If your commute takes you between Utrecht and Amsterdam, brace yourself: train services on some of the Netherlands’ busiest routes are being cut from Monday, May 18, until Monday, May 25.
ProRail will be spending next week on some much-needed maintenance work between Utrecht Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal, including improving track alignment and replacing some signals.
While that’s great for the Dutch rail system, it’s going to be less fun for your commute, with fewer trains and longer travel times.
Here’s what’s changing
The NS reports that routes between Utrecht Centraal and Schiphol, Utrecht Centraal and Arnhem, Utrecht Centraal and Almere Centrum, and Amsterdam Centraal and Alkmaar are all affected.
1. Fewer Intercity trains
The key change to your route will be fewer Intercity trains between Utrecht Centraal, Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Zuid, and Schiphol Airport.
At just four Intercity trains per hour, your commute will likely be busier than usual — so expect packed carriages.
If your final destination is Amsterdam Muiderpoort, you’re advised to reroute via Amsterdam Centraal.
Meanwhile, travellers to Duivendrecht can use metro line 54 between Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA and Amsterdam Amstel (your NS ticket is valid for the metro).
2. No Sprinters between Breukelen and Amsterdam Centraal
Helaas, Sprinters are entirely off the table on this route, although the NS will be operating replacement buses between Breukelen and Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA.
The good news is that if you need to hop off at one of the intermediate stations along this route, the buses will still service these stops.
Heading to one of the evening concerts at the Johan Cruijff ArenA next week? The NS advises you to find alternative transport due to the lack of trains to and from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station.
NS recommends checking their journey planner shortly before you leave for the most up-to-date information on your route.
Is your commute getting hit by the works next week? Drop a comment below and let us know how you’re planning to get around.
Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam lies a place that draws in tourists like Dutch people to a korting (discount) on cheese.
No, I’m not talking about the Red-Light District (that’s hardly a secret!), but the Begijnhof: a peaceful and historic courtyard in the middle of the bustling city.
I’d already read about this “secret” place, but I still wanted to find this hidden gem and explore it for myself. Luckily, I had a Dutch guide to help me locate the courtyard in the middle of the Singel, the innermost canal of Amsterdam’s canal system.
The origins of the Begijnhof
The Begijnhof was founded in the Middle Ages and is therefore at medieval street level — which is a metre below the rest of the surrounding streets.
The Begijnhof has a rich and storied history. Image: Freepik
It was originally a Béguinage, which refers to housing for Beguines. These Beguines were religious women who lived in a community together but took no vows and had more freedom than nuns.
Now a residential area and site of the English Reformed Church, the Begijnhof is a quiet place with a church and a few lovely old houses in the middle.
An archway and staircase in the tunnel also add to the feeling of secrecy as you descend and come out inside the courtyard.
So what’s the big secret of the Begijnhof?
Why is this spot touted as a hidden secret to be discovered? Well, as the church is invisible from the street, you don’t know it (or the courtyard) is there at all if you’re passing by.
A second reason is that there is another church within the courtyard which was originally a secret because of the Protestant takeover of Amsterdam in 1578.
When the main church was confiscated, the Beguines converted two of the houses into a chapel until religious freedom was restored in 1795.
Right in the heart of #Amsterdam there is bustle everywhere, but if you are looking for peace and quiet there is a secret place in the center, "De Begijnhof" it is wonderfully quiet area and full of history. ❤️🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/aqodUtAJC5
Along with these two historic churches, there is one last wooden building left in the Begijnhof courtyard: one of only two remaining wooden houses still standing in the centre of Amsterdam.
After a fire broke out in the 16th century, building wooden houses was banned in Amsterdam. Constructed in 1528, this solitary black house in the courtyard is the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam.
Not only is this spot historically interesting, but it is also a quiet, little oasis amidst the twisting and busy streets of the city right on the other side of the walls.
The Begijnhof is a little slice of calm in the bustling heart of Amsterdam. Image: Depositphotos
Unfortunately, it’s not a secret anymore. People often find their way into the courtyard to wander around, explore the churches, and take photos of the artwork, statues, and gardens.
