I'm traveling with a group of college students in a couple of weeks. We are basing our travel out of haarlem. We would like to go to the Hague to see the Peace Palace and government buildings because the students are mostly in prelaw. However, I don't think there's much else they'd be particularly interested in at the Hague. I think we'd want to go to delft while we're that way. I'm trying to figure out whether it would be easier/better to go to the Hague or Delft first and also if there are particular suggestions for an itinerary for that daytrip. Thanks.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Going to Delft makes a lot of sense because they are only about 15 minutes apart. I would focus on your itinerary for the Hague first, make sure you can see what your group wants to see and then figure out how Delft fits into that. Delft is certainly a more charming town that the students can just wander and explore, so if possible, it might make more sense to do that afterwards.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
What are the interests of a bunch of students?
There are other international judicial organs in that part of the city, such as the Yugoslavia Tribunal and the International Criminal Court, which could be added on. They might have a public relation office.
The graphic art of Escher still seems to be popular. The museum dedicated to him is a few minutes from the government centre: www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/?lang=en
Instead of Delft you could let them loose in Leiden, on the way back to Haarlem. Delft might be too pretty for them. You could engage a guide, such as http://lindaverschoorguide.eu/english/ for a city walk. The groups I run into sometimes all look happy.
Dinner in one of the Indo-Chinese restaurants - Kwan Tung or Woo Ping - would make an appropriate conclusion.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the suggestions. The addition of the tour in Leiden looks like a great idea.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1937 posts
Just because they're college students and prelaw doesn't mean they aren't or shouldn't be interested in art. One of the best museums in the Netherlands is in The Hague: the Mauritshuis. They should go look at art.
Otherwise, the other suggestions are good.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
They should go look at art.
Of course they should. And of course the Mauritshuis is one of the best in the Netherlands. But Escher has a greater appeal and was a wonderful craftsman. As a child I was fascinated by one of his Metamorphoses in the main post office in The Hague.