Great little pubs in this area. The close proximity of watering holes for lovely Dutch beer is not…read morewhat makes this square famous amongst the Dutch locals. It is this square's popularity with protests, demonstrations and other civil actions of a vibrant democratic society.

An area to the Southeast of the center of Amsterdam that is filled with popular shops, bars and…read morerestaurants. There is a book market in the square there every week. Sometimes there are street musicians playing or street entertainers performing in the square. It's a pleasant area of the city to hang out in that is not so busy as the center of town though it can still be quite full of people. It's a short distance from Dam Square and the Negen Straats. Kalverstraat also borders on it's east side and the tram runs through it.

Roppongi is a popular neighborhood in Tokyo, with many nightclubs and loved by tourists and…read moreJapanese girls searching for foreign men. It is also a cute shop at the Rozengracht in Amsterdam. I've been to both actually, but today I will tell you about the shop in Amsterdam, because that information will probably be more of use to you since Tokyo is not exactly around the corner :) Roppongi is a nice place for Japan-lovers. They sell all kinds of fun stuff and a bit of food as well. The shop is colorful because of the prints on the walls and the paper lanterns hanging through the shop. The lanterns are funny, their mostly shaped like fish and very colorful and festive. You can buy them here as well. The other stuff they sell are books, clothing, bento boxes, Japanese foods, kitchen supplies for making sushi, tea pots, accessories, traditional sandals en much more. ' Prices aren't cheap but then again, there are not that many places where you can find these things. Maybe in Chinatown, but this is a nice shop and its fun to have a look around when in the neighborhood.

Stadhuis Rotterdam is the Town Hall of Rotterdam, the building is a historic landmark of the city,…read moreas one of the few buildings to survive the bombings during World War Two, with the Clock Tower being an iconic point of Coolsingel. It is recognised as a Rijksmonument in The Netherlands. Stadhuis was built between 1914 and 1920 with the foundation being laid in the company of Queen Wilhelmina. The mix of the greenery at the back and the grand architecture is a stunning mix, the interior also reminds me of the Houses of Parliament of London, with the huge grand halls fit for royalty. It does close at 5 pm, which I think is a little early, especially during the summer months. Early Birds will be pleased to know they open from 8:30 in the morning. 4* - A stunning grand building and a remarkable Town Hall for one of my favouite cities in Europe. It is well worth a visit just to see the contrast between old and new, especially with so few remaining of the former in the city due to tragedies related to the war.

The Erasmus Bridge is a beautiful cable-stayed and bascule bridge. The bridge is named after the…read morephilosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam. The bridge is asymmetrical. The light blue cable stayed section leans back which makes it look like a swan, hence the nickname "The Swan." The other span has a 292 foot bascule bridge. It is the largest panel of its type in the world, which makes sense as Rotterdam is one of the busiest ports in the world. The traffic back and forth under the bridge was mesmerizing. Beautiful to see from so many angles especially as we left the Port of Rotterdam.

The Erasmusbrug, also known as "The Swan," is a combined cable-stayed and bascule bridge. Completed…read morein 1996, this bridge connects the city's northern and southern districts, offering stunning views. It was a must to walk across.

The Kijk-Kubus is an architectural marvel right outside the Blaak train station. It's a unique…read moreconcept where you can pay to enter one of the actual lived-in units to see how the space works. No need for advance tickets; you can buy them at the door for €3.50 (cash or card). It's a very quick and easy entry. Be prepared for narrow spaces and several flights of steep stairs. You'll see a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom tucked into the angles. While the interior is a clever use of space, it feels a bit dated and shows significant wear and tear up close. Personally, I found the exterior design much more impressive than the inside, but for the low price, it's worth a quick look if you're already at the station!

Kubuswoningen. The Cube Houses…read more This is a must in Rotterdam! The Cube Houses were designed by architect Piet Blom. They were designed to live in as an urban space by tilting a cube on a corner and then resting it on a hexagon-shaped pylon. Each of the houses has a ground floor entrance. As you climb the stairs, you reach the first floor living room and kitchen, the second floor bedrooms and bathroom and the third floor bonus room. We took a tour of one of the homes that is opened as a museum for public viewing. They are really so interesting. Beautiful yellow and while modern cubes against a skyline filled with unique architecture. A definite highlight in Rotterdam. Tip: Take a Free Walking Tour Rotterdam to learn more about the interesting architecture in Rotterdam.