As summer slowly creeps in, so do warmer temperatures. The upcoming days will bring plenty of natural vitamin D, which we’ve been dreaming about for so long.
And the best part? Temperatures could soar as high as 26 degrees. ☀️
Starting off sunny and steady
According to RTL Nieuws, today’s forecast promises a dry day with uninterrupted sunshine.
In the afternoon, temperatures on the Wadden Islands will be a mild 17 degrees, while the southwest and southern parts of the country will enjoy a stunning 21 degrees.
Tomorrow, the weather will stay consistent — an occurrence we’re not too used to, but happily welcome. 🤩
The sun will stick around with maximum temperatures reaching 21 degrees once again.
Turning up the heat
If you thought that was good news, you’ll be even happier to read that it’s about to get even hotter.
Buienradar’s Jelmer van der Graaff reports, “On Wednesday and Thursday, it could be 25 degrees, and in the southeast perhaps even 26 degrees.”
However, stay humble for the Wadden Islands — they’ll be stuck with a chilly 11 degrees. Being an islander for these northerners is more of a “brace for breeze” rather than a “beach cocktail in hand.” 😖
First official summer day
Thursday, May 1, is expected to mark the official start of summer, with temperatures in De Bilt forecast to reach 25 degrees.
Usually, the first summer day doesn’t arrive until May 16, so consider this a small reward for enduring all those gloomy months. 🎁
Friday will bring in a northwesterly flow, with slightly cooler air. The sun and dry skies will persist, but afternoon temperatures will drop down to between 15 and 20 degrees.
We’re used to hearing complaints about fatbikers being too fast or inconsiderate of other cyclists.
These past weeks, however, even more reprehensible behaviour has been coming from the Netherlands’ number one road menace.
According to the NOS, there’s been an influx of reports of women’s butts being slapped by young boys on fatbikes.
Social media trend
The police have already received 24 reports of such incidents this year. However, the actual number could be a lot higher, as not everyone reports the crime.
The assaults against jogging women usually take place in parks, for example, Vondelpark, Flevopark, or Erasmuspark.
The perpetrators also often film the assaults, feeling proud enough of their actions to post them to social media, such as TikTok.
Although the police haven’t arrested anyone in connection with the incidents, they claim to be investigating and urge anyone who hasn’t yet reported their assault to do so.
Additionally, they’re appealing to the young boys behind these assaults by posting an Instagram video urging fatbikers to “just stop”.
Hey, as long as they’re exhausting all options, right?
Ok, picture this. You’re at the office, the clock reads 12:42, and you’re fired up like one of Jeff Bezos’ rockets. Is this due to an undying passion for your work, an enthusiasm that can’t be tamed? No, love. It’s coffee.
Specifically, it’s the three cups of lukewarm, extremely bitter, black-as-your-soul office koffie that you’ve already consumed that day. ☕️
What is it?
The phenomenon is quite simple. You arrive in the office, take off your many layers, set up your laptop, and one of your colleagues gives you that look: coffee? No arguments there. 🙅🏼♀️
You guys head to the office’s most beloved and abused member of the team — no, it’s not you — it’s the coffee machine.
A ’90s baby like you, this bad boy has been coughing out mediocre coffee for years now, the only thing that’s changed is its filter.
It is totally normal to take multiple coffee breaks in Dutch offices! Image: Freepik
Once that first coffee is done, your boss will arrive and pull you for another one, and then, right after lunch, it’s time for another coffee to beat that post-food slump.
Then, it’s 4 PM, someone switches out that filter and another pot is ready to be consumed.
By the time you’re packing up to leave, you are READY to take on your evening, and that coffee machine has been put to good use.
Why do they do it?
Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps multiple coffee breaks stem from the Dutch approach to work.
With one of the best work-life balances in the world, it makes sense that the Dutch also make sure to take plenty of breaks whilst at the office too.
What better way to excuse yourself from the desk than a good ol’ coffee break?
Who cares if it tastes like pure rocket fuel when it’s free (great for the korting counting Dutchie) and it gives you a reason to bitch about the weather with your colleagues. 🤪
Why is it quirky?
Listen, the concept of coffee is certainly not foreign to any office.
What makes it quirky, and quite Dutch, is the commitment to the coffee breaks — and to that one god-damned machine. 🙏🏼
Should you join in?
