Back in June, Eurostar announced that their Amsterdam-London train line wouldn’t run for more than a year due to construction. But there is hope: the line might be up and running again sooner than we thought.
Since the heated reception of the news earlier this year, ProRail, NS and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management are trying to find workarounds for this controversy, according to Treinreiziger.
With these new solutions, the Amsterdam Centraal renovations may start later and finish earlier, says Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave. So, our chances of drinking beer in another type of gloomy weather will not be (completely) crushed.
The three organisations will send their findings to the Dutch House of Representatives in early November to see how realistic their solution is. Until then, we’re in the clear, and the trains will run normally.
The juicy backstory
This whole situation began due to renovations in Amsterdam Central Station. It’s not safe to have this train running during the construction — not to mention that it wouldn’t be possible to do security or luggage checks at the station.
Since there was quite a bit of commotion about this decision, ProRail, NS, and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management had to look for another solution.
Nothing is guaranteed yet, but there is hope that this train route will be less chaotic than we thought.
Do you think there will be a solution, or do you think we’ll be left train-less for 11 months? Tell us in the comments!
Friday the 13th brings somewhat unsettling news: Leiden University has abruptly shut the doors of its Wijnhaven building located in The Hague due to an unnamed safety risk.
This means that for the foreseeable future, no student or member of staff is permitted to access the Wijnhaven building, according to the Leiden University website.
What exactly is the cause of the so-called “increased safety risk”? Nobody knows.
Leiden University, which is also home to several campuses based in The Hague, has decided to keep its reasons for this announcement on the down low.
Closed for the foreseeable future
One thing we do know is that the university has promised to notify everyone via the website about when the building can be accessed again.
Al onze medewerkers en studenten houden wij zo goed mogelijk op de hoogte via de website voor medewerkers en studenten. Daar vind je een mededeling over de sluiting. Wij laten je via deze website zo snel mogelijk weten wanneer Wijnhaven weer open gaat https://t.co/vUEXod8qfC
Translation: “We keep all our employees and students informed as best as possible via the website for employees and students. There, you will find a notice about the closure. We will let you know via this website as soon as possible when Wijnhaven will reopen.”
The building normally serves as a study space for approximately 3,500 students, NU.nl reports. It also hosts researchers from six of the seven different faculties Leiden University has to offer.
These frequenters of Wijnhaven will just have to hang tight and wait it out. In the meantime, all we can do is speculate.
Do you have an opinion about the Wijnhaven building shutting down? Let us know in the comments below.
Why is it that Schiphol has instructed passengers to arrive at their airport wearing as little clothes as possible? Because there are too many people.
That’s right — the next two weeks are predicted to be jam-packed since the autumn holidays will have people jet-setting every which way.
The estimated amount of passengers is a considerable 3.3 million — that’s 25% more than it was this time last year, RTL Nieuws reports.
Airport style tips
In order to bustle people through the security process faster, Schiphol has advised travellers to cut down on their clothes.
Yup. A page with their clothing tips suggests steering clear of high shoes and hoodies in spite of the current sweater weather since both of those articles need to be removed before security.
If you don’t want to hold up the queue, the airport also suggests scrapping the belt, asking whether it really is “an essential part of your look”. 🤔
Instead, they would rather we opt for some loose-fitted, “thin” clothing, like sweatpants or leggings, paired with “a nice shirt”. 🎽
Almost as busy as last summer
Remember that infamous summer of 2022, which featured airport queues so big people were piled outside of the doors?
Apparently, the peak travel days during this holiday season will garner similar numbers, with more than 70,000 passengers expected to depart on Schiphol’s busiest days.
In light of this, the personnel ask that travellers arrive “not too early” but also “not too late” and that we do our best to check in online in advance.
What is your style advice for airport goers? Let us know in the comments below!
Upon hearing her verdict, the 15-year-old girl who stabbed a man to death in January was reportedly callous, “remorseless”, and “laughing”.
Not only that, but a secret recording of the convicted girl and her friend speaking about the murder victim with “contempt” left the court appalled and disgusted, the AD reports.
A long-held grudge
Apparently, the teenager responsible already had a longstanding history of animosity towards the man and his wife, who were owners of a snackbar in The Hague.
