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See the magical Dutch flower gardens and the dunes in a unique way

Juni Moltubak
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See the magical Dutch flower gardens and the dunes in a unique way

Flowers are a must-see for any tourist (and local) in the Netherlands, but did you know you don’t have to wait until next spring to experience the beautiful Dutch landscape?

Most places you can spot flowers in the Netherlands are also conveniently located close to the mesmerizing dune landscape of the Dutch coast, and theyโ€™re the perfect addition to a trip away from bustling city life.

Now, you can experience both the flowers and the grand Dutch dunes in one go โ€” in quite a special way, may we add.

Experience the Dutch landscape like never before with Renzy

So, what makes this experience so unique? Renzy will take you on a self-guided tour of all the main sights and nature areas of South Holland โ€” all while driving in 100% electric Renault Twizy (2-seated) vehicles.ย 

Equipped with both a GPS and an audio guide, you can easily spend hours cruising around, covering vast areas of the stunning Dutch countryside.

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Zoom around the Dutch countryside like never before! Image: Renzy/Supplied

The fully electric nature of the vehicles means that the tour is as silent as a library, so you can enjoy nature without any disturbance to yourself, other people, or the environment around you.

In other words, Renzy offers probably one of the most comfortable ways you can explore Dutch nature. 

couple-taking-a-selfie-in-flower-fields-on-date-with-Renzy-tours
The perfect spot for an Insta shooting. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Image: Renzy/Supplied

Sure, the Dutchies might prefer to bike wherever they go, but cycling is not always the best option.

For those of us with tons of stuff to carry (hello, families with children), or those who want to see EVERYTHING in one day (hello, ambitious tourists), a little vroomer might just be the key to a successful sightseeing tour. ๐Ÿš—

Colourful flower fields? Magical dunes? Hereโ€™s the lowdown

Tulip season might be over, but the Dutch countryside is still full of blossoming flowers. And, of course, the dunes are as beautiful as ever. So, why not beat the crowds and explore the Dutch landscape on your own accord, in your own time?

Woman-smiling-sitting-in-renzy-car-on-tour-around-Dutch-flower-fields
The humble summer flowers are less known than the classic tulip, but just as beautiful! Image: Renzy/Supplied

If you missed out on the tulip season this year, or if you’re simply down for some flower and dune action, a Renzy tour is perfect for your bucket list.

Renzyโ€™s Dune & Summer Flower Tour will take you (and one other person) through the most quintessentially Dutch three hours of your life, for only โ‚ฌ85.

Hey! Know someone who would love a Renzy tour? Whether you want to surprise an adventurous friend, your partner or a parent, a Renzy gift card is the way to do it! ๐ŸŽ

What will these three hours consist of? 

As the name suggests, you’ll cruise around the most beautiful flowers the Dutch summer has to offer and explore miles of mighty dunes along the way. 

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The core of Dutch nature is in the Bulb- and Dune region. Image: Renzy/Supplied

And, of course, you can easily stop your Twizy for a break, a picnic, or a photo sesh โ€” no nature sightseeing would be complete without it.

It certainly helps that our backdrop will be gorgeous. The tour takes place in the so-called Duin- en Bollenstreek (“Dune- and Bulb Region”). Youโ€™ll find this region in the very heart of Holland, and you simply cannot miss it if you wish to experience real Dutch nature.

The most common summer flower in the Bulb- and Dune region is (perhaps surprisingly) not the tulip but the dahlia flower.ย 

The summer flowers and dahlias come in numerous varieties, colours, and expressions, and the wonderful show gardens are rapidly becoming one of the most popular attractions for late summer tourists. 

photo-of-Dutch-couple-walking-in-dutch-flower-garden
Park your Renzy for a lovely stroll around the show gardens! Image: Renzy/Supplied

The summer flowers are also present for a (surprisingly) long time, meaning you can enjoy their beauty all the way into October. Forget the pumpkin patches! 

All you need to know about Renzy’s flower cruiser

“How and where and when can I book it!?” we hear you scream, and fear not, here’s everything you need to know about the Dune & Summer Flower Tour.

When can I go?

The Dune & Summer Flower Tour is open from August 13 until October 16, so you have no time to lose.

You can either book a timeslot in the morning or in the afternoon, and the tour is available every day of the week โ€” except for Mondays.

Where will it take me?

All around the Dune and Bulb Region, of course! More specifically, the tour is a fixed route, with set stops, including a stop at the summer flower and Dahlia Bulb Farm, and the gorgeous flower show garden at Castle Keukenhof.

couple-walking-through-flower-fields-on-date-with-Renzy-tours
The perfect date idea! Image: Renzy/Supplied

Youโ€™ll be lucky enough to see one of the largest summer flower and Dahlia show gardens in Europe, with more than half an acre and 150 different varieties to show off, as August-October is the perfect time for a visit.

