Fantastic news for those of us in the Netherlands â a heatwave is in our midst! Well, fantastic if you like the heat, of course.Â
After last Friday’s tropical hot weather, you’d think that summer has peaked and that we’re back to our regular dreary Dutch weather â but you’d be wrong. While the start of this week is relatively cool, we’ll have more tropical weather later this week, reports Weerplaza.
The weather pre-heatwave
Tuesday will be a relatively cool, like today, however without any showers. The temperature will be around 22 degrees.
The temperature will start to pick up after Wednesday. There will still be the chance of a smattering of rain, but we’ll be having 25 degrees that day.
The summer weather will really start to shine from Thursday, reaching temperatures of between 25 to 31 degrees.
Chance of a heatwave
Warm tropical air will arrive on Dutch shores from Friday. We may experience a full-blown heatwave. Temperatures could rise to 37 degrees in some areas, particularly in the south-east. The Netherlands officially considers it a heatwave if temperatures are over 25 degrees five days in row, three of which must be over 30 degrees.
Whatever the case, stock up on sunscreen for the coming days and stay hydrated!
An accident in Oos last night has lead to one person injured and a car completely in flames.
NOS reported that a vehicle collided with a police car. One of the victims deceased, while another was taken to the hospital. The condition of the police officer is currently unknown.
A lot of the details surrounding the accident are not yet known. From initial reports, it seemed the car collided with the back of the police car. The car then went off into some bushes where it stopped and caught on fire. Debris was thrown around the scene and according to bystanders, two other cars were also damaged.
A Polish man who tried to save some children in the water near Julianadorp has been found dead.
The incident happened this Sunday afternoon, reports NOS. The man was 37 years old and from Poland. He tried to save three children who went into the waters. The children managed to return to the shores safely, but the Polish man disappeared.
He later washed ashore, where rescue services attempted to resuscitate him. Taken to the hospital, he, unfortunately, passed away.
The Coast Guard warned that there were strong currents on Sunday afternoon. A 15-year-old child was also found dead near Monster after he was carried out at sea by the strong currents last Friday. He wasn’t the only child to succumb to the seas in the past months, and a 14-year-old girl was also found after drowning near Ameland some weeks ago.
Two people were arrested upon landing in Ibiza on Friday, after a fight on a KLM flight.
NOS reported that a drunken man refused to wear a face mask on a KLM flight, which lead to a fight with other passengers. Masks are mandatory on all KLM flights.
âStoppen nu, er zijn kinderen hiero!âKnokpartij op @klm vlucht naar Ibiza. Dronken passagier weigert mondkapje te dragen âď¸
— The Mic High Club Luchtvaart Podcast (@MicHighClub) August 2, 2020
A spokesperson from KLM reported that the fight took place on Friday. The flight was on-route from Schiphol to Ibiza. Further details are a bit sketchy, but from this thread in this tweet on it we learn that the shirtless man was in fact, surprise, British (Scottish even). His buddy and he were arrested when landing at Ibiza.
We’re going to Ibiza and so many other things happening
There are countless of other details happening in this video; the other people without masks, the drunken swing by the bald guy, the friendly chat while there are like 3 knees on the dude’s back, the ‘will-someone-please-think-of-the-children-cliche’ and the fact that this song was playing in the back of your head.
After somewhere a bit different in Rotterdam? Have you done the other Rotterdam sights to death and looking for somewhere new to explore? Well, Rotterdam actually has a few beaches and lakes for you to enjoy – some a little more hidden than others. And with this beautiful summer that we are having, now is your time to go and visit them. So without further ado, here are 6 lakes and beaches in Rotterdam for you to enjoy this summer in Rotterdam.
1. The Esch
We’ll start with the smallest beach. Don’t judge a book by its cover though – this small little collection of sand has some of the best views over the Rotterdam skyline. That’s definitely something beaches don’t usually have. If you get here earlier enough, you can blag a patch here to sunbathe and to dip your feet in the water. As you can see, it’s located on the south-side of the river. Get there early though, as you can’t fit many people here.
Now this is what you call a beach! Hoek van Holland is a large and beautiful beach that is located only 30 mins away from the center. It has water sports, shops, bars, restaurants and ample space to sunbathe and swim. It’s accessible by car or train and definitely isn’t as cramped as other big beaches. If you’re looking to park though, come early! Think Scheveningen, yet a Rotterdam version.
3. Nesselande
There is plenty of space for you to enjoy at Nesselande. With great views, skating, food and ice cream and the opportunity to BBQ on the beach, then why not enjoy what it has to offer? It’s also super easy to get to, which makes it even more of a bonus. Again, this is one of those places where it is best to get there early. However, there is nothing stopping you from going there just for a nice walk or cycle.
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4. The Kralingse Plas
This is a mixture of both ‘park’ and ‘beach’ – with lots of fresh grass and a lovely sandy patch. There is also an outdoor slide in the water ( not just for kids đ ) and plenty of wildlife too. Don’t worry, they also have toilets and restaurants, so there is ample facilities. It’s basically a lovely area, surrounded by grass, trees, water and sand. The perfect spot to take your family for the day!
