Built in Rotterdam, sailed from Rotterdam and now back in Rotterdam. Welcome on board of the legendary Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam where a tour through time awaits you. Besides the ability to drink and eat on deck visitors of De Rotterdam can take a grand tour to discover the ship’s true nature, may this be the engine rooms of deck D and F, the captain’s control unit or the first class guest areas.

Photo courtesy of Ama Dorsman, Rotterdam, Netherlands

History

With it’s long history the Holland America Line flagship De Rotterdam (748 ft. tall, 91 ft. wide and 134 ft. in height) adds high cultural value to sightseeing in the city of Rotterdam. It all started on September 13th 1958 when ten thousand of citizens had gathered to see Queen Juliana officially name the ship after it’s city of birth “Rotterdam”. The builders had very specific demands on the ship’s design for functionality, machinery for speed and interior design for guests. It was one year later September 3th 1959 when the first journey to New York across the Atlantic Ocean meant “a new world” to adventurists.

For a long period no transport type could compete with de Rotterdam, it was not until 1971 when the first commercial airline started boarding planes to New York which meant the immediate end of many successful years. But also during these harsh years de Rotterdam maintained it’s position. After a short period of maintenance it started to offer 5 star Caribbean cruises and journeys around the world.

After 38 years (1997) of loyal duty De Rotterdam gets sold to Premier Cruises which after it’s name changed after one of the world’s greatest artist: Rembrandt. For the next three years De Rembrandt is doing short cruises in and around Europe as well South America. When in 2000 the economy is running slow and interests rate are raising rapidly Premier Cruises are going through stormy weather, financial debt is growing fast. During this year De Rembrandt gets stuck in the Freeport harbor on the Bahamas.

In 2005 local Rotterdam activist society “Behoud Stoomschip Rotterdam” represent trust and pride in De Rotterdam’s cultural and historical value and therefore demands the ship to come back to it’s home city Rotterdam. City hall acknowledged the society’s ideas and decided to give De Rotterdam a permanent spot in the Maashaven, nearby kop van Katendrecht. After several renovations it opened for public, besides historical and cultural value it also holds commercial, creative and social functions for society.

General information

Everyone is welcome aboard of de Rotterdam without purchasing an entrance ticket. You will be allowed inside the restaurant, bar and terrace on deck. If you wish to view the inside of the ship an tour package must be purchased, there’s three type of tour package available which are the Seabreeze Deluxe, The way down below and a combination tour.

Entrance & tours prices for adults
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on deck.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) €12,50 ($16.60) approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) €10,00 ($13.28) approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) €16,00 ($21.25) approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Entrance & tours prices for children
No charge to access the restaurants, bar and terrace on board.
Tour Seabreeze Deluxe (Outdoors with audio guide) (4-11) €7.50 ($9.96) (0-3) Free approximately one hour.
Tour The way down below (Engines and control panel with audio guide) (4-11) €6.00 ($7.96) (0-3) Free approximately 45 minutes.
Tour All inclusive tour (Both tours with audio guide) (4-11) €9.50 ($12.61) (0-3) Free approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

De Rotterdam facilities
Smoking is prohibited inside De Rotterdam.
De Rotterdam has wheelchair accessible areas: Restaurants Lido and Club Room, Ocean Bar and the expedition area.
No pets are allowed inside De Rotterdam (with exception of guide dogs).
De Rotterdam offers local and international cuisine.
De Rotterdam does not offer free wifi.

De Rotterdam pictures

De Rotterdam is a unique and one of a kind sightseeing attraction. It has a permanent spot in one of the European’s biggest harbors in the heart of the city. With a historical and cultural value this is a not to miss sightseeing for both foreign and local visitors. Have a look at a great select of unique De Rotterdam pictures on a clear and sunny day. These pictures have been taken by Ama Dorsman, a local citizen which made a contribution to Globenavigation.com.

These pictures date July 2010 De Rotterdam, Maashaven.

How to reach

By car
Once you enter the center of Rotterdam city, follow the signs to “Erasmusbrug“.
Once you arrived at the Erasmusbrug, follow the signs “ss Rotterdam”.

By car navigation
Use the address: Street: 3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25 ZIP: 3072 AM City: Rotterdam

By public transport
Use metro line D “Slinge or Spijkenise” – Exit on the Rijnhaven stop, use bus 77 “Katendrecht” and exit on stop “SS Rotterdam”.

