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5 Dutch nature reserves to stretch your legs and enjoy the sights

Aisha Brown
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5 Dutch nature reserves to stretch your legs and enjoy the sights

Allow us to take your hand and drag you into the beautiful nature reserves of the Netherlands.

If the weather permits, we suggest that you take yourself down to any of these lovely areas that may or may not be near your neck of the woods to warm up your bones again after a long winter.

Schoorl Dunes, Noord-Holland

With its leafy pines, the Schoorl Dunes near Alkmaar are not to be missed. It’s heaven for those that enjoy a bit of hiking or climbing, as they are the highest and widest dunes in the Netherlands.

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Oh, we would love to have a picnic there. Image: Unsplash

Even if climbing or cycling isn’t really your thing, with its high peaks of sand and the sea close by, there’s plenty to explore at any time of the year.

Landscheidings Route, Aalsmeer

This nine-kilometre route in the town of Aalsmeer also takes you through the small village of Uithoorn and along the Westeinderplassen dykes covered in grass. It is a historical site with centuries-old water between Amstelland and Rijnland.

If you fancy some panoramic views of the town, then this one is definitely for you. Get some shots, if you can, of the polders and lakes, unless you’re so mesmerised by its beauty that you simply forget.

We would recommend trying the Amb8route, if possible, a route where you can walk and stop at various craft shops along the way and even take in workshops.

Dark Dunes National Park, Den Helder

The only walking forest in Den Helder, the Dark Dunes (Donkere Duinen) is a planted pine forest, placed to make the most of the landscape and provide nesting areas for wildlife, many migratory birds and the red-listed Wheatear.

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The perfect relaxing spot. Image: Unsplash

There are a few ways you can explore: either by bike, on foot or on horseback. Just be sure to keep to the designated trails, as you don’t want to be disturbing the wild horses that graze in the park or the nearby nesting areas of the birds.

There is also a camping site, so if you’re thinking of going on a staycation this year, this might just be the place for you. If that one isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty more to choose from!

Dijkgatbos, Den Oever

This has by far become one of my favourite places to go for a walk and stretch my legs — it’s one of those places that has something for everyone.

You can take your mountain bikes along and ride the dirt tracks, load up your “trusty steed” in their horsebox and opt for a gentle hack, giant gallop, or even practice for when the showjumping and eventing seasons to get you and your horse competition ready, all whilst enjoying the beauty of the natural outdoors.

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Image: Aisha Brown/Supplied

Or if a simple quiet walk is all you want, then opt to take one of the trails at 2km, 4km and 8km or lazy about under a tree in the quaint little meadows (more of a grassland, really), not far from the car park.

Rengerspark Park, Leeuwarden

If you’re in the Leeuwarden area, you’ll love this spot that’s an hour’s drive north of Hoorn and around one and a half hours from Amsterdam.

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The serenity of Rengerspark. Image: Ytzen/WikimediaCommons/CC3.0

There are a few parks in the area to choose from, but the Rengerspark is the most dog friendly. It is also a child-free park, which means it isn’t too busy.

READ NEXT | A guide to 10 beautiful national parks in the Netherlands

Have you ventured to any of the places mentioned above? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020 and was fully updated in March 2023 for your reading pleasure.

4 things to know about the 2023 Dutch election results

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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4 things to know about the 2023 Dutch election results

Who and what is the BBB party? Who are the winners and losers of the Dutch elections of 2023, and what will this all mean for Mark Rutte and Dutch politics in general? 

Yes, let’s dive into the provincial and senate election results of yesterday

1. The results of the Dutch elections

Yesterday, the Netherlands elected members for their 12 provincial councils, which in turn elect the Dutch senate (75 seats in total). 

Let’s have a look at how the exit polls turned out (the final outcome might differ by 1 or 2 seats).

There are two big winners, both with 15 senate seats: the combined list of the GreenLeft (GL) and Labour Party (PvdA) and, the party that’s grabbing all the attention and seats, the BoerenBurgerBeweging (BBB or Farmer-Citizen Movement) led by Caroline van der Plas.

2. Caroline van der Plas and the BBB surge to the top

It’s not a surprise to see the accumulated seats of two fairly big leftist parties grab the shared top spot. 

Both GL and the PvdA have been performing steadily over the past years, but they’re not really one unified political party.

