So we had some heat in June and some good days in (I don’t know) April? But apart from that its pretty standard, and standard is dreary. But hey, at least there wasn’t like loads of rain the past days right?
So for today’s weather report: loads of rain incoming! Starting at the end of the morning it’s going to start raining in the South. So much rain is expected, up to 30mm, that the KNMI has issued a Code Yellow warning.
Bah… (source: buienradar)
There is also a chance of lightning, hail and wind threats, according to the weather institute. Due to this bad weather, traffic and outdoor activities may be hindered (duh). The KNMI recommends avoiding open water and open areas and not sheltering under trees. The bad weather area slowly moves to the North. It will steadily become a bit dryer this evening, starting in the South. According to Weatherplaza, the rest of the week remains volatile, with occasional showers but also from time to time. The maximum temperature drops to around 20 degrees.
The DutchReview crew went on a boat tour in The Hague, here’s why maybe you should too
Every now and then the DutchReview crew stop for a moment using their superpowers in sarcastic writing and puns, bundle their forces and go on a, preferably boozy, trip together into our tiny but charming country. And what could be more Dutch than faring on our canals? (feel free to email us cheese tasting companies!) But instead of doing the clichéd and crowded canals of Amsterdam – we went for the off-the-beaten-path canals and water ways of The Hague.
Why boating works
So a boat tour in The Hague, why is that better than say – just doing a guided tour? Well, because of a couple of things – like most waterways in the world they weren’t just put there to annoy cars and offer the opportunity of recreational boating. People in past times just needed to get around town and some of the most important buildings were located next to the water instead of a modern road. So I’ve found that when on a boat I would always have a different view of a city, and often a much better one that is.
Also there’s time and space for food, music and drinks – which is something we can obviously all appreciate.
Why a boat tour in The Hague is an even better idea
But why a boat tour in The Hague especially? Well, first of all, like I said you’ll view the city through a different pair of eyes. Sure most of you have set foot in The Hague, and if you’ve never did that then I would still recommend just looking up the Hofvijver and the Peace Palace on the first time ever there. But a boat tour in The Hague will show you so much more than the cliché stuff of the Hofstad. You’ll hear different stories about the characteristics of the town (and its colorful inhabitants!), you will see places that you normally wouldn’t travel to and because you’re on a boat your free of all the hustle and touristic bustle of the other parts of town – so it’s really chill!
And of course the pretty pretty sights Oh Oh Den Haag:
Pretty sights and weird art – never a shortage of weird art in the NetherlandsThose long dark tunnelsThe Hague: prettier than one would first think
Here’s how to get on a boat tour in The Hague
We’ve opted for a ride with ‘The Hague Boat’, it’s a little company started by an enthusiastic couple. It’s also a traditional couple as well in the sense that he is the captain and Leonie is the host that will tell you everything about The Hague that there is in English (with a charming little touch of the renowned ‘haags’ accent 😉 ).
We went on a private boat tour with them, so that’s a fine suggestion if you’re with a group. They’ve also got scheduled boat tours for which you can buy tickets, so that’s the way to go if you’re going with just a handful of people. If you want something really special then check out their events page. (that Jazz in de Grachten tour seems like awesomeballs!)
I definitely am a proud Italian. I brag about the etymology of words coming from the Latin language, scorn people (…are they even people?) who put pineapple on pizza, tell friends not to have a cappuccino after noon. But there are some things (many things) I acknowledge Italians are not so great at. And although complaining is a national sport both in the Netherlands and in Italy, I really think it would be a paradise country if we could combine the best habits of each!
Water management
Maybe you have heard something about a drought going on in Italy; it can be a dry country, especially in summer, and the arson problem doesn’t help. In addition, 20% of water on average (44% in Rome) goes wasted due to leaky pipes, which are difficult to repair without ruining ancient Roman streets. Lakes are therefore exploited, and some are retracting by dozens of meters/liters! This is not only an ecological problem, but it’s also bad for tourism.
The Netherlands is probably the most knowledgeable country in the world when it comes to water management. And while the problem here is rather keeping the water out of the land, instead of not having enough of it, it is no surprise that the leading companies worldwide for water desalination (making drinkable water from sea water) are Dutch. Many countries (Israel, California, Maldives, Emirates…) are resolving drought problems with this 21st-century solution, and I really hope Italy will follow too.
