Good news, globetrotters: the Dutch passport now ranks fourth most powerful globally in 2025!
According to the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports yearly based on visa-free access, Dutchies can strut into 188 countries without visa drama.
Sure, it dipped a spot (a minor wobble ๐), but no worries โ your Dutch passport is still your golden ticket to most of the globe.
Asia is stealing the show
While Europe is in the top five, Asia has officially snatched the crown. ๐
First, Singapore leads the way with visa-free access to 193 countries. Ja, thatโs practically everywhere except maybe outer space.
Japan and South Korea are close behind in joint second place, each unlocking 190 destinations. Asiaโs got its passport game on point, and everyone else is playing catch-up.
Top-tier passport squad
Hereโs how the most powerful passports are ranked right now:
๐ Rank
Countries ๐
Visa-free acess โ๏ธ
1
Singapore
193
2
Japan and South Korea
190
3
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain
189
4
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden
188
5
Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland
187
6
Australia and the United Kingdom
186
7
Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, and Poland
185
8
Estonia and the United Arab Emirates
184
9
Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United States
183
10
Iceland and Lithuania
182
Meanwhile, in the bottom five…
While Dutchies plot their dream summer holiday, some passports offer far less freedom:
Rank ๐
Countries ๐
Visa-free access โ๏ธ
98
Somalia
33
99
Pakistan and Yemen
32
100
Iraq
30
101
Syria
27
102
Afghanistan
25
So yes, the Dutch dipped one spot โ but they still own one of the most powerful passports in the world. ๐โโ๏ธ
Time to plan your next adventure, and enjoy being part of the global travel elite.
How does your passport rank? Drop your passportโs position in the comments.
Since Trump’s return to the Oval Office, the Netherlands has revised its travel advice for LGBTQ+ people travelling to the US.
Although travel advice previously stated that American laws and customs surrounding the LGBTQ+ community are comparable to the Netherlands, they are now labelled as different.
What changed?
According to the NOS, the US now has local laws that could hinder LGBTQ+ individuals’ access to healthcare or cause trouble upon entry to the country.
The latter especially affects transgender and nonbinary people, since American authorities now require short-term travel authorisation and visa applicants to indicate their gender at birth, accepting M or F only.
People who don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth could therefore face issues when entering the US, or be subject to awkward questioning.
Trump hates gender
This change in travel advice is a consequence of the Trump administration’s repeated targeting of the queer community โ transgender and non-binary people in particular.
Trump has been busy issuing presidential decrees that remove protections against LGBTQ+ people since his inauguration and has chosen the word ‘gender’ as public enemy number one.
In light of this, government documents can no longer use words such as ‘gender identity,’ or ‘non-binary’, and government agencies can no longer display the rainbow flag.
@pinknews The U.S. State Department has removed โTQI+โ from its section on travel advice for LGBTQI+ travellers, now reading just โLGBโ. This is one of many instances of the Trump administration removing references to LGBTQ+ from federal websites. This follows a memo issued on Wednesday the 29th of January by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management ordering federal agencies to take down โall outward facing media (websites, social media accounts, etc.) that inculcate or promote gender ideology"โฆ #presidenttrump#transgender#lgbtqia#whitehouse#usaโฌ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro
But it’s not just about symbols โ the administration also blocked care for trans youth and removed the option of not declaring your gender on US passports, causing a bureaucratic nightmare for many Americans.
There are many ways to learn Dutch, and while attending a language school is effective, itโs not for everyone (or their wallets). So, why not turn something you already do into a study tool? Like watching YouTube!
Weโve gathered the 21 best YouTube channels to start learning or rekindle your love for the Dutch language โ and weโre not just talking boring grammar videos.
Whether youโre a total beginner, a determined intermediate, or an advanced learner, thereโs a Dutch YouTuber out there for you (and your language goals ๐).
Want to start watching right away? Jump straight to your interest!
Forget boring grammar lessons, because Kim’s channel teaches Dutch through funny skits and real-life scenarios, showing the topic first, then breaking down the grammar.
