All doors are painted in the same minty color. Seriously cute! Travel to this city and plan a morning trip to the desert to watch the sun set. You can also wonder round the sandy dunes on a dromedary if you like. A shepherd will guide you to the most amazing views up those orange peaks.

2 // Fez Medina Magic
All over Morocco you can find Medina’s. Old markets inside of the old city walls. Ok the wall itself is pretty impressive. Lot’s of city walls in Morocco are protected and are Unesco heritage. The clay walls with their castle silhouettes and tiny holes will make you feel part of a fairy tale story book. Well, I was talking about the medina, let’s get back to that one. A medina is a market where you can find anything. Shoes, oranges, party hats, blue painted chicken. A market with a maze of tiny alleys where locals come and shop for their dinner, homes and wardrobe. The Medina in Fez is a little less hectic than the one in Marrakech and is great to wonder around and get lost a little. It also has some gorgeous old pieces of architecture hidden in between these walls. Visit the Royal Palace, go see how they weave those gorgeous textiles and see craftsmen paint their leather. You can also find some wonderful restaurants with traditional food and magical interiors. Oh Fez, so beautiful.

3 // Surf
Morocco is a great place to drive around in a little vintage VW bus put your surf gear on the roof and drive to one of the many beaches. Great waves everywhere. I am a little too clumsy to get the hang of it. Always wanted to surf but well, looked easier that in was. After getting knocked out on the beach, I didn’t even get to the water, I decided surfing, that’s a little too dangerous for me. But if you can manage those waves Morocco is a great place to go be a hippie surf peep! And you can find several surf schools all over the west coast so don't worry about traveling around with your own gear too much. Enough places to rent!



4 // Food on the Jamaa el Fna square
Of course the first thing you would probably think of visiting is this square in the old centre of Marrakech. Go visit the Medina in the early evening and wonder around the little alleys till the sun sets and life on the square starts. Go take a bite at one of the food stalls where they prepare fresh traditional food, tagines, couscous, it is all fresh and delicious and it’s also very cheap. Soak up the energy and watch families on their night out. After you have your Moroccan tea take a walk around the square and watch all performers do their funny things. Fish for soda, join a political discussion or enjoy some music. It is such a vivid and fun night out. Be cautious though. The square is poorly lit and pick pockets take advantage of that. It is the only place in the country where I felt I had to watch my stuff. Woman, prepare and cover yourself a little, those teen boys sure like to grab your ass. Leave your phone in your riad or hotel and watch your belongings. I promise you will have an amazing time!

5 // Jardin Majorelle - Marrakech
This place was the biggest surprise for me. Eye candy! My happy place. I didn’t know anything about this twelve acre botanical garden. The beauty took me by surprise. The use of blue cobalt paint and the lush green are such a wonderful combination. Gigant palm trees and cacti. A small bamboo lane and a pond with fish and turtles. It is a wonderful break from the hectic city. Did you know Yves Saint Laurent owned this garden and after his death his ashes where scattered around? he loved the place and the surroundings. If you are a botanical lover this is really something you should go see.

Morocco is a pretty easy country to travel around. The people are warm and welcoming. Before I left everyone kept telling me to watch my back and my friends and family were a little nervous about me going to visit this country. There are so many preconceptions about Morocco, and even though I travel without any expectations I noticed that I did expect to be harassed or tricked. But I can tell you there are so many countries I have been to where I in fact did feel unsafe traveling as a woman. Morocco wasn’t one of them. In Holland most people assume Morocco is very conservative but in fact the people are very open and tolerant. I was embarrassed by my own preconceptions and happy to feel welcome, just as I am. If you have any recommendations yourself please leave a comment!

Sources of inspiration: Munich // Amazing streetart // Late night Biergarten // Top 5 things to do in this Beautiful capital of Bavaria

Of course if you are visiting Europe from another continent other cities might pop in to your head first while planning your trip. But there are many hidden gems, smaller cities that have a little extra something. Munich is one of those places having it all. Great night life, parks, the Alps are around the corner and the city has an historic center and lot's of cultural sights to visit.

First of all I am a back fan of German cities. I haven't been in a city in Germany I didn't like yet. During summer people are outside and celebrate the warmer weather. There are lot's of things to do all around the city. here are a few of my favorites. Munich is a city located in the southern part of Germany and has a great cultural heritage. I am a big fan of German cities with their broad streets, rivers and amazing old architecture. We all know Munich is the center of the famous Oktoberfest but Munich also is a city with high class top notch museums and fun coffee places. I must say I love that combination! Here is a little top 5 of things to do and places to see spending a day in this Bayern city.

