After years of failed promises and mounting fines, the Netherlands Labour Authority has had enough of Uber Eats.
The delivery platform could face a month-long ban in the Amsterdam region for repeatedly employing couriers without valid work permits.
The drastic measure would hit thousands of restaurants and delivery workers who rely on the platform.
But according to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Uber Eats has been leading authorities on a merry chase for years whilst illegal couriers continue delivering your pad thai.
Uber Eats keeps getting caught with its hand in the cookie jar
The numbers paint a damning picture. Since summer 2021, authorities have caught Uber Eats with illegal workers seven times, reports NRC.
During five separate inspections over five years, the Labour Authority (Arbeidsinspectie) found violations every single time.
Of 44 couriers checked by inspectors, a whopping 60% were working illegally. Even at the most recent inspection in February 2025, half the couriers lacked proper work permits, despite Uber Eats repeatedly assuring the ministry that its controls were now watertight.
The selfie checks weren’t checking much at all
Uber Eats introduced enhanced selfie verification to stop account sharing, where workers without permits use someone else’s account to deliver food. The company told courts this system made fraud impossible.
Spoiler: it didn’t. Inspectors discovered the checks were “easily circumvented.” Couriers could simply have the legitimate account holder take a selfie on a different phone.
At a December 2024 court hearing, Uber insisted identity fraud “basically doesn’t happen anymore.” Two months later, inspectors caught ten couriers — five were working illegally, three through identity fraud.
Why this matters
Employment without proper permits exploits vulnerable workers who lack legal protections.
The platform’s model particularly attracts undocumented workers who need no Dutch skills or diplomas and have no direct contact with Uber Eats.
Since early 2025, couriers are hired through temp agencies (uitzendbureaus) and paid hourly, after Dutch courts ruled delivery workers must be employees.
But workers delivering your dinner may still be operating without legal status, unable to access healthcare, and without the ability to report workplace issues.
What happens next?
The ministry confirmed its intention to impose a “preventative shutdown” during a December hearing at the Council of State (Raad van State). If approved, Uber Eats would be banned from operating in greater Amsterdam for a month.
The platform can appeal, triggering yet another legal procedure. Meanwhile, Uber commissioned research showing a ban would be catastrophic: restaurants would lose an average of 27% in revenue, and consumers would have “much less choice.”
A ministry spokesperson confirmed seven violations since 2021, with inspectors finding “multiple violations at every single inspection.”
Have you noticed fewer food delivery options in Amsterdam? Would a temporary shutdown push you towards cooking at home? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You haven’t celebrated Christmas in the Netherlands properly if you haven’t done gourmetten. Gour-what-en? Exactly.
If you’re the foreigner in a relationship and this is your first holiday season with the Dutch in-laws, you have a fifty-fifty chance of walking straight into a night of gourmetten. Same goes for a winter dinner party with Dutch friends.
What is it? How do you prepare? And how can you avoid poisoning yourself with an undercooked tiny chicken fillet? Stay calm and read on. It will be fine. (And filthy.)
What is gourmetten in the Netherlands?
Thou shall take a crapload of weird little meats, tiny pans, a raclette-like device and an enormous variety of side dishes and sauces. Combine it all, and FEAST!
In other words: Gourmetten is a beloved Dutch Winter tradition where everyone sits around a table and cooks their own food on a small, table-top electric grill. Gezellig!
The simple magic of meat, sauce and wine. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
It’s especially popular during Christmas, New Year, winter birthdays, or really any day that ends with the thought: “Let’s not cook. Let’s just plug that greasy old device in and hope for the best.”
Of course, it’s slightly looked down upon by the high-culture culinary crowd (what part of Dutch cuisine isn’t?) — but most regular Dutch folk consider the tradition a fitting way to stuff themselves with huge quantities of wine and meat.
The origins of this totally-not-Calvinistic tradition are unclear. Allegedly, two chefs toured the country in the ’70s in order to promote gourmetten to Dutch housewives. Originally, it was a thing of the Swiss people.
Secretly, the meat industry was behind this tour de carne, and their plan definitely worked. At least when my family does gourmetten, I can safely say that we boost that industry by a few kilos.
This is what Dutch dreams are made of. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
How does gourmetten work?
Easy: You take a table grill, plug it in, wait an eternity for it to heat up, and then fight for space like you are in a polite(-ish) Dutch version of the Hunger Games.
Each person gets a tiny pan and cooks their own selection of meats, vegetables or fish. Everyone then waits. And waits. And stares deeply at their pan as if willing the food to cook faster.
