... Some of the Top WHS Travellers registered at this website thought it would be a fun idea to meet up in person after all these years of digital communication.
... And decided that The Netherlands seem to be a reasonably central place to do so.

So I'd like to welcome you all to a shared visit to the Van Nelle Factory, on Sunday August 23rd. A private tour in English will be arranged for us to this otherwise tricky to visit WHS.

Proposed programme:
1. Private Tour at Van Nelle Factory in English with fellow-WHS-members (11.00-12.00)
2. (optional) Typical Dutch lunch at hotel (no you don't have to bring your own food!) (12.15 – 14.00)
3. (optional) Overnight stay at hotel (for example Van der Valk Rotterdam Blijdorp, within 20 minutes walk of Van Nelle Fabriek and close to Rotterdam Airport), (Saturday on Sunday night)

If you're interested to join, please send me an e-mail before July 5st at els@worldheritagesite.org. Indicate the following:
- at what part of the package you would like to participate (so tour and/or lunch and/or hotel)
- how many persons

You'll have to pay your own costs, but I try to keep it reasonable (tour ca. 10 EUR, hotel currently ca. 75 EUR). After July 5th I will decide whether there are enough participants to push on, and what the definitive programme and costs are.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. I have already booked a trip to Vienna. Hopefully I'll be able to join in next time round. Cheers

oh, the only WHS in the Netherlands (the European bit anyway) that I haven't visited. It could be awkward timing for me, but I will see if I can jigg some bits around.

Could be fun to put faces to names after all these years.

Great idea, I would love to take part but unfortunately I plan to see all remaining Dutch sites this July (holidays planned well in advance). Have fun!

What a fun idea!

I would love to be there. If things go well, I would swing by the Netherlands before going back to Germany in September, but I am not sure if I can make a definite plan before July 5...If I do go there, I will try to get to 4 other sites I have not been in the Netherlands as well.

It'll be fun to have an annual meeting at a different country each year. :)

Update:
The Get-together is almost sure to go on. I just would like a few extra confirmations to be able to book the private tour.
So if you think you can make it to NL on August 23, please send me an e-mail (unless you already have done so).

I will also send a broader request via e-mail next week, to reach out to those travellers/users that do not frequent the Forum much.

It's a lovely idea. Unfortunately on August 23rd I'm on my flight to Paris for a trip Northern France, Loire Valley and Paris. So I won't be able to join.

I am sorry, hubert. So many already have made travel plans, and are flying all over the place!

I am happy to announce that the meeting is now confirmed! So you can book your transportation etc.

More details will follow...

Another update, with a little more than 2 weeks to go!

- 20 participants have now confirmed, arriving from 7 different countries.
- I did a trial run last Sunday (checking out parking & directions), and I must say the Van Nelle Factory is an imposing sight against a blue sky.
- This weekend I will send the final programme details to the participants.

Just got back to a very rainy office in London. But wanted say a big thank you to Els for organising a great meet up. Also to say thanks to everyone that came for making it a really enjoyable day. Hopefully I can see you all again (and those that couldn't make this one) at the next meet up, whenever and wherever that may be.

The first photos of the past weekend can be found at the link below. I'll keep on adding others when I receive them.

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/photo/

Wow! want to be there, but Rotterdam is too far from my country!!

More (and very nice) photos have been added! Click on the link above (takes a while to load)

A couple more added. From Thomas this time, who drove past 2 sets of coal mine WHS on his way home.