After all, two things we are not missing are sea water and lava stone 😉 Source: Wikipedia
Food
Ok, this is an easy one. I respect the Dutch cuisine (stamppot can be very comforting on a winter night) but there’s no doubt it would benefit from some Mediterranean tuning: less butter, more olive oil and no margarine (seriously, why is it still in use? How come the news of it being unhealthy didn’t make it all the way up here?)!
Also, I would add more variety: I understand the love Dutch people have for efficiency, hence the daily dose of broodje ham en/of kaas orweird beleg… but food can be something more than pure sustainment; it could be a moment of sharing and bonding, an escape from a boring workday! So please stop this sad habit, and have a happier, even though less efficient, lunch!
Boterham: a Dutch food staple. Source: Wikipedia
Biking
Being a flat country undoubtedly helps in having the highest rate of bike usage in Europe. This way, the Dutchies kill two birds with one stone: the pollution from car usage is low even in big cities, and they are one of the few countries in Europe where the obesity rate is decreasing!
While not all cities in Italy could apply the same transport policy, pushing for a more bike-friendly infrastructure would certainly improve the citizens’ life, especially in the outskirts where public transport is also not that helpful – just think that averagely Italians waste, per year, one day in traffic.
Shopping
In this I wish Dutch people were a bit less north European and a bit more Mediterranean: shops closing at 6 p.m.? Almost nothing open on Sunday in loads of towns?? What the heck?! I get that salespeople also have a life, but seriously. The first days I was working here I thought I had to take a day off to buy some winter clothes and some pans.
Then I discovered the existence of the koopavond, and lately my city has been upgraded as a touristic city (meaning shops are allowed to be open on Sunday), so life turned out a little easier. But still, coming from a city where shops are open even on Christmas day till 10 p.m., this seemed like a major annoyance.
Bureaucracy
Hands down, we Italians like to make our lives difficult this way. Getting a social security number, a bank account, or even a sim card can be a nightmare. And to be honest I don’t know what the root of this problem is: not caring enough about efficiency or purposely making every process not clearly intelligible, so that there is room to wiggle it (and make it easy or not depending on the customer requesting the service).
Healthcare
Many foreigners complain about the Dutch healthcare system: it is quite expensive, preventive care doesn’t seem to be held in high regard, and you often get the feeling doctors don’t take you seriously unless you are past the point of being cured. (Also, they wish you good luck. Aren’t you supposed to treat me so I don’t need luck? smh.)
How I imagine GPs have fun in the Netherlands.
As it turns out, these feelings are not unjustified: the Netherlands has one of the highest costs in healthcare in Europe, but this doesn’t translate to better conditions. Italians spend, per capita, 2000 € less in healthcare compared to the Dutchies, but their health is considerably better in all of the factors considered. I don’t think this has anything to do with the competence of health professionals, which is probably higher in the Netherlands than in my home country; instead, I think it depends on the health management being operated as a business by private companies, while in Italy it is mostly governed by the state.
One good thing results from a “less attentive” health system, though: since the Dutch doctors are reluctant in prescribing anything stronger than a mild pain killer, antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands is practically non-existing.
Handling “delicate businesses” (drugs and prostitution)
Italy is still (unofficially) a Catholic colony, meaning that morally reprehensible (but nonetheless existing) activities, such as using recreational drugs and seeking the services of a hooker, are to be frowned upon and forgotten. Forgetting about a problem doesn’t make it disappear though; the result of not regulating these matters in a realistic way is that in Italy they are completely dominated and exploited by criminals and mafia.
While the Netherlands has its contradictions (the sale or the possession of small quantities of soft drugs is a criminal offence, but it is not enforced), the result of the toleration and regulation policy is that less criminal activity is linked to recreational drugs and prostitution, their use is safer for the customers and the government can make tax money on it, instead of increasing the wealth of criminal organizations.
Remember that introductory film on the Netherlands for President Trump? Of course, you remember it! It had gazillions of viewers, spoofed countless parodies and tons of other stuff. All of it was thought up by Arjen Lubach and his team. But it wasn’t the first video they did, check out their video warning immigrants not to come to this country (but go for stupid Denmark instead!).
First things first…how do you pronounce Sneek? Here is a quick tip! Sneek; it looks like it should be pronounced as ‘sneak’, when in actual fact it sounds much more like the English word ‘snake’!
Disclaimer – accents, mother tongues and general differing approaches to the word may still produce an incorrect pronunciation!
