Last Monday, an international night train bound for Austria stopped near Arnhem, leaving over 350 passengers stranded. A dozen eventually spent the night in a train.
The incident involved a Nightjet train that had departed from Amsterdam Centraal at 6:38 PM, and was due to arrive in Vienna the following morning.
However, a faulty overhead line brought the train to a halt a mere few stops into the journey, reports TreinReiziger.nl.
Evacuation of the train started around 10:30 PM and lasted well into the night. NS provided the travellers with vouchers to book accommodation.
Most travellers found rooms within Utrecht. However, hotels in the area quickly filled up, leaving approximately 60 passengers without a place to stay.
While most travelled back to Amsterdam to find accommodation, up to 20 opted for the cosy alternative set up by NS — an empty train parked inside Utrecht Centraal. Gezellig!
The train line reopened around 7:30 AM, and travellers were able to resume their journey. After enduring a 13-hour delay, the passengers arrived in Vienna at 10 PM on Tuesday night.
Naturally, other trains operating on the same line were also affected. For example, the Nightjet travelling the opposite route only reached Nuremberg, Germany, before the fault forced it to return to Vienna.
Eventually, all Nightjet passengers in both directions were rebooked, and traffic slowly returned to normal throughout Tuesday.
Would you ever consider sleeping in a parked train? Tell us in the comments below.
According to a study done by insurance company All Clear Amsterdam and Rotterdam are — quite shockingly if you ask us — among the most walkable cities in the world.
All Clear looked at over 240 cities globally, ranking cities based off *drumroll please* average elevation.
Using topographic maps to reach their conclusions, each city was given an overall difficulty score ranging from 1-100 and an average elevation score (great news for the Netherlands, we guess).
Amsterdam: The walking capital of the world?
Surprisingly, Amsterdam ranked number one on the list, with its low elevation landing the city with an overall difficulty score of just 20.1 out of 100.
Amsterdam, a city famed for its zooming bicycle culture, topped the list with an average elevation score of just one, suggesting that navigating the city’s canals and side streets is a dream.
If there weren’t so many tourists and bikes, perhaps…
This was followed by Rotterdam, which ranked at number two with an overall difficulty score of 20.7.
Similarly, Rotterdam, one of the Netherlands’ more modern cities, also scored 1 in the average elevation score.
Is elevation enough?
Sure, these Dutch cities are great if you like to avoid the sensation of an incline under your feet — but does this really make them walkable?
You may want to reconsider your urban hike as the study didn’t take into account the cyclists whizzing through the streets, which, if you’ve ever walked through Amsterdam or Rotterdam, make it slightly more difficult to get around on two feet.
All Clear also did not factor in aspects such as the amount of traffic. Both cities have tram networks and plenty of cars, which can make it a challenge to explore these two large cities.
Although these two cities rank one and two, it would still be advisable to hop on two wheels or use public transport!
Top 10 most walkable cities
Curious to see what other cities landed on this list? Check them out below!
Ranking
City
1
Amsterdam
2
Rotterdam
3
Venice, Italy
4
New Orleans, USA
5
Kolkata, India
6
Cancún, Mexico
7
Abu Dhabi, UAE
8
Colombo, Sri Lanka
9
Miami, USA
10
Bangkok, Thailand
Do you agree with Amsterdam being ranked the most walkable city? Let us know in the comments below!
This feels a bit like an April Fool’s prank, but joy oh joy, it’s real: acclaimed rapper Snoop Dogg is now the proud co-owner of an Amsterdam coffeeshop.
The name? Iconic. S.W.E.D. or, in pure Snoop Dogg acronym-goodness: Smoke Weed Every Day.
The coffeeshop was previously named Funky Munkey, but now is Snoop Dogg branded, including a large photo of the rapper smoking inside.
He joins his co-owner, Rachid Bahida, who is also in the coffeeshop business with Mike Tyson, reports Het Parool.
Multinational chain
Does it surprise you to hear there is not one, but two S.W.E.D. stores? Yep, it’s already gone international. Snoop Dogg opened a dispensary in Los Angeles two weeks ago.
The rapper is well-known for his love of the green stuff. An assistant was previously quoted as saying she had to roll up to 75 to 150 joints for Snoop every day.