1 // University Rooftop Bar
Are you a fan of heights? I always love to visit one of the cities taller buildings and the first thing I do when I visit a city is go look for a rooftop bar. Munich has a student bar that is open for public. Cafe Vorhoelzer is located inside of the Architectural faculty of the University and from the bar you have a great view over the city. When the sky is clear you can even see the Alps. The bar itself is packed with students and usually a place on a location like this is crazy expensive but the prizes for drinks and food are very okay. Drink a coffee and have a fresh Panini or try out one of their very refreshing cocktails.

2 // Street art tour
All along the old train tracks, old industrial area's and outskirts you can find some amazing street art. Somehow there is always room for these forms of creativity in Germany. I am always amazed by the great works of art that turn all German cities into open air museums. And Munich actually promotes street art. They say Munich is the city where street art in Germany began in the eighties and it was the first city in the country where graffiti was legalized in some parts of the town. This way Munich street art became a true respectable form of art. There is so much to see when you hop on a bike and just cycle around town. You can also join an organized graffiti sightseeing tour. Be amazed!



3 // Long biergarten nights
If you talk about Munich of course there must be a little something about beer. Every year this city turns into madness: it is the Oktoberfest Walhalla. Every fall the city transforms in a festive beer drinking party, they even have created an entire park to celebrate all the craziness. If you don't visit Munich during Oktoberfest there are enough places to drink a beer like Bavarians do. Biergarten are the place people hang out during warm summer nights. Some have open air movie nights, other have a little playground for kids, or little food trucks where you can get traditional Bavarian snacks and finger food. It is not just a place to drink bier, it is part of the countries social tradition.

4 // The Isar River
On a hot summer day nothing is so refreshing that a little dip in the river. The Ivar river is east from the city center and a popular place for peeps to hang out. You can reach the river by metro or rent a bike and have a little ride along the green Ivar Trail. It is a great place to meet up with friends over a little BBQ or get a little tan, there is also a nudist area. It is green and lush and a great escape from the hot city center. So if you want to get out of the busy hot summer streets this place is a great afternoon gettaway.

5 // Museum Brandhorst
Pop art and contemporary pieces. I love a good Art Museum. And thankfully every mayor European city has a place worth visiting. Of course you can visit the Pinakothek Museum but the Brandhorst Museum also has a great package of modern art, paintings and sculptures. The Brandhorst Museum was built in 2008 and even the building itself is worth a little peek. It has a colorful clean cut facade that looks amazing in sunlight! Sometimes a Museum can be an overwhelming place but Brandhorst is not too big. Spending two hours inside is enough to see it all that is why it is a great place to visit if you will only be in town for a day.

Sources of inspiration: Rotterdam // a day on a bike // Top 10 little gems and modern architecture

In 2014 the city of Rotterdam made the top 10 in the list of 52 Places to go to in 2014 according to the New York Times. And I would have to agree on that one. Rotterdam is a city worth to explore. When I was a student I lived in the old Northern part of this city and in 10 years a lot has changed. I can still miss being there to witness it all.

My first introduction to a creative future was in Rotterdam. A place where I could lose myself, things were happening. When I moved from a typical Dutch city with canals and old architecture to this very modern place for my studies I felt home instantly. Everything was diverse. People, food, architecture, art. It still to this day is one of my favorite cities to find a boost of inspiration. I would just get my bike and camera and my little Bill Cunningham comes out.

Rotterdam has a very complex history. The beautiful old city was bombed in 1940 and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Only a few old buildings were left after the city stopped burning. Imagine the possibilities if you have an entire downtown city as your canvas as an architecture! All though a lot of places had to be built efficiently and cheap to house people as soon as possible, nowadays the city center is a place in which you can see the old and the new, built around water, a new balance. And where ever you go the city never feels like a busy crowded place. The streets are broad and open and there is something to see, something to explore around every corner. They successfully created a city for people, to live in, to be in.

This week I spent Christmas on a bike, cycling through the city. I love photography but never seem to have enough time to actually go out and capture those moments through my Nikon lens anymore. So on a day where everyone would stay in to eat and celebrate I decided to hop on my bike again. I have made a list of interesting places, architecture and historical sights. My personal favorites. If you get the chance to visit this city look beyond the new modern architecture. Get to know the less obvious little gems.



1 // Onderzeebootloods
This submarine pilot is part of the immense port of Rotterdam. This old historical sight is now a place where history and culture come together. In 2010 Museum Boijmans van Beuningen started a collaboration with the city port (RDM) and ever since they have held art exhibits during the summer. In 2013 the port decided to renovate the building and it now is a place where musical and theater performances, fairs and short exhibits are held. You can reach this place over water with the Aqualine ferry that stops under the Erasmus bridge. If you want to see the place, check out what's happening.

