A 23-year-old man has died following a firework explosion in The Hague on Wednesday night.
The man was found seriously injured on the Engelenburgstraat in The Hague following a firework explosion at 1:30 AM on January 25. Police now report that the man has died.
Seriously injured
An eyewitness to the aftermath of the explosion tells Omroep West that the injured man lost his hand.
“I saw him lying here on the corner, there was blood everywhere,” she said.
According to another witness, “we heard a very loud bang. When we heard screaming, we knew something was wrong.”
The police have yet to report the exact cause of death.
24-year-old in custody
Both the victim and a second 24-year-old man were arrested for their involvement in the explosion.
The second man remains in custody and an investigation into the explosion continues.
Fewer trains will run the bustling Amsterdam to Rotterdam train route, thanks to cracks on the tracks.
According to a press release by rail operator ProRail, a scan of the Amsterdam-Rotterdam route had revealed structural weaknesses at no less than five points along the journey.
Although further analysis has yet to be done, it is assumed that construction errors have played a part in the tracks’ degradation.
Cancelled trains and longer journeys
As a result of these cracks, it’s now unsafe for trains to continue driving at 160 kilometres per hour on the affected line.
All trains travelling along the route will now need to stick to a conservative speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour.
Helaas, this means that all journeys along the route will now take much longer for commuters.
In addition to this, the current speed reduction will make it impossible for rail operators to run a full timetable — in other words, yep, there will be cancellations.
So what does this mean for us travellers? Well, you can likely expect packed carriages and some cancelled trains along your usual route, at least until all structural issues are resolved.
The Netherlands is world-renowned for its liberal stance towards drugs, and if Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, had her way, it would be even more liberal.
According to Halsema, the sale and use of cocaine and other hard drugs should be decriminalised.
And listen, she’s got some good points to make.
Why should cocaine be decriminalised?
Speaking with Het Financieele Dagblad, Halsema explains that this approach is all about preventing damage caused by the Netherlands’ war on drugs.
By decriminalising the very thing that drives criminal activity, Halsema hopes to overthrow criminals’ revenue model — and stop wasting police time on a war that is achieving “damn little.”
“About 80 percent of our police capacity is spent on drug-related crime,” she tells Het Financieele Dagblad.
“I am part of a growing group of scientists and administrators who say that the international war on drugs has such perverse effects that we are now suffering more from it than from the drugs themselves.”
Her solution? Decriminalise them and regulate these drugs instead.
After all, what’s a drug criminal going to do without, well, illegal drugs?
Do you agree with Halsema? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Are you finding yourself at a café, restaurant, or bar in the Netherlands and wondering how to order like a true Dutchie?
While it’s usually taken for granted that a Dutch server will understand if you speak English, it never hurts to try your luck at a few Dutch phrases — and who better to practice on than someone who you’ll likely never see again?
Whether you’re a tourist visiting the Netherlands for the first time or an international wanting to flaunt your Dutch outside of the classroom, this article will have you feeling confident by the time you ask for the rekening (bill).
How to get a table at a restaurant in the Netherlands
Once you’ve found an establishment that tickles your fancy, you have a few options. If you’re in the area, you can drop by and reserve a table for later. Otherwise, you can call them up or reserve online.
You’ve got the table, now it’s time to order in Dutch! Image: Freepik
Making a casual request
It’s not always necessary to reserve a table in the Netherlands. Unless it’s a very popular restaurant or you’re dining out on a holiday (read, Valentine’s Day 😘), showing up should be just fine.
To be on the safe side, you may want to throw in a casual request before claiming a seat:
🇳🇱 “Kunnen we daar gaan zitten?”
🇬🇧 “Can we sit there?”
Likely the server will respond with “Jazeker!” (Sure!) or “Ja, hoor” (Yes, of course).
Alternatively, you may have to wait to be seated, in which case you can ask:
🇳🇱 “Heb je een tafeltje?”
🇬🇧 “Do you have a table?”
Again, the Dutch affirmative will likely be a friendly “Jazeker” or the more inquisitive “Ja hoor! Voor hoeveel personen?” (Yes, of course, for how many people?). That’s when it’s time to flex your Dutch 1-10 skills.