How much does it cost?

One vehicle can carry two adults (or one adult and one child), and the three-hour tour costs โ‚ฌ85 (excluding a โ‚ฌ150 deposit) in total.ย 

The โ‚ฌ85 will get you everything you’ll need for the self-guided tour (okay, except snacks): 

  • a fully charged vehicle for two persons,ย 
  • a GPS, so you don’t get lost in the wild,ย 
  • and an audio guide with the option of Dutch, English, or German language

With all this, you’ll be able to enter the beautiful summer flower gardens, and cruise around the dunes!

What’s important to know before booking?

Now there are a few important things to consider before you hop on and book your Renzy tour.

First of all, you need to be at least 21 years old, and you need to have had your driver’s licence for at least three years. 

Also, check if you need to have an international driver’s licence โ€” some people do.

If you’ve got that sorted, you’re set to go ahead (yay!), unless you’re pregnant, a wheelchair user, or have back and/or heart problems. This is for your own health and safety.

You might also want to note that alcohol is prohibited, so save your borrel biertje for after the tour! 

Will you be exploring the Dutch dunes and summer flowers? Tell us about your plans in the comments below!

World’s first ever ‘bike laundrette’ opens in Amsterdam

Gaelle Salem
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World’s first ever ‘bike laundrette’ opens in Amsterdam

Put away the bucket and hose, Amsterdam now has its very own bicycle laundrette โ€” taking the prize for the most Dutch thing we’ll hear all week. ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿšฒ

Dutch citizen, Jeroen Buitenhuis, went the extra mile to find a solution for struggling folks who donโ€™t have the time or space to clean their bikes at home.

Well, in a country renowned for having more bicycles than humans, a fast-and-friendly bike washing service can certainly come in handy! ๐Ÿ‘Œ

500 bikes cleaned, 23 million to go

Nederlanders are flocking to get their bikes cleaned, with Buitenhuis already polishing over a whopping 500 different bicycles. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

โ€œEvery day, people come in and see a bike wash on the window. They ask, ‘is this what I think it is?’ and immediately make an appointment. Some even come from Rotterdam and Utrecht,โ€ Buitenhuis tells RTL Nieuws.

Are we really that surprised? When it comes to bikes, Dutch people can get a lil’ cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. ๐Ÿคช

Apparently, this is not your average bike wash. Buitenhuis is willing to clean and polish each and every bike from frame to bell, ensuring that youโ€™re left with a shiny, spotless bike for days.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #65: Use an e-bike when theyโ€™re older 

He even checked with professionals of Dutch bicycle racing team, JumboVisma, to master the art of cleaning bikes. A true connoisseur! We love to see it. ๐Ÿ˜‰

“Road bikes and gravel bikes have an open chain. They collect dirt, get dirty and wear out. Then you risk throwing them away. So it’s actually very logical to clean thatโ€, he says.

The origin of the bike laundrette

Itโ€™s common knowledge that a bike can only really live a long life if its chain is cleaned, de-greased, and re-greased on a regular basis. 

READ MORE | The flying Dutchies: 8 marvellous things about the Dutch and their bikes

However, when you live in a 19m2 apartment on the fourth floor, doing this isnโ€™t exactly the easiest of tasks. Buitenhuis himself faces this and saw an opportunity to create change.

Weโ€™re hoping that other fellow Dutchies follow in his footsteps and that we’ll soon see more bike laundrettes across the lowlands.

We’ll be waiting for some of that world-class washing and detailing! โฐ

What do you think about this initiative? Tell us in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

Push for 10,000 new (cheap-ish) homes to help housing shortage

Juni Moltubak
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Push for 10,000 new (cheap-ish) homes to help housing shortage

The Dutch housing shortage still has no end in sight, with the Own House Association (Vereniging Eigen Huis) now calling for change, with a petition pushing for more affordable and accessible housing.

Some plans are already in the making at the Dutch Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, with Minister Hugo de Jonge aiming to build 900,000 new houses over the next eight years.

Yet for now, only two-thirds of De Jonge’s fresh project has to be “affordable” houses, which according to the Ministry, means each house should cost a maximum of โ‚ฌ355,000.

That’s not good enough for the Own House Association, which is concerned that the annual income requirement of โ‚ฌ76,000 (which one would typically need to afford a โ‚ฌ355,000 house) is unrealistic for young people.

