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Rotterdam retro-icon: the Euromast

The port, the Erasmus Bridge, the summer carnival? No, it’s the Euromast that has been the icon of Rotterdam for more than half a century. Originally built for the 1960 Floriade flower festival, and later almost doubled in height, the Euromast has been a popular attraction for decades and is still the highest lookout tower in the Netherlands.

Arts & Culture

From Euromast to Space Tower

In 1960, the very first Floriade in the Netherlands was opened by Princess Beatrix. In the park with flowerbeds, ponds, pavilions and a cable car, the 100-metre-high Euromast was the main attraction. It was the tallest building in Rotterdam at that time and quite an achievement in those days - architect Huig Maaskant went all out for this project. The foundation consists of a block of concrete that weighs almost 2 million kilograms and the asymmetrical steel and glass crow’s nest weighs 240,000 kilograms. The colossus (which now also houses a restaurant) was built on the ground and in 5 days lifted to an elevation of 100 metres. Even after the Floriade the Euromast remained a top attraction, drawing half a million visitors each year. 10 years later the mast was no longer the tallest building in Rotterdam. A second tower was built on top of it: the Space Tower with the Euroscoop, a glass elevator that rotates as it ascends to the 185-metre-high top.

Abseiling, dining or a 5-star suite

'Everything changes except the view', was the recommendation when the Euromast underwent a comprehensive renovation at the start of the new millennium. The mast reopened in 2004 with a brand-new contemporary restaurant in the crow’s nest. Here you can enjoy brunch, lunch, high tea or dinner, all with the same fabulous views. Interior designer Jan des Bouvrie has decorated 2 luxurious suites on top of the restaurant. From 10:00 pm until 10:00 am, hotel guests have the viewing platform all to themselves – the highest balcony in the whole of Rotterdam. Another new addition is the opportunity to abseil at the tower - nerves of steel are a must.

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Arts & Culture

Houston and Dallas may be bigger and more famous, but Austin is in fact the capital of Texas. It’s also the least Texan city in Texas. And the weirdest city in the country. This is something its residents take pride in, as evidenced by the Austin motto of Keep Austin Weird! Have a peek inside weird houses or admire a cathedral of junk in a city where there is even a museum devoted entirely to the weird and strange.

Nightlife

When it comes to music, you might be inclined to think New Orleans (jazz), Memphis (rock ‘n’ roll), Chicago (blues) or Nashville (country), but Austin is actually the music capital of the US. The city boasts over 250 music venues, more than any other American city. You can choose from countless live performances and a fantastic music festival every month, such as SXSW. Austin lives and breathes music.

Beach, Water sports, Nature

The airport in Liberia is the gateway to the Province of Guanacaste, the sunniest part of Costa Rica. Thanks to its large number of snow-white buildings and tree-lined streets made of white gravel, the city itself is also referred to as ‘la ciudad blanca’. But, let’s be honest, most visitors who arrive here are primarily interested in white sand. Only a half hour by car from the airport is the fantastic Pacific coast with beaches that are postcard perfect.

Nature

In the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, you can hike, swim in natural hot springs, picnic and camp. The park features a variety of ecosystems around nine craters and 32 rivers with spectacular waterfalls during the rainy season. The diversity of flora and fauna is amazing: look up and chances are you’ll see toucans, sloths and monkeys in the treetops.

Active & Outdoor

Old towns, stunning constructions and wonderful nature: admire all of this and more in THIS IS HOLLAND, a brand-new 5D movie attraction by the producers of De Nieuwe Wildernis (The New Wilderness). It is the perfect introduction to Holland for first-time visitors, but also an interesting surprise for Dutchies who think they know their country inside out. This is a magical 5D experience with smells, colours, images, sounds, rain and shine.

Culinary

Everyone in Sweden knows Småland as the nation’s culinary centre. The region’s cuisine goes above and beyond the famous meatballs: a Michelin-star restaurant serves innovative Swedish haute cuisine, coffee is elevated to an art, and you can visit a lovely castle and pretend to be Lord or Lady of the manor. Here are three suggestions for typically Swedish restaurants in the city of Växjö.

Arts & Culture

Älmhult is the birthplace of renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus and children’s books author Astrid Lindgren, however its most famous ‘offspring’ is IKEA. Life in this southern Swedish town evolves around the blue-and-yellow furniture giant: from the IKEA Hotel and IKEA Museum to the IKEA Bar and IKEA Spa. Welcome to the one and only IKEA Småland – meatballs and ball pit included.