Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

DISC OVERING THE NE THERLANDS  13

the Escher in Het Paleis Two Days in Utrecht
(p225), exhibits the startling
compositions of the graphic
artist Maurits Escher. Then, Home to many superb
head north towards the museums, Utrecht is a lively
unusual Panorama Mesdag city with magnificent
(p228), where a massive canalside houses.
circular canvas depicts the • Arriving Served by Schiphol
beach at Scheveningen as it airport, Utrecht also has good
was in the late 19th century. road and train connections.
Apeldoorn is just 40 minutes
Day 2 by train and there are
Morning Spend the morning departures every 20–30
at the Gementeemuseum Den minutes. There are regular
Haag (p228), whose vast buses from Apeldoorn train
permanent collection includes station to the Paleis Het Loo.
a wonderful display of Delft
pottery and an extravagant
collection of modern Dutch Imposing ceiling of the Gothic Domkerk
artists, with special reference to Day 1 in Utrecht
the austere Piet Mondriaan. Be Morning Begin your tour
sure to pop next door to the of Utrecht (pp204–5) at the bars, cafés and restaurants
Fotomuseum (p228), which Domtoren (p206). At 112 m occupy the old cellars and street
has built up an international (368 ft), this is the highest bell level is one storey up. Follow
reputation for its temporary tower in the country and a the Oude Gracht south to the
exhibitions of photography. symbol of the city. The Museum Catharijneconvent
panoramic view from the tower (p206), which displays an excel­
Afternoon If the weather is is worth the climb. Next, drop lent collection of medieval art
good, take the tram or cycle by the Domkerk (p206) with and religious sculpture. Push­
through the woods to its fine Gothic stonework. ing on, walk to the Centraal
Scheveningen (p229), a Continue west to the Nationaal Museum (p206), noted for
popular seaside resort where Museum Speelklok (p207) its fine art dating from the
the main attraction is a sandy to explore its fascinating and 16th century onwards.
beach that stretches out as most unusual collection of
far as the eye can see. You can mechanical musical instru­ Day 2
also take your chances at the ments, from fairground organs Morning Don’t miss the
casino, enjoy high tea at the to musical boxes. remarkable Rietveld
Kurhaus (p229), stroll along Schröderhuis (p208), one of
the pier and, finally, admire Afternoon Continue your tour the most influential pieces of
the outdoor sculptures of by walking along the prettiest modern architecture in Europe,
the Museum Beelden aan stretch of the Oude Gracht designed by Gerrit Rietveld, a
Zee (p229). (p204) near the Stadhuis, where leading member of the De Stijl
movement. Allow at least an
hour to explore the house. In
particular, look out for the
retractable, shape­changing
windows in the dining room.
Afternoon Take the train
from Utrecht to Apeldoorn
(p340), a modest country
town, on the outskirts of
which is the Paleis Het Loo
(pp338–9), a lavish palace
built in the 17th century and
occupied by the Dutch royals
until the 1970s. Admire the
palace’s magnificent dining
hall, gawp at the extravagant
bedroom of William III, enjoy
the paintings in the picture
gallery, and wander through
the lovely formal gardens to
Intricately designed gardens of the Palais Het Loo finish the tour.

012-017_EW_Netherlands.indd 13 16/01/17 11:53 am