Her videos are sweet and funny, covering everything from essential grammar, daily conversations and common mistakes non-native speakers make. She also has a complimentary website and offers online courses.
๐ Good for: Beginners and intermediates who want all-around learning. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 10-15 minutes
Bart’s fun videos aim to bridge the language gap between internationals and Dutch people, featuring a cute animated soap opera, student interviews about Dutch culture, and entertaining language challenges.
His channel is less structured than Kimโs, with most lessons and exercises on his website. But for fun, insightful interviews on Dutch culture and language, itโs a great pick!
Plus, he has a free online video course called โ1000 most common words in Dutchโ that you can subscribe to for an extra challenge!
๐ Good for: Beginners and intermediates, plus anyone interested in Dutch culture. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 5-10 minutes
We stumbled across this channel via an extensive playlist by Easy Languages.
Their โEasy Dutch โ Learn Dutch from the Streets!โ playlist is updated by the channel Easy Dutch and is a must-follow for any aspiring Dutch speakers!
It’s full of interviews with people from the Netherlands about all sorts of topics, from the life of Turks in the Netherlands to what makes people happy. They even have a video where they corner Rutte to ask him what heโs wearing! ๐
All videos are entirely in Dutch, but their Dutch and English subtitles make it easy to pick up new words.
๐ Good for: Anyone who wants to learn vocabulary and practice listening skills. โฑ๏ธ Video length: 10 minutes
Offering one of the most extensive video libraries for learning Dutch on YouTube, DutchPod 101โs channel has 20 playlists for you to peruse โ with videos on everything from vocabulary and grammar to writing, reading, and listening skills.
If you ask us, a playlist with conversational phrases is perfect for putting on in the background while cleaning or taking a shower!
Their videos may look like they were made with 2010s graphics, but the content is worth staying for.
๐ Good for: People at any level who want targeted videos. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 3 minutes to 4 hours
Dutch lifestyle and health channels
Want to take a break from studying but still practice your Dutch skills? Good news! Whatever your viewing taste is like, thereโs probably a Dutch version.
If youโre a person with a uterus who wants to grow a mini human in there sometime, VerlosMoeder is for you!
โVerlosmoederโ combines verloskundige (midwife) and moeder (mother), reflecting Djanifaโs content about her work and motherhood. A sweet, aesthetic channel radiating femininity and strength. ๐คฐ
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to learn about midwifery, female health, pregnancy, and raising children. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 10-20 minutes
6. faenomenal
Your typical lifestyle and food YouTuber… but with a sustainable and vegan twist. Now, where was that subscribe button?
Fae’s channel has many features shared with other popular YouTubers in this category: aesthetic shots, humour, and a bit of a vintage vibe (which seems very Dutch, to be honest).ย
Her videos are great for practicing Dutch: she speaks clearly, at a good pace, occasionally uses English, and repeats vocab in similar videos (think: vegan what I eat in a day). ๐
๐ Good for: Intermediates who want a chill way to practice their listening skills and enjoy varied content. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 10-20 minutes
First of all, this guy uploads every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. ๐ฑ That means his content may not be as carefully curated or edited as some other YouTubers, but thereโs plenty of it.
Most of his videos also feature his girlfriend, friends, or family, so itโs great for hearing conversational Dutch (albeit spoken relatively fast). If youโre into old-school, slightly chaotic vlogs, this is it!
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to be thrown into daily Dutch. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 30 minutes to one hour
As a YouTuber, blogger, and singer, Teskeโs content can help you learn Dutch whether youโre in the mood for watching, reading, or listening to some poppy rap. ๐ถ
Her channel focuses on daily life, (mostly vegan) food reviews, and life advice. Like Fae, she speaks clearly and at an easy-to-follow pace, making her vlogs enjoyable even for Dutch learners.
๐ Good for: Intermediates who want a chill way to practice their listening skills and enjoy varied content. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 10-20 minutes
Another guy who uploads videos every single day โ a big hoera for Dutch efficiency. Whatever it is, it means there’s a lot of content for you to peruse!
