Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left Haarlem Right Hortus Botanicus, Leiden
Excursions
Aalsmeer
Bloemenveilingen
Witnessed from an elevated
viewing gallery, the world's
largest flower auction is an
astonishing sight. With flowers,
speed is of the essence, and the
atmosphere is frenetic. Bidding
is highly automated, using the
“backwards” Dutch clock
system: the clock starts at 100,
then counts down until the first
bidder to press his button stops
the auction and wins.
Enkhuizen
The fortunes of this
attractive former fishing port
declined dramatically after the
construction of the huge
Afsluitdijk in 1932 created the
freshwater IJsselmeer and cut
it off from the North Sea. Today
it is home to the wonderful
Zuiderzeemuseum, which
includes a reconstruction of a
typical fishing village with
costumed “inhabitants” and
craftsmen at work.
Delft
Sleepy Delft was shaken by
a gunpowder explosion in 1654,
after which the town was rebuilt
- as recorded in A View of Delft
by Vermeer around 1660. Since
then, little has changed. There are
Delft tiles in the Museum Lambert
van Meerten, and in the shops.
In Het Prinsenhof you can see
the bullet holes left by the
murder of William of Orange; his
mausoleum is in the Nieuwe Kerk.
Haarlem
Centred around the Grote
Markt, with its buzzing pavement
cafés and lovely buildings, the
historic centre of this lively, well-
heeled city is a delight. High-
lights include the Frans Hals
Museum, the Grote Kerk with its
magnificent decorated Müller
organ, and the Art Deco train
station. Also well worth a visit is
the Teylers Museum, with its
excellent collection of science,
technology and art exhibits.
The Hague
Political capital of the
Netherlands, Den Haag (The
Hague) is a stately city, with
many public buildings and lovely
parks. Centred round the Gothic
Ridderzaal, places of interest
include the parliament buildings,
the International Court of Justice
and the Mauritshuis, elegant
home of the superlative Royal
Picture Gallery. The seaside
resort of Scheveningen is a short
distance away.
Lime kilns, Zuiderzeemuseum, Enkhuizen
Visit the Aalsmeer flower auction website at www.vba.nl
Visit the Zuiderzeemuseum website at www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl
72
 
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search