Back to the task at hand…
Sneek is a picturesque city in southwest Friesland. Surrounded by lakes, it makes the perfect place for the annually held, week long sailing regatta, Sneekweek. Naturally the fun is not limited to the water and in true Dutch style, the week is filled with festivities on both the water and solid ground. From ‘drankjes’ in the sun with family friendly discos, to the classic ‘feestjes’ in the city streets, Sneekweek not only attracts the Dutchies from all corners of the Lowlands but also draws in a pretty international crowd too. So, if you loved trying out a bit of skating on the Frisian waters in Winter, why not try your luck at seeing how the Dutchies party on the water in the Summer!
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Sneekweek: Let’s get the party started!
The week kicks off with a ‘vlootschouw’ aka ‘fleet show’ where boats representing each of the sailing groups, make their way down the illuminated city canals and showcase their sails! From small racing boats to larger ships, hundreds of people turn out on the canal sides to take in the floating fleet. Many of the vessels even carry their own musical entertainment; be prepared to see brass bands, lots of orange clothing and of course some good old Dutch singing! The ‘gezelligheid’ is turned up a notch as the night sky is lit up with an impressive firework display. But the fun doesn’t stop there….
The Dutchies certainly know how to have a good party, and Sneekweek is no exception. The 82nd edition of the event is accompanied by music stages dotted around the city, offering live band acts and a whole variety of DJ’s that keep the city dancing in the streets until the small hours. Should your feet start to get a little tired, or you fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush, the annual Sneekweek ‘kermis’ aka the fun fair has enough going on to send you and the kids dizzy! Just be careful you don’t indulge in too many ‘biertjes’ before the fun house, you may leave looking and feeling slightly worse than your average drunken sailor!
Ah yes, and now for a bit about the actual sailing!
Sneekweek is the largest inshore racing event within Europe. Now in its 82nd year, the week is jam packed with sailing races. There are 40 different classes which sailors can compete within. One of the highlights of the week is Hardzeildag, the last race day of the week and the day in which Friesland races against Holland (South and North Holland). For this race, the Frisian flags are out in force as well as the support from the shores. Over the years, it has been team Holland that have managed to rack up the most victories, however last year it was the Frisian team who managed to win the day!
View from the water.
Therefore, with Sneekweek 2017 quickly approaching, get your sailors legs on, your dancing shoes, and make you way to Sneek for a week of guaranteed fun and gezelligheid!
Lines everywhere and corrupt taxi-drivers – you just might need this guide to Schiphol in order to survive at this national hub
Gone are the days of travel when people would put on their Sunday best and head to the airport, ready for an adventure. When smoking was allowed on flights, security let you leave everything in your hand luggage and each flight allowed for 2 bags per person. We are now in the times of less leg room, full body cavity searches (well almost…) and the ever-present security, armed with weapons ready to pounce on you should you leave your bag unattended for 1 minute.
Now traveling requires creative packing, extra time and unfortunately a larger wallet, but I am here to tell you there are ways that you can manage the chaos of travel while still keeping your sanity and some of your hard-earned euros.
Guide to Schiphol: 10 Tips and Tricks for surviving Schiphol
#1 Schiphol has showers!
So if you need to freshen up after a long flight or before you take off, you can. This is a great help if you have hours to kill before your flight and rolled up to the check in from your night of partying! check it out here!
#2 Do you need some peace and quiet in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the airport? Check out the meditation center near the F gates. Here you can meditate, attend a church service (Sundays only) or read in the library…it’s a great way to channel your inner peace before you join cram yourself into the teeny tiny seats on your flight.
#3 Guide to Schiphol: The Schiphol app.
I cannot tell you how many times this has come in handy for me when I have been traveling or picking up friends and family. It allows you to save a specific flight and will send you notifications if the flight is delayed or canceled. It will app you when it’s time to board, in case you tend to wander while waiting and it will also let you know which arrivals hall you will be landing at and which luggage carousel you can find you bags on…great for saving time!
#4 Are you just passing through?
Perhaps you have a long layover and want to spend the day wandering around Amsterdam? Schiphol has great lockers that can hold even the largest of suitcases and will allow you to enjoy a day of sightseeing without having to lug your bags with you.
#5 What if you don’t feel like leaving the airport but would kill for a quiet place to nap?
Check out the hotels located inside the airport which allow you to rent by the hour. Sleep, nap and just relax before you take that next flight. This is a great option for families as they have a family room which is great! Yotel has a variety of options.