It is chaotic. It is greasy. And it is absolutely lekker.
What you will eat when gourmetting
The first rule of the Gourmetten Club is never to ask what the hell the meat consists of. Anyway, the main thing you’ll be eating is cheap baguettes and sauces. Besides that, you simply accept that the Albert Heijn gourmetschotel contains beef, chicken, turkey, pork, something beige and something beige-but-longer.
The one and only Dutch gourmetschotel. Image: Dreamstime
Because it takes a while to heat the device, your mom will continuously warn you about not starting the gourmetten process too soon. So inevitably, you will start to devour all the bread and little pots of sauces on the table first. This is a rite of passage.
Once the grill is finally hot and your tiny pan is buttered like a slippery ice rink, you will face the full Dutch gourmetten lineup. Obviously, all families have their own traditions, but there’s a certain amount of similarity with what’s on the menu:
Little beef steaks (gone in a blink, the Dutch uncle will poach these right at the start of dinner)
Little chicken fillets (“CHECK IF IT’S COMPLETELY COOKED THROUGH OR YOU WILL DIE FROM SALMONELLA”)
Little hamburgers (if your mother-in-law just chops up a big one, then just ditch your partner, you’re better than that)
Little turkey pieces (might be chicken, best to blacken it)
Some chopped onions, mushrooms and other veggies (because that makes it… healthy?)
Little slavinken (minced meat rolls with bacon wrapped around them — how can we say anything bad about that?)
Most supermarkets sell pre-packaged gourmet sets so you never have to make decisions. They also sell fish options, veggie options and even plant-based tiny things designed to grill.
If you host your own gourmet party, here is what you need for a flawless evening of Dutch table grilling chaos:
A gourmetschotel from any supermarket
Kilo after kilo of baguette
All the sauces you can fit on the table
A selection of vegetables to convince yourself you are balanced
Herbs, garlic butter and too much pepper
Cheap wine, good wine or both
A working table grill and enough tiny pans for every guest
Windows that can open wide for ventilation
If you like breathing, include that last one.
Gourmet etiquette: dos and don’ts of gourmetten in the Netherlands
Gourmetten is simple, but the social rules are not. Here is how to avoid becoming the foreigner who ruins Christmas.
⏰ Timing and turn taking
Gourmetten is a sloppy dining experience that requires some almost-skillful cooperation. Remember, you’re cooking on a tiny grill, around a table that’s equally as tiny, with numerous hungry Duchies.
To ensure a smooth gourmetten session in which nobody is left hungry, make sure you allow everyone to eat (even if it’s hard to take a break).
Proost! A quick wine break will give others time to fry their meat. Image: Freepik
👯♂️ Maintaining a good social atmosphere
Getting together with the fam? Some old friends you haven’t seen in a while? Things can quickly get out of hand — especially if there’s a bit too much wine involved. 🤪
So, you know the drill: avoid touchy subjects, don’t be too direct, and try not to start a fight with your partner (or their parents). Keep it gezellig. Or at least pretend.
🧽 Clean-up responsibilities
After you finish shovelling food into your tiny pan and even tinier mouth, take a moment. Breathe. Assess your life choices.
Then help your host clean the table. Open windows. Wipe grease. Fan away smoke. Prepare yourself for dessert.
Why do Dutchies love gourmetten so much?
So why is gourmetten such an essential Dutch tradition? Well, there is meat, sauce, and wine everywhere! What’s not to like? 🍷
Besides gluttony, there’s also the upside of messing around with the little sauces, meats, and pans. This way, you can finally avoid having an actual conversation with your relatives about how “Zwarte Piet is just a tradition“, and people should leave it alone (😖).
Your mother-in-law likes it because she doesn’t have to cook. Dutch people like it because they secretly know there is (at least a little) more to Dutch cuisine than that. So hey! Everybody’s happy, right?
The smell: the unavoidable reality of gourmetten
Haven’t you been reading? There is a lot of food and wine on the table! That means it won’t be long until someone spills some wine or your brother-in-law lets a huge one rip.
The smell of gourmetten is legendary. It is the signature fragrance of Dutch Christmas, consisting of nostalgia, burnt grease and a hint of snackbar.
It will linger for days. Your clothes will reek. Your hair will reek. Your curtains will reek. Even your soul will reek.
Do not underestimate it. Use shampoo. Open windows. Pray softly.
If you wear a nice outfit, that is on you.
