NETHERLANDS: Royal Palaces and Royal Stables

Noordeinde Palace is in the centre of The Hague. 

Compared to other European palaces, Noordeinde is modest. 

Interestingly, it is centrally located on one of The Hague's posh shopping streets. 

It is no longer a residence but is the King’s place of work. 

The palace is the property of the State and includes the Royal Stables. 

Noordeinde Palace is not open to the public because it is still in use as a working palace. 

Except.... they open it to the public once a year for a very limited time, and timing was perfect for us!

NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the biggest city in The Netherlands with a population of about 2.5 million in the metropolitan area. It derived its name from "The Dam on the River Amstel". 

It is the capitol of the country, however, the government is located in The Hague. 

Amsterdam is a port city and the principal commercial and financial centre of the country.

It is about an hour by train for us to get there from our home-base in The Hague, so it is easy for us to have day jaunts.