Mauritshuis

Indulge the art-lover in you at the Mauritshuis, home to the best of Dutch painting from the Golden Age. Explore one of the most iconic buildings in the Hague, located next to the Parliament. Look out of its windows for a view of the pond.  Discover the art museum's compact, yet world-renowned collection. See more than 200 masterpieces such as Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" by Rembrandt, "The Goldfinch" by Fabritius, and "The Bull" by Potter on permanent display. Appreciate the collection's rich variety, with genre paintings by Jan Steen, landscapes by Jacob van Ruisdael, still lifes by Adriaen Coorte, and portraits by Rubens. Admire the 17th-century monument's historic yet intimate interior, with its silken wall coverings, sparkling chandeliers, and monumental painted ceilings. Stay as long as you wish and visit the museum at your own pace. Allow around 1.5 hours, which is the average visit duration. Visit the restaurant and coffee shop, purchase some souvenirs, or visit the temporary exhibition. The current Facelifts & Make-overs exhibition tells the story of paintings that have been treated in the Mauritshuis over the past 25 years. What do you do if a painting is damaged by woodworm? Why was something added to a painting by Frans Hals for no apparent reason? And what dilemma does a conservator face if an extra figure suddenly reappears in a picture? Learn all about making the lower layers of paintings visible (sometimes revealing a completely different composition underneath) and the development of ‘craquelure’ (those fine cracks in the paint of old paintings). Find out how ‘dendrochronology’ (a technique for dating wood by studying the annual growth rings in tree trunks).

See the highlights of The Hague with full-day access to the hop-on hop-off tram. Jump on and off the tram as much as you like, stopping by the Houses of Parliament, Peace Palace, the beach of Scheveningen, and more. You can start your journey at any of the 16 tram stops of the hop-on hop-off tram: • Stop 1 (2511 BL Den Haag): Centrum (10:15 AM, then every 30 min until 4:45 PM) • Stop 2 (2595 DC Den Haag): Centraal Station (10:20 AM, then every 30 min until 4:50 PM) • Stop 3 (2514 AR Den Haag): Malieveld (10:22 AM, then every 30 min until 4:52 PM) • Stop 4 (2585 HZ Den Haag): Madurodam (10:27 AM, then every 30 min until 4:57 PM) • Stop 5 (2587 AB Den Haag): Nieuwe Duinweg/Westbroekpark (10:30 AM, then every 30 min until 5:00 PM) • Stop 6 (2586 CP Den Haag): Kurhaus (10:32 AM, then every 30 min until 5:02 PM) • Stop 7 (2586 HP Den Haag): Scheveningen/Zwarte Pad (10:37 AM, then every 30 min until 5:07 PM) • Stop 8 (2586 KV Den Haag): Scheveningseslag/Beelden aan Zee (10:41 AM, then every 30 min until 5:11 PM) • Stop 9 (2584 SX Den Haag): Keizerstraat (10:43 AM, then every 30 min until 5:13 PM) • Stop 10 (2586 AA Den Haag): Scheveningen/Strandweg (10:56 AM, then every 30 min until 5:26 PM) • Stop 11 (2583 VP Den Haag): Statenlaan (11:00 AM, then every 30 min until 5:30 PM) • Stop 12 (2582 EX Den Haag): Statenplein (11:03 AM, then every 30 min until 5:33 PM) • Stop 13 (2517 KK Den Haag): World Forum/Johan de Wittlaan (11:05 AM, then every 30 min until 5:35 PM) • Stop 14 (2518 BD Den Haag): Vredespaleis/Peace Palace (11:09 AM, then every 30 min until 5:39 PM) • Stop 15 (2514 JH Den Haag): Mauritskade (11:11 AM, then every 30 min until 5:41 PM) • Stop 16 (2513 AD Den Haag): Kneuterdijk (11:13 AM, then every 30 min until 5:43 PM) For the location of each stop, see the image with the map and QR code provided for the exact location.

Depart Amsterdam and journey by bus to explore the seat of power in the Netherlands in the elegant city of The Hague, where highlights include the royal Noordeinde Palace and the government buildings of the Binnenhof. Continue to the Mauritshuis Museum, where art by Rembrandt and Vermeer is on display and then see the headquarters of the International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace. You then journey to Rotterdam, known for its innovative architecture. On arrival, look at The Man without a Heart sculpture by Ossip Zadkine, built to reflect on the destruction of the city during World War II. See the only medieval building still standing in the city, admire the interesting Cube Houses by Piet Blom and go to the old port area of Oude Haven. Marvel at the food on display in the historic Markthal and stroll along the banks of the River Meuse to get a panoramic view of the city's skyscrapers. Get some free time in Rotterdam for lunch and before making your way back to Amsterdam.