How to prepare your home for gourmetten
Wanna prepare for the worst? Here’s a quick checklist before you dive into your very own gourmetten adventure:
Open all windows, even in December
Warn neighbours in case smoke drifts across the street
Remove pets who may attempt to steal meat or scream
Wear clothes you are not emotionally attached to
Keep a roll of kitchen paper nearby for the inevitable wine spill
Test your fire alarm (unless you enjoy drama)
The final verdict? Gourmetten is a great Dutch tradition! It’s a total slam dunk in the gezelligheid and culinary department. So hug those in-laws if they’re into gourmetten!
What do you think of this Dutch culinary classic? Tell us in the comments below!
If you’ve lived in the Netherlands for a while, you know the moment all too well: friends or family announce they’re coming over, and they’ve booked just enough time to expect to see the entire country, neatly packaged between two Ryanair flights.
You can do the canals. You can do the bikes. You can attempt to explain why people put sprinkles on bread. But doing it all properly takes time.
That’s where Highlights of Holland comes in. It’s a brand-new interactive museum in Amsterdam that bundles the most recognisable parts of Dutch culture into a single, super fun hour-long experience.
When visitors want everything, but don’t have the time
Most visitors want the same thing:to get to know the place they’re visiting and understand its quirks.
How does a country with so much of its surface area below sea level keep the water at bay? Why does everyone cycle? Why did tulips become such a big deal? And what’s the story with Dutch art?
Why is cycling such a huge thing in the Netherlands? Image: Highlights of Holland/Supplied
Normally, those answers are scattered across different museums, cities, and perhaps a slightly chaotic explanation delivered while having a biertje.
Highlights of Holland neatly solves this problem. Instead of hopping from place to place, visitors walk through ten themed rooms that introduce the Netherlands through visuals, sound, and hands-on elements.
It’s ideal if your guests are short on time, easily overwhelmed, or simply want to learn something new without feeling like they’ve accidentally signed up for a history lecture.
Not a traditional museum, and that’s very much the point
This isn’t the type of museum where you’ll read long wall texts and quietly nod along.
Highlights of Holland is built as an experience. You walk, watch, listen, and take part. Each room focuses on a recognisable Dutch theme but keeps things light and accessible.
No boring texts to read; just loads of fun. Image: Highlights of Holland/Supplied
There’s a cycling room where Dutch bike culture meets music. Instead of explaining why cycling matters so much to the Dutchies, the experience lets visitors feel it.
And there’s an art room that drops visitors straight into the Golden Age, where Dutch masterpieces come to life without assuming the visitor already knows their Rembrandts from their Van Goghs.
Tulips, bikes, and everything in between
Every good experience has a highlight where people stop and say: “Okay, now this is seriously cool.”
At Highlights of Holland, this typically happens in the tulip room, where visitors can find themselves walking through giant tulips that reach up to 3.5 metres high, creating a slightly surreal version of one of the Netherlands’ most famous symbols.
Get excited about Dutch tulips. Image: Highlights of Holland/Supplied
But the childlike awe and wonder will be with you throughout the entire experience, as you pedal bikes together, watch artworks come to life, and spot cultural references that suddenly click. If, after a few years in the Netherlands, you think tulips and bicycles can’t possibly excite you, think again.
Sure, you will probably recognise most of the themes. But seeing them presented side by side, stripped back to their essentials, can be oddly refreshing.
Even better? You don’t have to translate culture in real time. The experience does that work for you.
Easy to fit into a day in Amsterdam
From a practical point of view, this is also an easy win.
The experience lasts around an hour, with tours starting every ten minutes. Everything is indoors, which makes it easy to slot into a day that already includes wandering around the capital, eating, and avoiding the seemingly-ever-present-threat-of-rain.
Highlights of Holland is right in the city centre. Image: Highlights of Holland/Supplied
It also pairs nicely with other Amsterdam activities like a walk through the Jordaan, a canal cruise, or visits to places that showcase the city’s creative side (or you know, that other “creative” side that people from abroad want to experience).
A highlight reel, not the whole story
Does Highlights of Holland show every side of the Netherlands? Of course not.
It doesn’t try to explain Dutch bureaucracy, housing shortages, or the national obsession with weather apps. And it’s not meant to.
What it does offer is a clear, friendly introduction to the themes visitors notice first when they arrive in the land of clogs and cheese, presented in a way that’s easy to enjoy together.
For friends and family who want to “get” the Netherlands before diving deeper, that’s exactly what you want.
How do I visit Highlights of Holland?
Ready to see your favourite Dutch quirks in a whole new light? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit:
📍 Address: Spaarndammerstraat 460C, 1013 SZ Amsterdam ⏰ Opening hours: Daily from 10 AM to 7 PM ⏱️ Duration: Approximately one hour 🎟️ Tickets: €19 for children up to 10 years, €25 for adults, available here
Have you been to Highlights of Holland? What was your favourite room? Let us know in the comments below!