For instance, during the pandemic, when asked to show their Corona passes, the girl and her friends refused and then went on to throw food as well as beat up the couple.
Then again, in the summer of 2022, the girl was physically removed from the premises after she had tossed a bottle of water near the deep fryer.
Murder for no reason
In late January of this year, the pre-existing tensions escalated to full-blown murder.
Video footage recorded by the perpetrator’s 17-year-old friend shows snackbar owners Wei and Xiao Chen making their way home after closing up shop for the night.
After a verbal confrontation, which prompted the couple to be pushed, punched, and kicked by the group of teenagers, 39-year-old Wei Chen was stabbed to death by the 15-year-old girl for no discernible reason.
Sentenced to 12 months
The same girl, who was previously convicted of stabbing her own brother in the leg, was sentenced to 12 months in juvenile detention and psychiatric treatment for the murder.
Her 17-year-old brother, who assisted in the assault of Chen, has also been sentenced to juvenile detention and 6 months in prison. Together, the siblings owe €96,000 worth of damages.
In justifying the sentence, the court referred to the girl and her brother’s troubled upbringing. Familial neglect from an early age apparently caused the children to develop “antisocial and narcissistic traits”, which have only escalated over the years.
Stay up to date with the latest news and updates on DutchReview.
Urban exploration, shortened to urbex, means going around your city and finding places to explore that are way off the beaten path, usually only known by locals.
Industrial sites, abandoned buildings, old tunnels—you name it. Urban exploration will bring you as much as your curiosity allows you, so bring a flashlight, a camera, and a buddy, and get out there to explore!
What is Urbex exactly?
Truth be told, we don’t know exactly when urban exploration began. Curious people must have been exploring the unexplored for a long time.
However, urban exploring as we know it today started with the advent of the World Wide Web. With like-minded people finding it easier to connect through the internet, an online subculture dedicated to urban exploration emerged.
Initially as obscure as the very places urban explorers went to, urbex has now become more mainstream, with plenty of blogs dedicated to this hobby.
The basics of urban exploring in the Netherlands
The thing about urban exploring is that you’re not really sightseeing the most famous locales in a city. Quite the opposite — you’re out to find the most hidden places you could possibly go to.
Especially when it comes to going urban exploring in abandoned buildings, there are some norms you should keep in mind.
An often-used quote describing what your aim is when going out to explore is to “take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.” 👣
Abandoned places bring all sorts of visitors. From homeless people to teenagers out to vandalise the walls, you’ll find remnants of past visitors in the buildings.
That’s why it’s important to bring a friend with you, in case something goes wrong. You are, after all, entering places that are not exactly structurally sound, so caution needs to be exercised when exploring.
Depending on where you’re going, you might need to consider bringing a mask as well. Especially if you’re exploring disused tunnels or any underground location, you’ll run into mould and a lot of dust, so it’s best you protect your lungs from them.
Is it legal to go urban exploring in the Netherlands?
Well, technically, not. While urban exploring, you are also more than likely trespassing on private property. In all honesty, that is also part of the thrill of urban exploring. 🌆
Grafitti and tight corridors, a typical experience while urban exploring. Image: Adam J.W.C/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Now, the chances of you getting caught or fined really depend on what you’re (urban) exploring. Going to explore some tiny cabin in a rural area? Chances are that no one will be bothered by it. Going into an abandoned military base? You might run into some guards.
Intention also matters. If a guard runs into you and your buddy and you both have a camera around your necks, it will be quite obvious that you’re just out there to explore and take photos, nothing else.
Now, the best way to make sure you’re not screwing something up is to make sure that you are not breaking and entering. So if you find a locked door, try not to force it open. If the door or entrance is wide open, you can allow yourself inside.
Alternatively, if you want to explore a place and it’s locked, you can go the legal way by requesting permission from the local municipality (Gemeente) to go inside for the purpose of documenting the site. They should be more than happy to help if you set your intentions clearly.
Another thing to consider is that not all urban exploring needs to necessarily be in abandoned places. Urban exploring can also be done legally, in places that were abandoned for some time and since repurposed, or generally in areas that are away from the shiny touristic attractions.
