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a feel good travel blog

15 Most-Vibrant Beach Clubs in Den Haag, Netherlands

3/7/2017

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Pronouncing "Scheveningen" in Dutch is not my strong point, but enjoying great food and good vibes at a beach club on a sunny is my strength! Den Haag is one of my favorite Dutch cities. If I had to guess, it's what Amsterdam used to be before tourism overtook the city. 

Calm, relaxed and quiet, The Hague gets two thumbs up in my book because of its seaside cafe/bar life. The beach is an added bonus, and although it's not swimmable most of the year, the spring through early fall months light up with life as the pale dutchman seeks as much sun as possible. 

Whether you're looking for something vibrant or something chic, let's take a stroll on the "strandweg," or boardwalk to discover the must-visit beach clubs in the Hague. 
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Bliss Beach Club
Come and find your Om at Bliss Beach Club. Two giant-sized Buddhas are the gateway to a relaxing afternoon of drinking your life away at a private "cabana," accompanied by seaside service. The menu prices are moderate and offer more affordable food and drinks options. Bliss features an extensive menu and offers something for everyone from non-alcoholic drinks to a healthy-fare menu. 
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ElBully Tapas Bar & Grill
While toasting under the Dutch sun, your mind may drift away thinking that you are in Spain. Ignite your digestive fire with ElBully's Spanish tapas food. Serving traditional Spanish-style tapas, the menu is meat heavy, but offers some options for the plant-based individual like the spinach and cheese croquettes.  A full dinner menu is available. 
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ZeeZicht
If you're looking for a low key afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine and relax on a couch while stretching your sea legs at ZeeZicht. The menu ranges from cheap to expensive, which is common in the Hague. They do serve several "all you can eat options," but its meat based (blah!). It's not the most sophisticated menu, but it's a nice place to relax in the afternoon. ZeeZicht features excellent views of the pier. 
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Peukie's
Improve your karma by dining at Peukie's. Walk past several large Buddha statues and down to the main platform where couches and seaside lounge chairs await your gastronomical journey. I spent much time here and am a fan of this establishment. On Friday afternoons, a house-music DJ spun the turntable. What I love about Peukie's are the menu options. They serve a vegan burger and wrap using the "meat" directly from The Hague's vegetarian butcher, De Vegetarische Slager. . Read more about my experience at: Den Haag's Peukie Beach Club: Where Buddha Meets the Beach (and Veganism).
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Mood Beach
Depending on your mood, discover the relaxed and chill-out vibes at Mood Beach Club. If the sun is too bright, sit inside amidst a glass-walled restaurant or relax outdoors under an extra-large umbrella. And whatever mood you are in, there is definitely something on the drink menu to cater your cravings.  

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Zanzibar
Inspired by, well you guessed it, Zanzibar, this wood-theme bar is decorated with colorful flowers and beach chairs. The world lounge music sets the tone for an afternoon of jungle-fever.  Zanzibar is one of the few beach clubs that open for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The menu features a variety of small finger food plates and heftier grill and bbq plates. I recommend trying the homemade iced tea. The flavor changes daily and is a refreshing, cool choice under the hot summer sun.
 
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Blue Lagoon
Surroundd by palm trees, once you walk down the entryway stairs, you are invited to a magical paradise. Lounge music inspires the atmosphere to chillax with a beer in hand. And the sound of the tunes inspire the mood when staring directly at the beach.  The extensive menu ranges from pizza to iced coffees to breakfast foods. It's an excellent sunset beach club. 

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Ocean's Beach Club
This is one of my favorite beach clubs. Open for breakfast, at times I had the entire club, and beach, to myself. This club attracts a more mature crowd, unlike Peukie's, and features front row couch views of the ocean. This is one of the more popular clubs. You can order breakfast a la carte or with deals like a croissant, coffee and juice combo.
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Bora Bora
This vibrant and eclectic club attracts locals and tourists alike. Global beats simmer into the air, inspiring one's dancing shoes to head down to Peukie's later. The menu is standard and offers more affordable sandwiches and several vegetarian-friendly options. 
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Solbeach
If you need to reconnect with your soul, visit Solbeach bar. Known for it's beer, Solbeach features a more California-beach vibe. Wooden tables, nachos, potted succulents and a beach cruiser, nothing says "Sol-Cal" more than this bar. Veggie burgers are available here! 
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Cocomo
Like Bora Bora, there is no lack of vibrancy at Cocomo. From the friendly staff to the multi-colored couch cushions, color therapy has an effect here. The better you feel, the longer you want to stay to eat and drink. At night, the deck lamps and colored light bulbs glitter across the tables to further promote the club's love for color. It's another excellent sunset beach bar. 