Social media are being flooded withAI-generated or enhanced videos of Amsterdam at Christmas-time, raising tourists’ expectations to unrealistic levels.
And while you might deserve your disappointment if you’re expecting huge Christmas markets and ice skating in the red light district, it’s worth taking a closer look at this trend and why it’s setting people up for a let-down.
What is it?
Some of the videos, like the one below, depicting a massive snowman in Dam Square, are quite clearly fake.
Others are slightly more realistic, but they still show telltale signs of deception. This video, for instance, shows a place that is clearly not Amsterdam, claiming that Dam Square will host a Christmas market (that does not exist).
Some online commenters are claiming that Amsterdam is experiencing the “Paris syndrome,” referring to the large numbers of tourists who are heartbroken to discover that Paris falls short of their expectations.
Amsterdam’s winter tourists are expecting huge Christmas trees, lights on every canal boat, and snow.
But the reality they find is very different, and the city can’t live up to their hyperreal expectations, finds NOS.
What, open-air urinals and fatbikes aren’t good enough for them?
What to actually expect
Amsterdam is beautiful, so it’s ok to have some excitement when visiting the city in winter.
There are indeed markets in Museumplein and at the RAI Amsterdam, as well as lights and decorations in most of the central city.
But while we do have some ice-skating (though you shouldn’t expect the Elfstedentocht) and Christmas fun, definitely don’t look for giant snowmen and frozen canals.
And for goodness sake, double-check your info on Christmas markets.
Do you know anyone whose been misled? Let us know in the comments below!
Nine people were injured when a car sped right into them after an “unreal” road accident on Monday evening in Nunspeet.
Albeit probably unintentionally, a 56-year-old local woman ploughed through a crowd of people waiting along the street to witness the annual light parade, reports NOS.
How it happened
Locals were awaiting the annual light parade, which features trucks decorated with festival lights, as they travels through Elburg and Nunspeet in the province of Gelderland in the east of the Netherlands.
According to witnesses, a car suddenly appeared at speed from a side street, crossed a roundabout, and dove into the crowd.
Nine people suffered from injuries, three of which were very serious.
“It all happened so fast,” a bystander tells Omroep Gelderland. His children, aged between six and eight, “saw people flying.”
No ill-will
Although the driver was immediately arrested, police found no immediate evidence that this was an intentional attack.
The mayor of Nunspeet, Céline Blom, told De Gelderlander: “The driver may have become unwell.”
The aftermath
As emergency services and trauma helicopters rushed to the scene, the municipality of Elburg quickly cancelled the rest of the parade.
About 20 eyewitnesses, including children, received victim support. Children were handed teddy bears and encouraged to draw as a way of processing the incident.
Heftige berichten uit Nunspeet. Mijn gedachten zijn bij de slachtoffers en hun families. Veel dank en respect voor de hulpdiensten die nu alles op alles zetten om de best mogelijke zorg te verlenen.https://t.co/TADugcmg01
“Much gratitude and respect for the emergency services who are now pulling out all the stops to provide the best possible care,” tweeted Rob Jetten (D-66 Party Leader).
Familiar devastation
A bystander compared this incident to the Queensday attack in Apeldoorn, where Karst Tates barrelled his Suzuki Swift into a crowd of people standing around the Royal bus.
The 2009 tragedy left eight dead and the nation in mourning, putting an end to the “open-access” culture of the Dutch monarchy’s public celebrations.
Sinterklaas has left the Netherlands on his steamboat and is probably recuperating by his pool in Spain.
Now all the Christmas carols focus on another bearded, red-clad old guy. You might not want anything to do with this poster boy of American capitalism, but think again!
Santa Claus is not from the North Pole. He is actually a Dutchie.
The history of Santa Claus
Sinterklaas comes from Saint Nicholas, a Greek-Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century.
Nicholas lived in Myra, Lycia, in the area that is now Turkey. He is known as a patron saint for sailors and children, thanks to his generosity and gift-giving to the poor. 🎁
Historians believe that Dutch immigrants in the 17th century brought Sinterklaas festivities with them when they went to the “New World.”
It was there that Sinterklaas merged with the English figure of Father Christmas.
Father Christmas is a merry old man just like Sinterklaas, but instead of bearing gifts, he encourages adults to eat and drink (…like they need encouragement for that 👀).
