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Code Orange in the Netherlands for extreme weather, flights cancelled, one death

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That flying house from The Wizard of Oz could become a reality for the Netherlands. That’s right — with Storm Poly in our midst, flights are cancelled, and furniture is making a run for it. 

With the raging storm that’s been blowing in from the west at 120 kilometres per hour, we’re all instructed to reschedule weekend trips, stay home from work if possible, and take shelter from the “flying objects” outside, reports NOS.

Traffic, trees, and an unfortunate death

Many trees left horizontal by the storm have proved a life-threatening nuisance throughout the country, causing blocked entryways, closed schools, and power outages.

Poly’s death toll is currently one after a woman based in Haarlem was tragically killed by a tree when it fell on top of her car.

While Storm Poly is currently easing off the west of the Netherlands, the worst is still to come for provinces like Friesland in the north, reports NOS.

This morning there was an estimated 200 kilometres worth of traffic, particularly between The Hague and Amsterdam, as people fought their way into work, according to the ANWB. 

For the rest of July 5, there will be no trams in Amsterdam, thanks to a power outage affecting the overhead lines.

The A9 road shut down due to fallen branches, the A7 is now closed at Groningen, the A6 and A12 both have limited entry, while the north of the country, in particular, is suffering from train traffic.

Tunnels brimming with traffic may soon be flooded, and those summer festival tents are flipped on their backs — with one tent in Drachten wrecking a mosque in the process. Yikes.

Trust the Code Orange weather models, not your intuition 

The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has officially deemed Dutch weather to be in a state of Code Orange and Yellow, depending on location.

This means Storm Poly may very well cause further injuries, not to mention disruption, for places in Code Orange, including North Holland, Friesland, Flevoland and IJsselmeer.

As for the rest of the country, which is in Code Yellow, we should anticipate travel delays, among other obstacles this monstrous storm will pose to our daily lives and summer plans. 

Furniture might be flying, but Schiphol’s planes won’t be 😬

Yep, the Amsterdam Airport has officially announced that most departing and arriving flights on July 5 will either be cancelled entirely or extremely delayed. In fact, over 400 flights have been scrapped today thus far.

While this may seem dire, the alternative is flying through a Code Orange storm, so…🥴

Were you planning to catch a flight in the next 24 hours? Find out more about the updated departure schedule here.

Moving at lightning speed 

The storm is also eating through the country at an alarming pace, with winds moving up to 130 kilometres per hour. Watch out, because a seemingly innocent, windless clearing can end up at a level of wind force 8 within five minutes, reports RTL Nieuws. 

The odds of being struck by lightning might seem fairly low — but who would want to take the risk? Keep your eyes peeled for news updates, and please use some common sense. 

However, if you’re feeling like the apocalypse may be among us, maak je geen zorgen (don’t worry) as this weather warning is temporary.

Thursday will see the Netherlands graced with the sun again, as temperatures vary between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius this weekend. Feel free to postpone your beach day till then. 

What measures are you taking to ensure your safety during this storm? Share your tips in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published July 4 but has been continually updated with the most relevant information.

Get high on Amsterdam’s canals with this 420-friendly smoke and lounge cruise

Do you, like many in the Netherlands, partake in the devil’s lettuce 🤭? If yes, this 420-friendly cruise could really float your boat. 

Glide gracefully through the city’s canals on a 22-person boat on this gentle guided tour underscored by the best “new wave” tunes, as you feel the literal waves beneath you (hah). 

For as little as €25, you can reserve a flexible 60 minute ‘brown’ boat cruise with one complimentary drink, or a 70-minute bigger ‘blue’ boat cruise with two fresh complimentary drinks of your choosing. 

Tired of having stoned conversations on strangers’ couches at 4 AM afterparties while covered in Dorito dust? Try getting zooted on board a ship in style instead, like the authentic pipe-smoking pot pirate you know you are inside. 🌱

So relax, unwind, and get toasty on a comfy, cushioned boat cruise as you drift through Amsterdam and stare, with intense awe and focus, at some of the city’s most famous landmarks — starting with the Red Light District. 👀

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

Can’t spell healthcare without THC, right? 

Why should some light rain stand between you and some dope…dope? The boat’s windows can easily be sealed shut as well as open, and blunts won’t be the only things blazing — there’s roasted, heated seating to warm up your backside too. 🔥

Satan’s salad ship doesn’t discriminate; you can also just stick to cigarettes if you don’t want to feel left out. Plus, there is some purchasable hookah/shisha on offer once you climb aboard. 

