What, The Hague?

By A Venturing Nomad.

Small City, Big Personality and a Great Sea front, in the special ABC of travel Arts, Beaches and Cuisine, The Hague certainly has it all and all in a weekend if that's all you have time for.

Extremely easy to reach from the UK by car, boat or plane, the governmental seat of the Netherlands is bustling with international life. If housing all the major embassies of the world, along with their imposing diplomatic residences, was not enough, hosting the International Court of Human Rights only adds to the melting pot you witness as you wander along the tree-lined boulevards.

From humble beginnings in the early 1200s as a hunting residence, The Hague, a literal translation meaning The Hedge, was adopted as the seat of government by the Duke of Burgundy in the 15th century after gaining control of Holland and Zeeland. Following the 80 years war, in 1588, The Hague became the location of the government of the Dutch Republic and officially the government heart of modern day Netherlands following the separation of Belgium in 1830.

This international background gives The Hague its effortless cosmopolitan blend that feeds the foodies wish list as restaurants lined up include Kenyan, South American, Indonesian and Italian in one street alone.

Whilst deliberating on what cuisine to choose for supper that evening, why not work up a veritable appetite by visiting one of the myriad of museums and art galleries that celebrate collections from Vermeer and Mondriaan to Rembrandt and Escher?

Just as no visit to Paris is complete without a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, even if you only really get to see it from the photo your camera managed to take as you held it aloft over the crowds, no visit to The Hague should be spared a much closer encounter with Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl earring.

Her stare pierces through you in a way that is both enticing and uneasy, and as you back away to observe the other art, you cannot help occasionally glancing over your shoulder to see if she is still watching, which she is, from every angle of the room.

A photo stop at the Peace Palace is definitely one of the 'top ten'. A fantastic piece of early 20th-century architecture built following the 2nd International Peace Conference in 1907. Nations from around the world contributed art, materials and design to this fabulous focus of world collaboration; a wry smile was provided when I learned that Switzerland donated the huge clock that dominates the external tower. We waited patiently for a cuckoo to appear at the hour, and thankfully, we were disappointed!

Not the most prolific shopper, even I was tempted to wander into several of the independent boutiques, inter-laced amongst the high-end labels, and managed to procure a vintage, cream lace, cocktail dress that will be perfect for summer parties and events when the weather warms.

When the city starts to tire weary feet, there is no better remedy than a ten-minute tram or, indeed, a cycle ride to the beach at Scheveningen. You could be forgiven for feeling you had been transported to the Hamptons on Long Island. We collapsed onto large, squishy outdoor sofas warmed in the early spring sun with the addition of enormous fire pits and sheltered from the sea breeze by windbreaks that allow you to watch the beach equestrians, kite flyers and sailors.

 A cold glass of rosé, a plate of saté and a relax in the sun are the perfect way to end the weekend where usual thoughts of Monday morning could not be further from your mind.

Not travelling overseas until age 19, this Venturing Nomad's work and life have taken her to just under 70 countries, with more adventures always planned. Twelve years as a Diplomat led to excitement and adventures across the globe, and she is now enjoying travelling with her young daughter and seeing the world afresh through her eyes.

A published author in fact and fiction, she firmly believes in the mantra "take only photos - leave only footprints". More of a feeder than a foodie, she has cooked her way around the globe, from the hill tribes in Thailand, Nonna's kitchen in Italy to the beachfront hotel in Morocco. There is always a story and, more importantly, a recipe.

You can contact her at [email protected]