Let op! Don’t vandalise anything. That will make your exploring case harder to explain to the guard. 👮🏻♂️
Urban exploration in the Netherlands
The issue about urbex in the Netherlands is that the Dutch are known for their efficient usage of space. This means that places don’t stay abandoned for long, especially in urban areas.
You can find a lot of locations online in the Netherlands which have since been refurbished or demolished. And even if they are abandoned, going inside usually means you are breaking and entering. The Dutch are notorious rule-followers, which means you’ll get fined for trespassing, no matter your intentions.
Still, that doesn’t mean you should give up. In the urbex subculture, it’s encouraged to find your own location to explore. The more people know of a location, the more explored it is, which makes it less of an authentic experience.
But remember: there’s nothing wrong with using the internet as a starting point for potential locations.
Places to urban explore in the Netherlands
Most locations in the Netherlands can usually be found on the outskirts of cities or in harbours, usually in the form of abandoned factories. There are also several locations in the east of the Netherlands, which is abundant with abandoned places.
Urban exploring at Radio Kootwijk
An iconic urban exploring site in the Netherlands is Radio Kootwijk. Built in 1918 as a radio transmitter, it connected the Netherlands to its colonies. It was captured by Nazi Germany during World War II and used to communicate with submarines until the end of the war.
The radio transmitter was designed by Dutch architect Julius Maria Luthmann. Image: Depositphotos
Throughout the rest of the 20th Century, the Radio lost its importance and shut down, with some of its buildings being demolished. However, its iconic Station A remains, and the park around it can be visited.
Station A can also be rented for events, which isn’t very urban exploring-like, but we’ll take what we can get in the Netherlands!
A tropical exploration at the Tropicana
Another location to consider is the Tropicana in Rotterdam. Built as a combination of a swimming resort and an indoor nightclub, the Tropicana had many swimming pools and tropical-inspired interiors. The place was just an all-around classic 90s venue.
Get in touch with those tropical vibes. Image: G. Lanting/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
Unfortunately, it closed down in the early 2010s after going bankrupt. Part of the venue is now used as offices for start-ups, but you can still give it a peek for its former tropical nostalgia.
Bunkers and World War II in the Netherlands
One of the biggest urban exploration places in the Netherlands is the Atlantic Wall. Built by the Nazis during World War II, it was composed of a series of bunkers and fortifications along the west coast of continental Europe, which were meant to fend off an Allied invasion (which didn’t exactly work).
The Atlantic Wall Museum in the Hoek van Holland. Image: Frans Berkelaar/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0
The bunkers are still there to this day. One of the best spots to see them is in the dunes next to Scheveningen, where they are lined up in the dunes facing the sea.
The Hague itself has plenty of bunkers throughout the city in all sorts of unexpected locations, such as in public parks like Clingendael.
If you want to “legally” explore a bunker, you can go to Hoek van Holland, where there is a museum bunker. You should also check out the yearly Bunker Day when bunkers around the Netherlands are open to the public.
Industrial decay and urban exploring at NDSM
Finally, for the industrial fans amongst you, consider visiting the NDSM in Amsterdam. While it’s not abandoned and it is quite well-known, it’s still a great urban exploration site.
Situated in an old shipyard on the Ijssel River in Amsterdam, the spot has since become a creative hub. Nevertheless, it’s certain to scratch your urban exploration itch with plenty of graffiti, rusting industrial architecture, and overall decay.
What are your favourite places to go urban exploring here in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2020, and was fully updated in October 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Autumn lovers, now is your time to shine. Temperatures will be colder than 15 degrees Celsius during the day for the first time in FIVE months. At night, temperatures may even drop to freezing.
It’s officially time to bring out the coats and the fluffy socks. And an ice scraper to defrost your car in the morning if you live in the east of the Netherlands.
The maximum temperature should stay just below a chilly 15 degrees. Next week, temperatures are expected to be even colder, at around 12 degrees Celsius during the day and near freezing at night, according to AD.nl.
It’s been unusually tropical
Even though this change feels quite sudden, these temperatures are actually pretty normal for October. We mean, pumpkins and scary movies don’t really go along with shorts and t-shirts.
Usually, October has temperatures between 7 degrees and 15 degrees throughout the day. So, really, we’re getting the expected temperatures now.