5. Maasvlakte 2
From this beach you have views of the port, lots of sand, a kids play area in the water and places to swim. It’s the perfect place to take your family. However, careful of the water here though, as the tide has been known to be strong. Other than that, it’s a beautiful place to lay down your sunbed and catch some rays.
This little beach is located in Heijplaat, which is a little village located within the port of the Rotterdam. If you head down the little “secret” path, alongside the houses, you’ll find yourself on this quiet beach. You can sunbathe and watch the ships pass by between the ports. It’s the perfect place to escape from city life or to go for a quiet walk. Again, this is popular with the locals, so it can get pretty busy.
So, there you have it. 6 new places for you to head to this summer in Rotterdam. Which is your favourite?Â
Do you have any nice spots or beaches in Rotterdam that you love to go to? Let us know in the comments. While you’re here, don’t forget to join our DutchReview Facebook group – c’mon, you know you wanna! đÂ
Thinking about going to the beach today, given that it’s the hottest day of the year? Well, so did the rest of the Netherlands.
The trains are also completely packed. According to the NOS, in the trains from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandvort, it is impossible to maintain social distancing. Additional trains have been deployed to handle the influx of beachgoers.
The roads going to the coast are full of beachgoers. The roads going to Zaandvort and Castricum are filled with traffic jams, reports NOS. Meanwhile, an accident on a highway has led to a traffic jam of more than 20 kilometres, according to Omroep Zeeland.
Ga je vandaag de weg op? Houd rekening met files en vertragingen door recreatie- en vakantieverkeer. đđ Onze collega's houden je in een #liveblog op de hoogte van het laatste nieuws rondom de #vakantiefiles.đ https://t.co/Ohy773ZV5n
The municipality in Noordwijk has also requested that people stop coming by car, as all parking spaces are full. People can still come with public transport and bicycles, however.
Extra measures are being taken to enforce social distancing. Some roads and parking spots have been closed and more enforcers have been deployed throughout the beach municipalities.
Also on a rush today to the beach? Try your best to stay safe and respect social distancing!
Summer is finally here! At least for today, as the weather will drop back to around 20 degrees at the start of next week.
The highest temperature of 36 degrees will be reached in the south-east of the country. The rest of the country will have temperatures around 30 degrees, except for the north, where the weather will be slightly cooler, reports Weerplaza.
Tonight will also be a warm night, so if you’re not a fan of getting sunburned, an evening walk should definitely be very enjoyable. No matter what you do today, wear sun protection. One layer won’t be enough, so remember to use lotion several times throughout the day and to hydrate well. If you’re feeling nauseous from the heat, avoid being outside in the sun altogether.
Starting with tomorrow, the heat will slowly disappear, as cloud coverings will also increase. Bummer, we know, but a bit of a summer shower tomorrow will surely be useful to cool ourselves off.
By Sunday and Monday, the temperature will drop to 19 degrees. However, the temperature might pick up again later next week.
Are you prepared for today’s sunshine? What are you planning on doing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Up to 5,000 KLM jobs will be lost in the coming years due to the coronavirus crisis.
The airline company made the announcement this morning in a press release.
The company will be removing jobs in several ways. First, they will not renew temporary contracts, causing the loss of 1,500 FTE. There will also be a voluntary departure scheme worth 2,000 FTE. The company is also counting on 500 full-time jobs being lost to natural attrition in both 2020 and 2021.
KLM CEO Pieter Elbers explained that the company has tried to adapt to the new reality. “Unfortunately, that is not enough and more needs to be done as soon as possible to secure KLM’s future.”
The company has been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, as revealed by their quarterly reports published last night. The company lost âŹ483 million in the second quarter and sales decreased substantially by 75%. KLM will also need to pay back âŹ1.6 billion to customers for cancelled plane tickets.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam will be the first Dutch municipalities that require people to wear a face mask in certain areas only.Â
From next Wednesday, August 5, anyone over the age of 13 will be subject to the new rule while walking on streets or inside shops in the designated areas.
It has been emphasized that this is not a replacement for social distancing â people are still expected to keep 1.5 metres away from each other.
In Rotterdam, people will need to wear a face mask in shopping areas in the centre, such as the Coolsingel, Lijnbaan, De Meent, and Nieuwe Binnenwegplein. Markets on the Visserijplein, Afrikaanderplein, and the Binnenrotte will also have the rule, and so will the covered shopping malls Alexandrium and Zuidplein.
We gaan het dragen van een đˇmondkapje vanaf woensdag 5 augustus verplichten in het Wallengebied, in de winkelstraten Kalverstraat/ Nieuwendijk en op de markten op Plein â40-â45 en de Albert Cuypstraat. Hou ook met een mondkapje op 1,5 meter afstand. â¤ľď¸ https://t.co/qxXXYSkb5K
In Amsterdam, this includes the Red Light District, the shopping streets Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, and in the markets on Plein ’40 -’45 and Albert Cuypstraat.
Why have municipalities implemented this rule?
The decision by the municipalities comes after weeks of speculation about whether a nationwide rule would be announced. The Dutch government has decided not to take a stance on the issue but agreed Wednesday to allow municipalities to experiment.
