Winter festivals and plenty of culture in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second city, is famous for its ultra-modern buildings, its high quality modern museums and for being the edgier, less touristy alternative to Amsterdam.

Fun winter activities such as an ice skating rink will be continuing after the festive season, and with the opening of a major architecture festival in the city, which will run all the way until September 2007, as well as the annual film festival, January is an exciting time to be in Rotterdam.

One of the outdoor sights to see in January is the 'Colourful World' photo exhibition at the Beursplein in the city centre.

A free show of full-colour work from lots of different photographers, the best pictures will be blown up to mammoth proportions of 4.5 by two metres high.

The exhibition is on until January 31st 2007. For more information see www.beursplein-rotterdam.nl

Modern architecture fans have plenty to see in Rotterdam, with big buildings and bridges to seek out that have been designed by luminaries such as Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas and architects UN Studio.

However, the key place to visit is the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI), a special museum for architecture lovers housed in a suitably modern and unusual building with a lengthy bridge-like walk connecting it to the street.

From January 27th the NAI will be hosting the first of many events and exhibitions for the Rotterdam 2007 City of Architecture festival, with an exhibition looking at how lights and buildings have transformed the night-time skyline.

For more information see www.rotterdam2007

Also launching at the end of January is the Rotterdam Film Festival - one of Europe's most arty but accessible film festivals.

The festival takes over the city from January 24th to February 4th, with lots of the Rotterdam's galleries getting in on the act, and temporary spaces springing up across the city.

Be warned though, you are not likely to see the latest Harry Potter here, but may be lucky enough to catch the next Trainspotting, along with all the best European feature films.

For more information see www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com

And for those not so interested in all the art, film and architecture, a fly-by visit to the city's Oude Haven (old harbour) is definitely a fun place to while away an afternoon.

Bars, restaurants, centuries-old bridges, characterful houses and a windmill make it a must-see alternative to all the modernity.

For more information on Rotterdam see www.holland.com

The Transavia airline has return flights to Rotterdam from £38.99 www.transavia.com/en

Alternatively, a train and ferry service departing from London Liverpool Street, is available from £25 each way www.dutchflyer.co.uk