By water taxi
Nearby De Rotterdam is the “2e Katendrechtse Haven” dock where the water taxi can drop you. There’s multiple entrance points to enter the water taxi in Rotterdam, for exact locations visit www.watertaxirotterdam.nl or call +31(10) – 4030303

Contact & opening hours

Tour hours
Opening Hours April till October (Mon – Sun) 9 am – 19.30 pm (Ticket window is opened till 19 pm, tour route closes at 19.30 pm)
Opening Hours November till March (Mon – Sun) 10 am – 16 pm (Ticket window is opened till 15 pm, tour route closes at 16 pm)

Restaurant hours
Lido
(Mon – Fri) 6:30 am – 24 pm
(Sat – Sun) 7 am – 24 pm
Club Room
(Mon – Fri) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Saturday) 11 am – 16 pm (High tea) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)
(Sunday) 12 am – 15 pm (Brunch) 6 pm – 22 pm (Dinner)

Guest hours
De Rotterdam is opened 24 hours per day for hotel guests.

3e Katendrechtse hoofd 25
3072 AM Rotterdam
0900-337 68 83
www.opderotterdam.nl

The Euromast Sky Tower is the height pride of Rotterdam and is visible from almost anywhere within the city. Besides the many tourist visitors, locals are also delighted to visit this 50 year old Dutch national monument. Who doesn’t want to eat at a height of 328 ft. (100 meters) with a spectacular 360 degree view on one of Europe‘s largest harbors, the city of Rotterdam and the maas river bridges including Willemsbrug and Erasmusbrug. Besides food facilities the Euromast also offers fun for thrill seekers such as abseiling, the Euroscoop at 606 ft. height (185 meters) and Speedboat Adventure tours across Harbor and maas river. For those who can’t get over the fun, two luxury Euromast hotel rooms await to spend a night in your own Space Tower inclusive of champagne and private balcony.

History

The Euromast Sky Tower is a 606 feet tall “Space Tower” in the city of Rotterdam, designed and built by Hugh Maaskant between 1958 and 1960 in the honor of the 1960 Floriade. The Euromast is a concrete building with an internal diameter of 30 ft. (9 meters) and wall thickness of 1 ft. (30 centimeters) for stability reasons it has been built on a concrete block worth 4,2 million LB (1.9 million kilograms) of established underground. The original height of the Euromast upon completion in 1960 was 331 ft. (100 meters), when in the 1970′s the Euromast lost its position as the tallest tower of Rotterdam the government decided to add an additional 279 ft. (85 meters). The Euromast is member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

General information

Everyone is welcome at the Euromast although an entrance ticket is required. The ticket can be purchased at the service desk upon entrance of the Euromast. This ticket will give access to the 360 degree Brasserie restaurant, the two level balcony and the Euroscoop a rotating elevator that reaches the top of the Euromast at 606 ft (185 meters).

Ticket prices
€8,90 ($10,66) Adults
€5,70 ($6.83) Children 4 till 11 (0-3 free)
€7,70 ($9.22) Seniors (65+)

Euromast facilities
Smoking is prohibited inside the Euromast.
The Euromast is wheelchair accessible.
No pets are allowed inside the Euromast.
The Euromast offers local and international cuisine.
The Euromast offers FREE WIFI.

Euromast pictures

The Euromast isn’t just another sightseeing attraction in the city of Rotterdam, it’s an absolute landmark with over 50 years of history. Have a look at a great selection of unique pictures of the Euromast on a clear sunny day without clouds. These pictures have been taken by Dave from Globenavigation.com

These pictures date Saturday 5th of June 2010 Euromast, Rotterdam.

Fine dining

The Euromast offers a unique dining experience on 314 ft. (96 meters) height with a panoramic 360 degree view of Rotterdam. The view from table or private booth add character to the already fancy designed restaurant named “Brasserie”. The bar is located in the inner circle from where the staff operates. The staff who seemed friendly, cooperative and maintained English skills are plenty available. Visitors can join for lunch, dinner or select a drink and snack from the menu.

In between a food or drink order you can take the stairs to a 360 degree 2 level balcony without additional charge. Although the balconies are 360 degree 1/4th of the total space is being used for thrill factor abseiling. Spread out over the balcony there’s “Super Zoom” machines where you can Zoom-in on Rotterdam City to your hearts content. The restaurant Brasserie serves both local and international food, the kitchen closes 45 minutes before the Euromast closing time (23 pm).