Please note, this reefer raft doesn’t include weed on-the-house, so do be sure to get high on your own supply — or, alternatively, pop in for a quick purchase at some of Amsterdam’s best coffee shops en route. 

Now’s your chance, you’ve hit the jack…pot. 

Get your friends on board and make a reservation before it sells out. Go on, live a little. 😶‍🌫️

The Netherlands has officially BANNED phones and smartwatches in schools (hoera!)

In the biggest challenge to everyone’s attention span yet, Dutch schools are banning mobile phones in the classroom. 

Time to find out how hard it is to focus on something for more than eight seconds! Gearing up for the new year, Dutch schools are preparing for a change that will transform the classroom experience.

Starting from January 1 next year, mobile phones, tablets, and even those smartwatches will no longer have a place in the hallowed halls of education.

Why is this happening?!

It’s no secret that mobile phones have become an intrinsic part of our daily lives. But when they start to infiltrate classrooms, it’s a different story altogether.

Teachers have long lamented the intrusion of ringtone symphonies, text message giggles, and the dreaded “I’m totally paying attention, but I’m actually scrolling through Instagram” facade.

Not to mention the fear of being unknowingly recorded during class — no teacher wants to see themselves as the star of an unflattering viral video.

READ MORE | Dethroned! UvA is no longer the top university in the Netherlands 

Because of this, nearly two-thirds of high school teachers are advocating for a school-wide ban, going all-in to create an oasis of learning devoid of digital distractions.

“Even though mobile phones are almost intertwined with our lives, they do not belong in class,” says Minister of Education, Culture and Science of Netherlands, Robbert Dijkgraaf. 

“In class, students must be able to concentrate and have plenty of room to learn well. Mobile phones disrupt this, we know from scientific research.”

“We have to protect students from that.”

Of course, phones can still be allowed for medical reasons, such as a student with diabetes tracking their sugar levels.

The road ahead

As the summer holidays draw to a close, schools will sit down and discuss the nitty-gritty details of implementing this ban. Rules can vary from one school to another, so one might impose the ban only in classrooms, while others may ban it in the school altogether.

(Side note: How will we post our BeReals on time?!)

After these have been discussed, the proper rules and regulations will be put in place in January. 

What’s your take on this phone ban in schools? Tell us in the comments below!

Lines out the door again? Here’s how busy it will be at the Netherlands’ biggest airport this summer

Feeling stressed and having flashbacks at the thought of flying from Schiphol Airport this summer? Don’t worry, the airport says that they’re prepared for the holiday rush this time. 

Summer holidays are right around the corner in the Netherlands, with families from the central region starting their school break this Friday. 

What does this mean? Kids are packing their favourite armbands, moms are perfecting the agendas, dads are getting ready to go into ‘airport dad-mode’, and Schiphol is getting ready to tackle some crowds. 

READ MORE | Going camping with kids: the ultimate Dutch holiday guide

Yep, the Amsterdam airport announced that around a quarter more travellers (68,000 extra people) are expected to be buzzing around the airport this summer, compared to 54,000 last year, reports NU.nl.

Don’t cancel your flight just yet, though. Despite these anxiety-inducing numbers, Schiphol Airport says that it’s all systems go, and they are ready to manage the crowds. 

Thousands more security staff

Last year, the airport limited the number of vacationers due to a shortage of security staff — remember those long queues that went all the way outside? This year, however, Schiphol Airport’s security has come prepared. 

With thousands of new security staff hired, the airport says they are confident that travellers won’t face the same chaos, despite the increased crowds. 

In fact, travellers zipped right through security checks in less than 10 minutes during the May holidays. 

Still worried about the crowds at check-in, security, and passport control? 

For the smoothest experience, Schiphol Airport recommends vacationers check in online in advance, arrive on time (but not too early) at the airport, or, give the security check reservations a try! Yep, that’s a thing now. 

What has been your experience travelling through Schiphol Airport this year? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch cocktails? Yes please! Learn from a professional mixologist at this €40 workshop

So you think you can drink. But can you woo guests and their taste buds by making a sharp, savoury cocktail from scratch in your own home? 

…Chances are, like most of us, you can’t. That’s just one of many reasons why you should try your hand at a professionally-taught cocktail-making workshop based in The Jungle Club Amsterdam. 

Did you know that fresh lime and citrus juice are miles better than their bottled versions? Or that a coupe glass needs to be chilled first, so martinis don’t get warm? 

Tips and tricks like these will all be under your belt after your 60 to 105-minute-long class. 

Whether it’s to embark on a creative team-building activity, or simply turn your love of alcohol into a marketable hobby (some might argue, an art form), come along to this session to learn how to stir, shake, and drink with the prowess of any seasoned bartender. 