READ NEXT | Could โ‚ฌ20 billion from the government solve the Netherlandsโ€™ housing shortage?

Accordingly, the Home Ownership Association is now pushing De Jonge to limit the cost per house to โ‚ฌ260,000.

With this price, buying a house is at least somewhat feasible for young people who are just starting out in this (dreadful) housing market.

Petition at work

The Own House Association’s petition calls on De Jonge to ensure more affordable housing for young starters.

It also requests 10,000 new affordable homes to be built every year, to help deal with the intense housing shortage here in the Lowlands.

At the same time, it’s important to the association that the new houses hold certain standards.

After all, nobody wants to live in a house that looks and feels like a container (*cough* student housing *cough*), so it’s key that cheap (ish) houses still fill their function as a place one can feel safe, happy, and at home.

Have you experienced the housing shortage firsthand? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Four-day school week: some Dutch schools cut classes due to teacher shortage

Lea Shamaa ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ง
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Four-day school week: some Dutch schools cut classes due to teacher shortage

Children rejoice and parents panic: six schools in The Hague have switched to a four-day school week amid an ongoing struggle to find teachers.

The Dutch teacher shortage has pushed certain schools to cut back on working days. Instead, on Fridays, students still receive a home lesson programme โ€” yay, we guess?

The Hague Schools, an educational umbrella organisation, informed De Telegraaf that at least six primary school classes are going through with this new schedule due to the shortage.

For now, the schools that took the drastic measure remain unknown to the public.

Fewer teachers, less education

The Netherlands has been struggling with a shortage of teachers for years. There are various job vacancies for teachers and other teaching staff in the Hague, writes RTL Nieuws.

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The decision marks a return to at-home education for many children. Image: Freepik

A spokeswoman for The Hague Schools told De Telegraaf: “It is not the first time, and it will not be the last time that children temporarily go to school for four days instead of five.”

“We also have a substitute pool of employees that we can deploy, but that has also almost dried up. It is a very vulnerable situation.”

What happens now?

The PO council, the umbrella organisation of school boards for primary education in the Netherlands, assures that schools want to maintain the quality of their education.

The world has also learned a lot from online learning after dealing with the pandemic, so let’s hope that those home lesson programmes may not be all that bad. ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ Otherwise, there are always good options for tutoring.

How do you feel about the teacher shortage in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

Say ‘doei’ to summer for the weekend! Oh, and then say ‘hoi’ again

Juni Moltubak
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Say ‘doei’ to summer for the weekend! Oh, and then say ‘hoi’ again

If the stormy vibes yesterday made you prepare for autumn, you should stop right away.

The weather might be cooling down for a bit, but the temps will jump right back up next week.

After the intense heatwave last week, some more chill weather has been appreciated across the country. It’s not over yet, though, as next week will see temperatures over the 25 degree-mark again.

Bring out the sweaters

Thursday and Friday will stay at a freeeezing 24 degrees, according to RTL Nieuws. The cold times will last until the upcoming Monday across the country.

The cool tendencies will be accompanied by some much-needed showers. The Netherlands is facing a state of water shortage, and the otherwise green summer leaves look like crispy autumn instead.

No autumn in sight, yet

But the rain alone is not enough to do much for the dire water situation nowadays. With a ground that’s harder, drier, and more water-resistant than usual, it’s still going to take a while before the Dutch rain manages to make up for the unusually hot and dry summer.

READ MORE | Expected rain not enough to reduce water shortages in the Netherlands

And the blessing of rain will only last for a bit before the summer comes right back next week.

The climate will once again be hot and dry, and temperatures might reach tropical highs once again, writes Weerplaza. It’s not likely that we’ll have another heatwave, however, so you can look forward to summer temps without the lingering fear of dying from sweat and sleepless nights.

How are you spending the last few weeks of summer? Tell us in the comments below!

Residents of Dutch town want to buy hotel to stop reception of asylum seekers

Gaelle Salem
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Residents of Dutch town want to buy hotel to stop reception of asylum seekers

Locals of the Dutch village, Albergen, are looking to buy a hotel to stop the Dutch cabinet from letting heaps of asylum seekers in.

According to the NOS, the residents are strongly against the cabinetโ€™s decision to bring between 150 to 300 asylum seekers into 27 rooms in the hotel โ€” and are determined to buy the entire building.

The residents hung up signs around the hotel with messages that read, โ€œkeep Albergen clean,โ€ and “what are you doing to our beautiful little village?”.

Locals seek a solution: protests

Itโ€™s said that the hotel was already sold to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). Dozens of locals are peacefully protesting around the hotel.