What do you think of Snoop Dogg’s foray into the Dutch coffeeshop business? Tell us in the comments below!
Anyone who has gone through security at a Dutch airport knows the rush of relief when you realise there’s no 100ml limit on your liquids.
Well, we hate to break it to you, but that’s about to come to an end.
Yep, for a while there, travellers from the Netherlands enjoyed a sense of superiority. Did you accidentally leave a litre of water in your backpack? Geen probleem (no problem), there are no limits here!
“We’re not like other airports,” said the Dutch.
However, from September 1, you too will be that newb in the security line, chugging the contents of your water bottle.
New guidelines, old limits
Schiphol has announced that in order to meet the new guidelines brought in by the European Commission, Schiphol Airport, Eindhoven Airport, and Rotterdam The Hague Airport will be taking a step back in time.
Apparently when TSA asks if you have any fluids, "In my bladder" is not an appropriate response.
— Fishy Snowboarder (@FishySnowborder) April 6, 2014
New equipment installed in 2019 allowed Dutch airports to safely ditch the 100ml liquid limit that most international airports enforce.
However, to get back in line with the rest of Europe, the 100ml cap will be brought back in — we’re all for European solidarity, but why does it have to be like this?
What do you think of this new (old) rule? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
To all those who thought the Netherlands didn’t have a summer worth speaking of, think again. With temperatures climbing to 30 degrees celsius this summer, it’s time to start thinking of the best summer escapes.
Many of us are looking to spend the summer in the Netherlands. Here are the eight best places to chill out on a hot day in the lovely city of Utrecht, from canals to lakes. 🏊♂️
1. Kromme Rijn river
If you want to escape the city’s busyness (and heat), the Kromme Rijn river is your go-to. It goes from Wijk bij Duurstede to the Oude Gracht, so there are plenty of places to swim and chill along the way.
Whether lounging in the grass alongside it or swimming in it, the Kromme Rijn is the closest nature escape you can get in Utrecht.
Although the water quality is regularly checked, for doubters, there’s a swimming pool Zwembad de Kromme Rijn nearby.
You can also rent a canoe (or SUP) in town and canoe its length!
2. De Bemuurde Weerd
De Bemuurde Weerd offers some first-class access to Utrecht’s canals. Grab some ice cream from Il Mulino first and make yourself comfortable by the water. From first-hand experience, I can tell you some of the best people-watching occurs from these spots!
3. Maarseveenseplassen
While pronouncing this one might be a bit of a challenge, it’s definitely among the top best places to chill in Utrecht. It’s a half-hour cycle outside of Utrecht, but worth it.
The Maarseveense’ lakes’ (artificial like most bodies of water in the Netherlands) have spaces for swimming, fishing, biking, hiking or just relaxing.
There’s a sand beach that you have to pay a small entry for, or otherwise, hang out in the grass on the other side for free. It’s a must-do for anyone living in (or visiting) Utrecht!
4. De Munt
The Munt is another place you can chill without even leaving the city. While the Munt building in Lombok isn’t very interesting, the surrounding canals and grass embarkments make for great spots to sit.
Such gorgeous surroundings! Image: Joostik/Wikimedia Commons
Definitely the best place to barbeque or tan in the summer. While some people swim here, the water quality isn’t always great, so it’s better to check first.
5. Haarijnsestrand
There’s no more need to go to Scheveningen or other Dutch beaches in the summer. Utrecht boasts its very own sand beach and dunes at the Harijnse beach! While I have to admit I’ve never been here myself, I have heard great things about it.
The beach has its own ‘Key West Beachhouse’, an authentic restaurant and lounge where you can get everything from cocktails to a hearty dinner.
6. Wilhemina Park
Utrecht has a lot of different parks, all of which are great to cool down in during the summer. Call it personal bias, but Wilhemina Park is my favourite.
The most peaceful spot to cool off. Image: Sonty567/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
(If you don’t believe me, you can also try out Utrecht’s other parks: Griftpark, Julianapark, Zocherpark, Maximapark, or Lepelenburg).
There’s a pond complete with a fountain, obnoxious (but adorable) ducks, a playground (if you have kids, or a kid inside), and a lovely restaurant.
