This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
The Hague in the Netherlands definitely exceeds expectations. It's a big city with a small town feel. There's the city, the beach, great food, and great people. Most everyone speaks English, including the stores, restaurants, and the hostels in The Hague. It's only a forty-five minute train ride from Amsterdam.
The hostels in The Hague are fun and lively. Everyone treats you as their friend and the staff at the hostels are very quick to help you. There are hostels in the center of town which is convenient to everything. The beach is within walking distance and offers many different activities, including surf lessons. The Hague is a fairly quiet town so most places are not open later than 7 p.m., not including restaurants. Along the main street are stores where you can buy traditional cheeses and meats for dinner or just a snack.
The Hague is the center of government for the Netherlands so you can visit the Dutch parliament and Binnenhof. Many companies and organizations also base their headquarters there so you can get a feel of the bigger city. There are multiple museums, some paid entrance and some are free. Nearby to The Hague hostels, there are lots of streets to go shopping along and also an abundance of green areas with their numerous parks. Within an hour you can get to Rotterdam, the well-known fishing village, and to Gouda, where gouda cheese comes from. Such as in Amsterdam, many people get around The Hague on bike but there is also a convenient tram to take you further distances. The Hague is a pretty safe town but obviously you need to keep an eye on your belongings.