#6 Cheap train tickets to Schiphol
Spoordeel winkel-hotel and train deals-If you are like us and frequently have very early flights and live more than an hour and a half away from Schiphol, this is a great way to alleviate some stress before travel. They have deals that last throughout the year for train and hotel accommodations starting at €49 per person. Which means you can sleep close by, avoid parking costs and be at the airport early.
#7 Try flying out of alternative airports-like Eelde in Groningen and Eindhoven.
For some the commute may be slightly longer but the stress associated with Schiphol is gone. Eelde offers a variety of destination to choose from and parking is as low as €4,50 per day if reserved in advance!! Eindhoven boasts 75 destinations which means there are plenty of options for your next trip!
#8 Guide to Schiphol: Traveling with Kids
Traveling with kids? Schiphol has a few fun things set up to help your kids burn of some steam before they board the fight. From being able to watch the luggage belt to an outdoor park, there is something for every little traveler.
One fun pre-departure area is the panorama deck located in Departure hall 2. From there you can step outside and watch the planes take off. There is a play area and restaurant, perfect for killing time. Check out the full list of kid friendly activities here
The Airport Park is open 24 hours a day and offers bean bags, exercise bikes that charge your phone while you pedal and pre-recorded bird sounds to calm you and your little ones. Plenty of space to keep your kids busy while you wait.
Surviving Schiphol: Actually Planning Your Trip
Still need to plan that trip? With what seems like a million options out there it can be difficult to know if you are getting the best deal possible. It seems as though travel is getting more and more expensive so finding a bargain is key to enjoying your trip. This first tip I actually got from friend and fellow blogger The Traveling Island Girl:
#9 Google Flights.
This search engine allows you to search for flights to your desired destination, give you a selection of available flights and then allows you to track the price without having to lift a finger. You will be emailed every time the prices goes up or down, making it easy to keep an eye out for the best deals. This is a game changer when planning for your next adventure
10. Last minute stuff!
Are you more of a spontaneous traveler, do you like to fly by the seat of your pants so to speak? Then TUI last minute deals are what you are looking for. They have some great last minute deals that include flights and hotel, taking the leg work out of booking your dream trip. Want to leave tomorrow? No problem! They even have a desk at Schiphol, Departures terminal 3, that can book you a trip at a moment’s notice!
Do you have any tips to surviving Schiphol that need to be in this guide to Schiphol? Leave them in the comments section!
The mainland of the Netherlands sure is beautiful, but sometimes you just need a little escape, even if only for a weekend. Without going too far and spending too much, you can have a relaxing (or adventurous) weekend in one of the Dutch Wadden Sea Islands: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.
Here I will give you some tips on “the prettiest place in the Netherlands” (as voted by the Dutch people), Schiermonnikoog!
Schiermonnikoog: Random facts
Province: Friesland, but you can reach it with a ferry departing from Lauwersoog (in the province of Groningen). It is the smallest and easternmost inhabited island of the Wadden Sea Islands.
Population: less than 900 people live permanently on the island, making it the least populated and least densely populated municipality of the Netherlands. But beware: in the summer months it can get pretty busy with all the tourists!
Transport: only 200 inhabitants chose to get a special permission to be allowed a car, hence most of the people (and all of the tourists) travel by bike. The ferry to and from the island takes about 45 minutes, and there are 4-5 rides per day.
A bit of history: the island’s first known owners were monks, that also gave the island its name: schier refers to their gray robes, monnik means monk and oog stands for island. After the monasteries were dissolved during the Reformation, the island became property of the States of Friesland and then private property of several Dutch and German wealthy families. During WW2 the island was occupied by German troops, which were then forced to surrender by the Canadians: on 11 June 1945 the island became the last part of Europe to be liberated from Axis occupation by the Allies. The island was turned into a national park in 1989.
“De Schiere monnik” is still in the island’s coat of arms. Source: Wikipedia
Schiermonnikoog: Accommodation
If you don’t have troubles with sharing a tight space, having little to no privacy and getting bitten by supersized mosquitoes, then you are definitely camping material! Jokes aside, camping is one of the favorite activities of the Dutch people on vacation, so if you want to feel like a local you should give it a try: since it is so popular, the camping sites are usually well organized and clean (but not always cheap). The biggest camping site in Schiermonnikoog is Seedune, comfortably located between the dorp (village) and the stretches of forests and beaches. Although the facilities are comfortable enough, I would advise bringing an emergency battery pack for your phone, since the charging system (a safe – for which you have to rent a lock – located at the entrance of the camp) is quite annoying.