Giovanniโs channel mainly posts day-in-the-life vlogs โ though unless your 20-something friends drive Lamborghinis and vacation in castles, it might not feel too relatable. ๐
Nevertheless, he has lots of energy and enthusiasm, and his level of eccentricity is pretty entertaining.
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to be thrown into daily Dutch. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 15-30 minutes
Dutch gaming channels
An article about YouTubers wouldnโt be complete without the gamers appearing. And luckily, there are more than a few Dutch ones. ๐ฎ
Even though his channel is called SerpentGameplay, Rick also uploads about internet culture and random life events โ all with a love for bad jokes, weird facts, and gaming!
Heโs critical, down-to-earth, and charming with excessive hand gestures and copious self-irony. Oh, and since he speaks directly to the camera and into a microphone, his Dutch is relatively easy to understand!
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who enjoy gaming, internet culture, and self-irony. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 10 minutes to five hours
With over 6,000 videos, this YouTuber offers plenty of content for you to enjoy.
DusDavid Games features Minecraft, other games, vlogs, and comedy โ and, though he speaks quickly, his clear audio helps you understand his Dutch.
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to watch their usual gameplay videos in Dutch. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 5-30 minutes
Dutch comedy and experiment channels
Looking to laugh away the struggles of learning Dutch? Youโll step up your casual Dutch with these comedy channels and be introduced to some Dutch slang. Lijkt me leuk! (Sounds like fun!)ย ย ย
Airing on NPO3 (a Dutch public broadcasting channel for children, youth, and innovative television) as well as YouTube, BOOS follows the host as he tries โto make angry people not angry.โ
What does that entail exactly? ๐ค
Viewers email in complaints โ about bosses, landlords, webshops, or politicians โ and the team investigates, offering entertaining insights into Dutch society.
Also, Boos has decent-quality auto-translated subtitles if the dialogue ever goes a bit too fast for your Dutch.
In Drugslab, three young people use, test, and talk about drugs, all in the name of science.
Run by a Dutch public broadcaster and vetted by medical and addiction experts, Drugslab ended after covering all planned substances, but its 193 fun, informative episodes are still on YouTube.
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to hear how young Dutchies speak. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 5-20 minutes
Another lab! This time, it’s classic social experiments with Streetlab, presented by childhood friends Tim, Daan, Jasper, and Stijn, and supported by Dutch broadcasters KRO-NCRV and NPO3.
Their original experiments ended after becoming too famous, but several spin-offs offer varied vocabulary, from dating to travel and pop culture.
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want to hear conversational Dutch while having a good laugh. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 5-20 minutes
This one is for the TikTok generation. Weโre still unsure what this guy does, but he has 400,000+ subscribers, so he must be doing something right. ๐
His videos cover everything from dating to random antics โ great for picking up slang and practicing fast listening.
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who want a challenge. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 3-10 minutes
The three friends have more than 2.5 million subscribers and are regularly picked up by Dutch television, and in 2018, they sold Stuk to the Dutch multimedia company Talpa. ๐บ
However, Giel, Thomas, and Stefan upload new episodes of their TV-show-like productions to YouTube weekly.
Their videos range from crazy dares to the show โHet Jachtseizoenโ. Each action-packed episode features a well-known Dutchie who enacts a prison escape and has four hours to flee from the presenters who act as guards. ๐ฎ
๐ Good for: Intermediate to advanced speakers who reality-tv-like entertainment. โฑ Video lengths: 10-30 minutes
Dutch news and educational channels
Are you planning on taking theinburgeringsexamen? Or to keep on top of the most important developments in the Netherlands?
Similarly to learning Dutch with podcasts, watching news(y) channels in Dutch is a great way to kill two birds with one stone โ improving your Dutch and your knowledge about the Netherlands simultaneously!
The NOS Jeugdjournaal uploads daily news segments to its YouTube channel โ keeping your information and your Dutch up to date.
The NOS Jeudjournaal is the youth version of the Dutch public broadcaster and newspaper, the NOS. Although itโs aimed at nine to 12-year-olds, itโs a gem for listening to the news in simple Dutch.ย ย
๐ Good for: Beginners and intermediates who want to keep on top of the latest news in easy-to-understand Dutch. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 1-5 minutes
Another kids’ program thatโs great for hearing simple Dutch in an educational context. Developed by Schooltv.nl, Clipphanger is part of the public broadcaster NTR, focusing on educational content for Dutch youth.