It’s gotten so well-known that some of the areas are only open to residents, and you can no longer sit and picnic on the grass.
However, if you want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time, or if you just want to take a quiet moment from the busyness of the city outside, this spot is still worth some of your time.
(Even if just so you can say you discovered a not-so-secret courtyard and a secret church in the middle of the city!)
Have you visited the Begijnhof? Tell us in the comments below!
Riot police were called in, and an emergency order was issued after a demonstration against a new asylum shelter in Loosdrecht turned violent on Monday evening.
On the same day the facility received its first residents, around 400 people turned out to oppose the shelter. The new asylum centre is housed in the former Wijdemeren town hall.
As reported by RTL Nieuws, the atmosphere soured around 8:45 PM, when some in the crowd began hurling fireworks and lit flares at the building. Some bushes along the structure quickly caught on fire.
Fire service blocked by protesters
Flares reached the roof and set the surrounding bushes alight, the Gooi en Vechtstreek Safety Region confirmed with RTL Nieuws.
NH Nieuws reports that fire crews attempting to reach the scene were blocked by a section of the crowd before eventually breaking through and dousing the blaze. The Mobiele Eenheid (riot police) then made charges and scattered the crowd.
BREAKING: Brandweer wordt tegengehouden hier in #Loosdrecht en kan niet blussen. Naast de ingang van het gebouw nu een grote boom in de brand. Het is een grote chaos. pic.twitter.com/1Yfi4fH7iw
Translation: BREAKING: Fire brigade is being held back here in #Loosdrecht and cannot extinguish the fire. Next to the building entrance, a large tree is on fire. It is a major chaos.
A spokesperson for a safety region said it was unclear whether any asylum seekers were inside at the time.
Mayor Mark Verheijen declared a noodbevel (emergency order), citing what he described as “serious disturbances of public order,” requiring all those present to clear the area on police instruction until 9 AM Tuesday. By late Monday, police had made one arrest.
“Downright scandalous”
Prime Minister Rob Jetten was quick to condemn the scenes on X, calling them “downright scandalous.” The response came as anti-asylum protests have turned violent in several Dutch municipalities in recent months.
Prior demonstrations had already grown confrontational, which is partly why the municipality chose not to publish an exact arrival date.
With hantavirus making headlines across the globe, it’s only natural to be concerned about a possible outbreak in the Netherlands or what you should do if you think you’ve been exposed.
This May, three passengers died, and several others fell ill aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius — with experts now confirming the presence of the Andes variant of hantavirus on board.
As the Andes virus is mainly found in North and South America and does not occur outside the Americas, the RIVM confirmed that the risk of that variant spreading in the Netherlands is “very small.”
However, the Netherlands does have its own version of the virus. Here’s what you need to know, based on guidance from the RIVM, WHO, and other credible sources.
Hantaviruses or orthohantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. People typically become infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva.
While many variants of hantavirus have been identified worldwide, only a limited number are known to cause infections in humans.
In addition, your location matters a great deal, with the WHO noting that the virus can differ significantly by region.
In the Americas, infection can lead to hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart.
Meanwhile, in Europe and Asia, hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), primarily affecting the kidneys and blood vessels.
Which types of hantavirus are found in the Netherlands?
Three types of hantavirus are currently found in the Netherlands, each carried by a different rodent:
Puumalavirus (carried by bank voles),
Seoul virus (carried by domesticated rats),
and the Tula virus (carried by field mice).
Of the three variants, Puumalavirus is the most common, with a few cases occurring annually in the Twente and Salland regions.
The reassuring part is that the hantaviruses circulating in Europe, including the Netherlands, typically don’t spread from person to person and have a low mortality rate (around 1%).
The Andesvirus found on board the MV Hondius is a form of hantavirus endemic to the Americas. As reported by the RIVM, mortality rates are typically higher than those of European hantaviruses — around 30-50%.
However, infection is primarily spread through the urine or faeces of the rice rat, which aren’t found in the Netherlands or Europe.
What are the symptoms of hantavirus?