However, the farmer-orientated BBB landslide is quite surprising, including to van der Plas herself. 

According to the NOS, they went from zero to a projected 15 seats in the Senate, an even bigger election victory than Thierry Baudet’s Forum for Democracy four years ago. 

The BBB won in almost all provinces, making huge strides in the rural, non-Randstad provinces.

READ MORE | What is the Randstad? The complete explainer

Most of these votes come from the voters’ discontent with the current cabinet and its many scandals, including the childcare allowance affair, immigration, and the nitrogen crisis in the Netherlands.

3. Hoekstra, Baudet and Rutte: the losers of the day

With the BBB winning so many seats, there have to be some losing parties. 

The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) led by Wopke Hoekstra (the current Minister of Foreign Affairs) got absolutely slashed yesterday and went from nine to five seats in the Senate. 

Hoekstra had ambitions to become the Netherlands’ Prime Minister one day, and the CDA was one of the biggest parties in the Netherlands. Not anymore, as their rural supporters en-mass flocked to the BBB. 

Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party, the VVD, tried to turn the narrative of this election into a classic two-sided left (GL and Labour) and right (VVD) battle — but the party lost two seats and brought their total to 10. Not great, not terrible.

Then, there was Thierry Baudet and his Forum for Democracy (FvD)? The far-right party grabbed headlines in the 2019 provincial elections when they won 12 seats. 

Over the course of the past four years, they revealed themselves as a conspiracy-theory and Russia-sympathising party. Voters did not appreciate this and only got two seats in the Dutch senate.

Democrats 66, a party favourite for many internationals, lost one seat, bringing their total to six seats. 

4. What does this mean for the Dutch cabinet and their plans?

The Dutch cabinet already dealt with several opposition parties to get their plans through the Dutch senate, and this has become the case even more so. 

The grand victory by the BBB signals serious, seemingly significant, problems for their plans with the nitrogen crisis. 

The farmers’ protests will only get more intense if the cabinet chooses to ignore this result, but if they change course with their nitrogen plans, it will also affect plans for managing the environment and building housing.

It seems as if a political crisis for the current cabinet is not far from the horizon.

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

Featured Image: BoerBurgerBeweging/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Eggspensive: this Dutch grocery staple is about to break the bank

Simone Jacobs
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Eggspensive: this Dutch grocery staple is about to break the bank

Your morning fried eggs have already been costing you extra since the beginning of the year, and they’re going to cost you even more in the future. Dutch supermarkets are about to hike up the prices. Egg-ain. 

Within the first two months of the year, the price of a box of ten free-range eggs in major supermarkets has increased by 4.5%, reports RTL Nieuws. 

This is a further increase from the end of 2022, where you were paying 21% more than the year before.

The chicken or the egg?

You might think the demand for eggs during Easter is the cause for the price increase, but nee. Bird flu in the Netherlands and the rest of the world means that there are fewer chickens laying eggs. 

Fifty million birds in Europe have been affected by the bird flu, with six million Dutch chickens, ducks and turkeys coming down with the sniffles. The result? Your omelette is about to become a luxury item. 

Industry demand

Eggs are a staple in your home and for the industry. Love fritessaus? That’s just one product that needs eggs to be made. Others include spaghetti and lekker baked goods.

Many producers can’t give you your beloved products without eggs. This means the prices of your firm faves will increase with demand.

Chickens need to eat too

The cost of chicken feed has also increased due to shortages of grain. With fewer exports from Ukraine due to the war, the much-needed grain is harder to get. 

This results in chickens gobbling up pricey feed, and you gobbling up some pricey eggs.

READ MORE | Flying free: only free-range chicken to be sold in Dutch supermarkets by 2023

On top of this, supermarkets have to buy more eggs on the open market — which, guess what? Is expensive! Meaning (drum roll please) you’re going to have to shell out some cash. 

What do you think of the increase in egg prices? Let us know in the comments below.

Man decides to jump off a Dutch wind turbine — only his parachute didn’t open

Naomi Lamaury
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Man decides to jump off a Dutch wind turbine — only his parachute didn’t open

A man was seriously injured when jumping off a wind turbine in Zeewolde after his parachute failed to open. The man sustained serious injuries and is currently in hospital. 

According to RTL Nieuws, the man base jumped off the 70 – 75 metre high wind turbine located on Gruttoweg in Zeewolde.

