City breaks by boat? Yes, of course! As there is water everywhere in the Netherlands, we tried it out in Rotterdam. Conclusion: The trip is highly recommended if you're not looking for peace and quiet in the countryside. But you can find it 30 kilometres to the south-east in De Biesbosch National Park. The origin of the town was a dam on the river Rotte. Herring fishermen reloaded their catch here and settled here from 1230.
The city - now the largest seaport in Europe and number three worldwide - has remained a transshipment centre for goods.
There is a lot to discover. Whether on your own boat or a chartered sloop, a visit to the Maritime Museum and a trip through the surrounding canals are among the highlights. The Markthal is a real treat, which you can literally eat your way through - or you can end the day in one of the excellent restaurants. Further information can be obtained from the tourist office. www.rotterdampartners.nl
City Marina Rotterdam
The City Marina was the only marina in the city until recently. According to harbour master Jan Wilhelm Kranendonk, there are always free berths for boats between five and 50 metres in length. Two euros per metre are charged for the first two nights, then it gets cheaper. The only downside is that slipping or craning is not possible anywhere in the city. The Barendrecht marina, 30 kilometres to the south, is recommended for this.
The Red Apple Marina
These Brand new jetty was opened in June 2015 and is located in the centre of the city in the Wijnhaven. Guest berths up to 10 metres are available for 20 euros per night or 120 euros per week. As there are no sanitary facilities, the showers or toilets of the neighbouring Ibis hotel can be used.
Marina Barendrecht
Slipping and craning is possible in the Marina Barendrecht possible. Cars and trailers should be parked here. The journey to the city centre begins along the Oude Maas. A stop can be made in beautiful Dorndrecht. Continue along the Noord into the Nieuwe Mass. Here the rudder must be put to port in the Koningshaven. Immediately behind the striking De Hef railway lift bridge on the port side is the swing bridge that opens up the entrance to City Marina Rotterdam.
Charter in Rotterdam
Boats can be chartered in the City Marina Rotterdam: There are sloops ( www.sloepverhuurrotterdam.nl ) for day trips and even steel displacement boats from Yachtcharter de Waarheid, which are also based here. Depending on the boat and season, prices per week in 2015 ranged between 895 and 2195 euros ( www.yachtcharterdewaarheid.nl ).
Watertaxi
If you don't want to go back to the helm after a lavish feast, you should get yourself a Water taxi treat yourself. The prices depend on the route. The trip from the base station at the Hotel New York to the Leuvehaven costs 3.60 euros per person. You can call +31-10-403 03 03 to call one of the boats to one of the 50 or so stops, but in the city centre they often pass by the stops.
Suite Hotel Pincoffs
The hotel is located directly at the City Marina Rotterdam. Ideal for travellers who cannot or do not want to spend the night on the boat. The hotel owes its name to Lodewijk Pincoffs, one of the founders of the Holland-America Line, which had its office in what is now the hotel. The city can be reached quickly on foot via the Erasmus Bridge. It is even quicker and more convenient by boat: the charter station for the sloops and the marina's tanker are right in front of the hotel. A comfort room is available from 119 euros per night. www.hotelpincoffs.nl
Hotel New York
The hotel is located in the former administrative building of the Holland-America Line. It is one of the few buildings in old Rotterdam that survived the German air raid on the city on 14 May 1940. The Kop van Zuid neighbourhood, where the hotel is located, was almost wiped out. It has only been purposefully rebuilt since 1992. The result is a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. Today, cruise ships still dock at the nearby Wilhelminapier. The restaurant in the listed hotel is known for its seafood. www.hotelnewyork.nl
SS "Rotterdam"
The elegant former cruise ship has finally moored at the pier in Maashaven and, since its complete renovation, serves as an original hotel with a maritime flair reminiscent of the golden age of ocean liners in the 1950s. The unique floating accommodation has 254 rooms, two on-board restaurants, Captain's Lounge and Ocean Bar over a length of 228 metres. Prices start at around 40 euros per night. www.ssrotterdam.com
De Matroos en Het Meisje
An original highlight of Rotterdam's gastronomic experience is hidden behind the unusual name "De Matroos en het Meisje". Reservations are recommended, as the 50 seats are often fully booked. All guests receive a surprise menu starting from three courses. The dishes change weekly. The menu does not reveal what is on the menu, but the waiter will ask about allergies or preferences and then offer alternatives. The number of courses is determined by the guest. www.dematroosenhetmeisje.nl
Las Palmas
Herman den Blijker is a well-known chef in the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, he runs the top restaurant Las Palmas at Wilhelminakade 300. It offers classic fine dining in an industrial concrete ambience at an upmarket price level with excellent service. www.restaurantlaspalmas.nl
Maritiem Museum
Visitors to Rotterdam cannot avoid the Maritime Museum in Leuvehaven. Anyone interested in maritime history and traditions should take some time to explore the exhibits, which form an impressive backdrop in the heart of the old trading city. Even without visiting the exhibition halls, you can simply enjoy the scenery on the water. Incidentally, there are other historic ships moored in the Veerhaven. www.maritiemmuseum.nl
Market neck
The market hall, which opened in 2014, is not just one of Rotterdam's architectural delights. On 11,000 square metres, there is an excellent range of delicious food on offer. You can also indulge in delicious snacks in numerous restaurants ( www.markthalrotterdam.nl ).
Every day except Mondays, the Binnenrotte and the streets immediately in front of the Markthal are also home to the largest open-air market in the Netherlands. The 400 or so stalls offer a huge range of products, from fresh food and spices to international fast food, clothing and bric-a-brac.
Fenix Food Factory
The Fenix Food Factory on the south bank of the river also has a market hall with a special ambience. Various vendors can be found in the former storage sheds on the Rijnhaven, offering culinary delights. www.fenixfoodfactory.nl
Cube houses
The extraordinary residential complex is a world-famous experiment by Dutch architect Piet Blohm, which began in the 1970s. The vertically arranged cube flats in Rotterdam were completed in 1984. A model house can be visited. Part of the complex serves as a hostel, where you can also stay overnight. www.kubuswoning.nl
Nautical information
As appealing as it may seem, exploring Rotterdam's countless industrial harbours is taboo for leisure boating. However, it is pleasing to note that there are hardly any speed restrictions on the Oude Maas, the Nieuwe Mass and the other waterways that form a ring around the city.
Worth knowing:Bridges or locks are now often operated in the Netherlands with a call and a number combination on a mobile phone. If you are travelling on your own keel, you need the driving licences required in Germany. Charter boats up to 15 metres in length that cannot travel faster than 20 km/h do not require a licence.
Boats with a possible maximum speed of more than 20 km/h must have aLicence plate according to German regulations and the skipper must be at least 18 years old. For motorboats with an overall length of up to seven metres, which cannot exceed a maximum speed of 13 km/h, the minimum age of the skipper is 12 years. For all other watercraft, aMinimum age from 16 years.
The traffic regulations in the form of the "Almanak voor Watertoerisme, Part 1" must be carried on board. Part 2 of the Almanac is also recommended, which contains detailed and always up-to-date information on the sailing areas and harbours. Further details on compulsory equipment and insurance as well as special regulations can be found in a PDF document from the ADAC at www.adac.de/_mmm/pdf/Niederlande_57412.pdf