Reserving in advance
Now, there are cases where we recommend not pushing your luck or rocking up to the restaurant entrance when you start getting hangry.
Dutchies are the champions of time management and are rarely found far away from their agenda. If you’ve got a hot date or an important business lunch, then we recommend adopting the Dutch attitude to appointments — punctual and pre-planned!
Just call the restaurant in advance and say:
🇳🇱 “Hoi! Ik wil graag een tafeltje reserveren voor zes uur vanavond. Kan dat?”
🇬🇧 “Hi! I would like to reserve a table for 6 PM tonight. Is that possible?”
After the restaurant has taken down your name and confirmed your reservation, all that’s left for you is to get ready. 💅
How to order drinks in Dutch
Alright, the first round is on us!
Once you’re comfortably seated at your table, the server will come to pick up your drink order.
Ordering drinks in Dutch is one of the first things you should learn to do! Image: Depositphotos
“Wat willen jullie drinken?” (“What do you all want to drink?”) and “Kan ik iets voor jullie inschenken?” (literally, “Can I pour you something?”) are the two most common ways for the server to ask for your order.
So, here are some different ways to respond depending on what you’re in the mood for. 🍸
Ordering beer in Dutch
Proost! (Cheers!). Are you seated in a Dutch bar and wondering how to order a beer? Try this on for size:
🇳🇱 “Mag ik een biertje, alsjeblieft?”
🇬🇧 “Can I have a (small) beer, please?”
Fun fact: The Dutch language has a wonderful little construction called the diminutive. Whenever you see a word that ends in -je, it means it’s in the diminutive form and signifies a “little” version of the word.
Asking for a “wrong” coffee in the Netherlands — what??
The Netherlands may not be known for its coffee, but the Dutch sure love to drink it. True koffieleuters (coffee lovers)!
And of course, knowing how to order a coffee in Dutch is essential. Image: Depositphotos
Generally, coffees have similar names in various languages — have you ever heard of another name for “cappuccino”? No, right.
Just to keep you on your toes, though, the Dutch have a different word for a latte, which directly translates to a “wrong coffee.”
We’ve been told the name came about because lattes weren’t very popular in the Netherlands, and (especially older) Dutchies didn’t think of them as real coffee due to the amount of foamed milk. 🤷♀️
If you’d like to order one, real coffee or not, ask the following:
🇳🇱 “Mag ik een koffie verkeerd, graag?”
🇬🇧 “Can I have a latte, please?”
If koffie verkeerd doesn’t roll off the tongue, then rest assured that you can also just ask for a latte — your barista won’t bat an eye.
Appeltje Eitje! (Easy peasy!)
Requesting the wine card
Craving something a little stronger than coffee? We feel ya! 😅
Ordering wine is also an important skill when learning Dutch. Image: Depositphotos
Sometimes, the wine card isn’t already on the table, but in that case, you can ask:
🇳🇱 “Mag ik de wijnkaart, alstublieft?”
🇬🇧 “Can I have the wine card, please?”
After the server asks if you’re ready to order
So, you’ve sat down, maybe ordered a drink or two, but are still studying the menu when the server approaches your table.
With a smile they ask you:
🇳🇱 “Zijn jullie klaar om te bestellen?”
🇬🇧 “Are you ready to order?”
Or perhaps:
🇳🇱 “Weten jullie al wat jullie willen eten?”
🇬🇧 “Do you already know what you want to eat?”
Panic. You’re not at all ready to order, but a simple “nog niet, wij hebben even een momentje nodig” (“not yet, we just need a moment”) should solve the situation. Seems too long? Just a “nog niet” with a smile will also get the message across.
Once you’re ready to order, you can respond with “Ja, hoor” and start listing your choices. 🍴
How to order food in Dutch
Alright, you’ve decided, and now it’s time to get some food on the table!
Once you can order food in Dutch, you’re really starting to integrate into Dutch society. Image: Depositphotos
When you’re the first to order
If you listen carefully to the tables next to you, you’ll hear different ways to order in Dutch.