The first 10 days of the month were much warmer than usual. October’s usual temperature hangs around 12 degrees Celsius — but this month’s average was a breezy 17.
So why is it getting chilly now? As Weerplaza weatherman Wouter van Bernebeek tells the AD, a north wind from the Arctic Circle is coming to cool us down for the first time in a while.
Are you looking forward to these frostier temperatures? Tell us in the comments!
This revolutionary sushi-meets-kroket snack could be the answer to your munchie prayers which leaves your taste buds tingling — or have you reaching for the barf bag.
Imagine you close your eyes and bite down into a good ole crunchy kroket, expecting the taste of that mysterious meat filling to follow.
But instead, you are met with…a mouthful of sushi 🙀. Yup, Crushi is a new kind of kroket with contents consisting of sushi.
Not just any sushi, but “fresh sushi taste, quick & easy to prepare, crispy, vegan variant and zero waste” at that — according to the Crushi website.
Panko is the new seaweed
Founded in Utrecht, the Crushi company is hoping to achieve world domination with this formidable snack, the AD reports.
You’ve probably had seaweed-wrapped sushi (that’s so last year), but have you had sushi coated with a crispy layer of Panko — that is, Japanese-style flaky breadcrumbs?
By now, you might be recoiling in horror or asking, “Where can I get my hands on this juicy feast?” 🤤
Apparently, these products are mainly being targeted at wholesalers. So, while you probably won’t catch Crushi at Jumbo, you can try your luck at sellers like Bidfood and Sligro.
Crushi rolls are…on a roll
Currently, Crushi is available in a number of countries.
Aside from the Netherlands, they’re selling it in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Greece, Ireland and Switzerland. Soon, Crushi might even take the US by storm. (Quick, claim it before the Americans do!)
Some of the flavours include “Salmon Supreme”, “Veggie Vegan”, and “Classic California”. If those names don’t get your mouth watering, we don’t know what will.
The good thing about Crushi is that you can freeze it, according to Crushi’s operational manager Hiroshi Tsujimaru. However, the question is whether people or not are “‘ready for crispy sushi”. 🤔
Do you feel adventurous enough to try sushi krokets? Let us know in the comments below!
In the Netherlands, we love sustainability, sleep, and exploring new cities. Which is we’re super excited to hear that European Sleeper has announced two new destinations for its night train — Dresden and Prague!
In 2024, European Sleeper, the creators of the Good Night Train, will welcome these two new and exciting stops to their sleepy international train route.
Tell me more!
How it works is simple: you can hop onboard the European Sleeper train from any of the following Dutch train stations:
Roosendaal
Rotterdam Centraal
Den Haag HS
Amsterdam Centraal
Amersfoort Centraal
Deventer
The next step? Simply head to your seat, couchette, or sleeper cabin, nestle into your supplementary bedding, and catch some Zzz’s until you arrive at your chosen destination!
At the moment, European Sleeper can drop you off at any of the following cities:
Brussels
Bad Bentheim
Berlin Hauptbahnhof
However, from 2024, the route will stretch even further. Passengers can sail past Berlin and continue on to the stunning Dresden.
If Germany doesn’t tickle your fancy, geen probleem — you can always stay on board until you reach the Czech capital of Prague.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to leave the bikes and stroopwafels behind and step into the magical realm of Festival Circolo — the biggest circus festival in the Netherlands!
From 13 to 22 October, artists and performers from around the globe welcome you to their performances in Tilburg’s Spoorpark. Their goal? To make you fall in love with contemporary circus! 🎪
The talented acrobats will have you holding your breath! 🫢 Image: Merk Tilburg
What exactly is Festival Circolo?
Festival Circolo is the largest festival for contemporary circus in the Netherlands. This year, the organisers are bringing you around 80 spectacular shows!
What is contemporary circus? Contemporary circus is the “love child of circus, theatre, dance, music, design, visual arts and everything that is fantasised about”. Forget about (mildly scary) clowns and sawdust — instead, contemporary circus tells a story, all while exploring the boundaries of the possible.
The festival hosts talented professionals to share with the audience what they’re most passionate about: circus!
