From the series ‘Cities we love’
Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann
I enjoyed the Palace Noordeinde, embraced by cobbled shopping streets, with a choice of things to do.
Lets say – arrive and relax – be happy in the Blow up Art X city.
I start my art and culture trip with a visit to Museum Panorama Mesdag including the temporary exhibition Mesmerized.
From 29 March 2025, the enchanting images of photographer Scarlett Hooft Graafland (1973) will be on display at Museum Panorama Mesdag.
The Mesmerising exhibition shows a wide selection from her oeuvre, including her latest work.
With each image, Hooft Graafland manages to create a new world of colourful, astonishing landscapes and representations, whether or not in collaboration with the local population.
Nothing is what it seems, illusion and reality melt together.
She wants to make things that matter, ‘it is important that there is always hope’.
Her photos contain unexpected stories, often with a socially critical undertone, but by using humour in her images, cynicism never prevails.
I feel free and enjoyed the charming exhibtion.
You can taste the nearby beach even in the canals when you smell the salty air.
The magic of The Hague is not just due to the fact that it is right by the sea.
The city has a lot to offer in terms of art, history and cultal coolness.
The Hague is also the seat of many European institutions, the Royal residence Noordeinde Palace. (Paleis Noordeinde) seat of the King.
The International Court of Justice of the United Nations and the International Criminal Court is also located in The Hague.
Many conflicts are currently on the list and the big NATO conference will take part on 24-25 June 2025.
Besides this things I can confirm the poetry of everyday life in the city.
A amazing cultural art city at the sea.
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Scheveningen is cult and cool.
The kilometer-long sandy beach of Scheveningen is only a few minutes tram 1 or by bike from the city center and is beautiful enough to fall in love with.
We were very busy with contemporary and experimental art galleries like Dúrst Britt and Mayhew and 1646.
Inspired and relaxed after a boat tour on the canals of The Hague we skipped the world-famous painting in the Mauritshuis Museum.
The state collection contains hundreds of Dutch paintings, including many works by Rembrandt, van Gogh and my favourite painting by Vermeer “The Girl with a Pearl Earring”
The Mauritshuis Museum is simply beautiful.
Back to my job:
The Blow up Art X start in the Pulchri Studio.
Just amazing and beautiful.
Followed by a visit to the Kunstmuseum The Hague which really belongs on every bucketlist.
Where to stay:
Hotel Indigo Palace Noordeinde.
Its opposite a royal palace and once a bank is land wears its prestigious heritage proudly.
Royal portraits adorn the public rooms, Art Deco stained glass, brass lamps and marble columns evoke the luxury world of private banking.
I felt very good here.
Upcycled oak paneling made the headboards in the rooms, where you can lose track of time.
Where to eat:
The el BAR
Overall we went to fantastic restaurants, I like the el BAR with a interesting Chef which was engaging and clearly passionate about wine, food and his job.
As you’d guess this specialises also in seafood and very good it is too.
The chef de cuisine is not afraid of painting from a full palate of ingredients and I’m bowled over by the subtlety of his cooking.
There are also excellent wine pairings with each dish and I enjoyed a white tempranillo with my calamari.
Asparagus, calamari and artichoques are the being outstanding.
Yummmy, cool and joyful.
Give it a try, its worth it, especially when you are interested in art.
Dui, The Hague.
Photos: Jens Hoffmann and Hollandse Hootge.
The presstrip was supported by The Hague and Partners.