Sinterklaas and Father Christmas slowly merged to become Santa Claus. You heard it here first! Santa Claus is the clandestine lovechild of Dutch and English colonialism.
The first mention of Santa Claus was on December 23, 1773, when an issue of the New York newspaper Rivington’s Gazette stated:
“Last Monday, the anniversary of St. Nicholas, otherwise called Santa Claus, was celebrated at Protestant Hall […]”
The popularity of Santa Claus was later enhanced by a satirical book written by Washington Irving in 1809, telling the world about the Dutch history of New York.
The differences between Sinterklaas & Santa
Throughout the years, Sinterklaas and Santa grew apart, and there are now some distinct differences between the two.
While Sinterklaas is a distinguished gentleman, the modern Santa Claus was forged by Thomas Nast’s cartoons and iconic 1930s Coca-Cola ads.
Sinterklaas has a lean physique, while Santa has a massive beer belly.
Sinterklaas sails in a steamship, while Santa leans back in his sleigh.
Sinterklaas resides in Spain (there is no explanation for his winter outfit), while Santa lives in the North Pole.
While pop culture highlights many differences, here’s a final one: Sinterklaas is the lifelong bachelor, while Santa is home cuddling with Mrs Claus. 🎅
If you had to pick, would it be Sinterklaas or Santa Claus? Let us know in the comments below.
Apart from an awesome little drink called gin (nope, it wasn’t invented by the Brits), there are a number of other important inventions that are the brainchild of Dutch scientists, architects, and more.
In fact, many Dutch inventions have been groundbreaking.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be pretty surprised that some of the inventions on this list came from the lowlands. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
1. The submarine
No, the Beatles didn’t invent the (yellow) submarine, nor did Englishman William Bourne (though he developed the concept).
The submarine was invented by a Dutchman employed by the English Royal Navy. Image: Flemming Mahler Larsen/Wikimedia/CC3.0
In the 1620s, it was actually Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel who constructed the first vessel that could be navigated underwater.
He was employed by the English Royal Navy, which used the River Thames as a testing ground for the submarine.
The submersible consisted of a wooden frame with leather stretched over it, and it was propelled by oars. It is actually pretty scary to think that there was only a piece of greased leather protecting you from the freezing ocean. Brrr! 🌊
2. The Olympic flame
Bet you didn’t know that the Olympic flame was originally Dutch! Now you’re impressed, right?
Dutch architect Jan Wils invented the Olympic flame “by accident.” Image: Country Wind/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
It was, however, invented “by accident” when architect Jan Wils designed the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.
He created a tall tower with a smoke effect to attract attention. The resulting fire instead became a symbolic element of the games. Hence, it is since a tradition at the Olympics to use the now world-famous flame.
3. The telescope & microscope
Yep, both of them are Dutch inventions! In 1608 (one year before Galileo, say what?!), spectacle-craftsmen Zacharias Janssen and Hans Lipperhey from Middelburg developed the telescope.
Two gentlemen from Middelburg invented the telescope. Image: Depositphotos
The first stellar spyglass consisted of a simple tube and a pair of biconvex and biconcave lenses.
As far as the microscope is concerned, Dutchmen Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Zacharias Janssen, or Hans Janssen are mentioned as inventors.
Van Leeuwenhoek used a magnifying glass with one lens that could magnify up to 237 times!
4. The eye test
Can you read the next line of this Dutch invention? Image: Unsplash
You know when you go to the eye specialist, and you have to read letters ranging from large to small off of a board? Yes? Well, it’s because the Dutch care about our eyesight!
Herman Snellen invented this chart (called the Snellen-Chart) in 1862.
5. The speed camera
Not quite sure if we should thank the Dutch for this one.
However, the rally driver and inventor Maus Gatsonides is responsible for inventing the first automatic speedometer, which he began producing and selling in 1958.
Did we really need this Dutch invention? Image: Pixabay
He used two rubber tubes, which, as soon as the car tyres hit them, would activate the chronometer to measure the speed.
6. CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray
Joop Sinjou and Kees Schouhamer Immink are the masterminds behind the compact disc, developed by Sony and Philips. They based the size of the CD’s hole on a Dutch 10-cent coin.
The Dutch are also the masterminds behind the CD and DVD. Image: Depositphotos
Next to the CD, Philips also invented the cassette tape, the DVD, and Blu-Ray — seriously impressive!
7. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Alright, I’ve got one more of these Dutch inventions! Dutchman Dr Jaap Haartsen came up with the idea for Bluetooth while he was working for the Swedish company Ericsson.