Thrill seekers

The Euromast offers several thrills for adrenaline junkies, using height and surrounding landmarks in their advantage.

Euroscoop [NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE]

The Euroscoop is built only for those who aren’t afraid of heights, the rotating elevator spins until the very top of the Euromast at 606 ft. (185 meter) height. When the sky is clear you can see as far as the Belgium city Antwerp. The Euroscoop is opened during Euromast business hours if the weather and technical conditions allow you to enjoy. The Euroscoop is included in the Euromast ticket price and is therefore without additional charge.

Abseiling [€45.00 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET]

Cross your personal limit and step over the edge of the Euromast in order to head straight down while enjoying the remarkable skyline of Rotterdam. How is this unique? For one it’s the highest abseiling course in Europe as well that you’re heading straight down instead of jumping the wall on the way down. Abseiling is present every weekend from May till September 2010. Reservation is not required but advisable. Minimum required age is 16 years.

Speedboat Adventure [€47.50 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET & LUNCH]

The speedboat adventure tour is the newest thrill of the Euromast which allows you to discover Rotterdam from both sea and air. Before or after your luxury and private lunch in the Brasserie restaurant you’ll fly for 20 minutes over the waves of the maas river across landmarks in a Joker Coast 650 up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) speed. Speedboat Adventure can be booked every weekend from June till October 2010 between 11 am and 2 pm. Reservation is required.

Spido [€16.60 INCL. ENTRANCE TICKET]

The last but certainly not least package isn’t so much a thrill but yet a fun combination package for friends, families or group tours. It offers an 75 minutes laid-back sightseeing tour across Rotterdam landmarks on the popular Spido boat as well entrance to the Euromast and Euroscoop. There’s no minimum age requirement to go aboard the Spido, as well there’s no reservation required. Tickets can be booked at the ticket office at the desk of the Euromast.

How to reach
Public transport from Rotterdam Central Station, Tramline 8 (Spangen) stop Euromast.
Private or rental car follow signs “Centrum” / “Maastunnel” from highway and thereafter “Euromast” within city center. There are paid parking spots in front of the Euromast.
Taxi any driver should know the Euromast within city center, the total costs on the meter shouldn’t exceed €20,00.

Contact & opening hours

Opening Hours April till September (Mon – Sun) 9.30 am – 23 pm
Opening Hours October till March (Mon – Sun) 10 am – 23 pm

Parkhaven 20
3016 GM Rotterdam
+31 010 4364811
www.euromast.nl

Please also have a look at Netherlands things to do

Dave from Globenavigation.com at the Euromast

An Globenavigation.com exclusive written and published by Dave Geerts on the 5th of June 2010.

The city of Zierikzee was probably founded around 976. Some farmers and fishermen started a settlement alongside a creek that ended up in the Gouwe. This was an important navigation connection between Vlaanderen, Holland and Zeeland. The city rights of Zierikzee were confirmed and extended in 1248. In 1304 the city won a battle with the Flemish army. The city was to the east and west extended after World War II.

Zierikzee is known for its monuments. Some of the walls, churches, towers and mills were founded in the 15th century. The most famous monument is the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, a tower that is also called The Fat Tower. The city has a beautiful city hall that was built in the 16th century and rebuilt between 1772 and 1779. This building is somewhat similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Other beautiful sightseeing sights are the mills De Hoop and Den Haas, the Nobelpoort, the Noordhavenpoort and the Zuidhavenpoort. You could also visit the Maritime Museum, the 14th century old house called De Haene or the Gravensteen of the 16th century.

Travelers to Zierikzee need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the city is during daytime summer from July till August.

The name Kaatsheuvel consists of two words: Kaats and Heuvel. It is not completely sure where the name comes from. The word Heuvel means hill. The word Kaats could come from St. Catharina or ‘kaatsen’, a popular Dutch game. It is however more likely that the name of the village is a deterioration from the word Ketshoeve, the name of a former guest house.

For a long time the people of Kaatsheuvel lived from the shoe industry. The circumstances for producing shoes were ideal thanks to the oak barks and the many stream-lets. Most households even had their own small shoe factory. The village thrived mainly on the shoe industry before the mayor in the 1950s decided to attract other industries to its village. That resulted in the build of theme park The Efteling on 31st May 1952, the largest theme park in the Netherlands. The tourist industry soon replaced the importance of the shoe industry.