However, the parachute did not open and the man fell straight to the ground. 

The rescue mission

According to the reports, the victim was with another person at the windmill. This person suffered no injuries. 

Several ambulances and fire trucks arrived at the scene of the accident to provide emergency medical assistance to the victim. Given the man’s injuries, an air ambulance later arrived to bring him to the hospital.

Base jumping is an extremely dangerous sport:

Forbidden to climb

According to the police, the incident might have further legal consequences for the man as — if you didn’t know — it is forbidden in the Netherlands to climb up wind turbines. 

If you want to see the huge Dutch wind turbine fields, please appreciate them from the ground and afar. 

READ MORE | 12 weird laws the Netherlands still has in 2023

The police are now investigating the circumstances of the accident to find out exactly what happened. 

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

5 ways you can tell that it’s FINALLY spring in the Netherlands

Samantha Tinsdeall
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5 ways you can tell that it’s FINALLY spring in the Netherlands

As we make our way through March, we’re finally…nearly…possibly able to say goodbye to the winter that had us all curled up in hibernation for the last few months.

Instead of the brutal winds of our odd cycling adventures to get groceries, we can now enjoy the gentle(ish) winds of spring in the Netherlands.

Lambs are skipping around the fields with glee. Now, we too can skip, jog, walk or crawl (depending on the *intensity* of your winter hibernation) around the blossoming parks.

Yep, the grey days are becoming brighter, and the general hallmarks of a Dutch spring are starting to appear — let’s check them out. 👇

1. You may see a Rokjesdag (Skirt day!) or two

That’s right, the Dutch actually have a day called “skirt day”.

In short (pun intended), Rokjesdag is the first day of the year that allows anyone who wishes to free their legs the chance to do so when it’s warm enough.

Made popular by the Dutch writer and Rokjesdag lover Martin Bril, Rokjesdag is no longer merely a day but in fact, symbolic of the start of spring.

Rokjesdag is die ene dag in het voorjaar dat alle vrouwen als bij toverslag ineens een rok dragen, met daaronder blote benen. – Martin Bril

Translation: Skirt Day is the one day in the spring when, as if by magic, all women suddenly wear a skirt, with bare legs underneath.

Naturally dictated by the ever-changing Dutch weather, there is not a fixed day on the calendar to mark this unofficial holiday. 💃

2. You can finally chill on the terras (in the relaxing sense)

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The terraces are the place to be in the Dutch sunshine. Image: Smiley.toerist/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

As soon as the sun shines in the Netherlands (for more than an hour), the large open squares that were previously desolate suddenly transform into huge seating areas.

Every man and his dog grabs a chair and biertje to soak up some long-awaited Vitamin D. Streets that were once empty and soulless turn into joyfully gezellig hotspots.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #115: Sit on terraces year-round

Are you ready? To fully enjoy this experience, you must be quick: the terrassen fill up quickly — and the Dutch don’t do queues.

Once they open, catapult yourself into the first available seat and enjoy getting tipsy (zat) in the splendid spring sunshine!

3. You’ll see some happy cows (yes, seriously!)

Cows?! I know, the cow is not exactly the first farmyard animal that pops into your head when you think of spring.

Normally, it’s the birth of fluffy lambs, bunny rabbits and cute little chicks that melt even the coldest of hearts as we gear up for Easter egg hunts and picnicking in the parks. 🐣

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #78: Watch the cows dance when they’re let out for the spring

However, springtime for the humble cow means freedom from their dark and dreary winter shelters.

They are finally free to skip, mooch and chill out in the fresh air they’ve missed so much.

4. It’s time for tulips, tulips, tulips (and of course, many other beautiful flowers)!

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Finally! We can remember what colour looks like. Image: Depositphotos

Unless you were hibernating, you couldn’t have missed the brightly coloured crocuses and daffodils shooting up around all the parks, or the pretty pink cherry blossoms that scatter the once-grey trees.

READ MORE | Dutch tulip season: where to see the best flower fields in the Netherlands

Of course, spring would simply not be spring in the Netherlands without the beloved tulip.

Fields upon fields of the unofficial Dutch flower have come into bloom and the striking colours of the flowers are certainly a sight to behold!

5. Soon you’ll see orange everything!

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A bunch of orange dots on King’s Day in the Netherlands! Image: Depositphotos

Along with the brighter days and longer evenings, there is another strange and somewhat remarkable Dutch occurrence that indicates the start of spring.

