Amsterdam’s municipality has just extended its existing security measures until January 2, 2026, and expanded its “high-risk zone” to cover even more of the city centre.
Helaas, it looks like Amsterdam’s controversial high-risk zone isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The city’s veiligheidsrisicogebied or “safety risk area” was scheduled to expire this Sunday (October 26), but ongoing gun-related incidents have convinced city officials to keep the measure in place.
The original zone applied primarily to Amsterdam’s Burgwallen Oudezijde-Noord area, but it has now been expanded to include Koepelkwartier, Nieuwendijk, and surrounding areas.
This means that the high-risk zone currently applies to the following parts of Amsterdam:
Oudezijds Achterburgwal (the northern section),
Damrak,
Nieuwendijk,
Prins Hendrikkade,
Geldersekade,
Nieuwmarkt (including underground metro stations),
Kloveniersburgwal (the northern section),
Spuistraat (the northern section),
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, and
Koepelkwartier.
Amsterdam’s high risk zone is now bigger than before. Image: Gemeente Amsterdam
What can I expect?
The previous conditions still apply, so if you happen to live in any of the aforementioned areas, you can expect an increased police presence.
Officers in the safety zone will also conduct extensive security screenings, with the municipality noting that “all persons and vehicles within the cordoned-off area are checked.”
If you’re walking through these areas or taking the metro, you may need to factor some additional time into your commute.
How do you feel about Amsterdam’s high-risk zone? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Travelling between London and Amsterdam? Eurostar’s double-decker international trains are on the way, and they’re bringing 20% more seat capacity with them.
In a new press release, Eurostar unveiled a €2 billion upgrade to their fleet, with up to 50 new double-decker trains.
The sleek new fleet (named ‘Eurostar Celestia’) is set to launch in May 2031, and will operate through the Channel Tunnel, connecting London to “a constellation of cities across Europe.” And yes, that includes Amsterdam!
More seats, more destinations
Each train in the Celestia fleet is expected to seat a little over 1,000 passengers, which will likely mean fewer sold-out seats if you’re catching the Eurostar to or from the Netherlands.
The fleet will service Eurostar’s existing routes to key cities in France, the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Plus, they’ll also unlock lines to new locations, such as Geneva and Frankfurt.
That’s more European cities within easy reach of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, without the hassle (or carbon footprint) of flying.
Will you be booking a seat on the new double-deckers, or are you on Team ‘Book Me a Flight There’? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Imagine this: you just finished having a delicious meal with your Dutch friend when they all of a sudden sit back, undo the top of their trousers, and say, “Zo, nu even goed uitbuiken.” (So, now it’s time to rest.)
You stare in confusion as their belly hangs out and think to yourself, “This is odd”, but your jeans are also exceptionally tight after eating.
It’s starting to hurt. You think, “Maybe they’re onto something here.”
And down goes the zip.
It seems that the Dutch understand not only the pleasure of eating good food but also the importance of giving their body rest and time to digest after eating, which is why they often take a break to ‘uitbuiken’.
What is it?
Uitbuiken is used as a verb. If we break the word into two parts, it literally translates to “belly out.”
[Channelling David Attenborough voice] Typically, people who are in the process of uitbuiken will stretch out their legs, lean backwards on the dining chair or couch, unzip their pants, and pat their bellies with their hands.
This word is used informally and is mostly exchanged with friends or family members (meaning you shouldn’t use it at the office).
Nothing cosier than chilling on the couch with friends after a good dinner 🥰 Image: Freepik
This is what you do after a lavish dinner in the comfort of your home: sit back, relax, and give those food babies some room to breathe.
Following up: a cup of coffee or tea to stimulate the digestive process to, well, get your uitbuiken uit. ☕
Why do they do it?
The Dutch are known as open-minded and honest people. For them, there’s no shame in letting people know that you’re full and need a little breather after a big meal.
If you invite some Dutchies over for a home-cooked meal at your home and they hit you with a “Ik ga even uitbuiken,” take this as a huge compliment.