The Efteling is the absolute main attraction of Kaatsheuvel. You can easily spend a whole day here. It is fun for everyone, young and old. It can be pretty busy during summertime since there are a lot of tourists that visit the park. During the winter the park is transformed into a real wonderland winter theme. In Kaatsheuvel you can also see the mill The Eendragt and the corn-mill The Couwenbergh. This last mill was restored in 1995 and is now home to a restaurant.

The area of Kaatsheuvel is popular for hiking and bicycling trips. Travelers to the village need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the village is during daytime summer from July till August. You can also visit the village during winter for enjoying the Winter Theme of The Efteling.

Hilvarenbeek is surrounded by nature. There are young and old forests everywhere. The area is perfect for bicycling and walking. There are plenty of recreation routes that you can follow. The protected Vrijthof has a 300-year-old lime tree and many cozy terraces. The biggest attraction of Hilvarenbeek however is safari park the Beekse Bergen. This park consists of a safari park with African, Asian, European and Australian wildlife, an amusement park and camping opportunities. There are also museums and historical monuments for anyone that likes culture. Or enjoy different theater and music groups.

Hilvarenbeek offers plenty of accommodations through bungalow parks, campsites, camping farms, group accommodations and hotels. The municipality is also close to the Efteling, the Autotron and the Kempen.

Travelers to Hilvarenbeek need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the village is during daytime summer from July till August.

For example Strandclub (Beachclub) Wij, described the past four years as “The best spot of Scheveningen” and “the best beach club in the Netherlands”. Steakhouse Peukie a stylish beach club, with good food, fine wines, cocktails, and lively festivals. The Beach Restaurant Waterreus whit his beautiful view of the North Sea and the Pier of Scheveningen.

The Pier is around 1900 in conjunction with the Kurhaus designed, a bridge from the Kurhaus terrace across the boulevard, to the main entrance of the octagonal platform. It was 380 meter long walk. In 1991 the Pier was taken over by the Van der Valk group, for the symbolic sum of 1 guilder. The Pier became the attraction of seaside resort of Scheveningen. Now the Pier also has a covered area and diverse range of restaurants, casino, cafe, leisure shopping, children entertainment and events. Visiting the Pier is free and dogs are allowed.

The historic Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel in Scheveningen is an impressive building. The history of the Kurhaus Hotel begins in 1818, when Jacob Pronk founds a wooden bathhouse, which by his success soon develops into a real hotel. already in 1885 it became the Kurhaus Hotel. Holland Casino allows you to combine relaxing and tension. There are Roulette, Punto Banco, Poker and Black Jack Tables. There is also a bar and a restaurant.

In the Fortis Circus Theater are concerts, cabaret and family shows. In the past 15 years attracted legendary musicals as The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Elizabeth, Aida and The Lion King millions of visitors. In one of the busiest tourist centers of the Netherlands lies the Museum Beelden Aan Zee. It is built around the old Pavilion ‘de Witte’, a quiet place with images of man, large, small, bronze, stone, sad and happy images.

Sealife-Center on the Boulevard displays in more than forty-five aquariums the amazing underwater world. From the North you can see the mackerel and herring, but also various types of rays and sharks. You can walk through the underwater tunnel and just above your head you see the sharks, turtles and schools of fish swim. In Amazonia you see a real tropical forest with a spectacular waterfall.

On the boulevard there is a fun train, that makes a tour Scheveningen from Monday to Sunday. The starting point is the Pier. The route goes along the port and the village and takes about 35 minutes. There are also music festivals, cultural activities and sporting events in Scheveningen. Like the International Fireworks Festival with breathtaking fireworks.

In Safari park the Beekse Bergen you can enjoy the African wilderness. Go on an adventure with roaring lions, running zebras and curious giraffes. There are 1.500 animals, all in their natural environment. There are rhinos, cheetahs and chimpanzees and Calimero, the biggest elephant of Europe also lives here.

Experience a safari in the summer with the sunset or experience the safari in the winter when the animals behave quite differently. Beekse Bergen Safari Park you can explore four different ways: walking , with the safari bus, the safari boat or by your own car. The safari options are to combine. The bus, boat and walking come together in the back from the park near Congo restaurant , where you can change. On the tour by bus and boat rangers tell interesting facts. And there are useful maps indicate which animals you encounter during the various safari tours. The animals are all a strict diet. Therefore it is not permitted to feed the animals. This is to prevent animals falling ill.