These simple animations are great for building Dutch vocabulary on topics like politics, mental health, or Keti Koti, with accurate Dutch subtitles to catch any words you miss.
๐ Good for: Beginners and intermediates who are looking to increase their vocabulary. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 1-2 minutes
Dutchies have something for age-targeted news channels. But well, if it means everyone has a chance to understand and follow current affairs, thatโs pretty good. ๐
NOS op 3 targets 18โ50-year-olds, using clear language and informative graphics โ great for Dutch learners! Like Clipphanger, it offers non-autogenerated Dutch subtitles for better accessibility.
๐ Good for: Beginners and intermediates who want in-depth knowledge about specific current topics in the Netherlands. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 5-30 minutes
The Dutch TED! Swap your TED binge for similar Dutch content โ because procrastination should be productive.
Also, a podcast, De Universiteit van Nederland, is exactly what it sounds like: a university for all of the Netherlands.
These mini-lectures, presented by top Dutch academics in collaboration with 14 universities, make complex topics accessible through clear, engaging explanations in layperson’s terms.
๐ Good for: Anyone who wants to learn about interesting topics while practising their Dutch listening skills. โฑ๏ธ Video lengths: 4-20 minutes
Taking the plunge into that Dutch lesson life is no easy feat โ especially when youโre not sure if the time, effort, and cost will be worth it.
But take it from seasoned internationals in the Netherlands: if you really want to feel comfortable in your ability to speak Dutch, you need to rip off the band-aid and book yourself in for a Nederlandse cursus.ย
So before you start coming up with a thousand reasons not to take the plunge, weโre here to bust 11 myths about taking Dutch lessons โ so you can get on with the learning. ๐
1. It’s expensive
Will Dutch lessons cost you some of your hard-earned geld? Zeker! Will it cost you thousands and thousands of euros? Not necessarily. An average 13-week, one-class-per-week course will run you around โฌ500.ย
Now we chose a writing career, so believe us, we know thatโs not a tiny amount of cash to cough up. But the amazing rush of walking into Albert Heijn and conducting the entire trip in Dutch? Being able to give directions to the little lost old lady on the street? Thatโs a priceless feeling.
Food just tastes better when you order it in Dutch. Image: Depositphotos
Plus, at the start, youโll increase one whole level (e.g., from A1 to A2) as a beginner, or half a level when youโre intermediate or advanced. That means every 13 weeks youโll have a whole new set of skills to show off. Lekker bezig! (Good job!)
2. The teachers are all old and mean
If the thought of learning a language gives you flashbacks to sitting in primary school and having your knuckles rapped for not remembering your French conjugations, itโs time to let that mental image go. Shh, go on, itโs time.ย
Dutch teachers come in all shapes and sizes, and thatโs awesome because it means you have a choice.
You can find a teacher who is 20 years old, fresh, and enthusiastic, or you can find a teacher whoโs been around long enough to have seen every Dutch learning problem there is. Now, itโs just a matter of finding your perfect match!ย
3. The lessons are entirely in Dutch
We all know how quickly Dutchies switch to English. Image: Dreamstime
Alright, this isnโt an entire untruth. As you progress, you will be hearing and speaking a lot of Dutch in lessons โ but thatโs the point!
However, we all know how great Dutchies are at speaking English โ so if thereโs ever a tricky grammatical concept that you really need to be explained in simple English, you can bet that will be done quick smart. You will not be left lost and alone, we promise.ย
4. There will be a lot of homework
Another great thing about learning a language as an adult is that youโve got s***to do โ and the teachers get that. Youโre not a child with empty evenings, youโre a person with a job. And a cat. And laundry. And grocery shopping that really needs to be done.
Will there be homework? Yes. But itโs usually manageable. Got plenty of time? Great! You can spend between four and six hours on your huiswerk. Got a more hectic week ahead of you? Carve out an hour or two for yourself one evening in the week and youโre good to go.