You can’t say you know your roommates until you can tell one from the other simply by their snoring. Source: Aurora Signorazzi
If instead, you are looking for a more luxurious experience than the “back to basics” charms of camping, the island has plenty of boutique hotels in the village and by the beaches. Just be sure to plan well ahead, since finding a room last minute can be difficult or very, very expensive.
Schiermonnikoog: To see and to do
The first thing that strikes you once landing in Schiermonnikoog is its relaxed atmosphere: you immediately get that holiday feeling, while not having to go abroad. The village, also called Schiermonnikoog, has several restaurants (try the mosselen), pubs (my favorite are It Aude Beuthus and Tox Bar), markets and shops. If you forgot to bring a book, check out the cute second-hand bookstore just opposite the Tox Bar, in Reeweg.
Something I really enjoyed in Schiermonnikoog is its non-flatness: a place where you can make use of all your bike gears, finally! While you shouldn’t expect mountains, the hills and dunes offer a variety in the landscape that is often missing in the mainland. The best way to explore the island is by bike, which you can bring on the ferry or rent on-site. Another difference with the mainland is the relative wilderness: the forests are not planted and well groomed – you are not going to experience that disappointing feeling of seeing the trees all nicely lined!
An OCD paradise.
The beaches in Schiermonnikoog are also really pretty: fine, light-yellow sand and clear – and not too cold – waters. If the weather allows it (after all, we are still in the Netherlands), a few hours of sunbathing can boost your mood and replenish your vitamin D reserves. Depending on the time of the day, the tides can make this the broadest beach in Europe (seriously, are we there yet??)!
Isn’t it just like the Caribbean?! (No, it is not; but that’s as close as it gets) Source: Aurora Signorazzi
And speaking of tides, a very cool (but also very dirty) experience is wadloopen: you can reach the island, during low tide, by walking in the mud (I know, I know… weird dutch fun).
Although this sounds like a very strange activity, it can be interesting and challenging (and you may also spot some seals from the Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen!), but you need to have some previous wadloopen experience since it takes more than 5 hours and some stamina.
A less tiring, but very fun activity you can do on the island is blokarting: you are basically on a kart with a sail, fueled by wind. Go with a group of friends, wear a jacket and be ready to be covered in sand while trying to stand on two wheels without flipping! And since the wind is never really missing on these beaches, this place is perfect for wind and kite surfing.
If the wind stops, however, you might need a little bit of help… Source: Aurora Signorazzi
For all the other activities and to better organize your visit, check VVV Schiermonnikoog!
(And if you do decide to go, bring some DEET. You can thank me later.)
Are you wondering what’s up with all that yellow, blue and red you see when wandering through Dutch cities? Or what is this weird ‘Stijl’ word? (sorry for that ‘ij’ – we know it’s hard) No worries, don’t be afraid of the Red, Yellow and Blue – it’s an artstyle and it’s celebrating its 100th birthday. So let’s tell you a little bit more about ‘De Stijl’ and why you definitely want to visit Amersfoort to celebrate this artsy birthday to its fullest.
Amersfoort: celebrating 100 years of De Stijl (By Renzo Gerritsen)
1917 – 2017 | 100 years of De Stijl!
Somewhere in 1917 a Dutch artist with the name Theo van Doesburg started the artistic movement ‘De Stijl’, a movement that would revolutionize the whole concept of modern art. From our featured pic you’ll get an idea of what De Stijl was all about – but mind you this was a time way before computers, digital design or even that nice futurism of the 50’s.
Back in 1917 the Netherlands was a neutral country in WW1, peaceful but the raging war kept all Dutch artists locked into simple old Holland instead of say, the mundial Paris. Making the most of this the painter Theo van Doesburg rallied other artists and founded ‘De Stijl’ (this word is borrowed from the German ‘Stil’). In general, De Stijl proposed ultimate simplicity and abstraction, both in architecture and painting, by using only straight horizontal and vertical lines and rectangular forms. Furthermore, their color-vocabulary was limited to the primary colours, red, yellow, and blue, and the three primary values, black, white, and grey.
Composition VII by The van Doesburg from 1917!
Mondriaan and Rietveld
Of course, most of you know of De Stijl because of the work of two Dutch artists. Gerrit Rietveld and of course Piet Mondriaan.
Painter Piet Mondriaan’s bold blocks of primary color, boxed off by straight black lines, laid the foundations of abstract art (and still pop up on everything from coffee mugs to shirts). Gerrit Rietveld’s famous red and blue wooden chair really does live up to that much-used label ‘iconic’, as a centerpiece of modern design.
