A Delft Factory Tour for Those Feeling a Little BlueThis small, family-owned business vibrates with pride and quality and carries on the methods started over four-hundred years ago. Steffan, of De Candelaer, leads us through the process of making the city's traditional pottery. He shows us the molds into which slip will be poured, the greenware awaiting its decorative paint, and the kilns where the pottery is fired. We see a plate being carefully decorated by hand and then glance around the showroom to see the fruits of this labor. Ultimately, we select a few treasures to take home. Growing up in the United States, Delft was initially a color, then it became a brand of beautiful pottery, and now we realize it is also a wonderful city.
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A Quirky HotelArriving at the Hotel de Plataan, one would suppose that the two-story lamp across the street was the most unique item in the city. We soon learned that the lamp was not even the most unusual thing on the block. Our hotel, specializing in themed rooms, treats its guests to the ultimate 3-D experience. Nina suggested that once receiving our keys, we should wander through the hotel to see the artistic vision for each room. The themes started at the beginning of creation with Adam and Eve complete with bountiful Garden, proceeded with the colorful tales of Shahrazad, took a trip into the deepest darkest jungle, and ended on a beautiful blue boat bound for adventure on the open sea. No detail was overlooked - even the pigeons came complete with bird droppings.
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A Trip to the The Hague
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Picks of the Litter
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