Although Amsterdam is the economic center of the Netherlands, the seat of government is The Hague. Here the streets are broader, the buildings grander, and the roses redder. Where else do the horses have their own special day where they walk Feely through the city and cat from silver plates? Centuries of wealth have Bestowed many beautiful buildings and parks to The Hague's streets and canals, and -ft the city with fine museums. This coot city of diplomats also harbors the royal residence and the International Court of justice, which meets at the Peace Palace. many of the locals ship out to nearby beachtront night spot, Scheveningen (a city so difficult to pronounce correctly, it was used as a code word by the Dutch in WWII) Here, you'll find beaches, casinos, and a newly restored boardwalk.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
Staying in The Hague is not an easy thing to do. Budget accommodations are sparse
and distant, and their quality is not as good as those in neighboring cities, such as
Rotterdam. Thus, The Hague makes a good daytrip; in fact, it'll be a daytrip even if
you're staying at the local hostel.
In The Hague, the horses may dine off silver plates, but you'll have to really search for a plate of your own. Ordinary folk flock for Flemish favorites, fresh fruit and fish, at the nearby covered market Markthof, Spuistr., a few blocks from Binnenhof, along Groete Marktstr. (open Mon. I lam 6pm, Tues. Wed. and Fri. 9am 6pm, Thurs. 9am - 9pm, Sat. 9am 5pm). Enjoy a stroll along Denneweg, a street lined with tiny exotic restaurants.
SIGHTS
A visit to the Binnenhof, the courtyard whose buildings house the Netherlands's Parliament, is enough to make you want a career in Dutch politics. Guided tours (leaving from Binnenhof 8a) begin with an audiovisual presentation and move on to the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), and usually one or both of the chambers of the States General. (Open Mon. Sat. loam 4pm, last tour at 4:45pm; f5.) just outside the north entrance of the Binnenhof, the 17 th century Mauritshuis features a heavyweight collection of Dutch paintings, including Rembrandt's 7 be Anatomy Lesson and Vermeer's Lady with a Turban (open Tues. Sat. 10am 5pm, Sun. I lam 5pm f`7 50; seniors, under 18, and CJP holders f4.50). The Haags Gemeentemuseurn, Stadhouderslaan 41 boasts the largest collection of Mondriaans in the world (open Tues. Sun. I I am 5pm. f7, seniors and children f6, CJP holders f5).
The extravagant Peace Palace, donated by Andrew Carnegie when he was experiencing a bout of industrialist guilt, and home to the International Court of Justice, glistens at Carnegieplein, 10min. from the Binnenhof. The palace is usually closed when the Court is in session; call ahead to check if it's open to the public (tel. 302 42 42). Guided tours (required) leave Mon. Fri. at 10, 1 lam, 2, 3, and 4pm. (Oct.May last tour leaves at 3pm; f5, under 13 f3.)
The Haags Filmhuis, Spui 191, features oldies and the best of current movies; all films are shown in their original language with Dutch subtitles (fl 1 15, students and seniors f8.50 12.50; screenings nightly at 7:30pm and 9:45pm).The best deal in The Hague may just be the MGM Odeon Theatres, Herengr acht 13, where one movie is always f2.50.
Muziekcaffi La Valletta, Nwe. Schoolstr. 13a, is a jazz caf6 that features live shows Thursday nights at lOpm (open 5pm lam; no cover). Fireworks explode from the pier (f I entrance fee) in Scheveningen every Friday night in July and August, and in mid June the beach hosts the Nationale Nederianden Kite Festival and the International Sandcastle Festival. Parkpop in late June is the largest free mainstream rock concert in Europe. In July, the annual North Sea jazz Festival brings four straight days of jazz, gospel concerts, and dance contests to The Hague. For a smurfy good time, check out the incredibly tacky and cheesy Smurf Festival in Scheveningen in early July, or the weekly brochure Over Uit. For a complete fist of cultural events, pick up the brochure Info from the VVV.
Although Amsterdam is the economic center of the Netherlands, the seat of government is The Hague. Here the streets are broader, the buildings grander, and the roses redder. Where else do the horses have their own special day where they walk Feely through the city and cat from silver plates? Centuries of wealth have Bestowed many beautiful buildings and parks to The Hague's streets and canals, and -ft the city with fine museums. This coot city of diplomats also harbors the royal residence and the International Court of justice, which meets at the Peace Palace. many of the locals ship out to nearby beachtront night spot, Scheveningen (a city so difficult to pronounce correctly, it was used as a code word by the Dutch in WWII) Here, you'll find beaches, casinos, and a newly restored boardwalk.
Staying in The Hague is not an easy thing to do. Budget accommodations are sparse
and distant, and their quality is not as good as those in neighboring cities, such as
Rotterdam. Thus, The Hague makes a good daytrip; in fact, it'll be a daytrip even if
you're staying at the local hostel.
A visit to the Binnenhof, the courtyard whose buildings house the Netherlands's Parliament, is enough to make you want a career in Dutch politics. Guided tours (leaving from Binnenhof 8a) begin with an audiovisual presentation and move on to the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), and usually one or both of the chambers of the States General. (Open Mon. Sat. loam 4pm, last tour at 4:45pm; f5.) just outside the north entrance of the Binnenhof, the 17 th century Mauritshuis features a heavyweight collection of Dutch paintings, including Rembrandt's 7 be Anatomy Lesson and Vermeer's Lady with a Turban (open Tues. Sat. 10am 5pm, Sun. I lam 5pm f`7 50; seniors, under 18, and CJP holders f4.50). The Haags Gemeentemuseurn, Stadhouderslaan 41 boasts the largest collection of Mondriaans in the world (open Tues. Sun. I I am 5pm. f7, seniors and children f6, CJP holders f5).
The extravagant Peace Palace, donated by Andrew Carnegie when he was experiencing a bout of industrialist guilt, and home to the International Court of Justice, glistens at Carnegieplein, 10min. from the Binnenhof. The palace is usually closed when the Court is in session; call ahead to check if it's open to the public (tel. 302 42 42). Guided tours (required) leave Mon. Fri. at 10, 1 lam, 2, 3, and 4pm. (Oct.May last tour leaves at 3pm; f5, under 13 f3.)