So, if you’re the first to order at your table, try saying this:
🇳🇱 “Ik wil graag de…alsjeblieft.”
🇬🇧 “I would like the…please.”
When someone else has already placed their order
Okay, next one up! Another way to order is by saying:
🇳🇱 “Voor mij, de…alsjeblieft.”
🇬🇧 “For me, the…please.”
If you’re ordering the same things as someone else, you can simply tweak the above sentence:
🇳🇱 “Voor mij ook…alsjeblieft.”
🇬🇧 “For me also the…please.”
So far, so good! You’re starting to sound like a true Dutchie! 💪
With the main course in your tummy, it’s time to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours! Or do it the Italian way, and order some coffee.
Of course, it’s very important that we know how to secure the sweet stuff in Dutch. Image: Depositphotos
Asking for the dessert menu
Likely, the server removed your menus after taking your other orders. So when dessert time rolls around, they’ll either ask you if you want to see the dessert menu, or you can just ask for it yourself.
🇳🇱 “Mogen we de menukaarten terug? Wij zouden even de toetjes willen aankijken.”
🇬🇧 “Can we have menus back? We would like to have a quick look at the desserts.”
Satisfying your sweet tooth
Once you’ve found a to-die-for Dutch dessert, here’s how to order it.
Essentially, you can just couple any of the ways of ordering you’ve learned so far with the dessert that tickles your fancy. So, here are the most common — and more fun — ways of ordering:
Once the last plate is polished off and you’ve taken some time to uitbuiken, it’s time to pay. There are a few ways to ask for the bill in Dutch:
Asking for the bill in Dutch is actually quite easy! Image: Depositphotos
🇳🇱 “Kunnen we betalen?”
🇬🇧 “Can we pay?”
Or:
🇳🇱 “Kunnen we afrekenen?”
🇬🇧 “Can we pay?” (Literally, “Can we calculate off?”)
Again, the trusty jazeker is the most common answer for the server to throw your way. This may be followed by “Wilt u pinnen of contant betalen?” (“Do you want to pay with card or cash?”).
Overall, tipping is not compulsory in the Netherlands, but if you feel like you’ve gotten a particularly good service or would like to get rid of some cash, then it’s always appreciated by your server.
Once you’ve paid your bill (and maybe left a tip), take a moment to pat yourself on the back because you just ordered your entire meal in Dutch!
If you stumbled on a few words or sentences along the way, don’t worry. Learning a language takes time, and learning how to tackle specific situations, such as ordering, in Dutch is a great first step.
Go forth and conquer, friends! With these helpful phrases under your belt, you’ve achieved some important first steps to learning Dutch — and we’re proud of you. ❤️
What’s your experience of dining out in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Finding the best coffeeshops in Rotterdam is not an easy feat — after all, the city has over 40 different coffeeshops to choose from!
If you’re dedicated to becoming a regular at one of Rotterdam’s finest weed shops, look no further: these 11 places serve some of the finest herbs the Dutch port city has to offer.
This underwater-themed coffeeshop in Rotterdam is the perfect place to ride the wave of a good high. The Reef sells a great variety of indica, sativa, and hybrids and offers its visitors a cosy smoking lounge with soft drinks and teas. 🫧
What we love about The Reef is its attention to the finer details. From the funky interior to the chillest beats playing over the stereo down to the friendly bouncers at the door, it’s an undeniably great place to go.
📍 Location: Oppert 1, 3011 HS Rotterdam ⏰ Opening times: Daily from 10 AM until midnight 💸 Payment options: Cash or card
2. Coffeeshop ‘t Trefpunt: Central Rotterdam’s finest
Trefpunt is Dutch for “meeting place” — and that’s exactly what this Rotterdam coffeeshop is: a gezellig place to enjoy a joint (and maybe a board game?) with your buddies.
Up for a game of chess? Head to Trefpunt! Image: Depositphotos
With its central location, great variety of products, and a weekly-changing menu, Coffeeshop ‘t Trefpunt is a cosy go-to for many Rotterdam locals.