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Twin's
Clean, chic and classy, I'm partial to this place because I love dolphins and my sister's favorite color is purple. I felt nostalgic with childhood memories. Quiet and relaxed, you won't find banging techno parties, but you will discover a variety ofworkshops and activities. From sand sculpture classes to power yoga, expend and consume your recommended daily calories here. 
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El Nino
Head south of the border at another colorfully-schemed beach club. One would think that a place named El Nino is a Spanish or Mexican-speciality restaurant. Well, not exactly. Looks can be deceiving but they serve other types of food than just traditional Spanish-style cuisine.  El Nino serves up American specialties like club sandwiches, Philly cheesesteak and bacon cheeseburgers. They feature an extensive vegetarian menu with choices such as nachos, croquettes and empanadas. 

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Buena Vista
Located at the far end of "Strandweg" is Buena Vista. Inside, guests snuggle on vintage-style leather couches while planning their next activity. Workshops and classes are available from capiora to beach volleyball. Discover introductory lessons for kite surfing, surfing and power boating. Be sure to check out the Lazy Sunday Brunch. 

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The Fat Mermaid
I love mermaids, so I may be biased, but The Fat Mermaid is an adorable club. Lounge in a beach chair accompanied by a fire pit to keep you warm at night. The cafe-style lighting dangles across the club igniting the traditional European cafe atmosphere amidst the seaside decor. Get plump with global fusion such as vietnamese bahn mi to veggie cucumber sandwiches. And don't forget about Fat Friday. Every Friday, this club mixes up the tracks playing a mix of funk, soul, house and disco beats.
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No matter what beach club you visit, you'll discover the common theme of food, drinks, sun, sand & seaside beds. There are more clubs north and south of the boardwalk, so these are just a few noteworthy establishments on the main drag. 

What's your favorite club?


This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 15 Most-Vibrant Beach Clubs in Den Haag, Netherlands.
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Namaste Cafe: Den Haag's Coffee for the Soul

10/17/2016

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As they say in Dutch, "Welkom bij Namasté Café, het spirituele café in Den Haag!" Welcome to the Namaste Cafe, the spiritual cafe in Den Haag. 

​As we say in English, "The Hague," is probably what Amsterdam was years ago before tourism, french fry stands and it's popular pot-culture invaded the ancient city. The Hague is a 45-minute train ride south of Amsterdam and is the Netherland's political city. The town comprises of meandering canals that flow between historic Dutch buildings, surrounded by fertile parks that are home to geese and fields of tulips.

Everything in the Hague is classy, including spirituality. After roaming the streets of my short-term home, I stumbled across The Namaste Cafe.   
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If there is one cafe or spot in The Hague that displays my inner-soul, it's this place. The cafe is a place where food, spirituality and holistic wellness unite. Part cafe, part garden, part massage therapy center - the Namaste Cafe is a place to relax with a warm cup of classic Chai. 

The cafe opened in the spring of 2015 and serves a variety of cakes, sandwiches, coffees and teas. The cafe features coffee from Brazil and Ethiopia along with teas selected from India. 

After reminiscing with the owner about studying yoga in India, I couldn't resist trying her chai tea. With one sip, I transported back to 2007 with memories of sipping chai tea from Internet cafes to street carts. There is something about chai tea that soothes my soul. 

​Along with the blue and purple decor, I found it to be a perfect place to sit and edit my book, Finding Om. The quiet atmosphere allowed me to focus on the feelings of 2007. With yoga signs on the wall, and a prayer-hand logo, I knew I was on the right path. I believe in the power of colors. The from room of the cafe (as pictured below) elevated the upper three chakras (crown, 3rd eye and throat) to inspire my creative writing. 