Absolutely. It’s a break from work, and it’s a key way to keep up with the office gossip. Forget the water cooler, it’s the coffee machine in the Netherlands.
If you’d rather dodge the coffee breath but still hang out by the popular machine, you can always find a mug that’s opaque enough to hide your betrayal beverage of choice. 😉
If you do opt for coffee, make sure to cap yourself once the jitters set in!
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Amsterdam’s got one royal request this King’s Day: keep the party local and don’t crush the canals.
The city council is waving the orange flag of caution as crowds grow wilder each year.
This time, they’re begging you — yes, you in the inflatable crown! 👑 — to avoid the city centre and stick to your buurt (neighbourhood) bash.
King’s Day or Chaos Day?
With King’s Day landing on a Saturday this year, the city is bracing for record crowds. (Think longer parties, louder music, and streets so packed you’ll be elbowing your way through. 😉)
As a result, the municipality is concerned about the pressure on public safety and emergency services.
“The public space, the facilities and the emergency and aid services are approaching their maximum load to keep King’s Day manageable, festive and safe,” a spokesperson for Mayor Femke Halsema told Het Parool.
And if you were planning to party along the Haarlemmerpoort quay, don’t. It’s being fenced off to avoid the whole thing collapsing under the weight of too many partygoers.
Yes, even a canal wall has its limits. 😬
The fun’s still on, just, you know… spread out
But don’t panic: King’s Day isn’t cancelled, it’s just getting a strategic makeover. 🧡
The city is rolling out the orange carpet with free street parties from Amstelveld to NDSM shipyard. So, you won’t be short on beats, beers, or bitterballen.
But here’s the catch: moderation is the name of the game. You can’t buy more than one alcoholic drink at a time (bye-bye six-packs), and cold booze won’t be sold in central shops.
It’s party smart or party elsewhere. And honestly? That doesn’t sound too bad. 😎
Are you keeping it local or squeezing into the city? Let us know in the comments. 🥂
During a visit to a military base in Limburg, the King of the Netherlands expressed his concerns about the current state of international politics.
“We may have taken it a bit too much for granted that we would always have freedom and peace,” he told the NOS.
The defence industry’s time to shine
The Limburg military base is currently a site where Ukrainian soldiers are training, and it is precisely this war in Ukraine and the chance of similar conflicts that worries the king.
He believes we must better prepare ourselves to continue living in peace and security, and part of that entails the Netherlands “arming itself to the teeth”.
Strong leadership
This isn’t the first time the king has spoken about international politics. For example, he previously advocated for leadership from a strong European Union.
The entire world eats Nutella on toast for breakfast. Except for the Dutch.
They open a box of chocolate sprinkles and make it rain all over their breakfast spread.
If you think this must get messy, you’re correct. But it’s also much more fun than you’d think.
This Dutch favourite is called Hagelslag, and if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out! 😋
What is it?
Hagelslag is just chocolate sprinkles, like the ones you would decorate cakes with or sprinkle over soft-serve.
Here in the Netherlands, Hagelslag is most commonly eaten on buttered toast. The butter or margarine ensures (more or less) that the sprinkles stay put.
That way, you can enjoy breakfast without changing your T-shirt or tablecloth. But do check whether or not a sneaky sprinkle is clinging to the corner of your mouth. 😉
Fun fact 🤓: Allegedly, it was B.E. Dieperink, the director of a ‘drop’ factory, who came up with the prototype of Hagelslag on a gloomy autumn day. It was hailing (you see, where he’s coming from?), and Dieperink thought sprinkles with anise taste might make a nice breakfast spread.
The anise-flavoured treats first hit the market in 1919, but when chocolate-flavoured varieties were introduced in the 1930s, they quickly became the more popular choice for Nederlanders with a sweet tooth.
Why do they do it?
Well, it’s just so fun. Who doesn’t want to eat chocolate sprinkles for breakfast? And they come in a lot of different variations, too! 🙌
The classic version is your average chocolate sprinkle. But you can also get pink forest fruit-flavoured sprinkles! Or white chocolate! Or orange sprinkles for no reason other than patriotism!
Ah, we love them all. But, to save you from any unnecessary embarrassments at any Dutch breakfast table, here is a quick guide on how to properly eat Hagelslag:
✅ Get a soft piece of bread.