Didnโt have time to do it all? Geen probleem. Again, this isnโt primary school, you wonโt be scolded in front of your classmates. Life happens, the teachers get it. The more you put in the more youโll get out โ but every journey starts with that first step.
5. It’ll be boring
Boring? Dutch lessons? Never. Look, some of the grammar can feel tedious and some of the words may make you want to tear your hair out, but boring โ nee.ย
There will never be a boring moment at a Dutch course! Image: Depositphotos
We canโt promise every lesson will be as scintillating as the latest season of the Dutch Hunted (which, by the way, youโll be able to watch in Dutch now), but with the right Dutch language school youโll have lessons with variety where youโll get that sweet, sweet adrenaline rush after creating the perfect bijzin.
Who needs skydiving when you have Dutch lessons?! ๐
6. You’ll learn useless Dutch
Listen, when youโre living in the Netherlands, thereโs no such thing as useless Dutch. Sure, people can argue that youโll get along fine with a script for certain scenarios and do the rest in English โ but again, youโre not really integrating in that case.ย
Dutch lessons cover everything from how to format a sentence, to how to tell a particularly loud person in the silent carriage of the train to โhou je mondโ (Shut your mouth). And youโre going to need it all if you plan on staying in this country for longer than a few months, trust us.
7. You’ll need to take a lot of tests
It’ll take a while before you find yourself in this situation. Image: Dreamstime
Myth, myth, myth. Of course, this is all dependent on your Dutch language school, but typically, youโll do a full or a half language level block before needing to take a test.ย
So yes, sometimes youโll need to crack open the books and study hard, but you wonโt be drowning under a mountain of exams โ we promise.
Then, when you do pass a test, youโll know it was hard-earned and true proof of your Dutch-speaking ability (which is by then great, by the way). ๐
9. It’s time-consuming
Will you learn Dutch overnight?Nee! Will you need to put in some time and effort? Ja! But learning Dutch doesnโt need to be time-consuming. For a once-per-week class, youโll typically need to do between four to six hours of homework each week, plus your class time.ย
Itโs not for the faint-hearted, but itโs certainly doable around a full-time job, seeing friends, and having hobbies โ and yes, we are speaking from experience!
9. It’ll move too fast (or too slow)
Listen, this can be true โ but only if youโve signed up for the wrong level of Dutch lessons. Maybe you overestimated your ability and enrolled straight into a B1 course, only to find that everything is one big blur of sounds.ย
But the fix is simple: Switch yourself to a lower level, and youโll find a pace that suits your abilities! The school where we learn Dutch makes it possible to switch to another level during the course as well.ย
Believe us, it’s easier to learn Dutch when you’re in an environment where everyone is making mistakes. Image: Depositphotos
However, most of the time, youโll find that everything moves at just the right pace. Youโre usually asked to complete a short test or have a quick phone call with your teacher before you begin. This way, you can be advised of whether your level of Dutch is too high, too low, or juuuust right for the course. ๐
10. You can just learn Dutch with an app instead
Apps like Duolingo are fantastic at strengthening your Dutch vocabulary. However, the greatest criticism around these apps is that you will learn words, but you wonโt learn grammar โ and thatโs a problem when it comes to, you know โ creating sentences.
More importantlyโฆ You donโt learn how to speak the language.
Dutch grammar and sentence structure are entirely different from English, so taking the time and effort to learn how to conjugate and construct a sentence (and having a chance to put them into practice) is really necessary โ and thatโs something an app wonโt teach you.ย ย
11. Youโre too old, or you can’t do it
You’re never too old to start learning!. Image: Depositphotos
Letโs go ahead and call ourselves Barack Obama because โYes, We Canโ. It is possible to learn Dutch โ and weโre speaking entirely from experience โ that process goes hella faster when youโve been gently guided by a great teacher.ย
Plus, Dutch lessons consist of people of all backgrounds and ages. Youโll find fresh-faced 20-year-olds, well-seasoned internationals who have been living here for 10-plus years, and anyone and everyone in between.