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

So profesh 💁‍♂️

Upon completion, you’ll be able to talk the talk as well as walk the walk; your mixologist teacher will give you a rundown of all the methodologies, origin stories, histories, anecdotes, and traditions behind each alcoholic concoction.

That way, if friends raise a dubious eyebrow watching you shake and stir away during the future cocktail party you host, you’ll be able to smoothly convince them you actually know what you’re talking about. 🧐 

And though your expert tutor will show you the ropes when it comes to the classics (like piña coladas or margaritas), they’ll also take the backseat and let your imagination run wild. 

By mixing and matching the available flavours — including coconut, chocolate, peach, and vanilla — you might even invent your own genius never-seen-before combination. What if the world even names a cocktail after you…😮

All necessary liquid courage and equipment will be available on-site at the cosy cocktail-mixing workshop. 

Simply turn up with your hands and ears intact, ready to construct a cocktail that will soon become your go-to for recreating fancy drinks at home.

Is anyone else thirsty, or craving a pang of zesty lemon paired with the sweetness of a strawberry? It’s time to make a reservation and concoct some cold, juicy Strawberry-Lemon mojitos 🤤. If not now, when? 

Studying in the Netherlands? Here’s how you could land the energy allowance

Let’s face it — living the student life can drain your energy (and your bank account). But don’t fret! DUO (Education Executive Agency) has finally listened to our pleas and is giving students an energy allowance. Cha-ching!

Hold on to your energy-efficient light bulbs, folks, because we’ve got some news that’ll put a spark in your step. The much-anticipated energy allowance is here to make your wallet feel loved again!

DUO has been working on this for a long time – since 2021. After our begging for help, they finally decided to listen to us. Hallelujah!

It’s about time!

Attention, all students living away from home with a basic grant and supplementary grant: you’re in luck! This year, you’ll be receiving a sweet extra allowance of €400 to help with your energy bills.

READ MORE | Thousands of students in the Netherlands file lawsuits for energy allowance

Of course, DUO wouldn’t make it too easy to get an allowance, though. You have to fit three criteria to be eligible: you must have a basic grant, a supplementary grant, and you must live away from home (so no living with your parents!)

If you do meet all these criteria, you’ll receive an extra €400 per year to help pay your energy bills. Hoera!

The nitty gritty

Now we know this is all very confusing – you almost need a degree to understand Dutch allowances! So here’s a short and sweet summary of what you need to know:

  • This is a one-time allowance for energy costs in the academic year 2023-2024
  • You are eligible if you have a basic grant and a supplementary grant, and you live away from home
  • You will receive a one-time extra allowance of €400 for the year on top of your current loans

You can find more information about student finance and the supplementary grant on the DUO website to find out your eligibility.

You can also get help if you’re not a student

The Dutch government was already helping out those who earn at or just above the social minimum of €1,995 per month. This isn’t specific to students but to anyone earning below this amount.

READ MORE | Lawyers: excluding students from the energy allowance is illegal 

If you fall under this category, you are eligible for up to €1,300 in the whole year. But let op: this isn’t €1,300 per month but for the year! So you’ll get this amount for all of 2023.

Phew! Hopefully, we cleared a few things up. Now go on and get that allowance! 💪

Have you received any allowances from DUO? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

International fliers can FINALLY reserve security checks at this Dutch airport

Between wrestling with your luggage and stressing about your flight, going to the airport can definitely be a stressful experience. Schiphol’s new security checks, however, are here to be your new BFFs.

Let’s admit it — everyone dreads standing in long queues, especially when you’re going on vacation. However, what if we told you there’s a way to skip the queue? 👀

Well, good news! According to RTL Nieuws, you’ll soon be able to reserve a security check time slot for all destinations at Schiphol Airport. Hieperdepiep! 

New level reached: timeslot master

The reservation system at Schiphol Airport was originally only available for destinations in the countries of the Schengen Area.

Thankfully, however, this system has now been extended to non-Schengen flights as well.

From three days before your flight from Schiphol, you can choose a timeslot to go through security. The last time slot you can book is 90 minutes before a non-Schengen destination, and 60 minutes for a Schengen Area destination.

Overslept on the day of your flight and panicking about checking in on time? Geen probleem, as you can quickly reserve your timeslot and get back on schedule!

Go with the flow

According to Schiphol, 20% of travellers currently use the time slots. In addition to helping Schiphol see the flow of passengers, it also prevents those long, arduous queues at baggage check. 

