Get those bucket lists ready, because the Netherlands just scored a double-feature on Forbes’ list of the 50 most beautiful villages in 2025.
While the Netherlands can’t exactly boast about its beaches or a singular “mountain“, Dutch villages look like they’ve been plucked straight out of a fairy tale.
But which of these Dutch villages managed to wow travel experts at Forbes and land in the top ten? Let’s dive in!
Giethoorn: The Netherlands’ very own “Venice of the North”
Coming in at fourth place is Giethoorn, the crown jewel of the Dutch province of Overijssel.
While you can walk or cycle around Giethoorn, the best way to explore the village is by boat. Image: Depositphotos
With winding canals, quaint, thatched roofs, and oodles of old-world charm, it’s no wonder that Giethoorn secured a place in the top five.
Bourtange: History nerds, this one’s for you
At a very respectable seventh place is Bourtange, a unique, star-shaped fortress tucked away in the northernmost province of Groningen.
Though Bourtange’s star-shaped structure is best seen from the air, the fortress is a must-see for history enthusiasts. Image: Dreamstime
The list raves about its “storybook charm”, which visitors can experience at the market in its cobbled courtyard, a visit to the Museum of Fortifications, or a walk around the historic sites at the fortress’s heart.
Which other villages made it to the top ten?
Giethoorn and Bourtange may have won two top spots, but they faced fierce competition from several other stunning villages across the globe:
Village
Rank
Bibury, England
#1
Hallstatt, Austria
#2
Reine, Norway
#3
Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
#5
Oia, Greece
#6
Kotor, Montenegro
#8
Shirakawa-go, Japan
#9
Batad, Philippines
#10
For those curious about the other 40 villages, do check out the full ranking here.
Do you agree with the global rankings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Dubbed the Venice of the North, Giethoorn is a wonderland of canals weaving and winding their way around unspoilt Dutch countryside, and it’s packed with things to do.
If you’re looking to break out of Amsterdam’s hustle and bustle, but still want those quaint Dutch canal views, you need to visit gorgeous Giethoorn!
Can’t decide? Find something to do in the list below! 👇
Bob and chug your way through Giethoorn’s green heart. Image: Depositphotos
The stunning canals of Giethoorn are beckoning, so jump in a boat and get ready to explore, plucky adventurer!
As a car-free city, there’s no better way to embrace all the sights and sounds than by water, and you’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to boat rental companies.
Whether you’d like to glide down the stunning waterways accompanied by a tour guide’s historical retellings or photograph the abundance of wildlife from an ultra-quiet whisper boat, your adventure is of your choice.
💰 Price: Renting an entire boat can cost anywhere from €65 to €170 ⏰ Opening hours: Vary per company 📍 Location: Along the canals of Giethoorn
2. Hop on a bike and explore Giethoorn at your own pace
No matter where you go in the Netherlands, a bike’s probably going to be your best friend! Image: Depositphotos
If you want to feel the breeze rushing through your hair as you cycle through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Netherlands, you’ve got to hop on a bike!
No bike? No problem, because Giethoorn has a horde of bike rental companies that’ll saddle you up with a two-wheeled BFF in no time.
💰 Price: From €7.50 ⏰ Opening hours: Vary per company 📍 Location: Stroll the main streets to find a bike hire company
3. Voyage down the stunning canals with a kayak or canoe
All in favour of having a fun afternoon on the water, raise your paddle! Image: Freepik
Do you want to tour Giethoorn from the water and burn some calories while you’re at it?
Sounds like you may need to grab a kayak or canoe!
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never kayaked or canoed in your life or if you’re an absolute pro at it; as there are routes for all skill levels, so do take the plunge.
💰 Price: Prices start from €12.50 for a one-person kayak ⏰ Opening hours: Vary per company 📍 Location: Along the canals of Giethoorn
4. Stroll through any of Giethoorn’s breathtaking walking routes
Exercise AND great views? Count us in! Image: Depositphotos
Perhaps you’d like to stretch your legs a bit? You’ve certainly come to the right place, as Giethoorn has many enchanting walking routes that’ll lead you on an enjoyable ramble through the city.