This giant Rietveld chair in front of beautiful Koppelpoort is the quintessential selfie-spot of Amersfoort (By Renzo Gerritsen)
De Stijl wasn’t confined only to painting: interior design, typography, graphic art and architecture were all transformed by this Dutch artistic movement. (Gerrit Rietveld is just as well known for his buildings as his furniture.) De Stijl had a major influence on modern art through the 20th century, and is still deeply rooted in Dutch design.
Amersfoort: The birthplace of Mondriaan
The most well-known artist of De Stijl, Piet Mondriaan, was born in the beautiful city of Amersfoort. So it’s no surprise that this city goes all out during the De Stijl Centennial.
By Renzo Gerritsen
If there weren’t already plenty of reasons to visit Amersfoort, here are a couple of De Stijl-related hotspots:
Mondriaan Huis
The Mondriaanhuis in Amersfoort is the birth house of Mondriaan (1872-1944, born with the name Piet Mondrian). Mondriaan spent his childhood here in what came to eventually be the Mondriaanhuis in 1994 when it opened up to the public.
A visit to Mondriaan’s birth house means virtually traveling after this master of abstract art, he lived all over the world – so there’s Amersfoort and Winterswijk, Amsterdam – Paris – London with an ending in New York. You’ll discover his iconic work, thought processes, interests and his ever changing style. With the use of some very impressive audio-visual techniques you’ll really feel immersed in the man’s psyche and work.
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There’s also a do-it-yourself part, where you’ll get the chance to discover the Mondriaan in yourself. There’s also Mondriana, a mini-exhibition where it is shown just how influential De Stijl and Mondriaan were when it came to design. All in all it’s a must-visit for anybody that likes art (or pretty things in general)
If there’s a Mondriaan House then there’s a Rietveld Pavillion!
The characteristic Rietveld Pavilion in Amersfoort will be the setting of the exhibition ‘Beyond The Stijl. Gerrit Rietveld and the 1950s’ that is initiated by FASadE. The Rietveld Pavilion is a true icon in The Netherlands, being the first art hall in the country. The pavilion built in 1959 is one of the most important works of architect Gerrit Rietveld. It is an interesting example of the functionalist architecture of the Interbellum, known in the Netherlands as Nieuwe Zakelijkheid (Neue Sachlichkeit in German, New Businessmentality in Engish, but it doesn’t translate that nicely).
The focus of the exhibition is on the turbulent, post- war 1950s. Designs that Rietveld made in this decade are at the epicenter of the exhibition: the three pavilions (the Rietveld Pavilion in Amersfoort, Venice and Sonsbeek), the Amersfoort chair and other designs. The Zeitgeist back then was full of innovation but showed some tension as well.
A new building is popping up in Amersfoort, inspired by three former pavilions designed by Gerrit Rietveld (Amersfoort, Otterlo and Venice). With new techniques materials, inspiring young artists and designers form a contemporary pavilion inspired by all those things we’ve come to know (and love) from De Stijl. The pavilion is used for art-exhibitions, that’s to be expected – but also music and theater. It’s open till October!
August is here and if you don’t have enough experience with the Dutch weather yet, it might be slightly challenging to get into that tropical summer feeling with all the rain and the grey clouds. Maybe you have already been to your Southern getaway and busy contemplating on how to pass the time now that you’re back to your routine. Maybe, you are still counting the days till you’ll wake up to a sunny day everyday with the view of the beach and a slight hangover from the night before. Either way; if you happen to be in the Netherlands to enjoy the rest of the summer, let us give you a helping hand with some of the concerts that we’ve picked!
Here are 8 of them to go to while you can still enjoy being outdoors whilst chugging a cold beer without wearing five layers of clothing:
1.Marilyn Manson
American singer and songwriter known for his controversial stage image and some kick-ass tunes is coming to the Netherlands as a part of his ”Heaven Upside Down” tour in support of their tenth studio album carrying the same name. Don’t miss the show!
Date: 5 August 2017
Venue: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
Tickets: Currently sold out on ticketmaster.nl
2.Bryan Adams & Special Guests
Canadian legend Bryan Adams who is known for some of the classic hits including ”Summer of ’69” and ”(Everything I Do) I Do it For You” will be performing in Eindhoven as the Netherlands stop of his Europe ”Get Up” tour. Even if you don’t dig his tunes, this would be a perfect gift to give to your mama and tante for their girls night out! Let the ladies swoon once more!