2 // De Hef
This industrial bridge, officially named Koningshaven bridge, was built in 1878 and was part of the railway connection to the Southern part of Holland. The construction of the bridge was not a very practical and well thought out one. Since the bridge is a part of the city Port you can imagine there was a lot of water traffic back then. The bridge was not built high enough, modern, bigger ships could not reach the other side without getting stuck so after a serious accident in 1918 the port decided to turn the middle part into a lift (hef). The metal construction over the Maas river still is a reminder of the old city infrastructure and is now part of it's skyline. Every time I pass this bridge it reminds me of how much the city has changed over the years.

3 // Markthal
The new market building is Rotterdams most recently finished architectural highlight. The building has a central hall with a food market, shops, bistro's and restaurants. The Markthal is Holland's first indoor market. I am not a big fan of the hype and this place is a little too trendy for me to actually do my food shopping, all organic, farmer's market style, no plain banana's or Rotterdam spirit here, but well, as an artist myself I do love the architecture and the overwhelmingly gorgeous art on the roof. It sure is worth a little peek.

4 // Streetart
Rotterdam is a city where everything is constantly changing. Housing conditions definitely have improved over the years but there are still some area's in the city that will have to wait their turn. Social projects pop up in problem area's. Little urban gardening, sport initiatives. Small home made markets bring people from other places into a neighborhood they would have never visit. But improvements in a district also means empty homes and squatted houses. A great atmosphere for street art to blossom. Entire apartment blocks get painted in one color, remember the blue houses on Beukelswijk, or Hofboogjes? It doesn't matter what happens to there buildings, until they are just waiting to be torn down they serve as a blanc canvas for street artists. Making the city a colorful open air museum.


(Photo source unknown)

5 // Hotel New York
Back in the day while I was living in Rotterdam, this place was my regular stop for a sunday coffee. Hotel new York was opened in 1993 and in 1996 when the Erasmus Bridge was finally connecting the city center with Wilhelmina Pier it started to be a popular place among the people of Rotterdam. When you visit Rotterdam during summer the walk from the city center to this part of town is definitely worth the effort. But you can also take a water taxi from the other side of the Maas. The Hotel has a great menu and during spring and summer you can have a drink on the terrace and enjoy the river view.

Hotel New York used to house the Holland America Lines headquarters. The near Cruise Terminal is part of that international history. The Cruise Terminal is now a place to celebrate and great NYE parties are held there. A great place to celebrate the new year. From here you have a spectacular view over the city and the Erasmus bridge fire works show. This area of Rotterdam is a mix of modern Architecture and old industrial buildings. From this pier you can watch the sunset and see the city skyline light up. If you are in need of a romantic getaway this is the place.



6 // De Maas
The water is a great part of the city. The water forms a break from busy roads and heavy industry. I love to sit down by the water and feel the breezy during a hot summer day but you can also travel from one neighborhood to another over water by ferry. There are numerous boat restaurants that will give you a tour while you are eating and you can enjoy a quick water taxi ride from the park at the Euromast to Hotel new York. The river and the connection to the rest of the waterways of Europe is why this city is the city it now is. A melting pot of different cultures with a strong steady economy. So go see Rotterdam from the water.

7 // Laurenskerk
This church is the only building dating back to the middle ages and was one of few remains after the bombing of the old city of Rotterdam. Because little was left of the old city this places seems a bit odd, surrounded by new modern architecture and close to the cubic houses. Every old Dutch city structure has a central church with a market surrounded by old canal houses and victorian architecture. In Rotterdam the only piece left of this original old part of town was this church. It now is a great place to enjoy a classical music performance and feel part of what once was.

8 // Maastunnel
This tunnel is the oldest you can find in the country. I love the bike and pedestrian area. The steep stairway to enter the tunnels, the tiles, the signing, the colors and the old urban industrial non-nonsense built but also beautiful exterior. The pedestrian and bike tunnel are similar to the one built in Antwerp in 1933 and both have been built in Art Nouveau style.

It feels a bit futuristic if you enter this tunnel. If you go visit this place on an early sunday morning, good chance you will be the only one there. The Tunnel first opened up for traffic during the second world war. The tunnel connects the Northern part of Rotterdam with the Southern part of the city and was a direct connection to the provinces of Brabant and Zeeland. If you want to visit the Southern part of the city you can enter the tunnel from the Park near the Euromast. I can tell you it feels a bit strange cycling through a massive empty tunnel.