The Hague is expensive, but The Namaste Cafe offers affordable eats and drinks for the budget-friendly traveler. I recommend the avocado and tomato panini and vegetarians can select from a variety of foods. You can also ask for non-dairy options to make your food or drink vegan.  
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The cafe offers alternative and holistic workshops. Examples include astrology, Tibetan yoga, mindfulness and manifestation clinics and everything alternative in between. Workshops are posted on their website and Facebook page. The small shop sells clothes, in-scents and small gifts.

If you're tired from traveling, book one of the Indian and Ayurvedic massages. Massasges range from 22 to 25 Euros per half-hour. You can select from a traditional head massage or regions such as head, neck, shoulders and back. Thirty- minute Chakra healing sessions are also available for 22 euros.   

One of the best features is the backyard garden and patio. On a nice summer day, guests can relax  on antique-looking chairs amidst brick walls decorated with potted flowers. I found this to be one of the most charming aspects of the cafe since my body craved the spring sun. 

The owner is a lovely lady and speaks Dutch and English. She can help translate the menu for you. However, most workshops will be held in Dutch. It is best to check with Namaste Cafe to determine if any workshops are offered in English. 


​Most places in The Hague are closed on Mondays. Similar to Germany, they say, "Sleepy Sunday. Quiet Monday." The weekends close an hour earlier than the weekday hours. Be sure to double check the hours of operation (in Europe many places change hours in the summer and winter) on the website below. 

Namasté Café®
Prins Hendrikplein 18
2518 JC Den Haag
Phone : 070-3698766
Email : info@namastecafe.nl

This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to  Namaste Cafe: Den Haag's Coffee for the Soul. 
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Den Haag's Peukie Beach Club: Where Buddha Meets the Beach (and Veganism)

5/15/2016

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Have you heard about this place called Den Haag in the Netherlands? If you haven't, no need to fret. I discovered "The Hague" a year ago with a chance to live there for a month. I never heard of The Hague with the exceptions of it being Holland's parliament and embassy city. 

When I lived in Australia, government-based cities like Canberra were bleak and not-so-exciting for a young urban gal's wild heart. I figured Den Haag would be the same. Although it has an abundance of embassy offices, The Hague is place where serenity meets excitement. Now, it's not Amsterdam, but its a classier version of what Amsterdam once was many moons ago. 

If you've followed any of my posts, you know that I love the ocean (and the sun). Combined with a bit of entertainment, The Hague's (nearly) countless beach clubs ignite a fiery yet chilled atmosphere, sort of like when yin meets yang. Compared to Germany, The Hague may seem sleepy but the city  itself is more beautiful than most German city centers. And we all know that everything is beautiful next to a beach. 

I spent many afternoons freelance writing, vegan dining and sipping lattes in the sun and grooving to house music at the beloved Peukie's Beach Club.

Peukie's is the place to unplug, let go and let it roll with the sunshine and damn good house music. 
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I admire the Dutch's (and German-speaking language cultures) simple design styles that flourish with flowers, beauty and vibrancy. So, when beauty meets the buddha, expect nothing but rainbows as Peukie's is chic and for the young at heart. 
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Young, old, single, married; people of all ages kicked back to relax at one of the many sand-side couches or beach cabanas. It's a place where Buddha casts off his meditative energies to ground your toes in the sand while your brainwaves flow the sound of house music bumping at 125 bpm. 

But remember, Buddha has big ears for a reason. Buddha hears all. Even thoughts. He has this majestic telepathic capability and can hear everything including the bratwurst-looking beefcakes who got in a fight because his woman chose someone else. Beach clubs attract it all, including stockpiles of Eurotrash. Sadly, you can't avoid it, but if it happens just keep sipping your latte and focus on your karma.  

In a state of pure bliss, I broadcasted my telepathic gratitude list to the universe. On a sunny Friday in May, I thanked the Buddha for this opportunity to live in Europe and to enjoy the admirable European work-life balance lifestyle. While opening my mental scripture of Blissology 101, I read through the text of my own life.