3. Hunter’s Coffeeshop: Keeping the world high since 1985
As of February 2025, you can experience the familiar vibe of Hunter’s Coffeeshop in Rotterdam: top-quality weed, relaxed atmosphere, and a stylish, modern interior.
A premium 420 experience in Rotterdam. Image: KLEIN MEDIA
Situated within walking distance of the Markthal, Witte de Withstraat, and the Euromast, this location is perfect for a visit before or after exploring the city. TheSuper Silver Haze, winner of the 2025 Highlife Cup in the Oldschool category, is just one of the many things to try.
With expert budtenders and a warm, welcoming setting, you’ll be in for a premium 420 experience.
If you’re looking for an all-biological coffeeshop in Rotterdam, then De Stichting is your place to be. The knowledgeable staff will gladly show you around their products and explain what each of them will do for you.
Organic weed usually has a richer flavour. Image: Depositphotos
And no, just because their cannabis is organic, it doesn’t mean there’s any less of a selection. Hoera!
However, one thing this place does lack is a smoking room, so keep in mind that you’ll need to smoke up elsewhere.
📍Location: Stadhoudersweg 85A, 3039 EB Rotterdam ⏰ Opening times: Monday-Friday from 11 AM until 8 PM, Saturdays from 12 PM until 8 PM 💸 Payment options: Cash or card
5. Coffeeshop The 4 Floors: Top-notch hash and truffles
Contrary to what the name suggests, this place has two floors, not four: one to buy weed and one to smoke weed. The interior of The 4 Floors is bright and open — perfect for first-timers or those who dislike dimly-lit cannabis stores.
The menu contains everything from weed to hash, edibles, and truffles — and all great quality. 🤌
Due to its central location close to the Eendrachtsplein metro station, prices are slightly higher at The 4 Floors than at some other coffeeshops in Rotterdam.
There’s no smoking area in this coffeeshop, meaning it also doesn’t serve food or drinks. That being said, there is a vending machine next to the door — perfect for grabbing a snack before you head out (your high self will thank you for it).
Coffeeshop Amigo is very close to Rotterdam’s famous Euromast. Image: Depositphotos
With a décor that is reminiscent of a typical Dutch bruin café, Coffeeshop Amigo is one of those coffeeshops that makes you feel right at home. Feeling competitive? Try beating your friends in a game of pool!
Especially great here are the Strawberry Haze and Bubblegum strains. We recommend getting high and then heading up to the nearby Euromast — you’ll be double high and get the best views of the city. Enjoy!
Mon Camarade has been a Rotterdam staple for more than 20 years. Nestled right in Rotterdam’s centre, this coffeeshop is just a 15-minute walk away from the Stadhuis (city hall).
If you’re looking for a place to get American cannabis strains in Rotterdam, then Mon Camarade is your best bet. You can’t smoke inside the shop, but the weed is strong, tastes good, and is reasonably priced. What more could you want?
Coffeeshop Bellamy recently ditched the dingy neon look and replaced it with a clean and classy interior — perfect if your mum wants to tag along for some ganja!
We know, we know: the interior isn’t all that counts when it comes to coffeeshops — especially because this one doesn’t let you stick around to smoke.
But worry not, because Bellamy also boasts great weed, hash, and spacecakes (otherwise, it wouldn’t be on our list of “best coffeeshops in Rotterdam” 😉).
Whether you’re a Rotterdam local or visiting the city for the first time, knowing all the best coffeeshops in Rotterdam will certainly come in handy. Which one will you visit?
Do you know any more great coffeeshops in Rotterdam? Share them in the comments!
Can tourists buy weed at Rotterdam coffeeshops?
Yes, almost all Rotterdam coffeeshops sell weed to every adult customer that comes in, no matter whether they’re a resident or not.
However, it’s important to know that you can never buy more than five grams at once — the legal maximum a person is allowed to have.
When do coffeeshops in Rotterdam open?
Unlike other cities, Rotterdam has no regulations that prevent coffeeshops from opening in the morning. Most of the best coffeeshops in Rotterdam open their doors to customers at 10 AM.
What do I need to bring to a Rotterdam coffeeshop?
