Rhine Canal Magic & City Nights

Like Dortmund and Bochum, Duisburg became well known as a major location for the iron and steel industries. Nowadays, this city in the Ruhr region is a scientific hub and home to high-tech companies. Situated right on the Rhine, Duisburg is also one of the world’s most important inland ports.

Rotterdam is a city that's a long way removed from most people's stereotypical notion of the Netherlands. There are few, if any, canals to be found here nor are there any quaint windmills. There is, however, a thriving modern city which is one of the busiest ports in the entire world.

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. Known as ‘Manhattan on the Maas’, it has a more urban and international atmosphere than anywhere else in the whole country. Be prepared to be amazed by the fantastic skyline, featuring the the Erasmusbrug bridge. Rotterdam is home to Europe’s largest port, as well as being a major transport hub. It's no surprise that this is a centre of contemporary architecture, featuring the famoust Kijk-Kubus, and the Witte Huis, which was the first skyscraper in Europe. Several impressive new skyscrapers have sprung up over the past 20 years.

There is always something going on in the lively city of Utrecht. Explore the vibrant city centre or visit Utrecht Cathedral. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful vista over the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. Utrecht is also characterised by its many canals, which are lined with canal houses and small street cafés. 

Did you know that Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands? You only need to cross the Waalburg arch bridge into the centre to understand why the 160,000 inhabitants are so proud of their city: the Waalkade wharf and the silhouette of the city-centre buildings combine to form a truly impressive sight. In this Hanseatic city, tradition and modernity go hand in hand. 

Like Dortmund and Bochum, Duisburg became well known as a major location for the iron and steel industries. Nowadays, this city in the Ruhr region is a scientific hub and home to high-tech companies. Situated right on the Rhine, Duisburg is also one of the world’s most important inland ports.