Home is where you can take a nap with your belly out ❤️ / Image: Dreamstime
They loved your food, ate too much, and now they’re telling you their waistlines need a break before passing around the dessert. 🍰
They do it for simple physical comfort, but also because they are super comfortable with you.
Why is it quirky?
It’s not usually common to let people know that you’re stuffed with food and need a break. Nor is it common to let your belly hang out in the process. 😄
Think of it as the physical manifestation of Dutch directness. It’s surprising but also welcome.
Should you join in?
Only if you’re comfortable!
It’s only human to sport a food baby after eating. Why not let those around you know that you need a break before continuing the evening? After all, it’s a strict no-shame zone!
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Finding the best place to work or study in Maastricht can be tricky: where can you sit all day? Where’s the best coffee? And where, oh where, are the power outlets?
If you’re in Maastricht and can’t find the motivation at home, simply go and find it somewhere (preferably with caffeine) nearby.👇
Here are the best cafes and coworking spots to work or study in Maastricht!
This café belongs to the famous Coffeelovers franchise, and it’s the only branch with table service! So, you can sit down, open your laptop, and get served as you please.
At Plein 1992, you’ll also find power plugs next to the tables, which is great if you’re planning on taking an entire day to study at the café.
It’s also right on the corner of the Meuse River, so after your productive study sesh, feel free to take a stroll along Maastricht’s beautiful waterways.
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: Stay for a cup of coffee ⏰ Opening hours: 8 AM until 6 PM from Monday to Friday, 9 AM until 6 PM from Saturday to Sunday 📍 Location: Plein 1992 77, Maastricht
2. The Social Hub: the coolest coworking around
Ideal if you’re looking for a social coworking spot! Image: The Social Hub/Supplied
Want to be surrounded by people who know how to work hard and play hard? The Social Hub (formerly the Student Hotel) is a startup hub and coworking spot that is buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit.
Housed in a former factory, this spot is surrounded by cultural attractions. But you’re here to get work done, right? No stress! The spacious work areas, huge desks, natural light, and (best of all) free coffee and tea will give you a hand.
Choose from a day pass, a month pass, a dedicated desk, or even a private office. The opportunities are endless, and the people are ridiculously friendly.
🏢 Type: Coworking 💰 Price: €15 for a day pass, flexible memberships from €109 per month ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30 AM-6:30 PM Monday to Friday 📍 Location: Sphinxcour 9a, 6211 XZ
While this gezellige café is relatively small, it has several seating options; from four-seat tables to solo barstools, you can get comfortable whether you’re coming alone or with your friends.
Zondag is also reputable for bringing in an international crowd, so you’ll probably hear other languages other than Dutch and English there.
Hot tip: it gets packed in the evenings, so this place is best for a daytime study or work session.
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: From €3.40 for a coffee ⏰ Opening hours: 10 AM until 2 AM from Monday to Friday, 10 AM until 3 AM from Saturday to Sunday 📍 Location: Wijckerbrugstraat 42 Maastricht
4. Fixed Gear Coffee: work your brain and your bike
Fixed Gear Coffee combines your ol’ regular coffee shop (the usual type) and a bike workshop. Coffee and cycling, does it get more Dutch than this?
If your bicycle is in a rut, and you’re too busy to go fix it, you can kill two birds with one stone and get some work done while having it repaired. 🚲
If you want to work or study there while a fur baby stares at you over your laptop screen, geen probleem. You can freely bring in your fluffy companion as Fixed Gear Coffee is also pet-friendly!
🏢 Type: Bicycle store/café 💰 Price: €3.00 for a coffee ⏰ Opening hours: 8 AM until 5 PM from Monday to Friday, and 9 AM until 5 PM from Saturday to Sunday 📍 Location: Grote Gracht 42, Maastricht
5. ROOOMS: entrepreneurial atmosphere
Just sit down, relax, and let the wave of productivity crest over you. Image: Freepik
Want a workplace in the centre of Maastricht? ROOOMS is bustling with startups and freelancers, making it the ideal place to get work done.
