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The Hague; political capital of the Netherlands

On Thursday the 15th of June  we will visit The Hague which is a beautiful city behind the dunes and today still known as the largest village of Europe. We will drop by the following places :

We will start the day with visiting the Panorama Mesdag; 125 years ago Hendrik Willem Mesdag painted a  famous panorama which is now known as the oldest panorama in the world that has survived in its original location. By painting this rare masterpiece, Mesdag created not only the largest painting in the Netherlands (120 mtr x 14 mtr) but also an amazing and memorable experience; a circular painting that completely surrounds the visitor!

Located in the centre of the Hague, the Dutch Houses of Parliament consist of a group of buildings dating from the 13th to 20th centuries, erected around the Inner Court (Binnenhof) and reflected on one side in the still water of the picturesque Court Pond (Hofvijver). Centrepiece of the Binnenhof complex is the Gothic Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal), which was built in 1280. The Dutch parliament is called de Staten-Generaal (the States-General). It consists of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, which sit in separate chambers. Joint sittings of both chambers are held on special occasions in the Hall of Knights. At the end of the 18th century, Stadholder Willem V had a palace built at the Binnenhof. In 1815 the House of Representatives gathered here for the first time. Since then, the complex of buildings has often been adapted to meet the needs of parliament. The House of Representatives is housed in five main buildings that were linked to each other in 1992 following major building work

The canal houses of Amsterdam, the Alkmaar cheese market and parts of the Delta Works, all replicated in minute detail on a 1:25 scale. All is set in beautiful gardens. Windmills turn, ships sail trough the harbour and trains are traversing the city on the world's largest miniature railway. This is all to be found at Madurodam.

If there is any time left after these activities and the weather is fine we might spend some time at the Noth Sea beach.

Everyone can register at the Frontdesk!