Date: 12 August 2017
Venue: Strijp-S, Eindhoven
Tickets: From 53.90 EUR
3.Megadeth
If you are more into the metal scene, we have some good news for you! American metal band Megadeth is coming to the Netherlands with their ”Killing Road” tour this summer to get you head banging to their tunes. So get ready to rock out and rock on!
Date: 15 August 2017
Venue: 013, Tilburg
Tickets: From 42.85 EUR
4.Franz Ferdinand
Scottish band best known for their song ”Take Me Out” has been shaking the alternative rock scene for quite some time and this is your chance to hear them perform live in Amsterdam this August. They will be performing hits from their new album ”Demogogue” as well as much loved killer tunes.
Date: 29 August 2017
Venue: Paradiso
Tickets: Currently sold out on ticketmaster.nl
5.Metallica
Just because September is here, it doesn’t mean it has to suck! Heavy metal legend Metallica who is praised by Rolling Stone Magazine which ranked them 61st on their ”List of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, will be performing in Amsterdam. The iconic band is known for their long list of hits like ”Master of Puppets”, ”The Unforgiven I-II”, ”For Whom the Bell Tolls”, ”One” and ”Fade to Black” (I can go on and on about this). So just grab your band t-shirt and get ready to smash it!
Date: 4 September 2017
Venue: Amsterdam Dome
Tickets: From 55.00 EUR
6.Tori Amos
If you were around in the 90’s then you’ve definitely heard of Tori Amos and her tunes. Classically trained pianist with her moving voice will be in Amsterdam and Utrecht for her ”Native Invader” tour. This is your chance to hear ”Cornflake Girl” live and make your 90’s self proud!
Date: 13-14 September 2017
Venues: Koninklijk Theater Carrre,Amsterdam and TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
Tickets: From 62.50 EUR
7.John Legend
Prefer R&B and soul over the rest? Then this should make your day because American singer and song writer will be in Amsterdam in September. Perfect for enjoying with your girlfriends and enjoy his smooth tunes. Who knows, maybe his wife Chrissy Tiegen would be there too!
Date: 22 September 2017
Venue: Ziggo Dome
Tickets: From 53.90 EUR
8.The Rolling Stones
Talk about welcoming the chilly Fall with a bang! If you like rock music, then you must love the Rolling Stones. The British rock veterans are hitting the road once again for their ”No Filter Tour” and stumbling upon both Amsterdam and Arnhem for two concerts. If you want to hear some of their finest tunes like ”Paint it Black”, ”(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, ”You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, ”Sympathy for the Devil”, ”Brown Sugar”, ”Gimme Shelter” and many more, better hurry because the tickets are selling out fast. If you happen to see them perform in Amsterdam, come and find me in the crowd!
Date: 30 September – 15 October 2017
Venue: Amsterdam Arena and Gelredome, Utrecht
Tickets: From 82,50 EUR
Conclusion
Concerts are not quite your cup of tea? Fear not! If you prefer festivals over concerts, you can take your pick from Huntenpop (10-11-12 August), Lowlands (18-19-20 August) or Encore (19 August).
Liked more than a few of our concert picks? Get started on saving money or better yet, just win the lottery!
Looking for delicious hotspots in Rotterdam? Say no more…
KUA Taco bar
Good Mexican food, now that is something we haven’t reviewed yet on DutchReview. And to be fair, there aren’t that many proper Mexican places in the Netherlands around (and some seriously suck). So when we heard good stories about the KUA Taco bar we just had to check it out. It’s located in Rotterdam’s Hoogstraat, a street which we used to avoid but it now has seen quite a couple of good hotspots opening up the past few years. This is exhibited by the opening of KUA a few months again ago, in what used to be just some Latin place.
After Margerita’s everything gets betterEarly in the evening, pretty crowded when we left
And they did a fine job! Daniel the owner (viva! A real Mexican!) has a fine eye for detail and style and it shows in the decor. I really felt like taking a small holiday to Mexico! Especially the mural with the kitty is mesmerizing, something to strive for in your own living room.
Of course, the taco’s are what matters the most – and boy those didn’t disappoint! Especially the mixed Pulled Taco platter gave you plenty of choice and variety, especially considering it’s only 15 euro’s, and I almost couldn’t eat anything else after that. But for review purposes (and gluttony) I had an extra one, the Taco de Alambre Chilango, and that was the most savory of all!
