Benelux Travel - Ghent / Antwerp / Rotterdam

I've been to Antwerp. When you ask "older or younger", do you mean young as in young adult or children? Antwerp is probably most suitable for young adults, although older travelers could probably enjoy it as well. I would best describe the city as what Brugges may have become had it not spent several centuries in hibernation. Plenty of grand old architecture (including one of Europe's most under-rated Gothic gems), but also modern business and modern grit.

Rotterdam was just about bombed flat in WWII, therefore it's just a very modern seaport. Of course it has ladies who will entertain sailors in the traditional way that ladies in seaports have entertained sailors for centuries. It also has a thriving, semi legal, drug scene and lots of clubs. To be honest it's far from my favourite place in The Netherlands, especially when just one train stop away is the charming town of Delt. Delft should not be missed. It's the home of Johannes Vermeer, world famous porcelein, one of the prettiest town squares anywhere and some wonderful shops and a great flea market on Saturday mornings.

Ghent is amazing. I did it as a sidetrip from Bruges and I really enjoyed it. It's a university town which also some very pretty churches/cathedrals, and if you go be sure to go to the office of tourism to go on a free tour of them. They have tours of the cathedrals in French, English, and Dutch (Flemish). It's really a fun town to walk around, I went for one day but probably wouldn't have minded another (couldn't stay longer because I had a train ticket to Brussels the next day). I think most anyone would enjoy the town, also.

I've not been to Antwerp but do know lots of people who have gone and loved it.

Enjoy your trip!

"Of course it has ladies who will entertain sailors in the traditional way that ladies in seaports have entertained sailors for centuries." Ditto Antwerp. It's not completely legal like in the Netherlands, but tolerated as long as the practice stays within a defined red light district. So, if you're not interested, you'll never see it. Unlike the Netherlands, drugs are not tolerated here... but with Belgian beers, who needs any other drug?

Thank you to everyone for your information - I really appreciate it!

The younger vs. older that I was referring to would be a pair of young adults vs. a pair of middle aged adults.

Ditto Erica. I spent an overnight in Ghent years ago, very romantic in the evening with all the medieval buildings lit up. Madurodam in The Hague is my favorite place in Holland. The first time I went, I thought it was a "kid's thing" and allowed 2 hours, the next time I had an opportunity, I spent an entire day there! Take a hat, there's no shade! IMHO young or old, both these places are great.