Ports
Vlaardingen is a port town in the Netherlands, close to Rotterdam. The town has long been famous for its fishing activities, especially herring. Nowadays there's not a whole lot to do in Vlaardingen, although the town has a very nice historic centre with several interesting buildings. Around Vlaardingen you'll find plenty of rural scenery and nature areas, as well as industrie. The big city of Rotterdam is just a short drive with public transportation, as are the Dutch beaches of Scheveningen.
Oostende is a seaport and tourism destination on the Belgian coast. The original belle époque architecture was largely destroyed by two world wars (and the advent of mass tourism), but the city still has plenty of worthwhile sights to see, such as the Mu.ZEE, the Petrus and Paulus church, and the fort Napolean. Visit one of the museums, check out the lively cultural agenda, and check out a Belgian tavern for a ‘pinteke’. And don’t forget the beach, which can be crowded in the summer!
