Rotterdam is in the province of South Holland, situated southwest of Amsterdam, a good hours drive away from Amsterdam by car. We may also opt for the train. This great port used to be rich in trade but poor in fine arts until the 1930ís when resources were pooled by local harbor tycoons and entrepreneurs to create the brand new Boijmans Museum, combining wonderful collections of painting, sculpture and the applied arts. In the present day situation I would classify this museum among the 4 great museum of fine arts in the Netherlands. In 1940 the center of commercially important harbor town of Rotterdam was largely destroyed by a sudden and unprovoked German air force bombardment. As a consequence, the inner city was 98% flattened and present day architecture in the center is mainly post-1945, with some isolated older buildings that were miraculously saved from destruction. It was an effective way for the Nazi Germans to break the willpower of the Dutch to fight on - as the same fate would await the other historic towns. The Maas riverfront now boasts expressive and spectacular modern architecture and we also notice various bridges built during the last 150 years. The sleek lines of the latest huge swan neck Erasmus bridge designed by UNstudio and erected for E 165 million has become the new logo and trademark of the town. Another element of harbor architecture not to be missed is the grand Art Deco cafÈ New York from which emigrants sailed for the New World. Nearby is the Museum Harbour, a historic open-air areahow with ships from various ages‚ and some of these museum ships can even be visited. I can take you there by train or by car. My car seats 3 or 4 adults. As an art historian based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I can meet you in Rotterdam for a personalized guided tour of art museums and the historic center. Together we will experience the beauty and history. Enjoy yourself and learn about history while strolling and discussing the country's history, art and culture. In doing so, we may touch many bases - spanning not only fine art and architecture but also the city's history and current social issues. Drs. Kaldenbach is chairman of the Circle of Academic Tour Guides of the Netherlands and Flanders (CATON). Starting at your hotel I will take you on a wonderful private cultural walking tour of your choice. My guided itinerary offers you accessable informative conversation in English, Dutch, or German (my French and Italian are more limited). You may also arrange this VIP treatment for business contacts or friends. Our cultural tour organisation office will take care of a unique and memorable experience. Drs. Kees Kaldenbach has been featured in television and radio documentaries, including BBC2 TV, NTV Japan, Danish TV and Radio Netherlands World Service. In July 2004 he was interviewed about rotterdam artists by Tetsuya Tsuruhara for the leading Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun. In 2004 and 2005 he acted in an advisory role to additional BBC teams. Kaldenbach has written extensively on Vermeer and 17th century rotterdam, on Vincent van Gogh and on other art history topics. Notes: - Please contact me for time and fees of the tailor-made tour you ar interested in - These tailor made tours are available upon request - please contact me to book a date - Minimum group size: 1 person - Maximum group size is limited to about 10 persons - With a megaphone I can also manage larger groups on the streets. Member discount: Notes: Normally starting from Amsterdam by car or train (train: extra ticket cost). Time spent in the city about 2 to 4 hours. More time at extra cost. Contact me for information on larger groups with other venues and more people. If you are already in Rotterdam that day, then prices are lower. Optional Bus/Tram or Bike hire extra. 
Supplier Information
Out-Of-The-Ordinary Ranking
Also see tour packages in: Europe Netherlands History Whiz Archeology/History Sightseeing Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