Saving our time AND sparing us the hassle of security checks? Hoera, sign us right up! 🥳

Yet, before you lay your head back on your comfy neck pillow, you should still leave enough time for check-in and to drop off hold luggage. Once that’s done and dusted, you can sit back, relax, and get into vacation mode!

Have you reserved timeslots for security check at Schiphol before? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Zero Latency VR: entertainment you can’t experience anywhere else

Looking for a fun afternoon with your friends and family? Maybe a bonding activity with colleagues, or just some good old video games to relax? 

Say hello to Zero Latency VR, the latest cutting-edge tech company specialising in free-roam virtual reality gaming. 

What exactly is Zero Latency VR about?

Zero Latency VR develops virtual reality systems with almost 60 branches across 26 countries — including a branch in Rotterdam and one in Amsterdam.

Zero Latency VR Rotterdam opened in 2020, and a branch in Amsterdam opened in July 2023. Here, participants can choose one of eight virtual reality worlds to join. 

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Advanced virtual reality set up, and you get to look cool?! Sign us up.Image: Zero Latency VR/Supplied

The technology at Zero Latency VR Rotterdam immerses players in a completely wireless setup. You won’t have to worry about getting tangled in your or another player’s cables while exploring the virtual world! 

Each player is suited up with a pinpoint accurate controller and the world-changing virtual reality headset, equipped with crystal clear visuals and impeccable audio for easy communication with your team. 

Up to eight players can freely walk around a huge space, and it really feels like you’re being transported into a different world — trust us. 

Motion capture technology tracks the players’ physical location in the play area, which generates the virtual location of each player. No wonder it feels like the real deal!

People-posed-in-front-of-black-backdrop-with-vr-gear-and-zero-latency-vr-logo
The team is in action — it’s a serious game! Image: Zero Latency VR/Supplied

You can create an account with Zero Latency VR, where you can put your gamer tag and email. If you want to visit again, whether that’s in the Netherlands or abroad, you’ll be able to log in with the same credentials and get all your previous game stats — neat!

Before virtual reality

Before you dive into the game, you may have some concerns — safety, etiquette, and staying grounded, for example. The Dutch branches have everything planned out to make sure you have the safest and most enjoyable experience! 

Before each free-roam session, Zero Latency VR staff brief you with a handy video on everything you need to know. From putting on and taking off gear to avoiding collisions, and emergency situations, you’re always in capable hands! 

DutchReview-team-in-the-zero-latency-vr-rotterdam-briefing-room
Getting an important briefing from the staff at Zero Latency VR Rotterdam! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied

Zero Latency VR has proximity sensors that give in-game warnings any time you are a little too close to another player or a wall — extra important when you’re walking around such a big space!

Immersive gaming at its finest

While you’re enjoying the experience, Zero Latency VR staff will take pictures of you and your friends, so the moment is forever captured without sacrificing immersion. 

We at DutchReview got to try two virtual reality games offered by Zero Latency VR Rotterdam — Far Cry VR and Undead Arena, each one lasting around 30 minutes. 

Far Cry VR: vacation turned hunting ground

This experience is a VR rendition of the popular video game franchise Far Cry. Equipped with nothing but teamwork, your wits, and a prop gun, you have to escape a tropical island while being hunted for sport by a group of malicious pirates and their leader, Vaas Montenegro. 

Virtual-reality-rendering-of-far-cry-game-by-zero-latency-vr-nederland
Fast-paced action, high stakes, and awesome scenery! Who could resist? Image: Zero Latency VR/Supplied

You can explore this fantastical island all while engaging with unique scenery, exotic terrain, and intense shootouts for what feels like a whole day. The game has particularly impressive visuals and scenery, fully immersing players in the virtual world. 

The gameplay is tense and exciting but not particularly scary — perfect for families with teens, groups of university friends, and even colleagues and coworkers! 

Undead Arena: the post-apocalyptic gameshow

A lot less plot-heavy and a lot more trigger-happy, players compete as a team in the Undead Arena and see how well they can fend off waves of zombies. 

You can trigger traps and move around an arena set up with moving platforms and realistic elevators. With a quick press of a button, you can even change the type of weapon you’re using — just in case you want to take out zombies with a crossbow, for example. 

Posed-virtual-reality-rendering-of-undead-arena-game-at-zero-latency-vr-nederland
Test your targeting and teamwork with this adrenaline-inducing game! Image: Zero Latency VR/Supplied

Similarly to Far Cry VR, the gameplay is thrilling and lively but not so gory or scary for people who are squeamish (although, we can say, the excess adrenaline results in a lot of excited screaming and yelling). 

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be in a first-person shooter game, these two games are the perfect match for you!

