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Here’s why a trip to the Netherlands’ biggest beach could cost you €50

Naomi Lamaury
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Here’s why a trip to the Netherlands’ biggest beach could cost you €50

Parking in the busiest parts of Scheveningen and the city centre of The Hague now costs a casual €50. Yep, that road trip to the beach is gonna cost ya. This is part of an attempt to reduce parking crowds in the city — and it’s quite persuasive.

Hold on to your seatbelts, folks. As part of the new measures parking in the busiest spots in The Hague will cost you €50, no matter what. 

Just popping in to run a quick errand? €50. Picking up a takeaway? €50. Dashing to the beach, dipping your toe in the ocean, and running back? €50. It doesn’t matter if you’re parked for 10 minutes or the whole day, reports the NOS. 

READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

The sudden uptick in the price of parking is part of a one-year pilot experiment by the Municipality of The Hague to discourage motorists from parking in the busiest parts of the region. 

Chaos to park in The Hague

Why this drastic approach? Many residents in the city are struggling to park in their own neighbourhoods due to the crowds of cars. 

This isn’t just the case for the city centre either. As the weather gets warmer and more people come to The Hague, parking in Scheveningen and the city centre becomes more and more difficult for residents. 

“You can never park, you have to wait for someone to get in and drive away,”  Marieke de Jong from the residents’ association Het Oude Centrum tells the NOS. “You just want to park in your own neighbourhood.”

Translation: “It’s so busy in Scheveningen that the barriers at the Scheveningse slag are left open, resulting in another old-fashioned traffic jam on the boulevard”

Despite several previous measures, limited parking for residents remains a big issue. The municipality already placed traffic controllers near the beach, increased the hourly parking rate from €3.50 to €10, and wheel-clamped incorrectly parked cars (which amounted to almost 3000 cars last year!).

Yet, these measures haven’t been sufficient to reduce the parking crowds. The municipality decided it was time to hit the people where it hurts — their wallets. 

Reactions to the new rate

It’s safe to say that some people, especially business owners, are unhappy about the new fixed price. 

A liquor store owner in The Hague, Fleur Kruyt, tells NOS that she would have preferred an alternative solution, saying “It doesn’t make doing business any easier.” 

READ MORE | Buying and driving a second-hand car in the Netherlands: costs you need to know

The fixed rate doesn’t accommodate those wanting to enter a store and park for only fifteen minutes or carry heavy boxes, meaning some businesses suffer.  

The municipality of The Hague has responded that despite some criticism, there have been mostly positive responses from residents and business owners. 

They added that they will be closely monitoring the pilot and evaluating it. For now, though, it might be time to become best friends with public transport or your fiets (bike).

What do you think about the new fixed price? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Helaas pindakaas, the NL has been eliminated from the Eurovision Song Contest

Naomi Lamaury
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Helaas pindakaas, the NL has been eliminated from the Eurovision Song Contest

To the disappointment of many Dutchies, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper, representing the Netherlands, will not be performing in the Grand Final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. 

The Dutch duo didn’t get enough votes from the audience for their song Burning Daylight during yesterday’s semi-final and have been eliminated from the competition, the NOS reports 

A long journey for the Dutch duo

Nevertheless, the Dutch artists tell NOS: “We go home with our heads held high,” after the long journey they had. “I think we just had a very difficult semi-final, it was a very strong pot. For the first time, we only had televoting and no jury voting,” says Cooper. 

The result? Unfortunately, it will be the first time in eight years that the Netherlands won’t be singing on stage during the big final.

Cooper goes on to tell the NOS “It is what it is. It’s still a bit of a bummer, we really wanted to be part of it, also because we had a very crazy ride and overcame obstacles. So I’m really disappointed, but that’s just part of it and I’m proud of what we’ve done.”

READ MORE | 11 Dutch songs to learn the language (and culture!) 

Yep, it was one hell of an Efteling-esque ride for the pair, with the competition consisting of ups and downs for the duo. In the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest, Nicolai and Cooper received criticism after a few failed performances.

Don’t worry though, you’ll still have plenty of artists to vote for with still 26 dazzling countries taking to the stage this Saturday.

Will you be watching the final this weekend? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

The Dutch want to HALVE the number of credits needed in first year of uni

Francesca Burbano
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The Dutch want to HALVE the number of credits needed in first year of uni

Stressed about obtaining enough university credits?  The Minister of Education, Minister Dijkgraaf, feels your pain. In fact,  he wants to relax the binding study advice (BSA). 

From the year 2025-2026 academic year, there’s a good chance students in the Netherlands will only need to get 30 of the usual 60 credits within the first year of their degree. 