The most important things to bring to a Rotterdam Coffeeshop are your ID (for age verification) and a form of payment. Keep in mind that some coffeeshops only accept cash, while others only accept card payments.
If you want to smoke right away, it is also useful to bring your lighter and (if you roll your own joints) smoking utensils such as rolling paper, grinder, and filters.
Which is the best coffeeshop in Rotterdam Centre?
The top-rated coffeeshop in Rotterdam’s city centre is Coffeeshop ‘t Trefpunt. It has almost 2,000 ratings and a whopping 4.4 stars on Google!
Perhaps the gentle dusting of snow we’ve received has you in the perfect mood for a bout of skiing. Lucky you — this special seasonal train takes you straight from the heart of the Netherlands to the perfect alpine slopes! ❄️
Picture this: it’s a Friday evening and you’ve booked a night train taking you straight to the Austrian Alps. You while away the rest of the evening sipping hot cocoa with your mates and then let the rhythm of the train rock you to sleep.
Come morning, you’re awoken by the gentle winter sun reflecting off the snowy alps as your train chugs towards your halt.
If that sounds like the perfect start to a wintery getaway, you’re in luck: the TUI Ski Express runs from December 22 2023 to March 16 2024, and takes you straight to Austria’s gorgeous ski slopes.
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Go to sleep in Amsterdam, wake up in the Alps
Depending on your budget, there are several seating options available — from Economy seats in a shared compartment with five other travellers to the far more luxurious private coupés.
Oké, that sounds great, but what if I don’t live in Amsterdam?
Thankfully, that’s no problem at all.
The Ski Express offers you the option to board and get off at four stations spread across the Netherlands: Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal, Eindhoven Centraal, and Venlo.
You can choose a full package — or just your train ticket
With so many ski resorts dotted around the picturesque Austrian Alps, it can be difficult to sample them all. The Ski Express simplifies the process for you, offering you comprehensive packages at five of the best resorts.
Waking up to magical views like this? Yes, please! Image: TUI
These packages comprise your train tickets, a six-day ski pass, and eight-day accommodation for your stay.
We found this the handiest option if you’re a first-time visitor, or just want to spare yourself the hassle of arranging all of these yourself.
The ski packages are:
Zell am See: starting at €628
Gerlos: starting at €1594
Söll: starting at €729
Niederau: starting at €602
Kirchberg: starting at €838
Westendorf: starting at €944
(All of the above are the price per person.)
However, the one downside of these packages is their price.
If you’re trying to stick to a set budget or just want a bit more flexibility, then the better option is buying individual train tickets.
These are priced at a more reasonable €180 per person for a round trip, irrespective of which of the 15 Austrian stations on the route you stop off at.
Now, if all of this has you rubbing your hands together in excitement and wondering where to book your tickets, you can ski your way over to the official website. 👇
You’d best avoid wearing a red riding hood when traversing the Dutch wilderness, as wolves in the Netherlands are becoming increasingly bold towards humans. One Utrecht court, however, is determined to change that.
Over the years, as wolves in the Netherlands bounced back from near extinction, a distinct problem unveiled itself: the animals are no longer afraid of people.
Whilst less fearful wolves might seem adorable from a distance, the court warned that they were still fully capable of being aggressive and biting the people (and animals) they come into contact with.
The wolves’ behaviour is a “threat”, says Utrecht court
One long, drawn-out legal battle about the emboldened canines’ behaviour later, the court’s decision was not in the wolves’ favour.
Oeps das maar goed dat deze jonge op een racefiets ging en niet op een scootmobiel. De wolf wordt steeds gevaarlijker pic.twitter.com/3x3YehoS9n
It was decided that the animals’ behaviour posed a “serious threat to public safety” and that it was time to bring out the big guns.
Errr… the big paintball guns, that is.
As other methods of scaring the animals off — including pulling out the pepper spray — have proved to be largely ineffective, this was the only option left on the table. (Somehow. 👀)
In the future, the European Commission also hopes to change the wolves’ protected status, enabling them to be hunted.
What do you think about the court’s decision to allow firing paintball guns at the wolves? Tell us all your thoughts in the comments below!
International commuters who frequent Eurostar’s London-Amsterdam service, we have good and bad news for you.