Whether you’re into a casual four-kilometre stroll around various points of interest or want a more gruelling 27-kilometre walk around the entire city, you can definitely find one that’s your speed!
TIP: Be sure to bring your camera along, because we aren’t joking when we say these routes are breathtaking.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Entirely up to you 📍 Location: Along the many walking routes of Giethoorn
5. Grab a board and hit the water
Who says you can’t make a big splash whilst exploring a new city? Image: Depositphotos
D’you fancy trying your hand at stand-up paddleboarding? Good on you, because Giethoorn’s the right place to bob through scenic canals on your paddleboard.
Alternatively, if you thought Scheveningen was the only place to go windsurfing in the Netherlands, think again! Giethoorn also offers both windsurfing facilities and several surf schools for visitors who’d like to dip a toe into a water sport.
💰 Price: Prices range from €15 (windsurfing) and €20 (stand-up paddle boarding) for an hour, to €60 (windsurfing) and €35 (stand-up paddle boarding) for a day ⏰ Opening hours: Vary per company 📍 Location: Giethoorn’s lakes
6. Embark on an enchanting trip back in time at Museum ‘t Olde Maat Uus
Museum ‘t Olde Maat Uus peels back the weathered pages of time to give visitors a charming look at what Giethoorn was like back in the olden days.
Perfect for history enthusiasts, it’s got a carefully curated collection of costumes, furniture, tools, and hordes of other things from a bygone era.
There’s also a museum shop for tourists to buy trinkets, a coffee shop for refreshments, and activities for children to do.
💰 Price: €7.50 for adults, €2.50 for children aged four to 12, and free for children under three ⏰ Opening hours: 11 AM until 5 PM, Monday to Sunday 📍 Location: 1 Beekstraat, 5671CS Nuenen
7. Take a walk on the wild side at the Weerribben-Wieden National Park
Between stunning views and a large population of birds and animals, this national park is a definite must-see. Image: Depositphotos
But don’t let the word bog you down, because this park offers visitors a huge selection of activities!
Whether you’d rather bike in the wilderness, hike through several trails, or rent a boat to tour the park, you’re guaranteed to find an activity you enjoy.
Oh, and did we mention that it’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise? Many rare species call it home, and there are several bird-watching huts erected for this very purpose, so be sure to check them out!
💰 Price: Free to enter ⏰ Opening hours: The park has no times listed, but opening times for individual activities will vary 📍 Location: Weerribben, 8302 KW Emmeloord
8. Explore the Netherlands’ best collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils
Do check out the museum shop for trinkets! Image: Supplied/Museum De Oude Aarde
Do you seriously dig rock exhibits? Well, Museum De Oude Aarde has got your back!
This museum has the largest egg in the world, a stunning geode from Brazil, and a whole host of other treasures collected over the decades.
Are you travelling with children and wondering how you’ll keep the little ones entertained? Fret not, the museum’s got an enthralling Scavenger Hunt, where kids uncover a bunch of hidden treasures based on a few clues.
💰 Price: €4.90 for adults, €3.90 for children up to the age of 12, and free for children under 12 ⏰ Opening hours: Open 10 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Sunday 📍 Location: 43 Binnenpad, 8355 BR
9. Stop and smell the (porcelain) roses at Giethoorn Floramics
Calling all art enthusiasts! Giethoorn Floramics is an atelier that features gorgeous handmade pottery with summery flower motifs.
If you’d like to pick up some unique keepsakes from your trip to Giethoorn, then this is the best place to do it.
TIP: This atelier is also situated along the famous Dorpsgracht canal in an area that is home to at least 20 historical buildings. Why not tour this historic neighbourhood whilst you’re in the area?
💰 Price: Depends on the item ⏰ Opening hours: 10 AM to 6 PM 📍 Location: Binnenpad 35, 8355 BP
10. Channel your inner royal at Museum Villa Rams Woerthe
Built in 1899, the stately Museum Villa Rams Woerthe has been dubbed the Downton Abbey of Overijssel — and for good reason!