Bluetooth was invented by Dr. Jaap Haartsen and we can’t thank him enough for it. Image: Depositphotos
And if that doesn’t convince you that the Dutch are quite the inventors, then guess what? Wi-Fi has Dutch roots too, with Cees Links playing a vital role in its creation in 1997!
He paved the way for Wi-Fi technology as we know and use it today (even though it was actually developed by an Australian organisation called CSIRO).
And the list of Dutch inventions doesn’t end there! Which Dutch invention do you love most?
Christmas is right around the corner, which means it’s time for feasting on Dutch delicacies! 🎄
You might be wondering what to feed your Dutch friends when they come over during the holidays (other than hagelslag and pindakaas), so here’s the ultimate guide to Dutch festive food and drinks.
With the holiday season fast approaching, supermarkets are already stocking up on all the staples the Dutchies like to enjoy. But if you’re feeling unsure about what everything is and when to eat it, our guide has got you covered!
What to eat & drink at Sinterklaas
As you have already experienced, Sinterklaas is a beloved mythical figure based on Saint Nicholas. The festivities begin in the middle of November when the Sint arrives from Spain and rides through the streets on his white horse.
The beloved Sinterklaas celebrations are a huge part of Dutch culture. Image: Depositphotos
His sooty assistants throw candy and either kruidnoten or pepernoten into the crowd while children cheer and sing traditional Sinterklaas songs.
In the lead-up to Sinterklaas, children leave out shoes for candy and carrots for the Sint’s horse, all building toward the main gift-giving on the evening of December 5.
Often seen as a children’s holiday, many Dutch families switch to gift-giving only on Christmas once the kids are old enough.
Still, there are plenty of yummy treats for all ages to try during Sinterklaas! 🍭
Now that you’re up to date on the traditions, let’s get into the good stuff: the food that will fill your belly. 🤤
Kruidnoten
Tasty Dutch kruidnoten are a firm favourite. Image: Freepik
Kruidnoten are these little biscuits that taste a bit like gingerbread.
Made with the same ingredients as speculaas, kruidnoten are ridiculously delicious, and you won’t be able to have just one! Here’s the recipe.
Pepernoten
Pepernoten are similar to kruidnoten, just a bit softer, more chewy, and spiced with honey and anise.
Slightly more peppery than kruidnoten (obviously), pepernoten are another popular treat during Sinterklaas.
Speculaas cookies
Haven’t tried it yet? You’re missing out! Image: Dreamstime
Speculaas cookies are spiced with pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. Talk about a more festive flavour palette!
Foreigners know them as ‘windmill cookies,’ as they are often made in the shape of windmills. But they can be made into almost any shape. Get the recipe here.
Chocolate letters
You may see a lot of chocolate letters for sale during the holiday season! Image: Depositphotos
Chocolate letters are one of the gifts exchanged during Sinterklaas. They’re chocolates shaped in the first letter of the gift receiver’s name. You can get them from any of the local supermarkets.
Schuimpjes
Another candy that starts popping up all through Lidl, Hema, and Albert Heijn are the Sinterklaas schuimpjes.
These chewy candies are supposed to be meringues, though they don’t taste anything like it. Grab a packet of these colourful treats next time you’re shopping, and see for yourself!
Bischopswijn
How cosy does this look? Image: Freepik
Named after the Bishop of Sinterklaas, this is the Dutch version of glühwein (mulled wine). Try out this recipe for this warm, hearty drink.
What to eat & drink during Dutch Christmas
Christmas celebrations in the Netherlands are fairly similar to those in other Western countries, though the traditions have only recently become more common.
The Dutch like to put up Christmas trees and decorate their houses, give gifts, and gather with family for a meal. 🍽
Christmas is celebrated two times in the Netherlands! Image: Depositphotos
The Dutch celebrate ‘First’ and ‘Second’ Christmas Day on December 25 and 26, typically gathering with family to share traditional Christmas meals of meat and vegetables.
Why not try some of these recipes for your own Christmas celebrations this year?
Banketstaaf
One of the traditional sweet treats served during Christmas is a pastry filled with almond paste.
You can try the recipe here or simply buy some at your local supermarket!
Jan Hagel cookies
The Dutch certainly like to eat cookies during the festive period, so here is another type: the Jan Hagel cookies. These are flavoured with almonds, cinnamon, and crystallised sugar.
They can be served with ice cream as a dessert or as a little bite next to your cup of coffee. Here’s the recipe.
Kerstkranjes
Slightly zesty, the kerstkranjes (Christmas wreath cookies) are made to decorate the Christmas tree but also to eat! Try out the recipe here.