✅ Butter your bread generously, so that as much Hagelslag as possible can stick to it.
✅ Take your box of Hagelslag and carefully shake out the sprinkles over your piece of bread.
✅ Now, most importantly, don’t fold your toast to avoid the sprinkles going everywhere. Ideally, you just cautiously balance the soft slice with both hands and take small, delicious bites.
✅ Pick up the leftover Hagelslag on your plate, table cloths (and kitchen floor) with your finger. This is the most fun part because it allows you to eat with your hands. Teehee.
Why is it quirky?
For one, it is really not a very practical way to eat chocolate sprinkles. Or chocolate on bread, for that matter.
It would honestly be easier to break off a piece of a chocolate bar and dump it on your toast.
But the Dutch love it! Go into any Dutch supermarket and find that the array of Hagelslag available rivals the amount of breakfast cereal in the neighbouring aisle.
It’s just something you have to try yourself to see what all the fuss is about. 😉
Should you join in?
Absolutely! Sugar, carbs and breakfast — what’s not to love? You can also eat a broodje Hagelslag as a snack (tussendoortje). No judgment here. 😎
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!👇
We love Utrecht for its quaint streets, cute cafe nooks, and bustling atmosphere — but sometimes, you really need to escape the city.
Luckily, there are stacks of scenic hikes and walks in Utrecht. We’re not talking a jaunt over the Matterhorn’s level of hiking — but beautiful stretches over fields, wanders through the forests, or ambling alongside rivers and sloten; that’s what Utrecht does best.
Of course, it’s not always easy to find the perfect hike that ticks all the boxes of distance, duration, and damn-good views.
That’s why we’ve compiled some of the best hikes and walks in Utrecht to escape the city.
1. Eendenkooienpad, IJsselstein
Breathe in the fresh air of the Dutch countryside on this gentle, 17-kilometre romp. The Eendenkooienpad (Duck Decoy Trail) is a path that stretches through farms, along the river Hollandse IJssel, and traverses ancient towns.
Good things come to those who wait — and while Doorn is a little further out of the city centre, it’s well worth the trip.
The Kaapse Bossen is home to some of the most beautiful nature in Utrecht.
Meander through the middle of Utrecht’s Heuvelrug and venture through sloping forest paths.
This nine-kilometre hike will take you through the highlights of the Kaapse Bossen, including an estate gatehouse and a watchtower with an incredible view over the Heuvelrug.
TIP: Partway along the path is a thick fir tree that blew over in the early 1990s. Side branches have kept the trunk off the ground, so this tree is perfect for climbing!
🚶♂️ Walk distance: Nine kilometres ⏰ Duration: Two hours 📍 Starting point: Parkeerplaats Groene Entree Kaapse Bossen 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the dark blue route indicators
3. De Amerongse Berg, Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Boswachterij De Amerongse Berg in Utrecht is one of the oldest forests in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
This municipality is home to an epic forest of great proportions; wander amongst the ancient oak and birch trees, and take in the wonder that is nature. 🌳
Utrechtse Heuvelrug was created in the last ice age and, as a result, is home to narrow valleys.
But, destroyed and left barren due to greedy cattle, the forest was replanted with birch, oak, and beech trees to create a beautiful mixed forest.
🚶♂️ Walk distance: Eight kilometres ⏰ Duration: Two hours 📍 Starting point: Veenseweg 28 3958 ET Amerongen 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the sandy path
4. Scrambling on the Heuvelrug (Scharrelen op de Heuvelrug)
Coniferous trees, pine cones, oaks, and beeches line the landscape along the Heuvelrug, an epic hiking trail in Utrecht.
You’ll find this trail set amongst the deciduous forest in the village of Lage Vuursche. Perhaps while you’re there, pay a visit to Princess Beatrix, who lives in Drakensteyn Castle nearby.
But maybe swap out those muddy hiking boots for something a bit more glam before you do. 👸
🚶♂️ Walk distance: 13 kilometres ⏰ Duration: Three-and-a-half hours 📍 Starting point: 3739 KA Hollandsche Rading 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the blue arrows
5. Monument route Amelisweerd & Rhijnauwen
The Amelisweerd and Rhijnauwen trail leads you along a mapped-out route of 17 wonderful Dutch monuments spanning across the centuries.