Beekse Bergen Safari Park also organizes special ranger camps. When the last visitors have left the park, guests are treated to an African braai meal with exciting African stories. Then follows a walk through the twilight. So the guests discover how the lions, giraffes and zebras behave at night. After a good night sleep in the tent camp, the guests will be awakened by the roaring lions and the sounds of the elephants, then there is a farm-fresh breakfast. Even before the park opens the doors, takes an experienced ranger his guests along for a ride past the awakening animals.

Speelland Beekse Bergen is a fun park for children with a lot of attractions, safe swimming water and white sandy beaches. Next to the large playground in Speelland Beekse Bergen you can enjoy playing on and around the swings, trampolines, mini-golf and balls mountain. You can enjoy activities such as go-karts, water bikes and bouncy castle or roller–skating and tennis, and you can also hire boats and bikes. There are water slides and the Aqua shuttle, which launches you from a great height. It is a fantastic experience trying a ride with the Wave rider, it is a carousel in the water and you can determine your own speed.

This part of the park will be closed during the winter.

The Campsite is a most unusual park connected with the fun park and the safari park. The park also offers delightful nature trails and a lakeside beach that’s ideal for swimming or sunbathing. At the end of the day, you can always relax and talk about the day’s adventures in the terrace bar, or over a quiet dinner in the park’s own restaurant. It is a unique holiday experience, you will be awakened by the roar of lions and have free access to the amusement and safari park.

The Fairy Tale Forest, designed by the famous Dutch illustrator Anton Pieck, was home to some ten different fairy tales, all of them brought to life using ingenious movements and lighting and sound effects designed by the Dutch film maker Peter Reijnders. In over fifty years the park has evolved from a nature park with playground and a Fairy Tale Forest, into a full-size theme park. It is twice as large as the original. Nowadays, Efteling appeals to both young and old with its cultural, romantic and nostalgic themes and its variety of amusement rides.

There are many attractions in the Efteling, here’s a few described.

The House of the Five Senses is the impressive main entrance. The 52- meter high wooden construction has the largest reed roof (48437 square feet/ 4500 square meters) in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The five peaks of the roof symbolize the Five senses, which stand for experiencing the Efteling. Besides the entrance, customer service, a souvenir shop and a toilet group are located in the building.

The Pagode has been taking off from the Efteling since 1987. This flying temple of Thai design, slowly revolves while it is up in the air. The temple extends up to 45 meters above the ground and has a diameter of 16 meters. You can see it rise above the trees when you are on your way to the Efteling and when you are approaching the park. Even if you are afraid of heights, you shouldn’t miss this spectacular view . As you sit down on one of the long benches, the Pagode calmly and very gradually takes you up and the temple twists full circle. The Efteling looks incredible from up there!

Panda Droom was officially opened by Prince Bernhard in 2002. This attraction was created in close cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund. Panda Droom was a gift to the visitors to the park to mark the Efteling’s 50th anniversary. The 3D film Panda is an unforgettable experience, it shows you just how beautiful nature really is. You can feel the wind and the spray from the ocean, so real.

The Vogel Rok landed in the Efteling in 1998. This indoor roller-coaster rides in the dark and moves at a speed of 65 km/h. The ride takes 1.41 minutes from start to finish. In Carnival Festival figures from all over the world will take you on an exciting journey to explore their countries, their national dress and to find out how they make music. You’ll get a taste of China, France, England, Alaska, Mexico and so on. You pas 15 different countries and 270 different dolls at a speed of 1.8 km/h. The ride is 240 meters long and takes 8 minutes.

Besides the amusement park is also the theater, the four-star Efteling Hotel, build in 1992, with fairy tale rooms, the 18-hole golf course and the new holiday park with bungalows.

De Efteling
Europalaan 1 5171 KW
Kaatsheuvel
www.efteling.com/

At the edge of Bergeijk is a campsite known as: Camping de Paal. Camping de Paal was crowned in 2009 as best European children camp and was named best Eurotopcamping of Europe for 2010. It has a subtropical indoor water playground and there is also a heated outdoor pool. There is a playground called the: Biebelebontse Paalbergen, a wide dune landscape of 323 thousand square foot sand dunes and water. Around the camp are playgrounds and areas for sports and games. There are also a petting zoo, a theater and much more.