Your tour will begin as you depart from Amsterdam on your coach and head to Rotterdam. Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, and is quite famous for its architecture and commercial harbor. After a short city tour, the first stop will be Spido for your 1-hour and 15-minute boat tour, which is the best way to view one of the world’s largest ports. You will see Rotterdam’s imposing skyline, cutting-edge architecture, harbors, shipyards, and docks. After the harbor cruise you will continue your city tour, which includes a stop at the famous Markethall and Cube Houses.  The next stop is the picturesque city of Delft, which is the birthplace and final resting place of Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Known as the Princes’ City, it is also where countless members of the Dutch royal family have been buried for centuries. Enjoy some free time for lunch and to discover Delft’s canal-streaked historic town center. It is packed with awe-inspiring historical monuments including the Old Church, the New Church, and the Town Hall. You will also visit De Delftse Pauw, a factory specializing in handmade Delft Blue pottery, which has been the most coveted porcelain since the 17th century.  Finally, you will head to The Hague for a city tour. In addition to being the seat of the Dutch government, this city is also the home of the Dutch royal family, and is the third largest city in the country. The Hague is where most foreign embassies in the Netherlands are located, as well as 150 international organizations, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Stop and take pictures at the Peace Palace, the Mauritshuis (featuring work by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Andy Warhol), and the Binnenhof (the meeting place of the Dutch government).  Before returning to Amsterdam, hit the nearby Madurodam, which is an outdoor park featuring miniature replicas of the Netherlands’ most famed locations. See the Rijksmuseum, the Binnenhof, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Port of Rotterdam, traditional Dutch canal houses, Thalys highspeed train, Erasmusbridge, and windmills on a 1:25 scale. In the late afternoon, you will return to Amsterdam.

Meet your guide and driver at a central meeting point in Amsterdam. A comfortable, air-conditioned luxurious minivan will take you to today’s destination in about 75 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the distinctive views of the Dutch flat landscape. A visit to Kinderdijk gives you the extraordinary opportunity to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site in Holland. In 1997, the windmill complex of Kinderdijk was added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list because of its unique character. UNESCO considers the polder area with its dikes, mills, and pumping stations to be proof of human inventiveness in reclaiming and protecting the land. This is worldwide recognition of the fact this vulnerable area must be preserved for the future. On arrival in Kinderdijk, your personal guide will take you to the visitor center, situated in an old pumping station. Watch the film about the Kinderdijk area before walking through the area. If possible, you will visit a working windmill from the inside (depending on how busy it is). After a 90 minute visit, it's back aboard the minivan and onto The Hague. In addition to being the seat of the Dutch government, this city is also the home of the Dutch royal family and the third-largest city in the country. The Hague is where most foreign embassies in the Netherlands are located, as well as 150 international organizations, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. It is also the home of the Peace Palace, a number of royal palaces, the Mauritshuis, and the Binnenhof (the Dutch parliament). At arrival in The Hague, you will do a city tour in a minivan to see all these highlights and a stop will be made for lunch before enjoying a visit to one of the 3 cultural highlights of The Hague: - The Mauritshuis; home to some of the best Dutch paintings from the Golden Age. Discover masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl earring and paintings of the famous Rembrandt van Rijn. Enjoy an audio tour. - Escher in Het Paleis; This former royal winter palace now homes over 120 prints of the famous M.C. Escher. The way he played with perspective, space, and reality means he remains fascinating even today. His playful prints delight the eye and have been a rich source of inspiration for mathematicians, filmmakers, and architects throughout the world for many years. - Madurodam; what makes the small country of the Netherlands so great? Discover this and more at Madurodam, a small city full of beautiful miniatures, playful activities, and the best attractions. You will return to Amsterdam in the late afternoon. A professional, experienced, and friendly driver/guide will accompany you throughout the tour.

Spend the afternoon exploring The Hague and Delft. Visit the Mauritshuis, see the Girl with the Pearl Earring in person, and learn about the other masterpieces in the gallery's vast collection. Then escape the city and discover the old-world charm of Delft. Get picked up by your guide from your hotel and head directly to the Mauritshuis, right in the center of The Hague. Listen as your certified guide gives you in-depth information about the precious works of art in the collection. See works from the great Dutch masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Ruisdael, Frans Hals, and Rubens. Witness for yourself the majesty of the Girl with the Pearl Earring. Next, take a tour of The Hague's city center and wander along the charming cobblestone streets of the old town. Pass by the Houses of Parliament — the actual residence of the Dutch king, and the Binnenhof — the inner court. Continue with your guide to Delft and meander along the narrow streets lined with quaint houses, woven throughout with canals, and dotted with historic churches, including the church where William of Orange is buried. At the tour's conclusion, get dropped off at your hotel, lodgings, cruise, or the Schiphol Airport.

On arrival in Kinderdijk, your personal guide will take you to the visitor center, situated in an old pumping station. Watch the film and visit a working windmill from the inside, depending on how busy it is. After Kinderdijk, visit the Hague. In addition to being the seat of the Dutch government, this city is also the home of the Dutch royal family and the third-largest city in the country. See the home of the Peace Palace, a number of royal palaces, Mauritshuis, works from M. C. Escher in Het Paleis, the Madurodam, and the Binnenhof, from the comfort of a minivan. See the best Dutch paintings from the Golden Age, wander through beautiful day-lit galleries and enter a small city full of beautiful miniatures. Finally, finish your day with a choice of two attractions. Either enjoy the ultimate 5D VR flight experience over the Dutch countryside without leaving the city or, sit back and relax on a canal cruise and admire Amsterdam's most famous attractions from the canal.