Eindhoven. For me the name conjures up images of a pretty, peaceful provincial Dutch town.

And, according to fans of PSV's rivals, that's exactly what they think Eindhoven is and they remind them of the fact they're from a backwater at every opportunity they have (think anti Norwich chants and you're probably in the right ball park).

But if you're expecting to find a leafy, laid-back picture postcard place then you'll be caught out.
Eindhoven is, or more accurately was, at the heart of the Netherland's manufacturing centre, helping to drive the country's industry over the past century or two.

It landed from outer space: The Blob.

Of course, though, this is northern Europe so the manufacturing has all but gone. And Eindhoven has gone through that painful transition of being a bit rundown and shabby - and in the 21st Century is well and truly coming out the other side. So it's not beautiful. It's not picturesque. But it definitely ticks a few boxes in the 'striking and dynamic' department.

As the city has reinvented itself the architects have got to work and it now boasts some cutting edge buildings, a slightly bohemian feel (in parts) and a vibrant atmosphere.

Eindhoven is famous for Philips. And Philips still occupies a big portion of real estate in the heart of the city, close to the railway station.

If you're arriving at the station, you step out onto a wide pedestrian square. Check out the  dominant Piazza Center to the right - with a roof towering up into the skyline held up by huge girders, a nod to Eindhoven's industrial past.

Striking: Piazza Center

Nip in to the tourist information centre by the train station and pick up a map with a short walking tour. It'll take you round all there is to see in Eindhoven in an hour or two - showing you just how small the city centre is.

There's no big list of sights to check out. The central Markt has a more traditional old European feel, whilst don't miss De Blob just down from the Piazza Center. The rough translation of it is - er, blob - and that's exactly what this building is like, home to a jeans store when I visited.

No, Eindhoven's charm is in being a buzzing, modern city. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Stratumseind, proudly proclaimed by the city as the longest bar-filled street in the Netherlands and they're not lying either.

After dark the place is buzzing with dozens of bars and clubs and it's a huge gathering point before and after matches.

Culture is well covered including the impressive modern art collection in Van Abbemuseum. and the cutting edge Designhuis. The middle is a shopper's paradise, and is the hub for this part of the southern Netherlands.

Knowing me, knowing you, Abbe: The Abbemuseum

Eindhoven won't knock you out with its beauty. But it's impressive in parts, definitely lively as dusk falls, and you won't go hungry or thirsty. Enjoy.