Do you agree with this being implemented in Amsterdam and Rotterdam? Should it be compulsory elsewhere in the Netherlands too? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Many of us are staying at home this year, and forgoing a holiday abroad. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a vacation! Tilburg has set itself up to be the Vacation City of the Netherlands this year, and boy, have they done a good job.
From an urban beach to a shopping and drinking, Tilburg has created awesome holiday vibes this year. We’re going to run you through our six favourite holiday spots in Tilburg this year in this article. But if you need more, then head over to Ticket to Tilburg: they have all the tips you could ever need about the hotspots and hidden gems of one of the coolest cities in the Netherlands.
Tilburg has really thrown itself into making the city into the best vacation city of the Netherlands. They have created a series of 12 postcards which you can collect at 12 different locations around Tilburg for free! Not only do you get some really cool souvenirs and some extra-holiday vibes, but you’ll also be making sure you see some of the best spots in the vacation city of the Netherlands this year.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Tilburg (how dare you), the lovely folks at Ticket to Tilburg have also created a special map for you to use to explore the city, which you can find here. This also has the 12 hotspots marked on it, along with some useful information about each spot.
Now then, without further ado, let’s jump right into our top six things you can check out in Tilburg while you’re holidaying there- whether you’re popping by for a day trip, or spending a few weeks there.
Pull up to the drive-in cinema
We all know that summer in the Netherlands doesn’t necessarily mean good weather, so it’s always a good idea to have activities planned that aren’t sun-reliant. That’s exactly what Tilburg’s Drive-In Cinema is perfect for. Drive-in cinemas are usually a predominantly American affair, but Tilburg is bringing it to the Netherlands and giving it a unique twist to boot. There will be live performances to accompany some of the films, and you’ll also be able to order snacks to your car simply by turning your hazard lights on. You can check out the full programme here (but hurry, it’s ending soon!).
Life is Beachy: Tilburg’s urban beach
No better spot for a holiday than Tilburg’s urban beach. Image: Ben Smit
What better spot is there  to have a holiday than an urban beach? Not only do you have an open air cinema, beach yoga, and a campfire to enjoy, you also have the bustling city of Tilburg literally right outside the beach. Itâs the perfect balance of a city stay and a beach vaycay. Beachy will be open every day from 12:00 to 00:00, and most importantly for the Dutch among us, entrance is completely free. The exact address is Goirke Kanaaldijk 44, and thereâs plenty of parking available if you donât want to bike there. The urban beach is set to remain for at least the next three years.
If you’re more of a park person, check out the spoorpark in Tilburg for your fix:
The beautiful Wandelbos, perfect for a walk during your vacation. Image: Evelien Oerlemans/merktilburg.nl
In our opinion, no holiday is complete without a bit of nature, and Tilburg is the perfect spot to go to for some greenery as well. From the beautiful Wandelbos to the enchanting Heidelpark, there are so many options. Our personal favourite in the summer months, though, is taking a trip to the Koningshoeven Abbey and getting a beer there. The abbey makes La Trappe beer, and on a summer’s day, there’s nothing quite like sipping a cool beer in the beautiful abbey grounds. You can also check out some great walking and biking routes around the city if you fancy a more active holiday.
Check out the urban scene in Tilburg
Let us take you through this guide through Tilburg step-by-step (sorry) Image: DutchReview.
When you’re visiting a city for a holiday, one thing you absolutely have to do is get a feel for the character of the place. There’s really no better way of doing this than checking out its urban scene. In Tilburg, you’ve got the added advantage of being able to take an e-step around the city- in most of the Netherlands, these are illegal. Stepping around the city makes it really easy to explore, and to check out all the different hotspots for street art and  cool shops and bars.
Explore the museums of Tilburg
The Natuurmuseum is a great spot to bring kids. Image: Maria van der Heyden
Another rainy-day holiday activity is going to a museum, and in Tilburg, you’ll have your pick! You can go to De Point for contemporary art, the Natuurmuseum for natural history, and the Textielmuseum to learn about Tilburg’s textile industry. They’re all quite easy to walk between, even if you haven’t acquired an e-step for yourself. Plus, there’s enough museum variety in Tilburg to find something for everyone, from dinosaur-obsessed kids to the art critic in the family.
Hikes, bikes, shops and drinkstops
Perhaps you didn’t care for any of the previous entries and just want to go for a nice bikeride or do some shopping and drinking (who doesn’t?). Well, good news, both Tilburg and DutchReview have you covered. Here’s our article on walking and cycling through and around Tilburg (leave us some tips in the comments if you have any!).
Tilburg is also an excellent city for shopping and exploring the cultural and culinary scene of the Netherlands’ sixth city. We did all that and you can find all that goodness in our guide on shopping, eating and drinking in Tilburg.
One last thing…
Summer is here, but so is coronavirus. We encourage you to have fun this summer and to explore all the Netherlands has to offer, but make sure you keep to the coronavirus regulations. Wash your hands regularly, keep 1.5m from other people, and stay home and get tested if you have possible coronavirus symptoms.
Will you be heading to Tilburg for your holidays this summer? Let us know in the comments below.