We also spent far too long in the Netherlands struggling to pick up the language, but it was only when we signed up for language lessons that we saw our Dutch progress go through the roof.ย
Today weโre by no means fluent โ but we can get around, have hour-long conversations, and sometimes even understand whatever the hell the NS loudspeaker is crackling out.
And let us tell you โ if we did it, you can too. ๐
What myths have you heard about taking Dutch lessons? Tell us in the comments below!
This article was co-written by Sarah OโLeary & Samantha Dixon
As the Netherlands continues to embrace digital technologies, a new report warns that the country may also be deepening social inequality.
As NU.nl writes, the Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau (SCP), a prominent Dutch research institute, says the government must take action to prevent digitalisation from further dividing Dutch society.
In its latest report, the SCP explores the impact of digitalisation on social cohesion โ a concept it defines as how strongly people feel connected to each other and to institutions like the government.
According to the SCP, high social cohesion helps encourage civic participation, such as volunteering or voting. But as digital technology becomes more integrated into daily life, this cohesion could weaken โ especially for certain groups.
A growing digital divide
The SCP warns that digitalisation risks widening the gap between richer, highly educated individuals and those with fewer resources or lower digital literacy โ a.k.a. those who are not connected.ย
Without equal access to digital tools and skills, vulnerable groups may find it harder to participate in society.
Image: Freepik
And itโs not just about access: digitalisation may also fuel division. The SCP argues that social media and online platforms give โfree rein to unfiltered emotion,โ potentially increasing social polarisation in the Netherlands.
The report also suggests that digitalisation contributes to a more individualistic mindset. People are increasingly held responsible for their own societal success โ or failure โ while values like solidarity and mutual support take a back seat.
Where once there may have been a stronger sense of collective responsibility for those struggling in society, thereโs now a growing belief that people simply have themselves to blame.
So, what should the government do?
While the SCP acknowledges the Dutch government is addressing important topics like privacy protection and digital security, it says more must be done to protect social cohesion.
One key recommendation: involve other ministries โ such as Social Affairs and Education โ in digital policy discussions to ensure broader perspectives are considered.
The SCP also urges the government to recognise that Dutch citizens are not a one-size-fits-all group โ people differ in how they view and interact with new technologies.
Without a more inclusive approach, the SCP warns, many may feel unheard or left behind in the digital age.
How do you feel about digitalisation in the Netherlands? Share your thoughts in the comments.
About 30 minutes into any food-related movie, the inevitable starts to happen: All those beautiful, delicious meals on the screen start making you hungry.
While you usually have to satisfy your cravings with whatever overpriced snack your cinema offers, Cinema Culinair makes it possible to eat exactly what you see.
They curate menus that correspond to some of the tastiest movies out there, making sure you never leave the cinema hungry again.
Welkom to Cinema Culinair
Cinema Culinair started in Rotterdam in 2008 and has since expanded to five locations across the Netherlands (and two in Belgium):
Amsterdam,
The Hague,
Utrecht,
Rotterdam,
Nijmegen,ย
Gent (Belgium),
Antwerp (Belgium),
Eindhoven (coming soon!)
The concept is simple and delicious: They organise screenings, prepare the food you see on screen, and serve it exactly the second it appears in the movie โ if youโve ever wanted to have dinner with Meryl Streep, this is probably as close as youโll get.
Looking for a fun night out? Look no further! Image: Cinema Culinair/Supplied
Thereโs a large variety of movies to choose from; the only thing they have in common is theyโre all centred around amazing food.
You can go for suspense with โEstรดmagoโ or โThe Menu,โ keep it family-friendly with โRatatouilleโ or โCloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,โ or get a good cry (and a good meal!) with โNo Reservations.โ
You wonโt leave the cinema hungry
We headed over to the Werkspoorkathedraal in Utrecht to give Cinema Culinair a try ourselves.
Former factory, current cultural centre. Image: Dreamstime
When you enter the screening hall, you see the former factory has been transformed into a beautifully lit room with a spacious bar and long tables facing movie screens on both sides.