Why? Many students are succumbing to academic pressure, and Dijkgraaf wants to improve ‘the mental well-being of students,’ reports de Volkskrant.

Yep, students are overwhelmed 

At the moment, many Dutch universities and colleges apply the standard rule that students must obtain at least 45 of the full 60 credits in their first year. This is what they call a “binding study advice.”

READ MORE | Studying in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

If students can’t manage this, they receive negative “study advice” and can’t continue their studies at their university of choice. (While the word “advice” may be in there, there’s nothing very voluntary about it.)

Because of this, many students suffer from mental health problems, such as exhaustion, loneliness and pressure to perform. 

Making friends, finding a room during a housing crisis, student loans, and getting used to student life are stressful enough as it is, but students can concentrate on only one thing during their first year at university: getting a positive BSA.  

READ MORE | International students in the Netherlands are more stressed than ever

Such strict study advice leads to stress among students who are already having a hard time. “The bar is often set too high in the first year, resulting in too much pressure on the student,”  Dijkgraaf writes in a letter to the House of Representatives. 

Dijkgraaf is not the only one in favour, as many student associations are speaking up as well.

“Survey after survey shows that the well-being of students is in bad shape. We have to be honest and recognise that the BSA plays a major role in this,” states the chairman of the National Student Union (LSVb), Joram van Velzen. 

Universities are not pleased with the plan

Not everyone is a fan of the decision, however. Opinions are divided among educational institutions. The institutions fear that students will drop out later in the program because standards will be lowered. 

In fact, the Association of Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) is not in favour of the proposal at all, calling it a ‘bad plan.’ According to chairman, Pieter Duisenberg, the plan has a negative effect on students and puts more pressure on teachers and study advisors. 

READ MORE | Rejected! University of Amsterdam plans to admit fewer international students

While it is unclear what exactly this adjustment will look like, Dijkgraaf will send a letter about the adjustment of the BSA to the House of Representatives “in the foreseeable future.”

Students can breathe in relief, however, as this most likely will get passed. This is because the measure can count on the support of the House of Representatives, giving it a good chance in the senate.

What do you think about the study advice changing to 30 credits within the first year? Tell us in the comments below!

Leiden’s new hotspot: Freddy’s Gastrobar

Heather Slevin
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Leiden’s new hotspot: Freddy’s Gastrobar

On the lookout for somewhere good to get in your eats, a glass of scrumptious Dutch beer, and cosy vibes? You’re in luck, because Freddy’s Gastrobar in Leiden has the perfect recipe for a relaxing evening out. 🥂

You can find fine dining and good food at Freddy’s Gastrobar, which opened in early 2022. Located on the lower floors of the Heineken head office, the restaurant is fittingly named after the famous Freddy Heineken himself.

Another plus is that this gastro bar is located right outside Leiden Centraal station, so sit back and sip one more cocktail; your train platform is only five minutes away. 🚆

Take it from us, the menu is lekker

The food at Freddy’s had us all doing the lekker wave. We visited for our recent team dinner, and the atmosphere gave us that warm, gezellig feeling.

sarah at freddys in leiden
The spread was mouth-watering. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

This restaurant in Leiden gives you a menu with a range of choices. From set menus offering two or three epic courses to the à la carte menu, or even a series of delectable delicacies on offer from Freddy’s borrel, there’s a dish for everyone — even those pesky vegans!🥦

What’s on offer?

We went for the two-course set menu. With a tasty offering of bread to line our stomachs, we dived into our first course: steak tartare with a classic garnish and truffle mayonnaise, smoked burrata, and finally, salmon served with potato salad. 

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Salmon and potato salad, steak tartare, and smoked burrata; Freddy’s has a menu to please. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

The salmon was a personal favourite, but the second course really knocked it out of the park. With juicy Thai fish cakes that leave your mouth watering and sweet chili dip, this dish was also a tasty treat. 

Plus, with the delicious and soft gao bao, served on perfect bao buns and with crisp but tender pork, followed by some fresh crispy sushi, this second course left us feeling full and satisfied. 

group picture of dutch review team in freddys leiden
The long tables for big parties allow for lots of chats. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

The menu also offers a three-course menu meal, which is followed by a selection of dessert delicacies. 