Each year, sure enough, just as spring approaches, the shops simultaneously begin to fill up with items in a bold and almost blinding shade of orange. (That very few people can actually pull off.)

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #44: Wear way, way, way too much orange

This is in preparation for the Koningsdag (King’s Day) celebrations that kick off on April 27!

Koningsdag is the biggest party in the Netherlands, celebrating the King’s birthday. So, stock up on orange and keep the tradition going. 🍊

Become the ultimate Dutch spring-thusiast by throwing on an orange skirt, waltzing around a tulip field (preferably with some dancing cows nearby) and grabbing a beer on a sunny terrace. It’s the perfect seasonal recipe!

What are your dead giveaways that spring is coming in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Body of missing 29-year-old woman found in Amsterdam

Eva Gabriella
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Body of missing 29-year-old woman found in Amsterdam

The body of missing Polish national Jessica Kurzawa was found in the water along the Amstelveenseweg in Amsterdam last night.

Police are investigating what may have happened to her, as the cause of her death is still unknown, reports the NOS.

Translation: The lifeless body found today in the water along the Amstelveenseweg #Amsterdam has been recognised as Jessica Kurzawa, who has been missing since February 21. The North Holland police are investigating the cause of death. Our thoughts are with the bereaved. @pol_amsterdam

A mysterious disappearance 

On the evening of February 20, officers witnessed Jessica wandering the streets of Amsterdam in a confused state.

As a result, they took her to the Amsterdam UMC (University Medical Centre) to be monitored.

It’s assumed that Jessica ran away ‘out of fear’ before receiving medical attention on February 21. 

Extensive searches were carried out for her in and around the Amsterdamse Bos; however, there has been no sighting of her over the past three weeks, until now.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

ALERT: Almost all Dutch hospitals shut their doors today

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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ALERT: Almost all Dutch hospitals shut their doors today

Starting at 8 AM today, on Thursday, March 16, hospital staff will walk away from their work. Why? You guessed it: They’re on strike.

Like on a Sunday, the only hospital services offered today will be emergency care — all other appointments are cancelled.

According to the labour unions, “Sunday shift”-strikes like these are the ultimate form of strike in the healthcare sector. A total of 64 hospitals throughout the Netherlands are participating.

Frustrations lead to cancellations

By cancelling appointments and only offering emergency care, hospital workers are expressing their frustration with the NVZ (Dutch Association of Hospitals).

READ MORE | Living with a mental illness in the Netherlands: is this where the healthcare system fails?

Dutch labour unions agree that hospital staff needs higher wages, better compensation for on-call shifts and more suitable schedules.

All of this is necessary, as CNV director Joost Veldt tells RTL Nieuws, to prevent staff from leaving the extremely stressful healthcare industry.

READ MORE | It’s over! Dutch garbage collectors reach an agreement, all strikes are off

Pay up, Ministry of Health!

Chairman of the NVZ, Ad Melkert, states that the hospitals are unable to give the wage increase that the labour unions are demanding. Instead, he wants the Dutch Ministry of Health to pay up.

Minister Ernst Kuipers has said that he would not respond to this appeal.

What do you think about hospitals going on strike throughout the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments!

People keep mistaking Utrecht artwork for solid ground, end up submerged in water

Simone Jacobs
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People keep mistaking Utrecht artwork for solid ground, end up submerged in water

Ever turned your business suit into a wetsuit? Well, many unfortunate people have in Utrecht’s Euclideslaan, where a water-filled pit is often mistaken for gravel. 

After three people lost solid ground last week, falling into the water-filled art structure known as Het Verzonken Schip (The Sunken Ship), AD reports that the municipality has decided to place further crowd barriers to prevent even more accidental swimmers. 

The Utrecht municipality hopes that by placing crowd barriers around the water art structure, as well as a warning sign with 12 more to come, future passersby won’t have an unplanned dip.

READ MORE | Famous Dutch artworks to beautify the streets

Water or gravel? 

Water plants called duckweed ferns are growing in the artwork. The result? The water can be easily mistaken for a red gravel track in winter, and grass in summer — which for many, seems like a convenient place to walk.

A few people have learned that it is niet zo. 

No swimming here!