More importantly, there’s plenty of space to spread a blanket and have a nice picnic or kick a ball around. For additional summer cooling, get some ice cream from Vorst nearby!
7. Amelisweerd and Rijnauwen
Anytime it’s hot in Utrecht, Amelisweerd is the best escape. Including both forest and fields, Amelisweerd is the perfect place to cycle, walk or sit.
For the sightseers, there’s also Fort bij Rijnauwen, a fortress that used to be part of Utrecht’s defence line in the 19th century. Hungry after all that walking? Head on to restaurant Vroeg or Theehuis Rijnauwen nearby for a bite or a drink!
Do you have more suggestions for places to chill on a hot day in Utrecht? Tell us in the comments below!
Sometimes, the craving for a frikandel is so strong that you have to drop what you’re doing and get frying — even if you’re in the middle of a break-in.
Yep, one burglar in Etten-Leur, Brabant, became so hungry that he just couldn’t wait until he was out the door to get munching.
We can’t say we’ve ever felt so strongly about frikandels, but to each their own.
Caught greasy-handed
Weerijs Police shared the unusual case on X, saying they had a “very unique report of a home burglary.”
They explained that police caught the suspect red-handed as “The suspect appeared to be frying frikandels in the house after the burglary.”
Between music, dancing, and a whole host of other lively activities, these Pride celebrations are some of the best in the Netherlands! 🌈✨
Whilst the rain and clouds (and a few wet blankets! 😉) might do their damnedest to put a damper on things, NU.nl reports that these cities will still be flying the rainbow flag high over the next few weeks.
Kicking off with a Pride March to the Vondelpark, the park’s Open Air Theatre serves as the perfect stage to celebrate freedom and authenticity.
You also won’t want to miss the world-famous boat parade on August 3 or the massive closing party from 2 PM to 11 PM on August 4.
📅 When: Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, August 4
Zwolle
The festivities will come to Overijssel this August, at Zwolle Pride: an event full of music, the Zwolle Pride parade, and drag.
Even better? Miss Envy Peru, winner of Drag Race Holland’s first-ever season, will also be in attendance! 🥳
📅 When: Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25
Leiden
With a colourful boat parade through the historic city centre and an after-party that lets you dance the night away, Pride Leiden is a fabulous celebration of love and tolerance.
📅 When: Saturday, September 7 from 2:30 PM to 11 PM
Let op: While the festival “officially” ends at 11 PM, the dancing picks back up at event venue De Nobel and lasts till the wee hours of the morning! 💃🏻
Almere
In contrast to the other entries on this list, Almere organises a yearly Winter Pride. ❄
Between exhibitions, films, and a pride walk through the city centre, this is one event you won’t want to miss if you live in or near Almere!
📅 When: Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 13
Which are you most excited to attend? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
Alright, let’s roll up those sleeves and get to business. Time to grow some weed! Oh wait… we can’t… or can we? We’re not entirely sure. Let’s get up to speed on this, and bust some myths about weed in the Netherlands.
The weird legal construction concerning our Dutch weed (nederwiet) deserves all the attention it can get.
Ready? We hope so, because some of these are about to surprise you.
Yep, that’s the number one myth. Plenty of people, especially tourists, think weed is legal in Holland.
Contrary to popular opinion, that’s NOT the case.
Dutch weed is mostly decriminalised, though certain coffeeshops in Breda and Tilburg were the focus of the Netherlands’ test phase with legalising weed in 2023.
This means the police won’t randomly arrest unsuspecting smokers, but if a group causes a nuisance while smoking weed, then the law can act as a fallback.
The Dutch government adopted this strategy in 1976, after researching what would be best to prevent drug addiction and realising weed could be a gateway drug to harder and more addictive substances such as ecstasy and cocaine.
Back then, you could only purchase weed via a dealer as there were no coffeeshops.
Dealers had a whole assortment of substances you might be interested in, so it was far easier to start experimenting with other drugs.
Since the decriminalisation of weed, consumers of 18 years and above could smoke their skunk on the streets and carry up to five grams per person.
This caused small bars to jump into this newly discovered market and start selling our friend Mary Jane.
Still, a gigantic legal clutter (think entangled Christmas lighting) was created to keep weed “officially” illegal to not butt heads with the United Nations (and the EU), but at the same time not prohibit research on drug prevention and common logic.