READ MORE | Netherlands turns to cruise ships to help host asylum seekers

“I don’t know if that is still possible. But if so, there are sufficient financial options among the residents to actually take over the hotel and give it another destinationโ€, spokesperson, Hennie de Haan, tells RTV Oost.

โ€œThere was no other wayโ€

According to De Haan, Albergen is not against asylum seekers and has welcomed them to stay in the hotel before.ย 

However, this time, the residents feel strongly opposed because the cabinet failed to ask for permission from their municipality before deciding to bring asylum seekers in.

READ MORE | Hundreds of tents confiscated by police at Dutch asylum seeker centre

“It does not fit that the State Secretary just throws this over the fence,” says alderman, Bekhuis van Tubbergen. 

The State Secretary responded to the localsโ€™ frustrations, saying that they had no other choice than to allow the asylum seekers in because the Netherlands is just so full, and thereโ€™s nowhere else for them to go.

What do you think about the Albergen residents wanting to buy the hotel? Tell us in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

NS workers are about to go on strike: here’s how trains will be affected

Sarah O'Leary ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช
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NS workers are about to go on strike: here’s how trains will be affected

Planning on catching a train over the next two weeks? Well, you better double-check that it will actually be driving. NS workers are gearing up to strike โ€” and they’ve already got a plan.

The strikes will take place over 24 hours and will jump from region to region. They are expected to start next week, and for now, they will last two weeks.

However, if the NS doesn’t meet workers’ demands, we could be in for a whole lot more trouble, RTL Nieuws reports.

What will the upcoming NS strikes look like?

So, when will the strikes affect which regions? Here’s what we know so far:

  • The North Region โ€” August 24
  • The West Region โ€” August 26
  • The North-West Region โ€” August 29
  • The Middle Region โ€” August 30
  • The East and South Regions โ€” August 31

Why are NS workers striking?

If you have been making use of the trains at all over the past few months, you probably know the answer to this one.

On almost every timetable board, you’ve likely seen a message that runs along the lines of “Due to a personnel shortage, there will be fewer trains running. Please plan your journey in the NS app.”

READ MORE | Scrapping rides: NS continues to cancel trains due to staff shortages

While this is certainly a nuisance for commuters, imagine working in an environment that’s so short-staffed that you have to cut back on your services. NS workers aren’t having a good time of it either.

A wage increase and a bonus

Now, the trade union is putting its foot down. Negotiations for a collective labour agreement between the NS and the trade unions FNV, CNV, and VVMC have failed.

The unions had warned that if the NS did not agree to a labour agreement that would increase the salaries of its workers by โ‚ฌ100 per month and give each employee a โ‚ฌ600 bonus, strikes would follow.

READ MORE | Inflation in the Netherlands jumps to almost 12% percent: hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll pay more for

Surprise, surprise, the NS has not responded, hence this upcoming pickle. Huub van den Dungen, a negotiator for the FNV, expresses his outrage to RTL Nieuws:

“It is incomprehensible that NS is letting this matter. NS now leaves us no choice but to actually plan and implement actions and strikes.”

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup ๐Ÿ“ฎ

Amsterdam is the 3rd best city for bargain lovers in all of Europe

Gaelle Salem
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Amsterdam is the 3rd best city for bargain lovers in all of Europe

Thanks to its highly-rated flea markets, antique shops, and outlet stores, Amsterdam has been named one of the best places in Europe to strike a good bargain. 

At least according to experts from Confused.com, who studied the volume and quality of markets, antique stores, and outlets in 51 countries across Europe.

When it comes to bustling tourist sites, iconic coffee shops, and a liberal atmosphere, the Dutch capital is truly unmatched.

Nonetheless, as a city thatโ€™s known for being a costly money pit, we canโ€™t help but ask, โ€œwhere the hell are all these bargains at?โ€ ๐Ÿค”

What makes Amsterdam a good bargain?

The bargain hunters index reveals the best cities in Europe for bargain lovers, and Amsterdam has proudly snatched a top spot on the scale, scoring a whopping 8.09 out of 10! ๐Ÿคฉ

So, what exactly makes the dreamy capital city such a top player in the bargaining game? There are three main reasons:

Firstly, Amsterdam is one of Europeโ€™s ultimate cities for discounted clothing. Folks can fetch a good price for some apparel at any local clothing outlet because the city ranks 2nd highest on the scale!

READ MORE | Top! Amsterdam ranks as the 9th most liveable city in the world

Secondly, the capital has some of the finest and cheapest antique stores in Europe, with an overall rated score of about 4.5 out of 5 on the index.