Symptoms of the hantavirus usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure, and are generally quite mild.
The most common symptoms include:
muscle pain,
headache,
fever,
and nausea.
Unlike their American counterparts, most European variants of the hantavirus are quite mild. Image: Magnific
Some of the less common symptoms may also include:
high fever,
vomiting,
pain in the abdomen and sides,
and poor vision.
The Seoul virus can also occasionally cause more serious complications, including liver inflammation, weakened leg muscles, and lower back pain (and very rarely, kidney failure or fever with internal bleeding).
How does hantavirus spread?
The virus is present in the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected rodents and can survive for up to two weeks, even after drying out.
The RIVM notes that you can also contract the virus through a bite from an infected rodent or by eating food that’s been contaminated. (So be wary of leaving food out if you’re in a house or area frequented by mice or rats.)
Activities that increase exposure risk include cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, farming, forestry work, and sleeping in rodent-infested dwellings.
If your dwelling has rats or mice, be especially careful when dealing with their droppings. Image: Magnific
What about the Andes variant of the hantavirus?
According to PubMed Central, the Andesvirus is unique among hantaviruses for its ability to spread from person to person through close contact. However, unless you have been in contact with an infected person, you are unlikely to catch this variant in the Netherlands.
Who’s most at risk from the hantavirus?
While chances are small, anyone can contract the hantavirus, with adults far more likely to be seriously ill from an infection than children.
According to the RIVM, people in the following groups are more likely to catch hantavirus:
farmers,
people who live or work in forested areas,
people who have frequent contact with mice or rats (both domesticated and wild), and
people who enter spaces that might host mice or rats (such as old houses, sheds, and holiday homes that haven’t been used in a while).
Let op:If you’re pregnant, the RIVM reports that severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) may lead to fetal complications.
While most infections of European hantavirus tend to be mild, always seek medical advice if you feel your condition worsening. Image: Magnific
Should I go to the doctor?
Because symptoms like fever and muscle aches can look like a standard flu, hantavirus is often missed.
Most people infected with European strains of hantavirus “recover completely by themselves”, though the RIVM notes that the process may take several weeks.
As such, there’s no specific treatment for a hantavirus infection. The CDC advises supportive care, which includes:
plenty of rest,
hydration,
and the treatment of individual symptoms.
However, you should always seek medical advice if you feel your condition worsening.
How to protect yourself from possible hantavirus infections
Although there’s currently no vaccine against the hantavirus, most European infections are relatively mild. To lower your chances of contracting the virus, here are some practical steps you can take.
Ventilate rooms or houses that have been sealed up: Open windows and doors for at least half an hour before entering a closed space, and leave the room while you do so.
Don’t forget your gloves: If you find droppings, a nest, or a dead animal indoors, remove everything with a damp cloth, place it in a sealed bin bag, and dispose of it with household waste. Always wear gloves when handling dead animals, droppings, or material from rodent nests.
Disinfect with bleach: After clearing the area, clean the surface with soapy water, then disinfect with a solution of 250ml of bleach in 10 litres of water. Leave it for five minutes, then rinse.
Never sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings: Sweeping or vacuuming dry rodent droppings may disturb particles and risk spreading the virus. As mentioned before, use a damp cloth and gloves.
Store food securely: Keep food in airtight containers so rodents aren’t attracted in the first place.
What are your best tips for keeping rodents at bay? Share them in the comments below.
A major EU climate policy will add a carbon surcharge to gas, petrol, and diesel for Dutch households, with renters and lower-income households bearing the brunt.
Called the ETS2, this European emissions trading scheme will now extend carbon pricing to households and road transport, not just heavy industry and aviation.
This means that from 2028, anyone burning gas for heating or filling up at the pump will pay a price for the CO2 their energy use produces.
To calculate the ETS2’s impact on Dutch households, the PBL (Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency) modelled two contrasting scenarios.
If you live in a small flat with a gas-fired central heating boiler (cv-ketel), and drive roughly 6,000 km a year, you can expect to pay around €10–20 extra per month by 2030.