There is a place for everyone at Festival Circolo: Whether you’re hearing impaired or not, visually impaired or not, able-bodied or disabled, 4 or 104 years old. The only requirement? You should be ready to fully immerse yourself in the magic. ✨
Breathtaking performances and much, much more
Of course, the main attraction at a circus festival will be the performances. These will take place across various tents in Tilburg’s stunning Spoorpark. Now, you might be thinking: “What’s the secret sauce that makes Festival Circolo so special?”
Well, it’s the incredible variety of shows that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear, holding your breath in suspense, or fighting to hold back tears (sometimes even at the same time!).
From jaw-dropping juggling acts to impressive handstand performances and touching stories, the performances at Festival Circolo will leave you wanting more. 🤩
But wait, there’s more than ‘just’ spectacular shows! Think workshops, lekkere food trucks, campfires, and playgrounds to keep the little ones entertained. We bet you won’t be bored!
So gezellig! Image: Supplied
What can I expect?
If you haven’t gathered by now, Festival Circolo has A LOT to offer. Let’s have a look at some of the programme highlights to get you excited!
To view the entire Festival Circolo programme, make sure to check out their website. 🤹
GLORIOUS BODIES by Circumstances / Piet Van Dycke
That’s not the kind of “headstand” we’re used to! Image: Supplied
Glorious Bodies is “a search for strength in ageing bodies”, and let us tell you: it’s a truly heartwarming act.
The performance features six acrobats between the ages of 55 and 67, who explore the strengths and limitations of the ageing body — all while destroying the clichés that surround old age. We highly recommend it! 🧡
🎪 Performing on 18, 19, and 20 October at Spoorpark Icarus.
En Attendant le Grand Soir by Le Doux Supplice
Ready to join in? Image: Supplied
Do you want to be a part of the fun? At En Attendant le Grand Soir, you can! 🕺
During this dance spectacle, the acrobats showcase their jaw-dropping talents. Slowly but surely, they include the audience in their show and ultimately draw you into a whirlwind of dance and fun.
🎪 Performing on 14 and 15 October at Spoorpark Cirque Pardi.
RUNNERS by Hippana Maleta
Sometimes it only takes three people to put on a hell of a show. Image: Supplied
This hilarious performance features three men, two treadmills, juggling balls and some live music. With their outstanding talent, the performers showcase just how impressive the human body can be.
And what about the treadmill, you ask? Well, it’s part of the show too! They play on it, create music with it, experiment, and, of course, fall on it. 🏃
🎪 Performing on 16 and 17 October at Spoorpark Icarus.
Festival Circolo is all about fun, diversity, and the spectacular art and effort behind circus.
If you have a free evening between 13 and 22 October, we hope to see you there!
If a visit to Amsterdam was on your 2024 bucket list, you may want to reconsider. Why? Because starting next year, visiting the Dutch capital will be a hell of a lot more expensive — due to skyrocketing tourist tax.
To combat overcrowding, the city of Amsterdam has been trying to become a little less attractive to tourists.
After banning large cruise ships, restricting weed, and flat-out telling young Brits to “stay away”, Amsterdamwill soon take things a step further. How so? By raising its tourist tax to be the highest in all of Europe, according to Trouw.
What does this look like in practice?
Good question! Amsterdam’s tourist tax currently sits comfortably at 7% — but in 2024, it will be raised to a whopping 12.5%. Yikes.
What does this mean for tourists? Well, at an average room rate of €175 (US$185) for one person for one night, tourists are currently paying €15.25 (US$16.20) in tourist tax.
Those who plan on visiting the land of tulips, clogs, and stroopwafels in 2024, however, will be looking at a total amount of €21.80 (US$23). Per person. Per night! 😬
The money accumulated from this tax will be invested into the neighbourhoods and boroughs that most need it, states the municipality of Amsterdam.
What about the locals?
If you live in Amsterdam, you can let out a sigh of relief. While the tourist tax is increasing drastically, local property tax and parking fees will not go up any further — at least for now.
The municipality “wants to spare residents as much as possible during this financially difficult time”. After all, Amsterdam’s goal is to make the city more livable for the locals.
Now all they’ll have to deal with is the massive housing crisis — oh, and the rats. 🐀😉
What do you think about Amsterdam’s newest measure to curb over-tourism? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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