Maastricht

Maastricht, the oldest city in The Netherlands, is a small town around 3 hours from The Hague by train. It is very similar to The Hague in some ways, such as the architecture, the small town feel, the European chain stores that you can find in both towns, and the food/bar options. A friend tells me the lifestyle of people in the south is very different from those up here in The Hague, but you probably won't be able to tell on a weekend visit. It's supposed to be a very nice place to visit in the spring/summer, when the flowers are out and you can sit for hours at a cafe along the river or in the squares. The Vrijthof Square, in the center of old town, is a short walk across the river from the central station.

A few things worth visiting if you go:

1. Selexys book store in an old church
2. Roman Ruins under the Hotel Derlon (at Olvrouweplein 6, not far from Vrijthof Square)