Meanwhile, if you live in a large, detached house and drive 20,000 km a year, you face an extra €30–70 per month on top of your existing bills.
Prices will likely depend on your lifestyle, house, and the frequency with which you drive. Image: Dreamstime
At present, CO2 prices are uncertain, so these ranges are relatively wide. However, as Europe progressively lowers the cap on total permitted emissions, the available supply of carbon permits will tighten, pushing prices up.
And… you guessed it — those costs will be transferred to you, in the form of higher gas and petrol costs.
However, if you’ve already switched to an electric car and a heat pump, you won’t pay any of this. As the scheme is designed to make fossil energy progressively more expensive, switching to more renewable sources helps you avoid the price hike.
Is your wallet at risk?
PBL director Marko Hekkert warns that excessively high energy prices “lead to concerns about energy poverty and problems for specific groups of Dutch residents”, with ETS2 likely to be a contributing factor.
If you’re a renter, you’re going to feel the burn in your wallet. Without your landlord’s cooperation, you can’t insulate your home or switch to a heat pump, leaving you with rising costs and little ability to do anything about it.
While a share of ETS2 revenue will be funnelled back to vulnerable groups via the European Social Climate Fund, the PBL notes this covers only a modest portion of what’s collected.
In other words, it depends largely on your home type and how much you drive, and the Dutch government can’t simply opt out of the price.
Just ten days after the yearly Dutch commemoration, called Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day) and Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day), the inhabitants of Rotterdam have another infamous date to remember — May 14.
It was on this day, back in 1940, that a Nazi bombardment utterly destroyed the centre of Rotterdam.
The event is internationally known as the Rotterdam Blitz, while in the Netherlands it is referred to as het Bombardement (the bombardment).
The bombing of Rotterdam, aka the Rotterdam Blitz
Call it the Dutch equivalent of Pearl Harbour, if you will — the effect of the bombing of Rotterdam was as decisive as it was horrible.
After several days of fierce fighting, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands had come to a stalemate in Rotterdam.
Taken by surprise by the fierce resistance of the Dutch army, Hitler knew he had to break the spirit of the Dutch people as a whole.
Rotterdam after the bombing. In the background, we see the remains of the Sint-Laurenskerk on the Grotekerkplein. Image: Hendrik Sutterland/Wikimedia Commons/CC0 1.0
So it was that Nazi bombers dropped incendiary bombs over Rotterdam, quickly starting a fire that destroyed approximately 85,000 homes and ended the lives of nearly 900 people.
The Dutch were, at last, no match for the Nazi war machine.
Yielding to threats that the same fate would await Utrecht and Amsterdam, the Dutch surrendered unconditionally after the bombing of Rotterdam, marking the beginning of five years of Nazi occupation.
The bombing of Rotterdam: the legacy
How can we best keep this part of history preserved for future generations?
The most confrontational to the bombing of Rotterdam is, without a doubt, Ossip Zadkine’s statue De Verwoeste Stad (The Destroyed City).
A monument to Rotterdam’s tragic history, it can be visited at the main square. Image: Rene Boulay/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Located at a square named after the year 1940, the statue leaves the viewer with a haunting image of a soul in anguish, its heart torn out.
The Forgotten Bombardment of 1943
Though the Netherlands and Germany are BFFs today, het Bombardement has been an important reason why Dutch resentment against the Germans lingered long after World War II.
In this respect, it’s quite telling that another bombardment of Rotterdam took place during the war, which has remained unknown for a long time.
On March 31, 1943, a tragic mistake caused several dozen American B-17 bombers to drop their deadly load on Rotterdam residential areas, rather than at the Nazi military installations.
More than three hundred people lost their lives.
Fittingly named “The Forgotten Bombardment,” this historical event has been shrouded in silence for decades, until the unspoken ban was lifted in the 90s.
Rotterdam today
Rotterdam rose from the ashes to become a beacon of Dutch culture once again. Priding itself on its no-nonsense mentality, Rotterdam is a city teeming with life and innovation.
Home to some of the most well-known Dutch architectural pieces, such as the Euromast and the Kubuswoningen, Rotterdam’s skyline is truly iconic.