Both the museum, in its Art Nouveau style, and the surrounding grounds are national monuments (is it just us, or is that code for “super Instagrammable?”), making them the perfect sight for architecture enthusiasts.
TIP: The basement of the Villa Rams Woerthe houses the Hildo Krop Museum, which is dedicated to artist and sculptor Hildo Krop (once City Sculptor of Amsterdam). Make the most of your visit and check out this hidden gem, too!
💰 Price: €11 for adults and free for those under 18 ⏰ Opening hours: 10:30 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday, 10:30 AM to 4 PM from Wednesday to Friday, 1 PM to 4 PM on Saturday, and 10:30 AM to 4 PM on Sunday (closed on Monday) 📍 Location: Gasthuislaan 2, 8331 MX Steenwijk, OV
11. Have a gezellige picnic by one of Giethoorn’s many canals
Perfect for delicious snacks and drinks by the cheerful, babbling canals! Image: Unsplash
Is that romance in the air? This city has so many picturesque canals and lakes to sit by that a picnic is a perfect thing to do on a sunny afternoon in Giethoorn!
There are several supermarkets spread all over the city (such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI, and Coop, to name a few), so it’s easy to pick up something yummy for your picnic.
💰 Price: Free (just the price of groceries for a picnic) ⏰ Opening hours: Whenever you want 📍 Location: Around Giethoorn
12. Paint the town red at Paintball Giethoorn
Aim and… fire! 💥 Image: Freepik
Are you travelling with a group of friends and are dying for something fun and energetic to do?
Then head over to Paintball Giethoorn for an absolute blast (of paint, that is!) and get ready to make some fun memories.
💰 Price: Roughly €30 per person ⏰ Opening hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every Monday to Saturday, and 9 AM to 6 PM every Sunday 📍 Location: Zuiderpad 5A, 8355 CA
13. Tickle your taste buds at one of the best restaurants in the Netherlands
If you’re exploring the wonders of Giethoorn, why don’t you take your taste buds on a culinary adventure? Image: Unsplash
Giethoorn is also home to the Michelin-starred Restaurant de Lindenhof, which serves an enticing concoction of regional, French, and international cuisine.
If you’re looking to make unique memories in Giethoorn, then embarking on a rare culinary experience might be the perfect thing to do!
TIP: If you’re not into Michelin-star prices, don’t worry — Giethoorn has plenty of top-quality restaurants with midrange prices, such as Restaurant 141, Grand Café Fanfare, and Smit Giethoorn.
💰 Price: Culinary packages range from €160 to €225, overnight stays can reach €630+ ⏰ Opening hours: Open for lunch (12 PM to 2 PM) and dinner (6 PM to 9 PM), from Wednesday to Sunday 📍 Location: Beulakerweg 77, 8355 AC
14. Venture off to Vollenhove and explore the ruins of Kasteel Toutenburg
This village is a hidden gem just a stone’s throw from Giethoorn’s scenic heart. Image: Depositphotos
Run out of things to do in Giethoorn? Just half an hour from the city centre is the historical shipping village of Vollenhove.
Granted a city status as far back as 1354, it’s also home to the ruins of the medieval Kasteel Toutenburg.
The castle was built in the 1500s by Joris Schenck van Toutenburg, the then-stadtholder (ruler) of Overijssel under Emperor Charles V, and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts!
So you’re about to take the plunge and delve into the scary world of learning Dutch? Chances are, you probably have a few questions, or you want to know what stages you’ll have to go through to get there.
Most people have the same questions in mind before learning Dutch, and we’ve done you the favour of collecting them all in this handy list.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to it! Here are seven things you need to know before learning Dutch. 👇
1. Is learning Dutch hard?
Some people say that learning Dutch is easy, and other people insist that it’s hard. The truth is, it all depends on several factors:
If you’re fluent in English, German, or both (this is a massive help, as there are many similarities)
If you’re fluent in more than one language (there’s research to suggest you pick up languages faster if you are)
If you can pronounce those terrible, guttural gghhhhhhh sounds
The good news? Your English fluency will give you a pretty good leg-up when it comes to learning Dutch! Image: Depositphotos
There are also a few reasons why learning Dutch may be hard:
The pronunciation can be tricky as hell for some people (*cough* most people *cough*)
The word order can be mind-boggling
Dutch people will always be better at speaking English than you are at Dutch, so they’ll quickly switch if they sense you’re insecure
However, some aspects of learning Dutch may also be easy.
