By Victoria Looseleaf

It may be known as home to the World Court and the seat of government of the Netherlands, with its stunning Peace Palace the city's beating heart that is now under the auspices of the United Nations, but The Hague, a mere 45 minutes by train from Amsterdam, is also a vibrant and charming city. With its picture-perfect monuments and historic districts located near the beautiful North Sea coastline, The Hague, dubbed the "Royal City by the Sea," also boasts the resort town of Scheveningen, considered the cradle of, yes, Dutch surfing.

Check in to the legendary Hotel Des Indes, a former city palace located in the historic center built in 1858 as the town residence of Baron van Brienen, personal adviser to King Willem II. This lavishly appointed former manor house has provided respites over the years for numerous celebrities, from Mata Hari and Josephine Baker to the ballerina Anna Pavlova and the late rocker Prince.

Have a quick lunch in Restaurant Des Indes — oysters are always fresh — before heading to Escher in the Palace. Adjacent to the hotel, this museum is the former winter palace of Queen Mother Emma of the Netherlands and is dedicated to the noted Dutch artist M.C. Escher (1898-1972), whose mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs and mezzotints continue to dazzle. Featuring a permanent collection, including the print, "Day and Night," where the Dutch landscape appears to morph into a flock of birds, the museum also offers a host of changing exhibitions.

Continue your foray into famed Dutch artists with a visit to the Mauritshuis, a 17th-century palace nicknamed the "jewelry box" and once the abode of a 17th-century governor of Brazil. Displaying masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age in an intimate setting, the museum counts among its prized possessions Vermeer's "The Girl With a Pearl Earring," Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson" and Carel Fabritius' "The Goldfinch." (This last work was the basis for Donna Tartt's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from 2013 and will be released as a film later this year starring Nicole Kidman and Ansel Elgort.)

And if you ever wondered why the Netherlands' national color is orange, it's because the Dutch royal family hails from the House of Orange, making it fun to discover the rich history on a sojourn that takes you past the many palaces, historic monuments and beautiful gardens in the city center. Be sure to check out the Binnenhof and Knights' Hall, where the seat of Dutch democracy can be found by walking through one of its famous arched gates.

Make time to visit the beach town of Scheveningen, stopping first, though, at the Panorama Mesdag, a 360-degree optical illusion created by Dutch painter H.W. Mesdag (1831-1915). Admired for his marine works, Mesdag worked for a year to make a 45-foot-high painting that measures 130 feet in diameter. From an observation gallery in the center of the room, the cylindrical perspective creates the illusion that the viewer is on a high sand dune overlooking the sea, beaches and village of Scheveningen in the late 19th century.

Then go see the real thing, where 7 miles of coastline also feature numerous attractions and beach pavilions. Enjoy an outdoor sculpture garden on Scheveningen Boulevard, while a variety of shops, including those featuring trendy surfboards, swimwear and sunglasses, beckon. Sample a snack of raw herring, a decidedly Dutch tradition, by slathering the herring with onions before picking the fish up by its tail and downing it whole.

Scheveningen's recently renovated pier, Ferris wheel, zip line and food market make great spots for selfies, while other points of interest include Joop van den Ende's Circus Theatre and the Museum Beelden aan Zee, the only Dutch museum that specializes in contemporary sculpture. Dine at Waterproef, in the heart of the marina, where French cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences is served with award-winning wines. There's also gambling at the Holland Casino, with blackjack, poker and roulette some of the many games on offer.

Hop on the night bus to return to the city center and wind down with a cocktail at Des Indes Bar. This is a good place to look back over your adventures in this dynamic, multicultural city.

WHEN YOU GO

For general information: www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/the-hague.htm

The Mauritshuis: www.mauritshuis.nl/en

Hotel Des Indes: www.hoteldesindesthehague.com

Waterproef: www.restaurantwaterproef.nl

The Mauritshuis, a 17th-century palace in The Hague, Netherlands, is now a museum that houses several art treasures, including Vermeer's "The Girl With the Pearl Earring." Photo courtesy of The Hague Marketing Bureau.

Visitors to Scheveningen, a beach district in The Hague, Netherlands, enjoy zip-lining, one of many possible activities that include surfing. Photo courtesy of The Hague Marketing Bureau.

This famous arched gate leads to the Binnenhof and Knights' Hall, sites of official ceremonies in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo courtesy of The Hague Marketing Bureau.

Victoria Looseleaf is a freelance travel writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Visitors to Scheveningen, a beach district in The Hague, Netherlands, enjoy zip-lining, one of many possible activities that include surfing. Photo courtesy of The Hague Marketing Bureau.