As you move towards the North in Europe, you find out that people who have the least amount of sun make the best use of it. As a perfect example, Rotterdammers have the timeless terrace of the Wester Paviljoen. A real “grand cafe”, it is one of those old-timers where people can stay the whole day having coffee and reading an the press table (a great Dutch thing, if you ask me). But besides the comfortable interior and the menu with all kinds of snacks and Dutch comfort foods, you can also sit outside. 

This is one of those perennial terraces where time literally stops. Where the whole city feels welcome and becomes part of a lovely Hopper-like image that makes you forget that you actually had to be somewhere else. I love to pass by and see all kinds of people: families, groups of friends, couples and loners lean their head back a bit, just enough to get those precious rays of light, and then come back to reality, where beer, coffee and bitterballen are always available. 

Go here if you need to just stop and enjoy.