Kerststol
Kerststol is a bread made with dried fruits soaked in liqueur and stuffed with almond paste. It goes perfectly with your Christmas breakfast. Try the recipe here.
Boerenjongens
A delicacy from the northern province of Groningen, boerenjongens is a drink made with sultanas, brandy, and spices.
It is served with a spoon to eat the brandy-soaked sultanas, or they are scooped out and added to desserts. Try out this boozy recipe here.
Advocaat
The perfect drink for Christmas! Image: Freepik
This traditional Dutch alcoholic drink is especially nice during Christmas.
Similar to eggnog, it can be served with ice cream or whipped cream as a dessert, but it’s perfectly yummy on its own. Either way, you’ll probably need a spoon. Try the recipe or pick some up at the nearest supermarket!
What to eat & drink at New Year’s in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the New Year is celebrated on both ‘Old’ (December 31) and ‘New’ (January 1) Year’s Days, with different traditional activities.
On New Year’s Eve, people meet up with their family and friends to start the celebrations with food and drinks. You can catch them watching the top 100 music countdown on television. And there will be fireworks. A lot of fireworks.
Every man, woman, child, and dog erupts onto the streets at midnight to release hundreds of thousands of shop-bought fireworks into the sky.
There are no rules or restrictions, and the cacophony of explosions is truly a sight (and sound) to behold! 🎇
On New Year’s Day, another Dutch tradition is to take a New Year’s swim in the frigid cold waters of the North Sea. These swims take place all around the country, but the biggest is to be found at Scheveningen.
It’s certainly one way to cure your hangover! But before you even get there, let’s look at the food and drinks you can enjoy.
Oliebollen
The quintessential Dutch treat, these deep-fried balls (literally, oily balls) are warm and delicious.
Delicious Dutch oliebollen. Image: Freepik
Food trucks selling them will start popping up around the Netherlands from October onwards, but they are traditionally a New Year’s food. Grab a bag from the street or give the recipe a try!
Another delicious, deep-fried treat served during the New Year are these apple fritters called appelbeignets or appelflappen.
Sort of like a cross between an apple pie and a doughnut, you will rarely attend a Dutch New Year party without finding a plate of these alongside the oliebollen. Get the recipe here.
Speculaas coffee
If you want to feel really Dutch, then why not try a coffee laced with Schelvispekel liqueur?
If you haven’t gotten enough of speculaas-flavoured everything, then this Dutch brandy that tastes exactly like speculaas could be worth a taste!
Erwtensoep (snert)
Erwtensoep is a classic dish during the winter holidays in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
If you are brave enough to try the New Year’s Day swim, then you will definitely need to warm up later, so the traditional Dutch snert (split pea soup) is a hearty choice.
The thick soup is made throughout the colder months but would be a perfect way to ring in the New Year, Dutch style! Try the recipe here.
Sweet or savoury, warm or cold, the festive season in the Netherlands brings a mix of flavours to enjoy. From sugary snacks at winter markets to rich homemade dishes, there’s something to delight every appetite.
What are your favourite festive Dutch foods? Let us know in the comments below!
Winter is finally in here, which means Netflix, hot chocolate, and every reason to stay inside (yeah, we’re working on that winter body). To all my friends: see you again in March, or whenever the warm weather is back in the Netherlands.
At least, that’s what my winters have looked like for the past three years. But this year, I promised myself that things were going to be different!
No more wasted hours in front of the computer watching terrible Hallmark movies (well, maybe a couple of those guilty pleasures).
This year will be the year that I join the crazy people who go hiking in the middle of winter. Yes, I will be one of those insane individuals you see on adventure holidays in the Dutch forests.
(And if prejudice and poor geography knowledge have made you think you can’t hike in the Netherlands, think again. 😉)
1. Explore Texel: the ultimate winter getaway
An advantage to the flat landscape is that you can see super far. Image: Carmen Monge/Supplied
This island is the perfect destination for a weekend away in the colder months of the year.
The winter season on Texel is not very crowded, so you’ll have plenty of space to wander around. Oh, and you can see seals on the beach. Seals!
When you’ve worked up an appetite from hiking, you can try the local delicacies, such as slow-cooked lamb with a Texel Beer to wash it down.
If you want some adventure and see some wild animals, you should definitely check out the calm and easily accessible Texel.
2. Take a hike in Veluwe: a national park to die for
Veluwe National Park is a winter paradise. Here, you can see wild animals, and as it gets colder and colder every day, fewer people will obstruct the views. It’s quite atmospheric. 😍
This is a place where the deer and mouflons get less shy and stand ready to strike a pose.
