T
here’s a spot in my traveling
heart that loves quirky finds.
Don’t get me wrong, just
about every destination
has must-sees that visitors
will plan their days around, but
sometimes it’s the kooky finds
that bring an unexpected smile
to your face.
Color Everywhere
Case in point, Delft-- about
a half-hour’s drive from Amsterdam,
this quiet spot oozes Dutch charm.
With bikes and canals at every
turn, it’s easy to come home with
hundreds of pictures. Delft is where
Johannes Vermeer spent his life
painting. It’s where Delft Blue
pottery has been produced by hand
since the 17th century and where
a World Cup soccer match draws
a crowd to the Market, or Market
Square, to watch the game and
then maybe kick the ball around
afterward.
Delft is the type of place where you
can catch your breath, wander, and
enjoy. It’s also a fun place to try new
things like a Dutch pancake or better
yet, their sweet version of morning
toast. It’s warm toast with a good
serving of butter, topped with
sprinkles, yes, sprinkles, the same
kind you put on cupcakes or ice
cream. The butter and sprinkles melt
and combine, so you get the idea how
the end result will taste. You choose
the flavor; dark chocolate, milk
chocolate or rainbow-esque fruit
sprinkles. Who needs caffeinated
coffee when you can have chocolate
sprinkle topped toast?
It was just one of many discoveries
I made at my hotel, WestCord Hotel
Delft. If you do a quick internet
search for the hotel, you can learn
the basics; it has 140 rooms and free
wireless internet, but dig a little
deeper and you’re in for some fun.
What I didn’t know about Delft is
that it is home to the IKEA Concept
Center, which for most visitors
simply means there’s a huge store.
The store isn’t dramatically different
than what you’d find in their
numerous other locations, but they
do sell milkshakes and the ice cream
cones are self-serve. However, the
store is located just across the
parking lot, albeit a very large
parking lot, from WestCord Hotel
Delft. Is there a neighborly
influence? Absolutely.
The entire interior of Hotel Delft is
designed by Ikea. You see it as soon
as you enter the lobby. Bright and
colorful, maybe a bit unorthodox to
some, but a whole lot of fun to see
Zany? A bit. Colorful? Yes. Great
use of space and everything
I needed? Definitely!