Scheveningen, Netherlands

The main reason for us wanting to visit Scheveningen: the Kurhaus! A fancy 4 star hotel aligning the promenade.

It was a perfect and warm sunny day for the beach... except for the gale force winds causing the beach to turn into a sandstorm from Dune!

We braved the beach anyway.

Eventually we made our way to the pier. Scheveningen is like the Dutch Coney Island with the double decker pier dominating the scene. Shops are on the bottom level with a boardwalk on top.

Cafe in the pier.

At the end of the pier we found a little playground and the kids got some of their wiggles out.

Then we finally - FINALLY! - satiated our craving for some legit fries. There's a backstory there, but I'll keep it between me and Chris :) They were delicious and the homemade curry ketchup was fantastic.

Flowers in front of the Kurhaus. 

The Kurhaus was built in 1885 as a concert hall and hotel. Eventually it fell into disrepair and was barely saved from demolition in 1975 by being listed as a historic building. It was completely renovated and reopened in 1979 as a hotel.

The Evans family in the middle of a sandstorm on the beach in Scheveningen, the Netherlands on Monday July 11th 2016. The last stop of this adventure was halfway home: Cologne, Germany.

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Delft, Netherlands

After a fun morning in Rotterdam, we made the short drive to Delft. 

Love, love, love!

Delft is a city with a rich history and a wealthy past. Its look today was defined in 1536, when lightning struck the spire of the New Church, starting a fire that destroyed two-thirds of the town. While all the buildings that ring the Market Square have cellars dating from before the fire, what you see above ground made of brick was built after 1536. 

The Evans family in Delft, the Netherlands on Monday July 11th 2016.

Charming.

I love Dutch canals.

The giant, Gothic New Church boldly presides over the town and the square. Inside are buried the beloved Dutch ruler William I of Orange and the Dutch royalty that succeeded him. 

Just down from the church on the square is a tribute to Delft's printing heritage. A Bible hangs on the corner recalling the first printed Dutch Bible that was printed here in 1477.

The square has never really been renovated so everything is charmingly intact.

Eventually we left the Markt square and explored the nearby streets. Along the Oude Delft Canal is the headquarters of the Water Authority with a fancy facade covered in the colorful coats of arms from various 17th century Water Authority directors.  Just behind the Prinsenhof is an old herb-garden-turned-park that holds a statue honoring William, considered the founder of the Netherlands.

Delft has a 400 year tradition of porcelain. The only color that could survive the extremely hot fire of the Chinese porcelain technique they used was blue, so blue and white is the color of the famous Delftware porcelain.

The tower of the Old Church peeking above the Prinsenhof complex. Leaning Tower of Delft I tell ya!

Could this street be any cuter? #chandlerbing

One of the highlights of the day? Stumbling upon a pet store! I want this bunny!!!!

Delft details:

Darling doors of Delft. 

We walked to the east end of town to check out the Oostport. The gate was built around 1400 and it is the only remaining city gate in the city. 

Want to know what it is now? Someone's house! Coolest. House. Ever.

More uber charming alleys.

Back on the square to hunt down a magnet.

When in the Netherlands, take pictures of your kids in huge clogs.

As we were walking back to the car, we got "barged."

Next recap: Scheveningen!

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Rotterdam, Netherlands

Just across the way from where we were staying is the city of Rotterdam. Home to largest port in the world, Rotterdam is at the heart of a maze of rivers and artificial waterways that together form the outlet of the Rhine and Meuse rivers.

After devastating damage during WWII, Rotterdam has grown into a vibrant city dotted with cultural attractions and funky architecture. 

Flowers.  Our first stop was St. Laurenskerk. This 15th century church is a mighty brick pile rebuilt after bomb damage in 1940.

Then we moseyed over towards Blaak, a one-time working class neighborhood that was comprehensively leveled during the war, but has since been rebuilt in a full flush of modern design.

The architectural highpoint of the area is the Kubuswoningen, or Cube House built in 1984 and designed by Piet Blom. 

Each cube is a three-level apartment with the "trunk" serving as an entryway, staircase to the living areas, and storage. So funky. 

Each house is supposed to represent a tree, with all the houses together forming a forest. 

Then it was on to another eye-popping piece of architecture: the Markthal. 

It's a combo residential/office building with a market hall in the middle. It opened in 2014.

We browsed, looking for treats. 

"Donut" mind if I do! Back out to the streets. Ultimate window shopping. Why-oh-why didn't this store open until noon?!

Mmmmmm, this lavender smelled divine.

Eventually we found ourselves at the Stadhuis, or city hall. This is one of the few old buildings left in the city center. It was built between 1914 and 1920 and miraculously survived the 1940 bombing raids.

This mural was right outside the parking garage so we snapped a pic of me'n'my-boy before loading up and heading out.

Our family in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on Monday July 11th 2016.

Onto the next city! Delft.

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