There are also a number of interesting buildings and artworks in Bergeijk. One of the most famous is the factory building of Weverij de Ploeg, built in 1957 designed by Gerrit Rietveld. It is a building with lots of glass, what was important to assess the color of weaving Ploeg Fabrics, but whatever the employee gave a sense of working outside in a park. To the west you will see the beautiful backdrop effect of the diagonally placed walls with shed roofs. The factory closed in 2007, but the building is a national monument. The building is surrounded by the Ploegpark, that was designed by the garden architect Mien Ruys, there are very special trees. This park features a clock on a pillar and in the village there is a bus shelter, also designed by Gerrit Rietveld.

In Bergeijk is also a windmill, which since the 15th century stands on a burial mound. It is a mill with a 3 meter high wheel, which moves the grindstone. The mill is newly restored and runs almost every Saturday. In front of the mill you’ll see a statue, De Kempense Haan, made by Toon Slegers.

In the center you can see an old church, named Hofkerk or Sint-Petrus’Bandenkerk which is over an thousand years old. A gothic cruciform church with no tower, but with a small cross tower. The big tower collapsed in 1650 and was never rebuilt, instead was made a bell tower in 1669, called Luihuis. In the Luihuis hangs a bell from 1367, which was cast by Jacobus van Helmond About 35 years ago the church became a national monument, and it was restored. The bronze artwork in front of the church, image with the three musicians , named ‘t Hermenieke van Bergeijk, symbolizes the harmony between the parts Bergeijk village ‘t Hof / ‘t Loo and Weebosch.

Then there are the Old Town Hall, from 1923 and the Doctor House, with brick motifs, from 1893. The oldest house of Bergeijk, Het Teutenhuis, of 1722 that belonged to the Teuten, was once a farm. Previously it was also an inn, but now you find there the VVV office.

In Bergeijk is also a cultural center, named De Kattendans, a bronze artwork in front of it, also called Kattendans, is based on folktales, the cats were at night, to dance the burial mounds. There is still much more to see in Bergeijk, as Eicha the museum, the fish ponds, the flow fields, beautiful nature like De Maai, Cartierheide, De keersop etc. Of course Bergeijk also has restaurants, cafes, snack bars, hotels and shops to enjoy local Dutch cuisine.

Whether you are an individual or in a group, the test center offers a wide range of equipment, from adequate beginner’s equipment through to the most recent top boards and rigs in there renting service. You can follow the first steps of the beginners or admire jumps and maneuvers of the Brouwersdam Locals from our sun terrace. From 2009 there is a new attraction: The Water jump. There are three different lanes available. The first one is about 4 meters, slide down en jump, feel the weightlessness. The second is bigger, you can body slide, but can jump with BMX or inline-skates as well. The third is specially made for ski- and snowboard- jumping.

The lighthouse of Haamstede graced on the banknotes of 250 Dutch guilders. It is the model of a classic lighthouse. The red spiral was applied to it at 1937, as warning low flying aircraft. The light is standing 58 meter above sea level and reaches30 sea mile far. It is called Lighthouse Westerlicht and is located in the dunes of Westenschouwen.

Renesse has a lively city center, with its numerous small restaurants and shops. The beaches of the North Sea takes less than a 15 minutes’ walk and when you don’t like the walk the local bus-transport to the beaches is free of cost. There are extensive dune areas with sealed roads for cyclists. Near the transferium there is the Attraction park Ecoscope, an activities centre about nature, landscapes and durable energy. It’s a combination of education and entertainment. Ecoscope throw an look in the future and show us what kind of possibilities the consumer has, to happen on an responsible manner with the environment.

Zierikzee is a small city, it received city rights in 1248 and was an independent municipality until 1997. In 1953, Zierikzee was damaged by a catastrophic flood. The English town of Hatfield sent help and a friendship has developed. The two towns have been twinned. The city is connected to the Oosterschelde by a 2 km long canal, the channel is mainly used by tourist boats. A beautiful old ship makes a trips every day on the Oosterschelde. In Zierikzee there is the Maritiem Museum where you find a exposition about the rich maritime history of Zierikzee. It is located in the sixteenth-century city jail.