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Most travelers to the Netherlands focus on Amsterdam, and some of them will spend their entire vacation in the hip, bike-friendly capital city, visiting museums, exploring the canals, hanging out at Dam Square, and enjoying the coffee houses and nightlife. Others will venture farther afield to see what the Dutch countryside looks like, and it's very easy to do in this country.
First, the train system is excellent, and second, the country is small, so, day trips can be easily planned, even on short notice. Throngs of tourists head to the Dutch countryside to see the vast and colorful flower fields, namely tulips, that the country is known for, but that's a limited-time excursion since the peak season for blooms is in April.
For great sightseeing year-round, tourists should consider train trips to Delft, an hour from Amsterdam, The Hague, about 50 minutes; Rotterdam, a 45-minute trip; and Haarlem, just 20 minutes from the city.
See Delft Blue Porcelain, A 17th-Century Tradition
Delft is named for its history as the location for Delft Blue porcelain, which has been produced in the city since the 1600s. At one point, there were more than 30 factories making the prized earthenware, made from clay, painted, and then glazed. Just one factory remains today, Royal Delft.
Founded in 1653, its official name is Royal Delft/De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, and it is open for tours daily. Located on the Rotterdamseweg, the factory's skilled craftsmen still paint the pottery by hand.
On the Royal Delft Experience tour, visitors will learn about the history of Delft porcelain and how it is produced. Situated on the factory property, the Museum of Royal Delft showcases the 19th-century delftware of former King William III. In 1887 he donated his collection to De Porceleyne Fles on the condition that it be displayed to the public.
Along with its intricate waterways, another major attraction in Delft is the Vermeer Centre Delft, which celebrates the Dutch master painter's life and works. Located on Voldersgracht, the center is open daily. Visitors can see reproductions of all of Johannes Vermeer's paintings on a self-guided audio tour. His most famous work is “Girl With The Pearl Earring,” known in art circles as the Mona Lisa of the north.
Explore The Canals Of The Hague And Haarlem
Hugging the North Sea coast, The Hague is worth visiting not only for its history and culture but for its role in government. It's the seat of the Dutch parliament and home to the United Nations' International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Add the 16th-century Noordeinde Palace, still a working royal building, and there's plenty to see.
A great way to view The Hague is from the water on a canal boat trip. A 90-minute ride aboard the Ooievaart gives visitors a tour of the city's 14th-century canal system and views of the government center, the Palace Gardens, and lots of stately homes along the water.
Back on land, The Hague has a wealth of unique museums, such as the Prison Gate Museum, Hague Museum of Photography, the Louwman Museum, with its display of private car collections, KM21, a contemporary art museum, the Hague History Museum, the Maruitshuis, with a notable collection of works by Dutch and Flemish masters, and Kunstmuseum Den Haag, which exhibits a large Mondrian collection. Most of the museums are close to each other, within easy walking distance.
Located on the North Sea, Haarlem's medieval ambiance continues today with its cobblestone streets, canals, and historic squares where visitors can take in the atmosphere. It's surrounded by a defensive wall on the Spaarne River. A great place to start a day trip tour is Grote Market Square, located at St. Bavo Cathedral in the old town. Markets have been held in the square since the Middle Ages and are still held today, on Saturday and Monday.
The town is widely known as a shopper's mecca, particularly along the Grote Houtstraat, a pedestrian-only zone loaded with shops of all kinds and the smaller cobblestone streets and alleyways around it. Canal boat tours are abundant in Haarlem, affording tourists great views of the town's medieval architecture.
Rotterdam Celebrates Its Maritime Roots
Rotterdam is a port city on the River Rotte in South Holland. Its Old Harbor, now a revitalized maritime district, is the focal point of a visit thanks to its restored historic boats and maritime-inspired museums. The Maritime Museum Rotterdam provides a glimpse into the city's seafaring past, with collections centered around its history of shipping and trading. There's even a reconstruction of a 2,000-year-old vessel. The nearby Maritime Museum Harbor has some 20 vessels on exhibit.
The historic city, however, also is known for its futuristic architecture. A modern market hall and residential space called Markthal is an imposing stone building with archways in the shape of a horseshoe and glass walls at either end.