Doors opened an hour before the movie, so we got the chance to get some drinks and a movie essential โ popcorn โ before it was time to get the show started.
Once we sat down at the table, we got a quick explanation of how Cinema Culinair works, and voilร โ it was time to enjoy the film and some food thatโs much better than popcorn.
Enjoy a drink before the show starts. Image: DutchReview
As the movie was playing, we could see a countdown on the screen, marking the exact moment when we (and the actors) were supposed to start eating.
Youโre not able to get new drinks until the first break about an hour into the movie, so make sure you stack up. ๐พ
A night of French cuisine
We enjoyed an evening of French cooking with the movie Julie & Julia, which follows the stories of the iconic Julia Child and an American blogger, Julie, who attempts to recreate all of Juliaโs French recipes.
We loved both Julie and Juliaโs cooking. Image: DutchReview
No, there werenโt any snails โ but we did enjoy rich French cheeses, delicious chicken and fish for the meat-eaters and mushrooms drowned in butter for the vegetarians. And, of course, it wouldnโt be a movie about Julia Child without a classic beef bourguignon.
Overall, we got seven small courses to go along with the movie. Most of the movie scenes are short, so make sure you come hungry enough to eat at a fast pace! โจ
Once the film was over, we werenโt quite ready to say โau revoirโ to French cuisine โ luckily, we got to take home some of the recipes weโd just enjoyed.
We can now challenge our inner Julia (or Julie) at home. Image: DutchReview
Sounds delicious? Go eat your film-loving heart out
But no need to be jealous, everyone. ๐
You can catch the next Cinema Culinair screening in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague (and soon Eindhoven!), or even hop over the border to Ghent or Antwerp.
Thereโs some good news for the Netherlands: fewer people smoke or drink. But when it comes to weight, statistics paint a far less rosy picture.
Despite efforts to adopt healthier lifestyles, the number of overweight adults in the Netherlands has been increasing โ with 50% of the Dutch now affected.
Lifestyle improvements, but weight stalls
The good news? New data from a report by CBS (the Dutch Bureau of Statistics) highlights a very welcome downward trend in the number of Dutch adults who smoke and drink.
Only 18% of Dutch adults smoke and just 6% drink too much alcohol โ and, given the steady decline in smokers and binge drinkers over the past ten years, we can expect those figures to keep falling. ๐
The bad news? CBS’ Lifestyle Monitor also highlighted an alarming trend in obesity rates, with the share of obese adults growing from 13% to 16%.
These findings come from annual self-reported height, weight, and lifestyle data used to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) โ any result over 25 is considered overweight, with those over 30 considered obese.
Letโs just say that the Dutch governmentโs goal to reduce this to 38% by 2040 looks increasingly unrealistic. ๐ฌ
Inequality in health
The report also reveals a deeper divide: better health is strongly correlated with having a higher income and a higher level of education.
Smoking is nearly twice as common among less-educated adults (21% vs. 13%), and 65% of low-income adults are overweight. ๐
Smoking is more prevalent among lower-income individuals, though overall figures for smokers in the Netherlands are falling. Image: Depositphotos
Excessive drinking, on the other hand, appears to have no class divide.
What is especially worrying about the recent statistics, however, is that weight issues start early. The CBS Youth Monitor report shows that 14% of kids aged 4 to 17 are already overweight โ a worrying sign for the future. ๐ฉ
The bottom line? Although healthier habits are a step in the right direction, tackling obesity is key to lasting progress.
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The Dutch-owned modest fashion brand Merrachi made its debut in the heart of Paris, with a new pop-up store. While curious Parisians admired the new addition, French politicians had less enthusiastic opinions. ๐
After first gaining popularity online, especially among Muslim women, Merrachi opened stores in Amsterdam and Antwerp, and Paris was a natural next step.
Modest clothing for everyone
Merrachiโs founder, Nada Merrachi, told the NOS that she wants modest fashion to be inclusive.
โWe want to bring two worlds together and connect them.โ Thatโs why the brand features women with and without headscarves in the campaigns.