I'm living in Europe, enjoying lattes, music and the sun, sand and sea. How could I not be thankful for this life I chose? This is the life that I dreamed of. A life with absolute freedom and no restraints. I surfed through the memories of my twenties, and although I don't regret anything from the past I am glad that I lived abroad but also worked hard. The hard work set up my 30's to stop giving a shit and live a life outside of my ego. I don't give a shit if i go out dancing by myself. I don't care what people think of me and I certainly don't give a hoot about drama.
  
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I didn't want to swim too deep into my mind since the light and airy aspects of the atmosphere taught me to live in the moment, just like Buddha. He reminded me to enjoy the beauty of everything around - the sights, the sounds and of course the majestic sea. 
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I recommend Fridays at Peukie's since they have a DJ spinning live house music from afternoon to evenings. The weekend also features a live DJ and special dance events. When on the boardwalk, follow the glittering red lights and vibrations from the bass for a fun time, which well, is synonymous throughout the ND. 
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From day to night, most beach clubs open for breakfast and stay open until midnight or 1am. Whether you need to refuel your energy needs from too much swimming, cool off from the heat or possibly cure a hangover, Peukie's offers an array of food to meet modern diet demands.  

That's the beauty of European dining. You can go to a bar and order a latte or an apple juice  compared to the United States where the only alcohol-free beverage at a bar is soda or water. 

Peukie's is not a vegetarian or vegan restaurant, but is plant friendly in many ways. From appetizers to entrees, plant-based meals are available, but with a price. The beach clubs are not cheap. In fact, dining out in The Hague is expensive, and anything near the ocean is pricier. 

First, the lattes ooze with froth and steam with the scent of freshly grounded espresso beans. Served with a Lotus cookie, the Buddha's energy elevates or levitates you to Cloud Nine. Well, it could actually be the espresso beans gyrating your cells since European coffee is not for the weak or those with a bad gut flora. 

If you are on a budget, order a smoothie or the bruschetta. The most prominent vegan item is the ultra-hearty veg burger made with the "meat" from The Hague's vegan butcher, De Vegetarische Slage
r that will fuel your dancing shoes for the remainder of the evening. It is worth the 18-euros, if you want to ride the magic carpet of culinary bliss - veganism. 
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The only negative aspect about The Hague's beach clubs are that most clubs charge their (non) customers to use the bathroom. This ranges between 50 cents to one euro, so keep your purse strings tight as we all know lattes, wine, beer and smoothies flow through the body just like water. 

And the water is as mystical as the Buddha himself.  It's not the Mediterranean but every seashell has a story. It teaches you that its not the destination but the journey in life. High and low tides will continue to lift and sink your soul, but your outlook in life is what keeps you moving forward without looking back and regretting the past.

And to this wisdom, I say "Namaste" to The Hague - a place that has more Buddhas than Thailand (not sure on the accuracy of that but when you visit, you'll see). 
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Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a world-traveler and author of Finding Om, an Indian journey about backpacking and studying yoga in India. With a career in fitness, she fuses the best of travel, outdoors and wellness to help change lives everyday. 

This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Den Haag's Peukie Beach Club: Where Buddha Meets the Beach (and Veganism)

Let's connect and Be Friends! Get a lemon and some other cool stuff with our monthly newsletter!
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Amsterdam’s Red Light District: A Self-Guided Tour of Sex, Drugs and Really Sugary Waffles

2/22/2016

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​For a long time, I’ve known about Amsterdam’s Red Light District. In the back of my mind, my imagination envisioned seedy, desolate side streets lit by glowing red lights while perverts of all sorts meandered the streets with sunglasses and a low-browed hat, trying to remain anonymous.
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Upon my first visit to the RDL, I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the quaint Dutch buildings nestled alongside a gently flowing canal decorated with locked bikes on the metal gates. The beauty turned to chaos as I watched overly high and drunken British blokes stumble out of coffee shops and finding the nearest dumpster (or corner) to piss on.
 
I thought, “This place is not so scary.” In fact, the AMS RDL is a jam-packed tourist hotspot filled with curiosity to discover “the dark side of Amsterdam.” Finding a coffee shop, actually a café where they served lattes and not bud-infused lollipops, I uploaded a picture of the RDL canals on my Facebook wall.
 