Sick and tired of savings accounts that offer you barely any interest? Well, we’ve got exciting news for you, as this bank is offering the highest interest rates available in the Netherlands!
German financial organisation Trade Republic has now increased its already generous rates to 3% interest on unlimited cash balances.
With interest calculated daily, you can also set your own withdrawal ranges, whether that’s weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly.
To put things into perspective, if you save €10,000 in an ordinary Dutch savings account with interest rates at around 1.25%, you’ll earn a measly €125 in 12 months.
At Trade Republic? You’ll earn €300 in the same amount of time.
That sounds great, but is my money going to be safe?
You can rest easy knowing that even if your money is off enjoying a nice pilsner and jägerschnitzel in Germany (and accumulating some deliciously high interest), it won’t give you the slip.
Any amount under €100,000 (or your equivalent local currency) per account holder per bank is protected by EU statutory deposit laws, irrespective of what happens to the bank that’s currently saving your money.
Which means, of course, that your deposits in Trade Republic are fiercely guarded by the law.
Will you be treating yourself to some fabulous interest rates at Trade Republic? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
Nestled near the centre of the Netherlands, you’ll find the lovely city of Amersfoort. If you’re looking to explore its cobblestoned streets, you’re probably asking yourself, well, what is there to do in Amersfoort?
The good news (nee, great news!) is that we have a heel handig list of 16 wonderful things to do in Amersfoort. From ancient water gates to contemporary art museums, Amersfoort has so much to offer.
Plus, being in the middle of the flatlands means that Amersfoort is super easy to get to from most major cities, making it a great option for a day or weekend trip!
The gate is operated by a treadmill, which is still in place today! In the past, the gates were opened and closed by a team of wheel-turners (raddraaiers) who had to all walk at the same time to open the treadmill.
As they walked, the treadmill would speed up, and it could be potentially fatal. It was a case of walk or die!
💰 Price: €10.50 for adults, €10.50 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Visits are on an appointment basis 📍 Location: Kleine Spui, 3811 BE Amersfoort
2. Get those steps in at Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren
Climb the hundreds of stairs of Our Lady’s Tower and enjoy the view! Image: Depositphotos
‘Our Lady’s Tower’ in Amersfoort measures 98.33 metres tall, and towers over the city. It will leave your neck aching — but it’s an incredible beauty to behold! 🙆♀️
The third-highest church tower in the Netherlands, the chapel building, was built in the 15th century, between around 1450 and 1470. It’s not only tall but also old!
If you’re visiting, you can climb to the top of the tower and even choose between afternoon and evening tours.
Having a browse at the exhibitions in kAdE is a great thing to do in Amersfoort. Image: Kunsthal kAdE/Supplied
At kAdE, you can enjoy live contemporary art with your own eyes. With so many different events and exhibitions, there’s something to do at almost any time of the year.
Being a kunsthal, or kunsthalle, a museum which holds temporary exhibitions on a rolling basis, at kAdE, you can catch the exhibitions changing roughly every 3 months. Meaning, no matter what time of the year you go, there will be something to catch your eye!
And, if you’re looking for a good post-museum shop, you can visit the store inside. Or, if you wanted to make your art, take a peek at the studio on site!
💰 Price: €16 for adults, and free for under 18s ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Eemplein 77, 3812 EA Amersfoort
Located in the birth house of Piet Mondrian, a famous Dutch painter from Amersfoort, this museum can teach visitors a lot about art history!
Converted into a museum in 1994, it has been open to the public ever since. The museum is also interactive; you can create your art in the DIY studio.
Or, if you want to drop the paintbrush and let those legs wander, you can go on a city walk with the museum!
💰 Price: €13 for adults, €8 for children (6–17), free under 6 ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Kortegracht 11, 3811 KG Amersfoort
5. Make friends with the monkeys at Amersfoort Zoo
Enjoy the adorable lemurs at Amersfoort zoo.Image: Depositphotos
The zoo is great for a relaxing date or even a day-long family activity! Admire the wonder of the graceful lions and playful meerkats while you wander along. 🦁
Fun fact: your own little monkeys (children) can actually climb through the zoo and see the animals from above on the ‘Climb Everything’ route.