With over 1,500 Dutch words in the English dictionary, that means you already know around 1,500 Dutch words!
Even better? Dutch words are also present in or derived from many other languages, so you may find you know even more if you’re familiar with a language like Afrikaans or French, for example.
However, it’s important to remember that learning Dutch certainly isn’t easy — so it’s not something you’re going to learn overnight.
Just try not to get too hung up on whether you think it’s going to be hard or not. And don’t worry too much about the whole de/het thing.
2. Is Dutch similar to German?
In short: yes. Dutch is very similar to German, so if you speak German, you’ll definitely spot the similarities as soon as you start learning.
Lots of words are the exact same in German as they are in Dutch, and many others only have slight differences.
Germans, unsurprisingly, have a super easy go of learning Dutch! Image: Freepik
However, do keep in mind that the Dutch tend to get offended when you tell them that their language is similar to German, so it’s best to keep that small fact to yourself.
It’s similar, but it’s still a different language — kind of like if you speak Spanish, then Italian isn’t that far from your comfort zone.
Note: Grammatically, Dutch is somewhat easier. So if you’re German learning the Dutch lingo, then you’re probably going to find this a relief… or not. 🤔
3. Do you need Dutch if you speak English?
In theory, no. Plenty of people get around just fine with speaking English in the Netherlands.
It’s also common practice to find an English-speaking job. But if you think you’ll be staying in the Netherlands for a few years, why not learn the language?
There are a couple of things you’ll be missing out on if you just stick to English, so getting those Dutch skills going might just be worth it:
Speaking Dutch for work
Sure, you might have managed to score yourself an English-speaking job, but chances are, if you want to climb the ranks, then Dutch is going to be necessary.
If you learn Dutch, it will also broaden your career prospects, as you’ll quickly qualify for so many more jobs.
If you are looking for a complete career change, speaking Dutch will also help immensely.
Before we continue, you should definitely check out these untranslatable Dutch words — they’re always worth knowing (as if the language in general wasn’t baffling enough). 😵
Socialising and speaking Dutch
To truly fit into any society, learning the language is the thing to do.
Not only is it polite (because hey, you’re living in their country and all), but it’s also paramount if you want to truly fit into the culture. You will be able to communicate with everyone, and they will be able to communicate with you.
Many people do it like this, though; admittedly, it’s probably best to do this alongside your own studies or Dutch classes.
If you do choose to incorporate TV into your Dutch journey, it’s smart to switch things up every now and then: watch TV in your own language with Dutch subtitles, and then watch Dutch programmes with your language as the subtitles.
Relax and learn a new language at the same time? Win-win if you ask us! Image: Depositphotos
A good thing about Dutch TV is that dubbing is not a popular concept, so you’ll have a good chance to practice your Dutch skills undisturbed by English.
Oh, and as a bonus: if you speak English (which you presumably do, since you’re reading this article), then you’re already in luck.
British and American television channels are widely watched in the Netherlands, so it’s the perfect time to start reading the subtitles! 👓
5. Are there any sounds that are hard to pronounce?
Oh dear, a simple “yes” would be an understatement.
If your language involves a lot of gghhhhh sounds and rolling letters, then you’ll be a natural at learning Dutch. If not (and let’s face it, that applies to most of us), then you’re really going to have to practice.
I’m a Brit with no language skills and no rolling letters, and it took me six months just to pronounce words such as “gezellig“, “Scheveningen“, and “Groningen“ properly.
Sounds gross, but the best way to practice is to try to bring some phlegm into the back of your throat and gargle as if you were going to spit it out, whilst saying the word.
It sounds awful, but you’ll soon get used to saying it naturally (without sounding all weird and phlegmy).
