Royal Dutch – The Hague and Delft
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Delft in Winter ©NBTC
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The Peace Palace, The Hague, Holland ©NBTC
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Delft, Holland, Netherlands - Delft Blue Porcelain © NBTC
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The Hague & Delft – Porcelain and Politics
A cosmopolitan city, The Hague is bursting with style and culture. A bastion of Justice and Peace, the Hague has a key role as a diplomatic centre and the site of the International Court of Justice is housed in the famous Peace Palace. Home to the seat of the National Government and the official residence of the Dutch Monarchs, there are three Royal Palaces that grace the city. Yet the city is more than just the home of the Royal family. Hosting around 30 theatres and more than 40 museums, The Hague is regarded as one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the Netherlands.
Moreover, locals and tourists alike flock to the north of the city to the seaside resort of Scheveningen. In the summer months, this a hot spot for water sports such as windsurfing and kiteboarding. The picturesuqe harbour is still used for fishing today. Madurodam, a model village filled with miniature replicas of famous Dutch landmarks, is also located close by and may be worth a visit if you don’t have time to see the real versions of all the attractions that the area has to offer!
Nearby Delft, famous for its Royal Porcelain, is also known world wide for it’s artistry. Here, take a guided tour of the famous factory to learn all about the instantly recognisable beautiful blue porcelain. However, this town offers so much more. Tranquil and quaint, Delft is best discovered on foot. Tree-lined canals with centuries old houses and little bridges give Delft a perfect ambience for a leisurely tour. What’s more, see the town from a different perspective on a canal cruise. Discover the ‘Oude Kerk’ with its leaning tower, which houses Holland’s loudest sounding bell.
Dates
March - October 2021
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover for the ferry crossing to Calais, then onward to your chosen hotel.
Overnight crossings are also available from Newcastle, Hull, Harwich to the Netherlands.
Day 2
The Hague Sightseeing
A guided tour of The Hague will highlight the main cultural and historical sights this city has to offer, including the Peace Palace, Noordeinde Palace, Queen Beatrix’s Office and The Binnenhof where the Dutch Parliament is established. Visit any of the great museums including the Gemeentemuseum or do some shopping in Holland’s oldest shopping centre, The Passage. Alternatively, drive to the nearby elegant seaside resort of Scheveningen for some free time and a stroll along the magnificent promenade and pier.
Day 3
Delft and Porcelain
Nearby Delft is famous for its Royal Porcelain and a guided tour of their factory has been included. Discover all that Delft has to offer by walking along its tree-lined canals, with centuries old houses and little bridges. Discover the ‘Oude Kerk’ church, the town’s main square, the many cafes and shops, or simply see the town from a different perspective on a canal cruise.
Day 4
Return to the UK
Travel to Calais for the return ferry crossing to the UK and journey home.
Suggested hotels
Hampshire Hotel, Delft ****
Located just a short walk away from the historic centre of Delft, the Hampshire Hotel is a modern hotel with a music theme running throughout the whole hotel. The restaurant specialises in Dutch and French cuisine and sometimes even features live music. The 92 bedrooms all feature a subtly nod the music theme and are all equipped with a television, a safe, air-conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel has its own car park with space for coaches to park there for the duration of the stay.
Park Hotel Den Haag ****
The Parkhotel Den Haag is located in the very heart of the Hague, bordering the gardens of the Royal Palace Noordeinde. The rooms offer free Wi-Fi, TVs and tea and coffee-making facilities. Other amenities include a cosy lounge bar, bike rentals and 5 conference rooms. Coaches can drop off a few minutes walk from the hotel, coach parking is available near the Royal Palace Gardens.
If you’d like to see more of Holland, take a look at some of our other tours:
| 5 days by land and sea | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| March – October 2021 | From £329.00 per person | From £142.00 per person |