Let’s start with the good news:Contrary to what was previously reported, Eurostar’s Amsterdam-London service will not be suspended during the renovations at Amsterdam Central Station. 🙌
In fact, as Trouw writes, Eurostar will increase its service by running additional trains on the popular route from mid-June onwards, with eight departures per day instead of four.
Now the bad news: Travellers will have to sacrifice an extra hour for the journey to the English capital — because of those pesky passport controls.
Mid-way stop in Brussels
Due to large-scale renovations, the departure terminal of Eurostar in Amsterdam will be closed from June 14 until at least December 2024.
Until then, passport checks for travellers originating from the Dutch capital are being temporarily moved to Brussels.
That means travellers will soon have to awaken from their slumber midway through the journey, get off the train, and have their documents checked at a terminal in Brussels.
The result? The journey that currently takes a swift three hours and 52 minutes will soon take four hours and 45 minutes.
But on a brighter note, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave tells the AD that “travellers no longer have to be present early at Amsterdam CS due to the cancellation of passport controls. That saves time.” 🚄
On the way back from London to Amsterdam, nothing changes, and passports will be checked before boarding the train at St Pancras station.
On January 19, an 84-year-old woman was found dead after a house fire in Amsterdam. To everyone’s surprise, it now appears the victim didn’t die as a result of the fire.
Instead, it’s believed she was actually stabbed to death.
It also turns out that the fire was not an accident but rather a planned crime. The perpetrator? A 90-year-old man who shared a home with the victim.
Arrested on multiple accounts
When the woman was found by the fire department, she had multiple stab wounds on her body. She was quickly taken to the hospital but tragically passed from her injuries the following day.
The police suspect that the 90-year-old man, who lived with the woman, is responsible for both stabbing her and setting the house on fire.
An Amsterdam expat has published an open letter to complain about the noise from the city’s historic Westerkerk bells — and her Dutch neighbours aren’t impressed.
Wait, what? Yup, this woman moved to a historic city, into an apartment next to a centuries-old church and is now complaining about its bells.
To put this into perspective: that’s as if someone moved into a home right next to an airport and complained about the planes.
But the story gets worse. Through the magic of social media, the woman is now getting some pretty intense online hate, as De Telegraaf writes.
A call for help
Let’s rewind to the beginning.
The whole debacle started on good ol’ Facebook, where an international woman living in Amsterdam wrote an open letter suggesting silencing the belltowers of the Westerkerk at night.
“My partner and I have lived in the neighbourhood for over 2 years now,” she writes, and “before the renovation, bells rang every 15 minutes, all day and night”.
Actie van een groep bewoners rondom de Westerkerk in Amsterdam. Ze wonen al twee jaar in de hoofdstad en willen het klokgeluid van de Westertoren in de nacht laten stoppen. pic.twitter.com/EqHT9h95bh
The woman had previously contacted the city council about the issue, who told her that “it would need more complaints to make a change”.
So, the woman took it upon herself to call on others who share her annoyance.
In her letter, she asks those who share her sentiment to “ask the City if bells could stop at night in order to guarantee better sleep.” 🔕
Furious Amsterdammers
After the letter has been shared and re-shared hundreds of times, Amsterdam locals and Dutchies from all over the country are now taking to social media to express their opinions.
“Go back to your country”, “learn Dutch”, and “Here starts the bullshit again” — those are just some reactions that have surfaced online.
Other people are saying that “these new Amsterdammers have no idea what this church and this tower means to us.”
The overwhelmed writer of the letter regrets taking to Facebook.
As she tells De Telegraaf: “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt anyone or force anything, just exchange thoughts.” “I do my best [to learn Dutch] and love the city. What should I do now? Move?”
Are Amsterdammers right to ruthlessly attack the woman? No. Is the woman entitled to have an opinion? Yes. But should she have expected bells when she moved next to a church? Also yes.
I’ll say this: If she has enough money to live in the Jordaan neighbourhood, then she has enough money to move into a flat where there will be absolute blissful silence. 👀
What do you think about this discussion? Whose side are you on? Share your thoughts in the comments!