Tucked among the desks is everything you need for productivity: outlets, printers, meeting rooms, free fruit, and coffee that just keeps flowing.
It’s also the perfect place to practice your Dutch and network; all from just €65 per month!
🏢 Type: Coworking 💰 Price: From €65 per month for a flexible community subscription ⏰ Openinghours: 8:30 AM until 5 PM from Monday to Friday 📍 Location: Boschstraat 21, 6211 AS
While Joost en Maartje is much larger than our other recommendations for places to work or study in Maastricht, it still has a chill and homely environment with a great working atmosphere.
With free WiFi and power plugs available at dining tables, this café is the perfect place to get some hard tasks done.
The café offers breakfast, lunch, and a whole bunch of coffee options. And, their menu has very reasonable prices, which is great for students on a budget!
🏢 Type: Café 💰 Price: Just the price of food and drink! ⏰ Openinghours: 8:30 AM until 5 PM from Tuesday to Sunday 📍 Location: Maastrichter Heidenstraat 8
7. Alley Cat Bikes & Coffee: for comfort and a good cup of joe
Like Fixed Gear Coffee, Alley Cat Bikes & Coffee also combines bike repairs and speciality coffee. What else would you expect in the Netherlands?
Located in the heart of Maastricht, this café is the perfect chill place to work and study while your bike gets a quick check-up.
Another plus? The café has an open layout, with loads of natural light to keep you feeling less like a dungeon rat and more like a refreshed youngster as you work.
🏢 Type: Bicycle store and café 💰 Price: Order a coffee and you can work away! ⏰ Openinghours: 10 AM until 5 PM from Tuesday to Sunday 📍 Location: Hoenderstraat 15-17, Maastricht
8. Coffeelovers Dominicanen: in Maastricht’s old cathedral
Has there ever been a more inspiring place to work? Image: Bettina Miera/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
Coffeelovers Dominicanenis the ultimate work or study place for book lovers in Maastricht, because what better place is there to get those readings done than in an old cathedral-turned-bookstore?
Once you’re done studying in an 11th-century iconic structure in the centre of Maastricht, feel free to take a walk around the shop’s offerings.
While this café ranks on the pricier side, the background view of the historical cathedral as you work easily tops that boring white wall in front of your desk at home.
🏢 Type: Bookstore and café 💰 Price: Order a drink or some lunch, and you can get stuff done ⏰ Openinghours: 10 AM until 6 PM on Monday, 9 AM until 6 PM from Tuesday to Saturday, and 12 PM until 6 PM on Sunday 📍 Location: Dominikanerkerkstraat 1, Maastricht
9. Coffeelovers Centre Céramique: perfect for museum visits
Last but not least, we have another branch of Coffeelovers: Coffeelovers Centre Céramique! A quiet and chill café in the central hall of the Maastricht Museum.
This place is ideal if you’re visiting the museum and want to stop for a bite to eat or some coffee to warm up.
Just want a snack while you explore the city? With a range of takeaway options and a location slap-bang in the heart of the city, that’s totally doable!
Wearing shoes in the house in the Netherlands: it’s a thing. For those of us who come from different cultures, it’s a strange phenomenon — but where does this custom come from?
I’ve already written about other interesting Dutch habits and have since bought a house in the Netherlands. That’s when a discussion came up when talking about visitors: will we have an Austrian household or a Dutch one?
Most importantly, how do we make Dutch guests understand my strange, urgent need that they have to take off their shoes in the hallway?
Cultural differences: Austria
Every time I enter a house, I take off my shoes immediately at the front door. I never considered that other people don’t do that or questioned why I do it. It’s in my system and has been a habit for as long as I remember.
My mom was especially nitpicky about it since we always had wooden floors, and she never liked dirty shoeprints on the floor.
That’s why my brother and I always took our shoes off so as not to drag any dirt or snow inside the house. We didn’t want to make our mom mad… or clean the floor afterwards. 🫢
So, when coming to the Netherlands and visiting Dutch households, I always automatically took off my shoes — that is until my boyfriend told me that it is not common here.