9 // Rotterdam Metro
Some of Rotterdam's Metro Stations are definitely worth checking out. Blaak, Central Station and Wilhelmina Pier for instance. You can bring your bike along too so you can just hop on and hop off and find your way back to the city on your bike. I always love to take public transportation while I am visiting a new city. It is a great way to 'feel' where you are. Watch where the eccentric peeps get off on saturday nights or feel the buzz of the city during rush hours.

10 //Oude Haven
All right, if you are driving around on your bike all day you will probably be quite thirsty. The Oude Haven is an old part of the city center that was still intact after the war. It is a little area where you can find numerous pubs and restaurants. If you are coming from the shopping district it might be quite hard to find. It is located near the cubic houses and it is somewhat hidden. Take the stairs from on your right and suddenly you will see a small harbor with old boats and the 'Witte Huis' monument. Sit down, relax and reflect on a great day in the city.

Of course there is so much more to this city. These are just a few high lights. I can go on and on about this place to if you want to read more about Rotterdam keep following the blog.

Open Monument Day // Top 5 historical places to visit in The Hague

As you may know already: nothing is more terrifying to me than doing the same thing day every day. Living in the same city for over 7 years now is quite the challenge too. So thank god for Open Monument day. One day in the year all Dutch Monuments are open to public. Amazing old buildings and historical landmarks open their doors for the public. A great day enjoy some new things in the city.

Usually I miss these kind of events that take place and only ready about it afterwards but this year, although it said Sunday on my calendar, I made it this Saturday! I love to explore new things and Open Monument Day is a great way to get to know your own city. The Hague has a lot of impressive architecture and a great history of politics and of course traces of the Royal Family. I think over the years I have gotten to know The Hague quite a bit. I try every new lunchroom that opens in town. Go to the galleries, museums and try to enjoy it to the fullest. This is a great day to explore the city without spending a crazy amount of money. So here is a little top 5 of places to visit while staying in The Hague.



1 Pulchri Studio // Art Gallery
This Art Gallery is my all time favorite in town. This well known art society dates back to 1847. Run by artists and art lovers this place keeps buzzing. The gallery is located in the beautiful historical district of The Hague and doesn't look too bad itself. Downstairs you can find some original interiors and upstairs the large glass panel roof brings in the daylight. You can see and purchase paintings, sculptures, photographs and, well, everything that meets 'Art' you can find here. Pulchri Studio has new shows every few weeks, is free of charge and is open for public 6 days a week. If you are passionate about art this is a great place to look around, find some new inspiration and enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace. If you would like to know what's going on check their calendar on the website.

2 Paleis Kneuterdijk // The Council of State
The Council is one of the High Councils of State regulated by the Constitution, which carry out their tasks independently of the government. The Council is situated in Paleis Kneuterdijk that was build in 1730. The palace was the home of several generations of Royal Family and changed into government offices around 1937. So the building itself is like a patchwork of architectural diversity. A must see is the gothic hall that was built around 1840. A room with stained glass windows and a dramatic arched roof.

3 Hotel Des Indes // Luxerious grandeur
This elegant hotel in the heart of The Hague was built in 1858 and first in use as city palace before becoming a hotel in 1881. The luxurious hotel has welcomed royalty and celebrities from Dalai Lama to Rolling Stones. The hotel is like a story book where great ball room dances took place and history was written.
The ground interior, lounge and restaurant is an extravagant place filled with colorful patterns and golden detailing, with vaulted ceilings and elegant draperies. If you want to experience the one of a kind atmosphere make sure you book a high tea or sit down for a glass of bubbles in the salon. You can also watch the Dutch documentary that was made about this iconic hotel.



4 Regentes // Art Deco swimming pool transformed into theater
This Art Deco building was built in 1920 and was the first indoor swimming pool in Europe at the time. Nowadays it is the home of Theater De Regentes. The interior still has typical swimming pool elements. Little signs with typography, the large pool is transformed into a lounge that still shows the original pool tiles and in the main theater you can still see the little dressing rooms on the side of the hall. I am a big fan of theater and performing arts and love to see what happens behind the scenes. The building is a fun mix of Art deco and creative energy. If you want to look inside, go see a play.

5 Kloosterkerk // Protestant church and concert hall
I am not religious but I enjoy seeing churches and temples where ever i go. The Kloosterkerk is a protestant church members of the royal family like Princess Beatrix visit frequently. The church has a dramatic exterior and the original foundations of the building date back to 1540. If you are curious to look inside you can attend a sunday service or visit one of their musical concerts.