This beats the Britsโ€™ rating for antique stores by 5 times as much. Not so shabby! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Last but certainly not least, Amsterdamโ€™s ever-present handful of markets continue to do good for the city, putting it at 3rd best on the list as a great place to get some bang for your buck.

Just take a look at all those vintage cameras! Take your pick. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Which other European cities made the list?

The Danes can drop their delicious pastries and high-five. At last, their capital city has been crowned the best in Europe to crack a good bargain! ๐Ÿ˜„

Why? Because the green capital of Copenhagen is home to the highest-rated markets in all of Europe and ranks 3rd for some real cheap antique stores too.

READ MORE | Amsterdam ranks in the top 10 dream cities to work in!

Following second on the list is Latvia’s capital, Riga, scoring 8.12 out of 10 on the bargain hunters index. 

Riga’s growing interest in sustainable fashion is ultimately what put them at second-best, with its antique stores and clothing outlets scoring high in Europe.

Curious to know if your country stands in the top 10? Take a look at the chart below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

CityRank
Copenhagen, Denmark1
Riga, Latvia2
Amsterdam, Netherlands3
Dublin, Ireland4
Budapest, Hungary5
Oslo, Norway6
Porto, Portugal7
London, UK8
Rome, Italy9
Helsinki, Finland10

What do you think about Amsterdam being the 3rd best city for bargain lovers? Tell us in the comments below!

Expected rain not enough to reduce water shortages in the Netherlands

Gaelle Salem
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Expected rain not enough to reduce water shortages in the Netherlands

As the drought has taken hold, the Netherlands is drier than ever โ€” and an upcoming visit from our old enemy (rain), is not enough to stabilise the water shortage. 

Low humidity, intense heat waves, and very little rain have been nothing short of surprising this summer, and our beloved Dutch rivers are paying the price. ๐Ÿ˜”

However, itโ€™s not yet a major cause for concern. The Water Shortage Management Team predict some rain coming our way, and won’t implement any new measures.

Rain rain, come again

If the weather forecast for the coming days follows through, the drought will stabilise, writes the NOS.

READ MORE | The Ultimate Guide to the Weather in the Netherlands

Until Friday, the Rhine and Meuse rivers are banking on a basketful of rain, which will hopefully bring their water levels up. ๐ŸŒง๏ธ

The Rhine is on the verge of breaking its 2018 record of 6.49 metres for the lowest supply of water at this time of year.

Operation issues

The water shortage is causing some major issues for operations involving agriculture, nature, and shipping.

There are long waiting times for shipping, and in some cases, the locks in the rivers and canals are blocked.

A ban was also placed on the abstraction of surface water to prevent any more water loss in agriculture and nature.๐ŸŒฑ

How are you coping with the Dutch drought? Tell us in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

Hundreds of tents confiscated by police at Dutch asylum seeker centre

Katrien Nivera ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Hundreds of tents confiscated by police at Dutch asylum seeker centre

Local entrepreneurs raised money to buy tents for asylum seekers sleeping outdoors in Ter Apel, Groningen. However, Dutch police removed them from the site late last night.

The asylum seekers’ centre has been overcrowded for months, and this was the second time that people had to sleep outside.

It was estimated that around 250 asylum seekers were going to have to sleep outdoors, RTL Nieuws reports.

No room inside

This was due to the fact that there was simply no more room within the centre. However, a campaign was launched to try to help.

Entrepreneurs in the area raised โ‚ฌ12,500 with a crowdfunding campaign to buy tents, which they then handed out on Monday evening.

However, last night, the mayor of Ter Apel and the security region decided to remove the tents. A spokesperson claimed the tents cause safety and hygiene problems, among other things.ย “We don’t know what’s going on in the tents.”

“This is not the solution”

“We really appreciate what these entrepreneurs have done, but it doesn’t offer the solution or make the work here easier.”

Police asked asylum seekers to return the tents in the middle of the night.

“The Mobile Unit has started removing blue tents purchased with crowdfunding money. Asylum seekers are allowed to stay overnight in front of the application centre.”

Frank Candel, director of the Dutch Council for Refugees, spoke to the local broadcaster RTV Noord: “This is inexplicable, this is terrible. I do not understand how you remove tents and do not provide a bus to take people to a hotel. Instead, 300 people are told: the tent has to go, but you can sleep here. But where?”

According to a spokesperson for the municipality, an emergency shelter was sourced for 60 people outside the asylum seekers’ centre.ย Everyone else, nearly 250 people altogether, spent the night outdoors.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup ๐Ÿ“ฎ

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