This had some crazy consequences. Although smoking and consuming weed is okay and selling it is condoned, it is illegal to grow and sell to coffeeshops.
To control this, the police do randomised and regular check-ups on coffeeshops.
2. Everyone in the Netherlands loves weed
If you think that now there is peace in our little Dutch kingdom and it will only be a matter of time before weed will be legalised, then think again.
There are still plenty of haters out there, and many Dutch people want the green stuff banned completely.
The Christian parties, in particular, hold a persistent ban-weed campaign. Crazy antics followed since these parties have been part of a lot of Dutch coalitions for the past decades.
Not everyone is a fan of weed, especially when it comes to smoking it in public. Image: Freepik
Weed was decriminalised back in 1967 as part of a two-step program. First decriminalisation and then regulation.
The Netherlands just never got to that second step. 😬
There is plenty of research to support that there are fewer addicts and lower crime statistics in Holland compared to other countries like the USA.
Still, Christian parties, namely SGP, CDA and CU, would love nothing more than to close down those evil sin machines called coffeeshops.
Ironically enough, some criminal organisations are also doing the best they can to keep the growing process illegal.
This way, they can still make some decent tax-free money and be able to fund some of their other branches of illegal activity.
3. Owning a coffeeshop is easy
You think that running a coffeeshop means easy cash? Racking in the money whilst smoking? If only… 🙄
Coffeeshops fell victim to the Christian dogma because rule after rule was enforced upon them.
First off, coffeeshops weren’t allowed to advertise their shop (ok, that’s not that weird considering alcohol also can’t — oh wait…).
Nope, in the Netherlands, a coffeeshop is not the place to go for an Iced Caramel Latte. 👀 Image: Depositphotos
Then, they came up with the rule that coffeeshops had to be at least 150 meters from any schools in the vicinity. This forced a lot of coffeeshops to close down.
What followed were laws that classified between soft drugs and hard drugs. This actually made some varieties of weed hard drugs (when levels of THC are higher than 15%) and some soft drugs.
Mind you, these categories were created in the first place in 1967 to make a distinction between weed and other drugs to condone it.
According to this new rule, the police have to officially check THC levels (with their great expertise in this area and plenty of time on their hands 👀), and coffeeshop owners now have to pass up on some great products.
Next up, they extended the school rule to 200 meters. Sadly enough, it wasn’t stated clearly enough if this was supposed to be 200 meters walking distance or as the eagle flies.
So before long, police officers were on their knees with measuring sticks trying to see which coffeeshops were obliged to close down and which weren’t.
4. Dutch weed is of consistently great quality
Again, this one is sadly not true.
Although the Dutch have experimented with many rules and regulations surrounding weed, no progress has been made on this front.
We just can’t guarantee the quality will be consistently good or bad. One week a particular grower might be arrested, and very the next week, another grower might start back up.
When it became clear a national weed pass was starting to backfire, with tourists now buying weed illegally, the Dutch House of Representatives wanted to get rid of the issue ASAP.
They went back to their perpetual plan B, which was delegating this hot topic to the regional ruling. Now municipalities have a lot of the power.
5. The stereotypes about smokers are true
This leads us to the final myth. Obviously, people think in stereotypes, and obviously, there can often be some truth to them.
But let’s be honest: generalisation is just another word for ignorance.
Not all gays have a leather fetish, not all girls love to comb their hair while talking about ponies, and not all smokers are flushed-through-the-toilet low-life addicts trembling before taking their next bong hit.
Of course, they are out there. But there is a much wider variety of species. It’s fascinating to see who drops by at coffee shops.
If it isn’t rich tourists coming for a smoke, it’s a fitness instructor. If it isn’t a model, it’s an accounting manager. If it’s not a war photographer, it’s an academic scholar. If it isn’t a programmer, it’s a school teacher.
Yup, the coffeeshop crowd ranges from student to professor. Image: Depositphotos
Let’s start thinking and talking about weed less in the sense of OD-ing on our latest batch of overcooked crystal meth, and more in the sense of enjoying a fine glass of ripe red wine after a good meal!
Did you know these things weren’t true about weed in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below.