Wander through and wonder at an 18th-century home or check out an old Dutch fort, the largest fortification made along the Dutch Waterline.
If you want to extend the length of the trail, you can pad out your hike by visiting the various museums along the way.
The Old Amelisweerd Museum combines art and preserved household items from the 18th century and is well worth a visit.
You can download the map for the route online, however all the information about the monuments is in Dutch — so make sure you’ve got your phone if you’re an English speaker!
🚶♂️ Walk distance: Five kilometres ⏰ Duration: One hour 📍 Starting point: Koningslaan 9, 3981 HD Bunnik 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the map
6. Austerlitz forest walk
Located in the middle of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Austerlitz is the perfect spot for a calming forest hike.
Along the route, you’ll pass the White House (no, not the American one! 🏚), an 1820’s hunting lodge.
Or, you can climb the Pyramid of Austerlitz, a camp that once hosted over 20,000 French soldiers 200 years ago.
Along this trail, you’ll hike through the Dutch forest and observe the shifting sands.
As lots of cows live in the area, the grass is kept short, but the further you get along the trail, the more the area will emerge into woodland with tall, coniferous trees. 🌲
Dogs are welcome along the Beerschoten walking route, so grab your furry best friend and get ready to walk a hefty 11-kilometre hike! 🚶♀️
The route connects three Dutch nature reserves in Utrecht: Beerschoten, Houdringe, and Panbos.
Wander through the huge meadows and even past the sand dunes along the way, as you’ll really be getting a view of all kinds of Dutch nature.
🚶♂️ Walk distance: 11 kilometres ⏰ Duration: Two-and-a-half hours 📍 Starting point: Slotlaan 8, 3749 AA Lage Vuursche 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the yellow poles
10. Around Palace Soestdijk
The impressive Palace Soestdijk in Utrecht will inspire you during your hike. Image: Depositphotos
The name of this trail sort of gives it away! This walk around Palace Soestdijk will lead you around the 17th-century palace, ideal for some historical views while you walk. 🏰
Dogs are welcome as long as they’re on a leash. Parts of the hike are paved, and it is generally quite flat (like the rest of the Netherlands if we’re honest), so it makes for a scenic, relatively easy walk.
🚶♂️ Walk distance: 16 kilometres ⏰ Duration: Three hours and 20 minutes 📍 Starting point: Amsterdamsestraatweg, Baarn 🗺 Marked Route: Follow the route
Pack those bags, and make sure you’ve got plenty of water and snacks to keep you going on these trails in Utrecht. Now that you’ve seen these beautiful parks and woodlands, why not explore some more hiking trails across the Netherlands?
Have you been on any of these trails in Utrecht? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
Yes, it’s official — the weather has cleared its schedule. King’s Day is getting the royal treatment: it will be dry, sunny, and comfortably warm, with even better days to follow.
Today, though? It still insists on some last-minute drama. Grey skies, scattered rain, and the kind of gloom that throws us back to, well, last summer.
But from tomorrow? The clouds politely excuse themselves, and the sun takes centre stage.😎
A royal forecast
As early risers set up their stalls, they’ll be greeted by a crisp 5 to 8 degrees.
By afternoon, the party is heating up. Across the country, temperatures are expected to rise to a pleasant 19 degrees. 🎉
Suppose you’re lucky enough to be in Limburg, eastern Brabant, or Doetinchem (where the royal family will be waving their way through the day). If so, you might even enjoy temperatures of around 20 degrees, according to AD.
Translation? Sunglasses: mandatory. Sunscreen: highly recommended. Burnt noses: not cute.
As the evening rolls in, a few friendly clouds join the party, and temperatures dip to a pleasant 9 –12 degrees around midnight.
Still perfect for sipping that final toast or polishing off a tompouce (or three). 🍰
Looking ahead: is that…summer?
Once the orange confetti settles, the weather will keep climbing the charts. 👀
According to RTL, the sunshine is set to continue, and temperatures may reach up to 25 degrees across the Netherlands — a welcome reminder that warmer days are finally here.
Unless you’re on the Wadden Islands, that is. There, the sea is still holding onto its seasonal moodiness, reminding everyone that, yes, technically, it’s still April.