Ping. Ping. Ping. What the heck is that noise? I glanced down at my phone to notice people are commenting on my pictures. Nearly every sexually conservative American posted, “Get the hell out of there. Stay away from that area. Stay safe.” Get out of here? Is this place supposed to be dangerous? I felt as if I sinned against the Holy Bible itself.

I felt safer in the RDL than I do in many pockets of America. But anyways back to the good stuff. The “modern day” RDL bustles with people from around the world to explore the “puff puff pass” culture and gaze or “window shop” at the strangely XXL dildos and condoms that “hang” around.  
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This place was so out of the box for me (since the Aussies once teased me that I was that ‘sexually prude American’), I couldn’t help but wonder how the hell people can actually do this stuff? I found it amusing as it’s a culture that I completely do not relate to. But if you are a sinful lover than AMS is for you. (If you’ve seen the recently released movie Brooklyn then you can categorize me in that old-fashion romance culture).
 
But trust me, everyone else found it amusing including the two Asian girls next to me in a sex shop holding a 2-foot tall sexual device and taking selfies with it. I’m not sure that’s the type of picture I’d send home to mom, but ya know, when in AMS – explore the culture.
 
Bizzare? Yes. Extremely strange? My god yes! I don’t think it’s a place to take the kids (or your passport), but it’s certainly interesting to explore at least once in your life.
 
I couldn’t help but look at the women in the windows. Although most were very attractive, and probably Eastern European, my feminist side kicked in and my stomach dropped thinking of what that life must be like.  In that moment, I could not help but thank the universe for being me. I could not imagine being subjected to that life of soul-sucking energy.  

​Just a side note, do not dare to take pictures of the women in the windows.
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Right around the time I moved to Europe, Seattle passed its law making marijuana legal. Although my experience with this was slim to none, I could not help but notice how many people enjoy getting high. Trust me, now-a-days drugs are not just for the bums. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed a “little bit of something” at the coffee shops. Each coffee shop, decorated to fit its brand, catered to a variety of budget-friendly to high-class smokers. Many shops played house or electronic music to stimulate that extra-sensory feeling.
 
Baked, like a fresh brownie coming out of the oven, coffee shops overflowed with smoke flowing outside every time the front door opened. And what else to try when you’re flying high as a kite than to eat a freshly baked Dutch waffle.

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Sweet, sugary and ultra-addicting, Dutch waffles are the perfect treat for your magic carpet ride around town. Whether you are high or low, one bite of a Dutch waffle will ignite Iggy Pop flashbacks and the days where bowls of cocaine were as prevalent as daytime desk job candy jars. Seriously, there is a reason why cocaine and sugar light up the same parts of the brain – it’s addicting!
 
So, if you’re looking for the real deal, buy the fresh waffles or the inexpensive ones made at the Albert Heijn grocery store. Every sugary morsel will melt in your mouth faster than an ice cube.  Those premade ones at the local French-fry and bakery shops are not-so-tasty. Besides getting a seizure from a diabetic coma, the thick glaze and whatever else preserves these waffles and they sit for days (I think). I’m not a food snob, but I have a sweet tooth and high expectations for dessert. 
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If drugs, sex and sugar addictions scare the pants right off your legs, visit the RDL during broad daylight. Whether the RDL was once a seedier or a classier place, it’s now a spectacle for “stag and hen” parties, happy hours and student-discounted cafes. It’s a cool place to grab a hangover shake or admire hipster graffiti. And we can’t forget the hippies. Hippies have changed nearly every shit-holed area in major cities around the EU (and the world) making it cool before developers gentrify the neighborhood pricing artists and creative minds with young families who are flushed with cash.
 
Whenever you have drugs and sex together, it certainly attracts the seedier crowd. But, there’s no need to fear – use common sense, keep your head on straight and your pockets tight. I find the RDL to be harmless, not to be confused with being naive. No matter where you are in the world, if you seek trouble, it will find you. If you want to explore (or have a laugh at) the underground sex culture, buy flowers from a market, taste-test Dutch cheese or photograph a historic church - you can discover everything that (not so) normal people do (without sugar coating it).    

And avoid what the British do – overconsuming high quantities of drugs and alcohol. Things take time to capture the essence and so do the overhead cameras located on every street. 
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    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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