The Dutch are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to squeezing joy from the mundane. You think your country has impressive playgrounds, eh? Holland would like to introduce you to the play FOREST. Yes, that’s right, an entire forest (parking nearby but otherwise completely isolated from the rest of the world) dedicated to family-friendly nature activities. It's at the top of my list for 'hidden gems of The Netherlands'.
There’s nothing remotely modern here—no tech, just wave upon wave of trees pruned specifically for climbing, heaps of branches assembled into sundry wooden huts/caves/igloos (this is after all for kids), rope ladders and expertly placed tree stumps for skipping over the hot lava sand pits that seem to have taken over the jungle... where were we again?
The Netherlands may have a reputation for being small and compact, but this reputation conceals the Dutch virtue of land preservation. The surroundings of Monkeybos are a treat for all ages, with a classy cafe but more important endless walking and biking trails in a land area that is only a few hundred meters from the ocean on one side and a major highway on the other side. It’s a great place I like to go with my daughters in order to get away from ‘it’ all.
Meijendelseweg 42
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Find your way with 117 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
All around Koningsplein are houses built in the neo-renaissance style typical for the area, beautifully maintained with their front doors in bright colors.
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For breakfast, Petit offers croissants or granola with fruit, for lunch there are two tosti options (the Dutch version of a grilled sandwich).
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Apart from its obvious significance, it's an interesting place to visit because each of the 197 countries contributed a special stone to the monument.
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De Kwartel caters to all needs, be it breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner or evening drinks. Sit outside with your feet in the sand and a beer in hand.
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Papan serves outstanding coffee, grilled cheese toasties and breakfast burgers. It's spacious and relaxed, there's wifi and you can work on your laptop.
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Whether you enjoy your cappuccino with cow’s milk or oat milk—Tigershark’s baristas perform their magic and make it taste absolutely delicious.
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The "Louwman Museum" in The Hague houses the world's largest pre-1910 automobiles, and more than a few specialty cars from the period after!
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Its a restaurant and wine bar in the modern French-Mediterranean style. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or even just drinks.
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De Vulkaan is the highest peak of the picturesque Westduin Park, located to the west of the city and one of my favorite lookout spots in The Hague.
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Try the “Loft breakfast” between 10:00 and 11:30 for a delicious, nourishing start to the day. If you’re swinging by later, make sure to try out the “Loftini” cocktail.
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Emma’s Hof has a free library, a playground for kids, lots of benches and sunchairs, an abundance of flowers and herbs, and more and more birds...
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Pompernikkel is where you walk past in the mornings, spontaneously grab a coffee, devour an artisanal pastry, and bump into your neighbours.
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117 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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