At first, I was a bit confused. But it was summer, the weather was warm, and I wore sandals — so I just listened.
Wearing heels in Dutch households is common! Image: Freepik
Looking around, I noticed that nobody else was walking in socks or barefoot either. People even wore high heels in the living room and walked on tiny stilettos, pinching holes in the wooden floor. 👠
So, why do Dutch people wear shoes in the house?
Afterwards, I couldn’t help but initiate a conversation about it with my boyfriend, who explained this Dutch phenomenon.
When I started to work here, I noticed that all the students ran around in their shoes too.
In Austria, that would never happen. From kindergarten on, every kid wears slippers. You come to school, take off your shoes, and walk in slippers all day long.
Our teachers and parents always told us that it would be healthier for our feet, and the cleaning personnel were especially happy because we dragged less dirt inside. Only the teachers were allowed to wear their normal shoes.
No rush taking off your shoes in a Dutch household. Image: Freepik
Once I became a teacher myself, I was a little bit proud to have that privilege. But seeing Dutch students coming to school completely soaked from cycling through the rain and then walking around on a carpeted floor at school left me quite surprised.
A quick search on Google
So, pretty obviously, we have a cultural difference here. I was so completely taken by the subject that I googled it.
“In Northern Europe and Austria, it is considered rude and unhygienic to wear shoes in the house.” I like how Austria even got its special position in this sentence.
Then I found out that “in the Netherlands, people don’t usually wear shoes in the house.” That means that it is not usual but still common, especially for visitors.
I grew older, I grew wiser, and, to be honest, I inherited many characteristics of my mom. I know that I don’t want to have people walk around in my house in shoes.
I love walking around in socks, and I simply have this “no-shoe attitude” deeply anchored in my Austrian heart.
So when it comes to having our own house in the Netherlands, I am probably a pretty annoying host. My boyfriend at least stands behind my rule, but I guess his main reason is “happy wife, happy life.” 😆
What is your opinion on wearing shoes in the house? Tell us in the comments below!
A sauna in the Netherlands may sound like the perfect way to relax — until you walk in and everyone is butt naked. 🙈
Yes, you’ve read that right. Stark, bollock naked. No bikini, no swimsuit, niks. But don’t be alarmed if your work colleague or mum-friend from school suggests a visit.
Visiting a sauna or spa in the Netherlands can actually be a really fun, liberating experience. We promise.
Do you have a specific question you want answered? Skip to the main parts:
Can’t you just feel the warmth through the screen? Image: Depositphotos
I have been lucky enough to visit a few different Dutch saunas during my time here. I have to say, these places are amazing. 🧖♀️
You’ll find a huge variety of swimming pools, steam rooms, jacuzzis, and of course, saunas.
They also normally have these ‘relax rooms’ equipped with full-size beds and blankets that are simply screaming for you to lay down, relax and nap for hours on end. 😴
It’s not all nudity (well, mostly)
If you don’t want to strip down to your birthday suit, you’re welcome to wear a robe. Image: Freepik
But don’t panic that the occupant before you has laid in the bad naked!
Everyone gets provided with a bathrobe and slippers (or you can take your own). In the public areas, most people will keep their robes on and only disrobe to go into the saunas or steam rooms.
Although, you do get the odd few who like to walk around the whole time in their birthday suit.
Personally, I like to keep myself wrapped in a bathrobe most of the time. It can get a little chilly walking from sauna to sauna, especially since many are set across huge outdoor grounds.
So, there really is no obligation to be naked at all. Don’t worry!
Dutch saunas have nice restaurants and bars
Eating breakfast in your bathrobe? Yes. Image: Depositphotos
Most of the spas I’ve been to have a selection of restaurants and bars dotted across their premises. This means that you get to enjoy a glass of wine or some Dutch snacks when all that relaxing is making you hungry. 😉
If you prefer something more substantial, some spas even offer three-course meals or a full buffet (you know how the Dutch just love a buffet).