To prevent more businessmen and women from soaking their expensive suits, the municipality also removed these water plants and will likely have to keep doing this as they will regrow.

The municipality is also considering installing water fountains for a more obvious signal that the artwork is, indeed, water — and that people should pay closer attention to where they are walking. 

An unimpressed artist

“It’s ridiculous to put thirteen signs in such a beautiful water feature,” the maker of the art structure, Karin Daan, tells AD Nieuws. 

Regardless of the artist’s opinions, the municipality is keeping the crowd barriers and warning signs up around and within the artwork, which was installed in 1993. 

This will be the case until another plan can be made with Daan, who is certainly not happy with having signs placed in her artwork.

What else do you think could be done to stop people from falling in? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image: Het Utrechts Archief/CC4.0

All aboard! This new train line will connect the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium

Naomi Lamaury
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All aboard! This new train line will connect the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium

It’s official! The Dutch government has announced a new train line for December 2023 that will allow you to travel directly between the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany — without needing to transfer between stations. 

The new Three-Country Train network will connect the cities of Liège (Belgium), Maastricht (the Netherlands), and Aachen (Germany) for simpler travel. 

Travellers rejoice! Direct connections between these cities will shorten journey times and lessen stress for those travelling by train for work, school, or even a cheeky holiday. 

What does this mean? Instead of worrying about train switches during your journey, you can read your book worry-free and stay inside the gezellige train.

No more waiting around 

Another plus is that the trains will be running every hour between the three cities. This means no more waiting for hours if you miss the first train. 

The new line will also create quicker journeys to other neighbouring (and fancy) destinations such as Berlin, London, and Paris. 🤩

READ MORE | Fall asleep in Amsterdam, wake up in Barcelona! The NL is getting a new night train in 2023

The Three-Country Train should contribute to making train travel in Europe a more attractive and sustainable alternative to air travel. 

The green light has been given

The three transport agencies involved, NMBS (Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen), our beloved NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), and Arriva, have given the green light for this network to be established. 

READ MORE | New Dutch train services to six major EU cities are launching tomorrow!

The Belgian Minister of Mobility, Georges Gilkinet, praises the project saying that “Travellers now get more destinations, more comfort, and fully accessible trains — across national borders.” 

While the practical details, such as the prices, are yet to be finalised, we can look forward to comfortable and quick connections later this year!

Where are you most excited to travel to and take advantage of the new line? Tell us in the comments below!

The OM to prosecute rapper and band leader from The Voice of Holland on sexual assault cases

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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The OM to prosecute rapper and band leader from The Voice of Holland on sexual assault cases

Remember the sexual misconduct accusations that were made against key employees of The Voice of Holland? Well, the OM (Dutch Prosecution Service) has decided to prosecute two out of the four accused men: Rapper Ali B. and bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen.

The OM started investigations into the cases at the end of April 2022, after the Dutch YouTube show BOOS uncovered that dozens of women were subject to sexual assault by employees of the show.

Allegations ranged from unwanted texts to groping, touching, and rape. Four men were put into the firing line: Ex-judges Ali B. and Marco Borasto, bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen and director Martijn N.

Ali B. to be prosecuted

Three rape reports and one claim of sexual assault were filed against Ali B, who was formerly one of the Netherlands’ most popular rappers.

After one rape allegation against him has been dropped, he is now being sued for the three other instances.

In response to the news, Ali B. made an Instagram post in which he expressed his shock, as Het Parool reports. He claims that no prosecutable acts had ever been committed.

According to the rapper, mediation talks with those that filed reports against him are currently ongoing, and “it is incomprehensible that the OM did not choose to wait for the results.”

Jeroen Rietbergen “worked on himself”

Bandleader Jeroen Rietbergen was the only one out of the four suspects to admit that he had crossed a line, but he also denied having committed any criminal offence.

READ MORE | How men can step up against sexual misconduct in the Netherlands

Equally shocked by the news about his prosecution, Rietbergen claims that he has dealt with “all the consequences and worked hard on himself over the past year.”

What about the other two men?

Besides Ali B and Jeroen Rietbergen, two more men had come under scrutiny: Martijn N. and Marco Borsato. So, what happened to them?

Nothing, pretty much. All The Voice-related charges against both men will not be further prosecuted due to a lack of evidence.

Borsato, however, currently has another case pending against him, involving reports of sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman. Decisions in this matter are yet to be made.

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