💰 Price: €31.50 at the door (€29.50 online) for adults; €27.50 at the door (€25.50 online) for children (tickets are cheaper online!) ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM 📍 Location: Barchman Wuytierslaan 224, 3819 AC Amersfoort
With weekly markets held every Friday and Saturday, you will surely find some goodies at Hof Square!
If you wanted to learn something mystical, there are local legends of a dragon who sits underneath the fountain in the square. Perhaps ask the locals, or find out more on a city tour — just don’t get burned!
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Market open Fridays (8 AM to 1 PM)and Saturdays (9 AM to 5 PM) 📍 Location: 3811 CZ Amersfoort
7. Visit the beautiful Sint Joriskerk
Check out the inside of St. George’s church in Amersfoort. Image: Torsade de Pointes/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0
Located right by the Hof Square, you can easily pop into the Sint Joriskerk (otherwise known as St. George’s).
The church is open to tourists between Monday and Saturday. They can come inside and admire the old architecture.
For the kids, there is even an opportunity to play with some LEGO at the church and let their imaginations run wild! 👷♂️
💰 Price: €3 for adults, free for children under the age of 12 ⏰ Opening hours: Varies by season; usually 11 AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Hof 1, 3811 CJ Amersfoort
8. Wander along the Langegracht canal
Enjoy a romantic and scenic stroll along the canals in Amersfoort. Image: Depositphotos
Wondering what the best thing to do is for a chill, but romantic, date?
Walk along the historical canals in Amersfoort! Start at the Langegracht canal at the city’s centre, and let your legs carry you away while you admire the beautiful city. 😍
9. Immerse yourself in Dutch history at the Flehite Museum
Even in the snowy winter, you can learn some Dutch history at the Flehite Museum. Image: Depositphotos
At the Flehite Museum, you’ll find a permanent exhibition in which eye-witnesses to WWII recount their stories and life tales, to provide insight into the true horror of the past.
Aside from this exhibition, there are lots of exhibitions always running on history and art, so you’re sure to find something engaging!
The museum is located in three historic houses built into the city wall during the Late Middle Ages, so not only will you learn about Dutch history, but you will also see some unique Dutch architecture.
💰 Price: €16 for adults, free for children ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 1o AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Westsingel 50, 3811 BC Amersfoort
10. Marvel at a 14th-century water gate at Monnikendam
Visit the Monnikendam in Amersfoort and see the past come alive. Image: Depositphotos
Right at the Monnikendam in Amersfoort, you’ll come across an elderly water gate still standing from the 14th-century.
Centuries-old, the water of the Heiligenbergerbeek still flows beneath it, and you can have a look at the gate for yourself!
Though the houses aren’t so young anymore, you can still wander along the stretch of road that they call home. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the Flehite Museum is hidden along this stretch, too. 👀
12. Step back into history at the Mannenzaal van het St Pieters en Bloklands Gasthuis
On the inside of the Mannenzaal, you can see the original beds for the old and sick. Image: JohnBoers/WikimediaCommons/CC 3.0
The Mannenzaal van het St Pieters en Bloklands Gasthuis (or Men’s Hall at St. Peter’s) is a remarkably preserved 16th-century almshouse.
The men’s hall was built as part of St. Peter’s church in Amersfoort. Originally a home for the sick and old, the Men’s Hall was open from 1390 and is now a monument to Dutch history.
With 22 preserved box beds and the original headboards, you can step into the past in this museum.
💰 Price: €6 for adults, €3 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Check seasonal availability (usually open in summer/holidays) 📍 Location: Westsingel 47, 3811 BB Amersfoort
13. Visit Sint Jorisplein Shopping Centre to get your fashion fix
Get some shopping in at Emiclaer Shopping Centre. Image: Unsplash
For all your shopping cravings, pop into the Winkelcentrum (shopping centre). Here in Amersfoort, you can shop for anything you need (or desire!).