Borrel and A La Carte menu

Freddy’s also boasts a tantalising borrel offer. With two tables that can host up to 50 people at a time, you can choose to purchase a barrel of beer that will be served from the very table you sit at. 🍺

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And of course, we couldn’t say no to some ‘lekker’ wine! Image: Abuzer Van Leeuwen/Supplied
people-laughing-at-dinner-in-freddys-leiden
To top it off; dreamy bao buns with tender pork, thai fish cakes, and lots of laughs. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Plus, with the A La Carte menu, you can pick through the dishes yourself and make a delectable choice; from open sandwiches to a tasty offering of four different dishes for just €35 per person, their dinner menu is a wonder to behold! 

Old-fashioned cosiness meets luxury nights out

The decor at Freddy’s is cosy, comfortable, and luxurious. With leather chairs, a wonderful wooden interior, twinkling lights, huge tables for epic work dinners, and tables for the whole family on offer, the gastropub has really hit the mark! 

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The bar at Freddy’s has a warm and open atmosphere. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
bar at freddys leiden
… and great staff! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Plus, if your party is on the small side (or even a party for one!) there are some smaller, equally luxurious tables for that anniversary dinner or last-minute dine-out. 

And Freddy’s has one additional quirk: two tables that have their own personal beer taps, where the drink will keep flowing all night long! 

people-using-the-beer-tap-at-freddys-in-leiden
At Freddy’s, you can book your very own, personal, beer tap. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Even their bathroom looks like an interior-design model; located at the top of some winding stairs, its decor is unlike anything we’ve encountered before — but we’ve offered enough spoilers. You’ll just have to take a look for yourself. 😉

Freddy’s is open from Monday to Sunday every week, with varying opening hours; 
⏰ Sunday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 12 PM
⏰ Thursday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to 1 AM

While you sip on some tasty Dutch beer at this epic gastropub in Leiden, you can reminisce on the story of Freddy Heineken’s kidnapping — or enjoy some good gossip and gastro bar luxury. Whatever it is, Freddy’s will make sure you eat and drink well while you’re at it.

Will you be grabbing dinner at Freddy’s? We certainly will! Tell us your plans in a comment below. 

Editor’s Note: Freddy’s invited us to do our thing — review their food! While they certainly influenced our tastebuds, they had no influence over the content of this article.

Identify me: Dutch police release facial reconstructions of 22 murdered women

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Identify me: Dutch police release facial reconstructions of 22 murdered women

Under the operation “Identify Me,” Dutch, German, and Belgian police forces and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) are seeking to gain information about 22 unidentified murdered women.

The victims in question are women found between 1976 and 2019, in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. All previous attempts to identify them have failed.

“Most of the 22 victims died violently, and some were also abused or starved before they died,” say Carina van Leeuwen and Martin de Wit in a statement by the Dutch police.

The Interpol has now released vital information on each case, hoping to get the public’s help in solving them.

Facial reconstructions and more

To find the names of the unidentified girls and women, Interpol has released vital information to the public.

Besides facial reconstructions, they have made public photos of clothing and jewellery found on the crime scene, as well as victims’ tattoos that may help identify them.

On the Interpol website, you can read about the victim’s approximate age, hair and eye colour, and other details and circumstances surrounding each case.

Tragic and heartbreaking

“Each of the 22 cases is tragic and heartbreaking,” Martin de Wit tells RTL Nieuws.

Though found in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, evidence suggests that the women could have come from other countries. “It is possible that their bodies were left in our countries to impede criminal investigations,” according to the Dutch police.

“The victims have often been killed with great violence. We know that some of them were abused or starved in the period before their death.”

In all the cases, the perpetrator also went to great lengths to make their victim unrecognisable.

The Dutch “Teteringen Girl,” for example, who was discovered on Christmas of 1990, was seriously abused and neglected before her murder. She was found less than 30 minutes from the Belgian border, close to the A27 motorway near Breda.

An international search effort

As RTL Nieuws writes, the cooperation between Interpol and the Dutch, German and Belgian police forces is new.

This was deliberately chosen because of the international nature of many of the cases, where most women are believed to not be from the country in which they were found.

“There must be people in the world who miss the victims, mostly young women and girls,” says Martin de Wit. Global attention is hoped to reach the victims’ family members, friends or acquaintances.

The Interpol and international police forces urge anyone with information on any of the cases to contact their national police.

Stay up to date with all the news in the Netherlands by following DutchReview on Facebook.

Hoera! Amsterdammers will be getting a cable car over the IJ: Here’s what we know

Naomi Lamaury
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Hoera! Amsterdammers will be getting a cable car over the IJ: Here’s what we know

Get ready to hop on board the cable car that will soon run over the IJ river, connecting North and West Amsterdam!

Dying to catch the sunrise during your morning cable car commute to work? For Amsterdammers, that may become a reality, as the municipality of Amsterdam has given contractors the green light to go ahead with the IJbaan cable car project. 