So, what’s your plan? Scouting bargains? Strolling in orange? Soaking up the sun from a terrace? Tell us how you’re celebrating King’s Day. 🧡
Tesla is continuing its downward spiral, with the company’s sales plummeting by over 50% in the Netherlands.
This is reflective of the company’s current status as a whole – its profits fell by 71% in the first three months of the year.
Tesla is crashing
According to Reuters, only 3,443 new Teslas were registered in the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 6,842 in the first quarter of 2024.
RTL reports a similar trend, pointing out that in March of 2025, Dutch sales dropped by as much as 60%.
And it’s not just the Netherlands. This shift is apparent in 15 other European countries where the company’s market share dropped from 18% to 9%.
Too much politics
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been busy implementing massive layoffs and hiring 19-year-olds for his Ministry for Government Efficiency, DOGE, leaving little time for business.
Meanwhile, demonstrations are taking place in several cities across the US and Europe, where people are expressing dissatisfaction with Musk’s involvement in politics.
It seems that Musk is dissatisfied himself, as he announced he will be working for Trump only a couple of days a week from now on — someone has to be the richest man on earth after all.
Do you think Tesla’s declining sales are the beginning of the end, or will the company bounce back? Let us know your thoughts!
When did it become cool to break the rules? Okay, rhetorical question since the people who break the rules are always seen as the cool kids (hello, Breakfast Club). But the Dutch? They take this one step further.
Walking to my local Albert Heijn one day, I saw a cyclist talking to a policewoman.
I realised quickly it wasn’t just a friendly chat — it was a “you-are-getting-a-fine” kind of conversation (a.k.a, it was juicy!)
What could a cyclist have done to catch this policewoman’s attention? The cyclist was getting a fine of €140 because he had ridden through a red light. 😳
Allow me to repeat that — €140. In the Netherlands. For running a red light. On a bike.
When I think of all the things €140 could buy and the money-saving mentality of the Dutch, I can imagine that this sum of money is not easily given up, especially in exchange for not stopping for 30 seconds.
The rules don’t apply
I get that all cyclists want to get on with it and reach their ultimate destination, but don’t we all? And why is it so hard to do that safely and in a considerate way?
Without traffic rules, crossing the road would become a free-for-all. Image: Depositphotos
The consequence of ignoring that one small but important rule is so high that I have to wonder if it’s more about exceptionalism — the rules are meant for everyone else.
We see a lot of examples of Dutchies completely disregarding the rules, whether it’s using smartphones on bikes or renting out Airbnbs despite regulations. 😬
But come on, Dutchies, can’t we stick to the rules we have in play? (We’re not even talking about all those unwritten rules.)
Changing times in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, the rules are generally loosey-goosey, so it’s good that a bit of public decorum is enforced occasionally.
The city is changing rapidly, and new rules are popping up to match the pace.
Gotta be careful of your neighbours when at Dam Square. Image: Depositphotos
On the way home one day, I noted a sign around Dam Square advising visitors to keep the noise down and be mindful of the neighbours.
Bless their souls. Isn’t it heart-warming to see society taking better care of one another? 🧡
So, should rules rule the roost?
Perhaps the question is: are rules good or meant to be broken?
It may be only once the lack of a rule begins to affect your life that it becomes a problem, like when too much public drunkenness in Leidseplein begins to affect your beauty sleep. 😴
But still, you’d like to be able to cycle as you please with no rules and regulations. As long as you look left and right, can’t you just be allowed to cycle and live your life?!
My dad drove us home many years ago, and we stopped at a red light.
It was night, and the road was pretty empty, so I asked, “Why don’t we just go?” My dad replied, “Society is made up of rules and regulations, and we respect those even when it isn’t convenient for us.”
I didn’t respond, so I was happy to wait at that red light for as long as it took.
Rules are (sometimes) cool
I hate to take an innocent cycling fine and blow it out of proportion, but it all comes down to this: rules are made, and sometimes it’s okay to break them.
But sometimes, rules are made to protect and take care of society.
They ensure you can lead a pleasant and easy life, as we are lucky to have here in the good ol’ Netherlands.
That, my friends, is something that we should all strive to protect — no matter how ‘uncool’ it sometimes seems to follow the rules.
Are rules made to be broken or followed? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
