Places of interest outside Amsterdam

Mauritshuis

The collection of the Mauritshuis in Den Haag provides a dazzling overview of Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 15th to the 18th century. At the heart of the collection are a number of prime examples from our Golden Age (17th century). Here you will find still lifes, historic scenes, landscapes and depictions of the daily life of citizens, as well as portraits.

www.mauritshuis.nl  

Paleis het Loo

In the forests near Apeldoorn you will find the former favourite summer palace of the Dutch families of royalty and regency. Its interior and the gardens and stables bear witness to 300 years of use by the House of Orange from the time of King and Regent William III and Queen Mary II right up to the reign of Queen Wilhelmina. The palace as well as the gardens, has since become a museum, having been spectacularly restored to its 17th century state.

www.paleishetloo.nl  

Zaanse Schans

A cosy old neighbourhood on the Zaan, with characteristic wooden buildings, charmingly laid out gardens, small bridges, craftmen's workshops, old windmills and nice little shops. The attractive residential area provides an excellent impression of how the Zaan district would have looked during the 17th and 18th centurie. There are also a number of museums, restaurants, a visitors' centre and an opportunity to take a boat trip. Zaanse Schans is one of the top tourism locations of the Netherlands, and open to the public free of charge throughout the year.

www.zaanseschans.nl