And the best bit, you are all sitting around munching on your goodies in your bathrobe. No need to get changed!
Just imagine biting into your portion of bitterballen, knowing your own bitterballen are hanging free. Win-Win!
No need to worry about voyeurs and weirdoes who secretly try to film you lying back legs akimbo (please don’t do this!!) in the sauna. There is a strict no mobile phones and cameras are allowed policy, which they will enforce.
Plus, the age range in these spas tends to average in the higher figures, many of whom still have no clue how to work a Nokia 7710, let alone the latest iPhone or Samsung camera.
Going to a sauna in the Netherlands will make your body confidence skyrocket
Unexpected side-effect: saunas will make you feel amazing in your own skin. Image: Depositphotos
The first time I went to a naked sauna, I’d just undergone a C-section and was incredibly self-conscious. I imagined everyone would be staring at my scar (as well as my dimpled thighs and rather large backside).
But I seriously needn’t have worried. When everybody is naked, you actually realise that in REAL LIFE, everybody looks different but also exactly the same.
We all have boobs and vajayjays and willies and bums.
Some are saggier, some are bigger, some tummies are rounder, and some legs are slimmer.
But who cares? I walked out of that spa feeling 10 feet high and could see for myself where that Dutch confidence comes from.
Note: When picking a spa or sauna to visit, it’s always worth choosing one a little further away. No matter how confident I am, I have zero desire to see my kids’ school teachers/bank manager/mother-in-law whilst we are both naked, having to pretend like we’re not.
All in all, going to a sauna in the Netherlands is one hell of an experience! Have you ever been to one before? Let us know in the comments below!
If you were planning a leisurely evening stroll along the beach, you might want to reschedule.The KNMI has issued a code orange weather warning for this afternoon and Friday morning.
Yep, Storm Benjamin is barrelling towards the Netherlands with wind gusts expected to reach up to 120 kilometres per hour.
The warning kicks off at 2 PM for Zeeland, with other western provinces following later.
The rest of the country won’t escape entirely though, with code yellow warnings in place for areas outside the western coastal zones.
What to expect from Storm Benjamin
If you’re wondering what code orange actually means, it’s the second-highest weather warning level issued by the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute).
Translation: this is going to be nasty weather that poses real risks.
In the Netherlands, there are three weather codes. Image: DutchReview
The storm will bring heavy wind gusts starting in the southwest, spreading across the rest of the country throughout the night. Western coastal areas can expect gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, whilst further inland, you’re looking at around 80 km/h.
According to NOS, the KNMI warns that traffic will face significant disruption, and there’s a real risk of damage from flying objects and broken branches.
Basically, secure your garden furniture and don’t park under any dodgy-looking trees.
How to stay safe during the storm
The wind is expected to gradually ease on Friday, but until then, the KNMI’s advice is pretty straightforward: avoid unnecessary travel, especially in coastal areas where code orange applies.
If you do need to venture out, keep your distance from trees and tall structures. Cyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles should be particularly cautious, as these wind speeds can genuinely knock you off course.
For internationals who might not be familiar with Dutch weather warnings, it’s worth downloading the KNMI app or checking their website regularly.
The warnings are updated frequently, and knowing when the storm hits your specific area can help you plan accordingly.
Have you experienced a Dutch storm before, or is this your first code orange weather warning? Share your storm tips in the comments below.
Being from the land of cheese, clogs, and windmills, the Dutch have their stranger sides. Whether it relates to food or dating, who better to uncover them (apart from us, obviously) than an American expat TikTokker?
Originally hailing from the United States, Claudio moved to Utrecht a few years ago.
His TikTok videos about life in the lowlands as an American have gone viral, attracting over 241K followers and 6.1 million likes.
How can you continue biking when your body starts showing undeniable signs of ageing? Simple, just get an e-bike and pedal for the rest of your life like a pro!
The Dutch love a good bike, so it’s no wonder they use plenty of e-bikes too — and while they’re often a danger to their surroundings, we kinda love the vibe! 💪🏽
What is it?