6. Do Dutch people speak English?
Yes!In fact, apart from native English-speaking countries, they’re frequently ranked as having the best English language skills in the world.
The thing is, this can make it hard to learn Dutch, as you’ll find that our dear Dutchies will switch to English once they hear us struggling. It saves time and makes life easier, but persevere!
Simply pretend you don’t speak English! Image: Depositphotos
Stick with the Dutch if you want to practice, even if they switch to English.
One advantage of their great English skills is that it makes learning Dutch easier (in terms of finding good English material, teachers, and whatnot).
Just make sure not to take it for granted and give up on your Dutch language journey.
7. Is there any way I can learn Dutch for free?
Aha! You’re in luck here, because there are quite a few ways to learn Dutch for free.
This is definitely one of the things to know before you learn Dutch — it can be quite expensive, but there are plenty of ways to learn Dutch completely for free.
So, there you have it. Once you’ve mastered all the weird sounds, you’ll be well on your way to spitting out Dutch words left, right, and centre. Good luck!
What tips do you have for learning Dutch? Are there any other things to know before starting? Let us know in the comments!
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS is taking a strong stance against the situation in Gaza: the Netherlands won’t participate in Eurovision as long as Israel is still admitted.
In a public statement on their website, the broadcaster cited “the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza” as the reason they can no longer justify Israel’s participation.
They also point out that “the suppression of press freedom and political interference” are simply at odds with the values of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was founded to “bring people together after a period of deep division and war.”
The Netherlands now joins Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and more on the growing list of countries that currently oppose Israel’s participation in Eurovision.
So, what happens now?
At present, AVROTROS states that all preparations for the song contest will “continue as planned” until the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has made a decision on Israel’s involvement.
Should Israel be dropped from the competition, AVROTROS will “gladly take part”.
If not? The Netherlands and several other countries will follow through with their ultimatum, and the Eurovision Song Contest will have far fewer competitors in 2026.
PostNL halted parcel service to the US thanks to tricky customs drama, but good news: packages are flying again from mid-September!
At the end of August, PostNL hit pause on shipping packages to the US. The culprit? Complicated new customs rules and uncertainty about how they’d be enforced.
According to the NOS, the US had scrapped its import duty exemption for packages worth up to $800 USD, saying the loophole was being abused for tariff dodging and even smuggling.
What’s changing now?
From mid-September, parcels will once again be making their way to the States.
The restart covers business mail, returns, and gift packages — but with a catch.
Each package must have a maximum value of $100, which is roughly €85. PostNL says this limit is a precaution until they have a more permanent fix in place.
Following a surge in firearm-related incidents, various sections of Amsterdam’s city centre have now been dubbed a “high-risk zone”.
Applying primarily to the Burgwallen Oudezijde-Noord area, the high-risk zone comes into effect today (September 12) and will be in place for six weeks until Friday, October 24.
According to the municipality’s website, this measure is the result of a disturbing rise in the number of firearms found in the city centre, as well as recent incidents involving guns.
Which areas are affected?
The veiligheidsrisicogebied (or high-risk safety zone) applies to several bustling areas in Amsterdam’s city centre, including:
the Damrak,
Prins Hendrikkade,
Geldersekade,
Kloveniersburgwal,
Damstraat,
the monument side of Dam Square, and
Nieuwmarkt.
The increased security also applies to the underground metro stations that service these areas.
What can I expect?
If you’re living near or travelling to the Burgwallen Oudezijde-Noord area, you should prepare for an increased police presence.
In addition to this, police have been authorised to conduct thorough searches of all people and vehicles within the zone.
So, if you’re travelling through any of these areas, make sure to factor some additional time into your commute.
Let’s get straight to it: The Dutch prescribe free heroin to their heroin addicts. And it’s legal too. While the Dutch are (in)famous for their liberal approach towards drug use and legalisation, heroin has an especially bad rep.💉
After all, everyone knows that it is one of the most addictive substances there is, right? Free access surely won’t make the addiction problem any better.
But, hear us out — the Dutch providing heroin to heroin addicts surprisingly makes a lot of sense.
Wait, heroin is legal in the Netherlands?