This project will be able to carry more than 5,000 Amsterdammers from one side of the river to the other every hour. 

With construction beginning in 2025, it’ll be ready for you to hop right in by 2027, according to Het Parool.

As simple as your OV Chipkaart

The cable car will run between the NDSM wharf in the North to the Haven-Stad district (Hem Knoop) in the West to head straight into the city.

It’ll be just as easy as hopping onto the bus — all you’ll need will be your OV Chipkaart and the trip will cost just as much as regular public transport. Just get on and enjoy the view from 100 meters up in the air!

READ MORE | The 18 best street markets in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide

The new cable car is intended to take some of the strain away from the crowded ferries crossing the IJ. Due to the increasing popularity of living in North Amsterdam and then commuting to the city centre for work, commuters on ferries often end up packed like sardines during peak hours. 

In fact, by 2030, it’s expected that the ferries will no longer be able to cope with the demand if no alternatives are organised. This new cable car will hopefully be able to help ease the flow of commuters on these ferries.

32 passengers per gondola, top!

A single gondola on the proposed cable car will be able to transport 32 passengers from one side to the next. 

And, for the Amsterdammers that can’t bear to be parted from their beloved fietsen (bikes), you’ll even be allowed to bring them with you in the cable car, with space then for 14 passengers and six bikes in each gondola. 

READ MORE | 12 best places to study or work in Amsterdam

According to Het Parool, there will be 38 gondolas working at the same time. The result? Every 21 seconds, a gondola will make the crossing to the opposite side, so there’s no need to plan your itinerary to the exact minute with 9292!

Not only are the gondolas spacious, but the trip will also be super snel — with each trip taking only five minutes. 

Hopefully, this will mean a lot less commuting stress for the bustling city of Amsterdam.

What do you think about the new cable car project? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Max Verstappen wins Miami Grand Prix, but loses ‘Sportsman of the Year’ to Messi

Naomi Lamaury
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Max Verstappen wins Miami Grand Prix, but loses ‘Sportsman of the Year’ to Messi

Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen had a spectacular win on Sunday at the Miami Grand Prix, but lost out to Lionel Messi who bagged the prestigious ‘Sportsman of the Year’ Laureus Award the very next day.

Mondays can be hard for everybody, no matter if you’re a teacher, a lawyer — or even Dutch Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen. 

Verstappen races to first place in Miami

Due to a poor qualifying session the day before, Verstappen started further back on the grid, but refused to let that stop him. Despite starting the race in ninth place, he swiftly rocketed up the ranks to first place by 21 laps — not even halfway through the race, reports NU.nl. 

In fact, the Dutch-Belgium driver seemed to effortlessly take first place, where he was joined by Sergio Pérez and Fernando Alonso in second and third place, respectively. 

With this win in his pocket, Verstappen has taken yet more points to strengthen his 119 point lead in the World Cup standings, 14 more than his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez. 

Yet Messi nabs 2023’s ‘Sportsman of the Year’

Despite Verstappen taking home the Miami Grand Prix trophy, world-famous football player Lionel Messi beat him to the prestigious Laureus Award ‘Sportsman of the Year’ trophy the very next day, reports NU.nl. 

READ MORE | 11 Dutch sports that are 100% weird (but wonderful)

Verstappen and Messi also faced tough competition from the other nominees. These included the Dutch tennis player Diede de Groot, Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten, football player Kylian Mbappé, tennis player Rafael Nadal, pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, and basketball player Stephen Curry.

Taking home the prize, however, was the Argentinian football player that led his national team to its first World Cup win since 1986.

Whilst not bagging the win this year, Verstappen was named the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in 2022. 

Who do you think should’ve won the Laureus Award this year? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

‘I didn’t want to lose him’: Dutchman hides father’s body in freezer

Simone Jacobs
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‘I didn’t want to lose him’: Dutchman hides father’s body in freezer

Have you ever loved someone so much that you never want to let them go? Well, let’s just say a certain Dutch man felt this way a little too strongly about his dead father — with rather chilling results.

Limburg police found the father’s body in the freezer of a house in Landgraaf this weekend, reports the NOS. The resident of the building, an 82-year-old man, is suspected of hiding his father’s body.

However, the son tells 1Limburg that his father, 101, died of natural causes a year and a half ago. “I didn’t want to lose him. Otherwise, I would miss him.” He says the reason he put his father in the freezer was so that he could still talk to him.

Ongoing investigation

Whilst the police do not assume a crime was committed, the investigation is focused on how the father died and why his body was kept in a freezer. 