She chose the city centre on purpose, explaining that she wants modest girls like her to take up more space in city centres instead of feeling like they donโt belong.
โMany women who dress modestly are often not visible in the centre. Often, the shops where you can buy modest clothing are in the suburbs.โ
The girly-pops are loving it
The response? Overwhelmingly positive โ at least for Merrachiโs shoppers.
Hundreds of women lined the streets of Parisโ snazzy Le Marais shopping district, excited to check out the collection.
Merrachi believes her brand disrupts stereotypes and preconceived notions about modesty, expanding peopleโs perceptions of the different styles and cultures that exist in fashion.
The Eiffel Towerโs modest makeover
To release the launch, Merrachi released a brilliant campaign video, โdressing upโ the Eiffel Tower in modest clothing (wrapping it in an abaya and headscarf).
French law bans abayas and headscarves in public schools, making their reaction to the campaign pretty predictable.
Far-right politicians accused the brand of โhijacking a French symbol and attacking French heritageโ and called it โa terrifying political project,โ proving once again that fashion is everything but apolitical.
But hey โ any press is good press, right? ๐
What do you think about Merrachi? Would you wear some of their stuff? Let us know in the comments below?
When people think of the Netherlands, cities like The Hague and Utrecht come to mind. But your average Dutchie might get a little ticked off if you act like those are the only existing cities.
Rarely do you hear about the beautiful city of Hilversum or the historical city of Nijmegen.
It’s always “Amsterdam this, Rotterdam that” and never “Actually, I really like Maastricht“. ๐ค
But of course, the remaining 9.1 million people live perfectly happy, fulfilling lives outside this cluster of cities, right? ๐คจ
Why do they do it?
Some Dutchies may feel that everything outside the Randstad is dull.
There’s this idea that all the culture, nightlife, and beauty are concentrated in just a few big cities โ and that the rest isnโt worth exploring.
Obviously, that’s not true. But for those living outside the Randstad, it can feel insulting when visitors act like the Netherlands begins and ends with Amsterdam.
But you will notice this subtle feud when you ask a Dutchie which city is the best โ suddenly, the country is divided over whether it’s a Randstad city. โ๏ธ
Should you join in?
Unless you want to contribute to this weird rivalry, itโs probably best to stay neutral.๐ต
Instead, enjoy all the Dutch cities for what they are โ each with its unique charm, history, and vibe.
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!๐
Did you spot the crowds on Saturday? Were you part of them? Thousands of protestors gathered on the streets of Amsterdam to protest fascism, racism, and far-right policies.ย
This protest is held annually on the International Day Against Racism and Discrimination, established by the UN over 60 years ago.
United against discrimination
A coalition of over 200 organisers were involved, Euronews shares, including Amnesty International, Kick Out Zwarte, the Dutch Palestine Committee and Another Jewish Voice. โ
They expressed their demands loud and clear, strongly disapproving of the rise of fascism and far-right government in the Netherlands.ย
Many denounce the governmentโs โanti-democratic measures against Muslims and asylum seekers,โ specifically criticising Minister of Asylum and Migration, Marjolein Faber.
Palestinian, LGBTQIA+, Black Lives Matter, Turkish and Ukrainian flags created a mosaic of flags โ multiple struggles for justice, deeply intertwined.ย
Signs went straight to the point, reading โNever Again is Now,โ โFact or Faberโ and โSilence = Violenceโ.
It’s all about solidarity, community and speaking up to denounce national and international acts of discrimination, fascism and anti-democratic measures of all kinds.
A closer look
The Palestinian solidarity movement in Amsterdam joined Saturday’s protests, reignited after Israel brutally broke the ceasefire agreement, killing hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Turkish protesters were demanding democracy and justice following the detainment of Istanbulโs mayor, Ekrem ฤฐmamoฤlu, condemning the unlawful move by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan. As of yesterday, ฤฐmamoฤlu is in jail.
One protestor told Turkish outlet Holland Medya, โWe have gathered to protest the one-man regime, inequality, and injustice that continues in Tรผrkiye.โย
Did you join any of the protests? Which slogans stand out to you? Let us know in the comments.
