Royal Christmas Fair - The Hague

The Hague (Den Haag) may be best known as the political centre of the Netherlands and home to the Dutch Royal Family but this welcoming city has much more to offer, especially during the festive season. It is home to The Royal Christmas Fair, one of the largest and most charming Christmas markets in the Netherlands. Bursting with festive atmosphere, cozy stall, twinkling lights, inviting fires as well as musical performances, the market is held on The Hague's most beautiful avenue, the Lange Voorhout, said to the one of the finest urban ensembles in Europe. You may also like to join the optional excursion to Amsterdam where the annual winter light festival illuminates the city's streets and waterways with bewitching light installations by international artists, designers and architects. A wonderful festive Dutch weekend awaits you!

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Dutch Festive Fun
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Continue via the auto-routes of France, Belgium and Holland to your hotel for your 3-night stay. Welcome dinner in the hotel included on the first night and then two nights B&B with plentiful restaurants and cafes nearby as well as plentiful festive food at the Christmas market.

DAY 2 - 3 - At leisure in The Hague with one included and one optional excursion.

Nearby Theresiastraat is within walking distance of the hotel and has several cafes and restaurants. Alternatively, take a local tram to The Hague Central Station from the tram stop, Beatrixkwatier (approx. 4 mins walk from the hotel). The journey time is approx. 8 minutes and from the Central Station, the Christmas Market is approx. 10 - 15 mins walk as it Buitenhof at the heart of the Royal Quarter with its gardens, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Tram tickets can be purchased from a ticket machine in the tram.

If you choose not to join the optional excursion, enjoy another full day in The Hague to explore at your leisure, perhaps making use of the excellent public transport network. There are some interesting options from The Hague Central Station eg trains to Delft (approx. 15 mins away) and Leiden (approx.12 mins away) and tram no. 9 to Scheveningen (approx. 13 mins away)

INCLUDED EXCURSION
SCHEVENINGEN & THE ROYAL CHRISTMAS FAIR - DEN HAAG
Start the day with a short drive out to The Hague's much loved North Sea coastal resort of Scheveningen with its very striking pier. Wrap up warm and take a stroll along the front to blow the cobwebs away. Then the coach will drop you back in the centre of The Hague for time at leisure at the Royal Christmas Fair (open 12.00 - 21.00). As well as the many cozy attractively decorated chic chalets with quality products, gifts and festive food, there is much more to experience at the Royal Christmas Fair - atmospheric decoration with fires and plentiful lights, Christmas actors, children's choirs, the one and only Santa Claus plus cultural activities and performances. Try 'Oliebollen', delicious balls of doughnutty goodness which you can buy steaming hot and dusted in sugar from a street vendor at this time of year.

The Hague has a great buzz thanks to its many high-quality restaurants, cafés and clubs and lively main square, 't Plein. The city is also packed with cultural attractions. Art lovers can enjoy days out visiting iconic museums beloved by locals and international visitors alike, such as the world-class Mauritshuis Museum which is where you will find Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring (open daily - entrance approx €20 pp). Anyone interested in doing a bit of Christmas shopping is also in for a treat and will enjoy exploring the charming side streets and shopping at unique boutiques.

Your driver will meet you later in the day to transfer you back to the hotel.

NB dates shown on video apply to a previous year
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
FESTIVE AMSTERDAM
One of Europe's top short-break destinations, Amsterdam is a compact and likeable city. It has loads of appeal with its intriguing mix of small-town character and cosmopolitan savvy. Amsterdam glows with festive magic during the winter months and the city becomes truly 'gezellig'. There is no real English translation but it encompasses everything from 'cosy' to 'quaint' to 'friendly' to 'relaxing'. Warm up with a coffee in one of the traditional, bare-floored brown cafés or enjoy a drink in one of the designer bars or grand cafés. Amsterdam takes a different approach to festive fairs with different markets popping up in different places around the city every weekend in the run up to Christmas. As darkness descends, The 'Festival of Lights' turns Amsterdam into a real-life fairy tale, sparkling and glowing with over 40 pieces of illuminated works of art (lights are switched on at 5pm). The luminous artworks can be spotted all over Amsterdam city centre, illuminating and transforming its familiar monuments in magical and surprising new ways.

And of course, Amsterdam is home to a variety of world-famous museums. No trip to the city is complete without stopping by the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House (entrances not included). With so much to see and do, it is no surprise that Amsterdam is one of the must-do European cities.

DAY 4 - After breakfast, travel back through Belgium and France to Calais for the return to England

Tour Highlights
- Hotel for 3 nights in The Hague with breakfast- Welcome dinner in the hotel on first night- Morning visit to Scheveningen- Return transfers to The Royal Christmas Fair- Leisure time in The HagueModern 4* Hotel
NH HOTEL THE HAGUE
4* NH Den Haag sits on the top few floors of The Hague's World Trade Center building which affords fantastic views across the city. Guest rooms are light and modern, with sleek hardwood floors and all mod cons including free Wi-Fi. Some rooms benefit from panoramic city views. There is a stylish restaurant which serves international cuisine in a relaxed, contemporary setting and there is also a bar and comfortable lounge area too. There is a lift