This one – peppers are hot as **** but also deliciousChorizo with cheese – YES PLEASE
Anything else to recommend? There was a combination of melted cheese and chorizo as a starter (Choriqueso!) that couldn’t disappoint and the Margarita’s were awesome too – go for those if you’re not in the market for straight-up tequila.
PS 1. Don’t do that extra taco people, it nearly killed me 😉 PS 2. Don’t mess around with the Jalapenos as well, that’s some hot stuff!
Gys
Gys is located along one of Rotterdam’s trendiest roads, the Nieuwe Binnenweg, and it certainly fits the bill. Specializing in organic, healthy food, the restaurant also has a dedication to sustainability. The decor fits the bill perfectly, with many of the hanging lights doubling as self-sustaining ecosystems.While Gys also has venues in Utrecht, each location has its own unique menu. The menu is laden with vegetarian and vegan options as well, so it’s perfect for the herbivores among us.
Our visit started with drinks, of course. In this case, a beer and a wine from the Gys brand. 100% organic and quite tasty to boot. Of course we went with the ‘proverij’ voor a starter, which consisted of a handful of different dishes, including a vegan kapsalon, beet soup, and grilled vegetables. The star of the dish, however, was the tempeh, which was absolutely phenomenal.
For the main course, I opted for the meatless loaf, a vegan meatloaf with a basis of beans and lentils. It had a lovely texture and the pairing with pearl barley was perfect. And Gys certainly aren’t stingy when it comes to portions, so you certainly don’t have to worry about going home hungry.
Last, but certainly not least, is dessert. Unfortunately, I was much too full at this point in the meal to order a large dessert, and so opted for the brownie, which was simple, delicious, and just the right amount of fudgy.
Right there in the Botersloot street (adjacent of the ‘Meen’) are a couple of nice places popping up. One of these is the Burgerij. This place has everything one can wish for: great hip decor (even for a burger place which normally is already quite fancy), big and tasty burgers, sunshiny terrace and – how very Dutch of us- a price-quality ratio to die for!
The Burgerij is originally a small chain of burger places in Belgium, they’re franchising out to the Netherlands now. With places in Amsterdam and Zwolle opening up and they’re also attending plenty of festivals.
I went for the ‘Italian’ burger on the menu, the Dolce Vita which was executed perfectly! Nice and crispy bun, crispier than usual and the burger was well-sized and prepared.
They’ve also got a permit to be open until late, a nice drinking menu – combine all of this with their nice terrace and interior and you’ve got a winner for almost every time of the weekend (don’t do burgers at breakfast though, think about your heart).
Almost right next to the Burgerij sits another tasty new establishment, and luckily they aren’t selling any burgers there. Noo. Me. is a next generation Asian restaurant, which doesn’t go by the rulebook when it comes to cooking from a certain country. The Laksa and dumplings especially were to die for and extremely reasonably priced. When we asked what made these noodle soups so much better than our own homely efforts they told us that not only do they make everything from scratch (so no supermarket noodles) but also that they’re broths have been sitting on the stove getting delicious for more than hours at an end.
Noo. Me can boast both a nicely designed interior and an outside terrace, their ice-tea cocktails were something to look forward to on a hot day.
Their Laksa’s, Pho’s and dumplings taste even better when you find out that they’ve got pensioners working in the kitchen. The owner told me they wanted to fulfill a social role and ‘profit’ from all the knowledge of the older generations – this way everybody profits, and it’s such an ingenious way of thinking that it makes you wonder why there aren’t places doing this.
Fair enough, the Biergarten in Rotterdam can hardly be called a hidden gem of Rotterdam. For years now this urban garden next to Rotterdam Central is one of the places to be. Many of you probably have been there once or twice, pounding away those half a liter beers with your colleagues after work, and why wouldn’t you? I mean look at the glorious vibe present on a random Thursday:
One would expect burgers and bbq-food to find their way to Biergarten’s Menu, and yes they’re nicely present – as well as some stews and salads. So a wide variety of choices available besides the obvious beers. But they had some pretty snacks as well, perfect to go with a beer. We tried the calamari, shrimp croquettes, and the nachos. Especially the nachos were something to behold, with pulled pork and cheese omnipresent! So come for the beers, but don’t leave if you want something to eat.
View from the water.
You can’t say you know your roommates until you can tell one from the other simply by their snoring. Source: Aurora Signorazzi
Isn’t it just like the Caribbean?! (No, it is not; but that’s as close as it gets)
If the wind stops, however, you might need a little bit of help… Source: Aurora Signorazzi
Conclusion