If you get tired of walking, there are free bikes available, included in your ticket to the park.
Make sure to sample some regional specialities like kaaswafels and kaasbolltjes (savoury cheese waffles and cookies) to wrap up an active day out in the wild.
3. Stroll through the Dutch dunes
The Dutch dunes are something else. Image: Carmen Monge/Supplied
The season doesn’t matter when it comes to visiting the Dutch sand dunes.
From Katwijk to Noordwijk or from Scheveningen to Wassenaar, you’ll always find an oasis of wonderful ocean views in the Netherlands.
A huge advantage of walking in the dunes is how easy (and lovely) it makes walking between towns, as well as the fact that most dune areas are well-connected by public transport.
This province has an interesting history and picturesque scenes that are a must to visit for anyone interested in culture in the Netherlands.
One unique part is ‘t Roegwold, a nature reserve where you can find Knuppelpad — a 750-metre wooden footpath leading right through the swamp.
5. Experience the Dutch countryside: find trails in any small town
The very definition of quaint. Image: Carmen Monge/Supplied
If you live in one of the big Dutch cities and rarely get an excuse to move out of your comfort zone, now is your chance. I walked a lot last year and discovered some beautiful tiny towns between big cities.
The Netherlands is scattered with picturesque villages and towns, just waiting to be discovered.
Most have hiking trails on the outskirts of town, and if you’re feeling fit, you can even aim to hike from village to village!
Miss a good incline under your feet? Then I recommend the Klimduin in Schoorl. This quaint Dutch village offers some great dunes — including this nice and steep starting point.
Once you reach the top of this beauty (sweaty and ready to go), you can wander through gorgeous dunes, past fields of heather, and eventually make your way to the beach for a chilly dip!
After a long day’s hike, you can then return to the top of the Klimduin, roll down it, and treat yourself to a nice meal at one of Schoorl’s many gezellige restaurants and cafés.
7. Stick to the classics, hike in your local park
I walked enough last year to find that every Dutch city has a (sometimes huge) park. So, check Google Maps for the green zones, and start walking!
You’ll be surprised by how much your local town or city has to offer. You can usually walk for hours among the trees in your very own backyard.
Why not make a park bucket-list, and see how many of your local green areas you can explore this winter? Picnics, sports, outdoor gym classes, park bench reading sessions — the options are endless when it comes to activities.
What are you waiting for? Now is the time to get acquainted with the Dutch winterscape! Grab your rain boots, a good sweater, get up from the couch, and keep discovering this amazing little country!
BONUS TIPS: Don’t know where to start walking? Try the wandelen.nl app! It’s handy on the go, and it can give you tons of ideas about where to begin. For Groningen, try the free app Groningen Routes, and if you head to Veluwe, you can find a map for only €2 at the ticket office!
My bucket list for this winter includes Paal 29 in North Holland, and a repeat of the golf course near Warmond (my local park).
What’s on your winter wandelen bucket list?Tell us in the comments below!
Winds from the east and north signal an incoming cold front, potentially bringing the coldest Christmas period the Netherlands has seen in 15 years. Brrr!
For those in the east, buckle up: temperatures might go as low as -5 degrees Celsius over Christmas, according to Weeronline.
The record chill may even open the door to potential skating on rinks and flooded meadows! But stay away from ponds and lakes — it’s not quite cold enough for these to freeze.
A gradual drop in temperatures (but the sun is out!)
Monday’s temperatures are likely to be a casual 6 or 7 degrees. However, as the week progresses, they will continue to drop.
Tuesday will see a high of 5 degrees (that’ll get the noses running) and if you’re contemplating an evening on the terrasje, you’d better find a heater.
Nighttime temperatures will linger just above freezing, around 1 to 2 degrees.
Oddly enough, this nippy surprise is also coming with… sun? Despite the cold, our bright yellow friend in the sky will intermittently make appearances throughout the early days of this week.
We wish you a Merry (and well-insulated) Christmas
And then? Christmas Eve’s temperatures won’t reach above 4 degrees Celsius and will likely dip below freezing for many Dutchies, with some parts of the Netherlands dropping to -3 degrees.
Christmas Day will linger in the one-to-two-degree range (except for our extra cold countrymen in the east).
The night of the 25th will see similar temperatures, with no higher than two to four degrees.
Feeling brave? Good for you. Just know that while the temperatures may be one thing, the wind chill is set to be a balmy -10 degrees…
So be prepared, drink lots of bisschopswijn, and don’t forget your gloves!
What’s the coldest Christmas you remember? Let us know in the comments!
