With tans fading rapidly and swimsuits retired to the drawer, it may seem that holidays are all but a distant memory. Fear not, the autumn offers a different kind of adventure. Dust off those boots, grab a scarf and brace yourself for a welcome change. The summer might be over but your sense of wanderlust needn’t vanish alongside it.

Wandering at a different time of year, at a slower pace, lends itself to discovery. In the summer months, we can forget to slow down and enjoy the moment, packing in as much as possible. Take your time, stand on the top deck, pull your coat around you and set sight on new land. Your Instagram account will thank you for it.

How about catching the ferry to Rotterdam? The lesser known parts of the Netherlands are just as worthy of exploration as bustling hot-spot Amsterdam. Get off the beaten track, or experience the best of both worlds with coach transfers from Europort to the centre of the capital. The choice is yours. Either way, throw away your guidebook and find your own local favourites: coffee spots, local shops and tasty grub await.

Visit the Rotterdam Markthal, the proudly Pop food hall. With over 100 local stalls bursting with fresh produce and seasonal eats, you can dine like a local, and will find yourself utterly spoilt for choice. The digitalised walls and roof of the market provide a visual spectacular. Rotterdam isn’t trying to be super luxe or cool, Rotterdam is unashamedly fun.

Rotterdam is a designer’s playground. With world-renowned architecture dotted all over the city, you best have your camera at the ready, for there is so much to see. Stroll around the historic and quaint city quarter Delfshaven, marvel at the famous cube houses in the centre and conquer you fear of heights in the Euromast. 

Go now and enjoy the changing city lights! Wait until the New Year and hit the international film festival, or visit in the spring to indulge in an artist’s mecca. Heck, visit during all three seasons! And don’t forget to pack a windbreaker and a good pair of jeans for a bike ride along the Nieuwe Maas where you can really enjoy the breath-taking urban landscape surrounding this emerging city. We suggest starting with a hearty breakfast at the trendy Westelijk Handelsterrein, a bustling area of restored warehouses that host a number of restaurants and bars. Next, let the river take you up to Kinderdijk. There you can feast your eyes on traditional Dutch scenery, including many a windmill.  

With overnight sailing from Hull to Rotterdam with P&O ferries you can wake up to a new landscape just waiting for you to carve out your own path. Take your car and venture further afield, or explore a single area in depth. Travel light, or pack the kitchen sink– it doesn’t matter. Travel by ferry and start your adventure your own way. 

Photos top-bottom: P&O Ferries, Rick Ligthelm, Jiuguang Wang, P&O Ferries.