Okay, heroin isn’t legal. Meaning, you can’t just walk into your local supermarket or coffeeshop to go and buy it.
Heroin still counts as a hard drug in the Netherlands, along with cocaine, amphetamine, LSD etc. and is criminalised.
As you probably know, soft drugs such as weed are handled differently, and you can purchase them without ending up in prison.
It’s decriminalised, but not yet legal: the Dutch are a bit slow on this front.
Although you won’t get in trouble for being caught carrying heroin, the use of the drug is still illegal in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik
Either way, while you’re not allowed to sell or buy hard drugs in the Netherlands, it’s technically legal to consume them.
That means that if someone is found using heroin on the streets, they won’t go to prison for it.
This brings us to the reasons the Dutch prescribe heroin to their heroin addicts.
So…heroin addicts just get heroin for free?
In the Netherlands, yes!
It’s called Heroin Assisted Treatment (HAT) and was officially introduced in 2007.
You should know that HAT is considered a sort of ‘last resort’ for heavy and chronic heroin users that did not respond to other treatment methods.
Usually, the first step is to prescribe methadone, a substance that helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb drug cravings.
Registered heroin addicts also receive regular health checks from the GGD (Public Health Service) and other counselling options.
If, however, none of these treatments proves effective, the Dutch opt for prescribing medicinal heroin.
It is simply considered to be the best alternative because it offers addicts safe conditions instead of the dirty needles and spiked heroin they might face elsewhere.
You see, the Dutch are pragmatists: they know the dangers of addiction, and figure it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How exactly does it work?
So, what exactly happens behind the closed doors of heroin-giving GGD and doctors’ offices? 👀
It’s not as sketchy as it sounds. After all, the programme wants to provide an environment that is as safe as possible for the addict.
After being approved for the program and registering at the front desk, the patient has to prove that they are sober by blowing into a breathalyser.
If they pass the test, they are good to receive the heroin.
The drug is presented in entirely sterile conditions. Not only is the substance as clean as it gets, but so are the tools provided with it.
The patient then uses the drug entirely under supervision — in a private room with windows where a worker can watch in case of an overdose.
Does the Dutch approach to heroin addicts work?
Well, it depends on how you look at it. Obviously, prescribing heroin to an addict will not help them get off the drug.
But, in this case, that’s also not really the goal.
Instead, there are two main ideas behind the prescription of medicinal heroin:
To reduce crime rates for the sale, purchase and use of heroin
To make heroin use for chronic addicts as safe as possible
In that case, succes! 🎉
The Netherlands has seen a consistent decrease in heroin usage since medicinal heroin was legalised in 2007. The most recent figures show a drop from 18,000 registered addicts in 2008 to 14,000 in 2012.
Also, if you compare the number of Dutch opiate users per 10,000 inhabitants (technically, heroin is an opiate), they fare the best out of 14 other European countries surveyed.
The use of heroin to help addicts recover is very sterile and patients are always monitored. ge: Freepik
In the Netherlands, an estimated 13 people out of 10,000 use heroin. In the UK, which fared the worst, it is an estimated 74. Yay Dutchies! 🇳🇱
But — it didn’t always look so good.
How did the Dutch get here?
Time for a little history lesson! 🤓
Did you know that heroin used to be a massive problem in the Netherlands in the 70s and 80s?
The numbers were crazy. Heroin was first introduced to the Netherlands in 1972. Only two years later, in 1974, there were already 5,000 people addicted to the substance.
In 1983 (that’s only 10 years on!) that number rose to 30,000. (If this wasn’t clear already — a big ❌ to heroin, kids!)
Do you have Dutch grandparents? Or had a Dutch nanny? Then maybe you were presented with a broodje aap verhaal as a kid. Or maybe your Dutchie friend fooled you with one recently — without you realising!
So, what exactly is this broodje aap verhaal?
Monkey-sandwich story?
Yup, you heard that right! Broodje aap verhaal literally translates to “monkey-sandwich story.” But don’t fear, your oma, nanny, or that funny friend didn’t feed you monkey sandwiches. 😉
A better (or at least more accurate) translation is probably an old-wives tale or urban legend.