It’s no news that Dutch people bike — a lot. From when they’re very young, throughout their teenage years, the duration of their university lives, and into the grown-up stage.
Dutchies bike and bike, wherever and whenever they need to go somewhere. 🚲 So, of course, old Dutch people bike as well.
People 65 to 75 cycle more than any adult group in the Netherlands.
Not because they’re super-human, but because of the traffic-calmed streets and segregated cycle networks. These environments allow them to participate in society far longer into old age.https://t.co/aQYOcZOPfYpic.twitter.com/uutvqTiQ8i
But what do you do when the joints start squeaking, the muscles start giving in, and the energy levels are not what they once were? You get an e-bike, duh!
Having lived in the Netherlands for three years, I cannot count the number of times I’ve stared in shock as a 90-something-year-old on an oma-fiets (grandma bike) overtakes me in the bike lane.
How on earth can she bike that fast when I’m already sweating!? It’s an e-bike, of course. 🧏🏽♀️
But it’s not all fun and games when the elderly Dutchies bring out their speedy bikes. Accidents are common, and some even end with fatalities.
It doesn’t help that those old Dutchies are just like younger ones: they don’t give a f*ck about pedestrians as long as they get from A to B as fast as humanly possible.
One explanation might simply be that biking is such an integral part of the Dutch lifestyle, so it feels totally unnatural to give it up for something as insignificant as old age.
It is, after all, the easiest, healthiest, and most fun way you can get around in the Netherlands! It would be straight-up silly and boring to stop biking if you ask the Dutch.
The Netherlands, despite the unhealthy food, actually ranks surprisingly high on the World Population Review’s overview of the world’s healthiest nations, at just 11th place!
Perhaps the elderly Dutchies have become aware of their potential for improvement and taken matters into their own hands to upgrade the national public health standard. 👨🏽⚕️
Why is it quirky?
While most old people accept defeat and stop moving when their bodies tell them to stop, Dutch people are not built for sitting still (or, apparently, sitting in a car).
Their determined and hard-working spirit shows up in more ways than one, but the unstoppable biking culture is probably the most noticeable one.
Why stop biking just because you can’t move like you once did? 👵🏽
Should you join in?
If you’re lucky enough to grow old in the Netherlands, you should definitely join in on the e-bike trend once your body starts resisting the traditional bike.
Hold onto your umbrellas and secure your garden gnomes, because a major storm is on its way.
Forecasters say strong winds are expected from Thursday evening, rolling into the Netherlands from the southwest and sweeping eastward overnight into Friday.
The night storm
As Weerplaza meteorologist Wouter van Bernebeek tells AD, the storm will arrive on Thursday, but we won’t see it before the evening.
That gives you a little breathing room to finish errands, hang out your washing or enjoy a (brief) peaceful commute.
But once the evening arrives, the wind may show its teeth. Gusts of 100-120 km/h are possible, particularly along western and northwestern coasts, with some risk inland.
“Locally, the wind could be quite strong,” the weatherman says.
If you live near the coast, it might be a good night to put the recycling out earlier and bring in any lightweight patio furniture.
Heavy rain will join the bluster on Friday, October 24, with forecasters expecting 20-40 millimetres to fall across the country. If you’re heading out of the house, wellies and a waterproof jacket will be useful companions.
It will also be rather chilly, with temperatures of around 11 degrees Celsius in the north and northwest.
Quite the stormy season
This week’s squall could be something of a headline maker for the season, because it may be the third storm of the autumn and the fifth of the year.
Looking ahead to the weekend, conditions will turn noticeably colder. Temperatures are expected to drop to around 10 degrees, and possibly 7 to 8 degrees during showers.
So plan accordingly, enjoy the dramatic skies if you can watch safely from indoors, and maybe practise your dramatic hair-blow for social media.
Were you planning to cycle around the canals, or did you plan a cosy stay-at-home weekend and now the weather’s turned out just perfect for you? Tell us in the comments!