Virtual reality: perfect for any occasion

On the other hand, if cooperative first-person shooters aren’t your thing, no problem! Zero Latency VR Rotterdam offers six more games of different genres for one to eight players to enjoy: 

  • Engineerium: a family-friendly VR scavenger hunt
  • Singularity: fighting robots in an awesome science fiction setting
  • Sol Raiders: a competitive player versus player shooter
  • Zombie Survival: defend your fort from zombies while waiting for help to arrive
  • Outbreak Origins: find a cure for a zombie virus while fending off the hoards
  • Mission Maybee: explore an enchanted forest and take down an evil scientist

Zero Latency VR Rotterdam only allows players aged 13+ to play their games due to the size and weight of the VR gear.


Apart from diverse genres and play styles, these virtual reality experiences make for a fun time with friends and family, but are also a great bonding and team-building activity, or a fun birthday or bachelor party! 

Getting to Zero Latency VR 👇

Rotterdam Address: Vierhavensstraat 66, 3029 BG Rotterdam
Amsterdam Address: Meeuwenlaan 122, 1021 JN, Amsterdam
Website: Zero Latency VR Nederland
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram

If you’ve ever wondered what virtual reality is like, now’s your chance to experience it!

Have you ever tried virtual reality before? Tell us in the comments below!

This article was originally published in June 2022, and was fully updated in July 2023 for your reading pleasure.

About time: King Willem-Alexander apologises for the Netherlands’ role in slavery

Dutch King Willem-Alexander finally stepped up to the podium on Saturday, 1 July, the day of Keti Koti, to apologise for the Netherlands’ slavery past and ask for forgiveness.

Exactly 150 years after slavery finally ended in all Dutch colonies, the King asked for forgiveness for his country’s and his ancestors’ violent past in the Atlantic slave trade and slavery in its former Asian colonies, reports the NOS. 

A speech to remember

At the National Commemoration of Slavery Past in Oosterpark, Amsterdam, the ruling Dutch monarch said that he felt these apologies with his “heart and soul”. 

He continued to call the country’s past practice a “crime against humanity” and that “we carry with us the horrors of the slavery past.”

The King was also personal in his apology, addressing his ancestors’, the governors of Nassau, lack of action at the brutal slavery at the time. 

The remnants of slavery still felt today 

The Netherlands was one of the last countries in Europe to end slavery and only recently began to formally acknowledge its role in the historically cruel practice. 

The Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, apologised for the first time on behalf of the Dutch government only six months ago.

In the last few years, slavery and colonialism still remain an undiscussed part of Dutch history for many people.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #120: Struggle with their colonial past

Several schools glide right past the Dutch colonial history, and a survey in 2019 found that 50% of Dutch people were proud of their past empire. 

In his speech, the King went on to say that the effects of slavery are still felt today through racism in the Netherlands.

All in all, the House of Orange profited more than €545 million from its colonialism and slavery past. The King promised that the royal family’s role in the past would be investigated further, and we can expect to hear more by 2025.

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Commuting to work? The NS wants more expensive train tickets during rush hour

Rent, utilities, and now public transport. The NS has joined the trend of making everything more expensive by introducing a “rush-hour tax” starting in 2026.

You know that job that you’re commuting to, working extra hard in so that you can hopefully get a promotion so that you can afford your rent in a housing crisis? Well, it might get more expensive to get to it.

Trains have been busier than ever during rush hour, and the NS wants to encourage people to travel outside of peak travel times. This means that tickets for busy routes will likely become more expensive during rush hour, reports de Volkskrant.

We can’t help but notice that there’s a limitation here: the rush hour is determined by working hours. So a lot of people can’t travel during other hours because they have to get to and from work.

Budget-neutral plans?

But don’t get mad at NS yet! They allegedly won’t make any more money with this extra charge for the time in the day when there are the most people travelling. Because that makes total sense.

READ MORE | NS feels left out, now it wants to run more international trains too 

President of NS Wouter Koolmees states that this will be budget neutral. In an interview with de Volkskrant, he says that the rush-hour charge “leads to a discount on other routes. In this way, it will be quieter during rush hours, and many train tickets will become cheaper”.

Not the first time

Okay, full disclosure: NS has been trying to do this for years. There was talk of imposing a rush hour charge back in 2010 and 2017, but plans were never put in place.

So there’s hope that they don’t follow through this time either.

For now, we’ve still got some time before they impose it. Anything can happen between now and 2026.

Who knows, maybe by then, work will be fully remote, or you’ll be the CEO of your company, or we will simply teleport to work.

What do you think of this rush-hour tax? Tell us in the comments below!