But why?
If a broodje aap verhaal really means an old-wives tale, why did the Dutch come up with “monkey sandwich story”? Trust us, we were a little lost at first, too.
However, like with many other quirky Dutch words or expressions (some of which aren’t even translatable!), we need to understand the origin of the term broodje aap verhaal to understand the translation.
in Dutch the term "monkey sandwich story" (broodje aap verhaal) is used to refer to something that is untrue or made up 🙉
The phrase originates from a, well, kinda gross (but thankfully untrue) story.
Once upon a time, a truck was entering a hot dog factory when it collided with another truck. The back doors of the first truck opened in the collision, and a decapitated, skinned corpse fell on the street. Panic!
But, a plot twist: it wasn’t a human corpse that fell on the street. Instead, police found it was the body of a gorilla. The hot dog factory was investigated and discovered to be filled with monkey and bear bodies that had been bought cheaply.
Um… hot dog, anyone? 🌭🤢
It’s always bread-related
So, the Dutch term for an old wives’ tale essentially comes from a famous old wives’ tale!
It seems that the original broodje aap verhaal was meant to put children off junk food — served up as a sandwich, which probably wasn’t how they’d envisioned getting a monkey with their Happy Meal.
There are many more peculiar Dutch broodje aap verhalen floating around, but we’re hardly surprised that one of the most famous ones has to do with bread. It is the Netherlands, after all. 😆
Do you know any broodje-aap verhaalen? Or were you ever fooled by one? Tell us in the comments below!
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, David van Weel, plans to implement a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements.
In an official letter to the Dutch parliament, van Weel offered an update “on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the implementation of the agreements between the EU and Israel on access and delivery of humanitarian aid.”
As the NOS reports, he intends to implement a national import ban “as soon as possible”.
What imports may be banned?
According to a parliamentary motion shared by D66 member Jan Paternotte, the import ban is intended to apply to goods from “Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory”.
Paternotte also adds that these settlements are considered illegal under international law.
As individual EU member states have the flexibility to establish their own trade legislation, a ban on imported goods or services “originating from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory” could be a real possibility.
A decision many weeks in the making
This move comes just a few weeks after the NSC (a Christian democratic political party) resigned from the outgoing government. The party resigned because the then-foreign minister, Caspar Veldkamp, felt there wasn’t enough support for strong measures against Israel.
In a surprising twist of fate, the VVD, which originally opposed the move, has now decided to support the proposed ban.
Meanwhile, with van Weel, speed is of the essence. In place of legislation, he intends to go the faster route: with a General Administrative Order.
If someone turned to you and said they bought a property in Amsterdam for €250,000, you probably wouldn’t believe them. However, if they clarified that this property was actually a hallway, then suddenly it’s very believable.
Yep, this is now the reality. In Amsterdam, a “hallway house” has just hit the market.
Making up a whopping 18m2, the current owner gave RTL Nieuws a tour of the narrow hallway.
Literally, it’s a hallway
As the camera squeezed its way through the kitchen, it quickly became clear that the owner, Ootje, had been living in a hallway for the past seven years.
But don’t feel too sorry for Ootje. Since buying her “hallway house” seven years ago, the property has doubled in value, bringing the asking price up to a quarter of a million euros.
And believe it or not, as realtor Rober Stutje tells RTL Nieuws, at least 10 people have expressed interest in the property.
But wait, there’s a shed!
However, while Ootje’s hallway measures 18m2, the property is actually listed as being 26m2. Why? Well, there’s a shed, of course.
Don’t worry, if you’re feeling a bit claustrophobic in your hallway kitchen, you can always escape to the garden shed, which Ootje describes as the second living space.
While living in a hallway doesn’t sound particularly glamorous, being able to say you own a property in Amsterdam certainly does. Which is why RTL’s rent and housing expert, Erik Rezelman, believes the property will sell.
As he tells RTL Niuews, “Yeah guys, this is Amsterdam, you can buy a hallway and a shed for a quarter of a million.”
Would you live in a hallway and a shed for a quarter of a million? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