The shopping centre is very modern, with terraces where you can sit and grab a latté inside. ☕
Take a tour of the brewery, and learn about the history of Dutch beer-making while you sip away. Or, opt for a canal trip while you drink, at only €16.50 per person.
💰 Price: Adults only; €24.50 for the brewery tour ⏰ Opening hours: Wednesday–Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–7 PM 📍 Location: Kleine Spui 18, 3811 BE Amersfoort
15. Take in some beautiful art at the Musiom
The art inside the Musiom will leave you stunned. Image: Musiom/Supplied
Another museum for contemporary art in the centre of Amersfoort, the Musiom offers lots of sculptures and paintings from Dutch artists born in the 1950s.
The building where Musiom is established has been a church for multiple religions, a residential house, and now — a museum!
💰 Price: €10 for adults, free for children and students ⏰ Opening hours: Friday to Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Stadsring 137, 3817 BA Amersfoort
16. Check out the Cavaleriemuseum
Check out the cavalry vehicles in Amersfoort! Image: Ben Bender/WikimediaCommons/CC 3.0
The Cavaleriemuseum is housed across two buildings in Amersfoort. Showcasing a huge amount of cavalry items and history, there is something for anyone curious about war items here!
The museum also has space for temporary exhibitions, so you can experience both history and art while visiting.
Make sure to check out the cavalry vehicles they have on display when you’re there! 🛺
First, there was the Danish hygge, then there was the Dutch niksen, and now the Netherlands brings you the latest in lifestyle wonders: uitwaaien.
Uitwaaien may very well be the next big thing. It’s the cure-all to everything life throws at a Dutch person! Stressed? Go uitwaaien. Anxious? Go uitwaaien. Need to relax? Go uitwaaien.
But what exactly is this Dutch phenomenon? A state of mind in the liberal Netherlands? A mythical exercise like yoga or pilates? Well, actually, it’s ridiculously simple.
Read on, and we’ll tell you what on earth uitwaaien is, what it can achieve, and how to do it like a pro.
What is uitwaaien?
The word literally means “blow out.” That’s not helpful, because it sounds like something that would get you arrested. However, uitwaaien is quite simply an untranslatable word: there is no English equivalent.
Go to the beach, clear your head, and let the wind take all your worries. Image: Freepik
The closest we can get to giving this singular word meaning in English is ‘to walk with the wind’. Sounds…spiritual. Also, a lot longer than one single Dutch word, because those Dutchies are efficient! ⌚
But don’t go writing uitwaaien off alongside incense and Ouija boards: it’s an incredibly simple and useful practice that is used by most Dutchies at some point in their lives. It’s easy, requires no training, and just feels really, really, good.
I love the Dutch word “uitwaaien” which means “to go out in windy weather, particularly into nature, as a means of refreshing oneself and clearing one’s mind.” 🌬️ 🌳
It’s one of the simplest Dutch activities — in fact, you’ve probably done it before without even realising it. Follow our simple three-step guide to uitwaaien for best results:
Walk outside.
Feel the wind blowing against your hair, clothes, and body.
There is no step three.
That’s it! Feel the stress melt away from your body, the wind whisks away any troublesome thoughts, and be the best Dutch version of yourself you can be. 💪
Where should I go uitwaaien?
Ooh, we sense someone itching to improve themselves! You go, [reader]! Alright, there’s only one rule: you should be outside.
Best place to go uitwaaien? The beach, where there is a lot of wind! Image: Depositphotos
The best places to clear your head are either the beach (and we have some great recommendations!) or the countryside. Why? Fewer buildings to obstruct the wind = more wind = improved uitwaaien. Promise!
Who can I go with?
Anyone you want. You can do this with yourself, and you. But you can also choose to enjoy it with a friend, a group, family, or colleagues.
Just remember: if you’re stressing about doing uitwaaien well enough, you’re not doing it well. Relax. 😌
When should I go?
Any time between 00:00 and 23:59. You can go out with the sole purpose of doing it, or it can be entirely coincidental. Any more questions?
Have you tried this Dutch phenomenon before? How did it make you feel? Tell us in the comments below!
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