The situation was discovered based on a report made to the police. Although the police have not confirmed who made the report, it is believed to be the GP of the deceased who reported to the police after concern about the 101-year-old man’s health.

Stay up to date with all the news in the Netherlands by following DutchReview on Facebook.

Hoera! Low-income Amsterdammers can now apply for FREE public transport tickets

Francesca Burbano
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Hoera! Low-income Amsterdammers can now apply for FREE public transport tickets

Can’t pay for public transport? As of May 8, people with lower incomes in the Amsterdam region have the opportunity to get 8 free public transport tickets. 

These tickets are intended for anyone who earns up to 130% of the minimum income and grants an hour and a half of travel time on buses, trams, and metros throughout the Amsterdam public transport region (Vervoerregio Amsterdam).

The Vervoerregio Amsterdam public transport system includes the city of Amsterdam and 13 other municipalities: Aalsmeer, Amstelveen, Diemen, Edam-Volendam, Haarlemmermeer, Landsmeer, Oostzaan, Ouder-Amstel, Purmerend, Uithoorn, Waterland, Wormerland, and Zaanstad. 

Let op: this does not cover the use of the NS, the Netherlands’ national rail operator. 

The rise in public transportation costs 

This initiative comes at a crucial time, as there has been a significant increase in Dutch public transport prices over the past few years.

This year alone, public transport prices rose by an average of 7.24% due to higher energy costs, wages, and inflation. This has resulted in many households struggling to afford the cost of transport tickets, reports RTL Nieuws. 

The Amsterdam alderman for transportation, Melanie van Der Horst, noted that she hopes this program will “ease some of the financial burdens for the most severely affected group.”

READ MORE | Guess what? Dutch train travel will be even MORE chaotic and expensive in coming years

Alderman Marja Ruigrok in Haarlemmermeer, where Schiphol Airport is located, expressed the same sentiment as Van der Horst. In a press release, she stated: “It’s wonderful that we, as a transport region, can collaborate with our transport operators during these hard times for many people.”

Who qualifies for these tickets? 

According to Van der Horst, approximately 95,000 families across 14 Noord-Holland municipalities qualify for the initiative. 

Each household can request up to eight tickets annually through a dedicated website: www.gratis-ov.nl. This allows a family to reach all destinations within the transportation region and return home without the stress of having to pay for a ticket. 

The tickets are also distributed through food banks, thrift stores, and other socially involved organisations. 

What do you think of Amsterdam’s new initiative to help low-income households? Tell us in the comments below!

You’ll need that umbrella: Rain and humidity hitting the Netherlands this week

Simone Jacobs
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You’ll need that umbrella: Rain and humidity hitting the Netherlands this week

You may have the allergies and hay fever that come with the season, and now you’re eagerly anticipating the sunshine that goes with it. Helaas, stable spring weather is still not in our sights. 

If you’re looking out of the window this morning hoping to see bright sunshine, you may be in for disappointment if you live in the west, centre or south of the Netherlands. 

Rain is on the cards for much of today, with Tuesday promising even more rain, reports RTL Nieuws. 

Heavy afternoon rain

With barely any wind, you may want to keep those raincoats close as rain showers will not be blowing away any time soon. 

This means that certain areas in the west, centre, and south of the country will experience a lot of rain this afternoon, along with the chance of thunderstorms. 

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #47: Complain about the weather nonstop

The north and east are a bit luckier with less rain than the rest of the country. However, there is still a higher chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms from Monday evening. 

We can also expect warmer temperatures and increased humidity. With temperatures ranging from 17 degrees Celsius on the Wadden to 22 degrees Celsius in the southeast, you likely won’t need that extra sweater. 

A very rainy Tuesday

Grab your raincoat, rain pants, and an umbrella because a large amount of rain will fall over the entire country on Tuesday, especially during the afternoon and early evening.

To give you an idea of just how much rain will fall, De Bilt usually receives 59 mm of rain throughout the month of May. Tuesday alone will see a whopping 10 to 20 mm of rain, with temperatures reaching about 16 degrees Celsius.

It won’t be all rain and misery, though, as the sun will occasionally peep through and bring the temperature to around 20 degrees Celsius.

A drier rest of the week

There may still be a few rain showers on Wednesday and Thursday, but it will be slightly drier than at the beginning of the week, with temperatures hovering at about 16 degrees Celsius.

READ MORE | 15 things to do this spring in the Netherlands

Friday remains the best day of the week, with temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius and far less rain. Hoera!

How are you preparing for the rainy week ahead? Tell us in the comments!

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