💙 Delft Plog | My Favorite Dutch City

Leaving Amsterdam behind, I headed to The Hague, where I planned to spend three days exploring nearby towns by bus and short train rides. 🚍🚆 On my first afternoon in The Hague, with most attractions scheduled for the next day, I spontaneously took a bus to Delft—and unexpectedly found my favorite city in the Netherlands! 💙 Delft is a canal-laced gem with deep history, famous for its iconic Delft Blue pottery and home to the prestigious TU Delft (Delft University of Technology). That afternoon, the city was serene, lush, and sparkling—a peaceful contrast to Amsterdam’s buzz. Even as a Type J planner, I couldn’t resist wandering its quiet streets. Fun fact: Delft is also the hometown of Vermeer, my favorite Dutch painter! 🎨 Though I mostly strolled, I did visit two must-see spots—highly recommended for a half-day trip: 1️⃣ Royal Delft (Royal Delft Blue Pottery Factory & Museum) 🏺 In the 17th century, Dutch traders imported Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, inspiring local artisans to create Delftware. Founded in 1653, this is the last remaining factory from that era—still hand-painting ceramics today! The museum tour was fascinating: a short film, historic collections, and live demonstrations of artisans at work. A truly immersive experience! 2️⃣ Museum Prinsenhof Delft 🏛️ If you love Dutch Golden Age history, don’t miss this! Once the palace of William of Orange (Willem van Oranje), the father of the Netherlands, it’s where he led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish King Philip II—and where he was assassinated in 1584. The exhibits brilliantly trace his life and the birth of the Dutch Republic. I spent two engrossing hours here (until staff kindly kicked me out at closing time!). Next time, I’ll prep by reading more on this epic era. 📚 I wanted to visit the Vermeer Centrum Delft, but time ran out—another reason to return! #Netherlands #Delft #TravelNetherlands #DelftBlue #TheHague #RotterdamDayTrip 🌷✨