Pentecost 2021 is on the 23th and 24th of June. Here a couple of tips to spend your long weekend.Pexels
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Pentecost 2021 in Holland

Something that intrigued me ever since I first arrived in Holland is the number of Dutch public holidays specifically related to events on the Roman Catholic calendar. It struck me and still does that a fairly non-religious country like the…
summer holiday parks
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Best holiday parks in the Netherlands for an unforgettable summer

Summer holidays are around the corner! If you are already thinking about where to spend the summer break this year, you are going to love these 7 getaways in the Netherlands. There are different accommodations for families in the Netherlands…
Bavaria takes over Haarlem brewery UiltjeUiltje
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Bavaria takes over Haarlem brewery Uiltje

Uiltje Brewing Company from Haarlem, the brewer of specialty beers such as Bird of Prey, Dikke Lul 3 Bier! and F * ck the caravan is in the Fik, will be owned by Swinkels Family Brewers. Het Uiltje will expand and remain autonomous. Uiltje…
Buying a property in today’s housing marketTierra Mallorca
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Buying a property in today’s housing market

If you are, or have recently talked to anyone who is, a prospective property buyer, you will know that today’s Dutch housing market really is a sellers’ market. You will then also know that properties are often being sold (well) above the…
This course is meant for children in the age between 8 and 12 to expand their knowledge of Dutch. Both online and face-to-face in Haarlem, starting May 10th.
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Dutch for Children

This Monday afternoon course is meant for children in the age between 8 and 12 who want to expand their knowledge of Dutch. The interactive course consists of 8 fun and meaningful lessons for children who wish to learn Dutch and communicate…
Haarlem women's day
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International Women’s Day: 12 remarkable Haarlemmer women!

March 8 is the International Women's Day and here in Expats Haarlem we want to celebrate it by honoring some of the Haarlemmer women who made and are still making an impact in the Netherlands and in the world! Haarlem's history has many special…
Ben Coates article
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The year of corona: Dutch superiority - Superior failure

In the Netherlands if we are better at something, we like international comparisons. And if we are not better at it, the answer is: 'This is not a competition!' During the corona crisis, Dutch failure is often presented as Dutch superiority. About…
Dutch green field with bikeroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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New CBS report tracks Dutch government’s climate targets

February has had its fare share of extreme weather scenarios in the Netherlands. Going from country-wide 'code red' warnings for snow drifts and blizzards near the beginning of the month to the start of a record-breaking run of mild days just…
Online retail turnover increased by over 92 percentrupixen.com
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Online retail turnover increased by over 92 percent

Online sales were 92.1 percent higher in January than in the same month a year earlier. Since the start of the publication of Internet sales by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) in January 2014, the growth has not been so strong. The cause can…
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19/winkels-en-contactberoepen/winkelen-en-boodschappen-doenArturo Rey
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Corona: rules for shops in the 1.5 metre society

From 3 March all non-essential shops may offer shopping by appointment. Shops for basic necessities such as among others supermarkets and other food stores, chemists and gas stations may stay open for business. Delivery and pick up of orders…
More breathing space in lockdown, but caution remainsMartin Sanchez
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More breathing space in lockdown, but caution remains

The coronavirus measures are testing everyone’s resilience, both physically and mentally. The longer the crisis continues, the more difficult it becomes for everyone. Now that a year has passed, the pandemic’s social and economic effects…
Dutch turn to live-stream webcams during curfewGemeente Haarlem
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Dutch turn to live-stream webcams during curfew

The national coronavirus curfew came into effect on January 23, and search engine Google immediately reported a significant increase in the number of ''webcam" searches. Curfew in the Netherlands In the ongoing fight against the coronavirus…
Why do we love the snow?
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Why do we love the snow so much?

There's no doubt that we are going through some weird times with a pandemic and the measures to prevent it. And as if that wasn't enough, the winter of 2021 has arrived, bringing sub-zero temperatures and icy winds along with it. The dark, cold…
Snow with bisschopswijn
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Dutch snow? Time for Dutch mulled wine: bisschopswijn!

Finally, we had the snow storm we all have been waiting for and don't we deserve it, especially this weird year! So while outside it feels like -14°C and we came back inside after walking and playing like children in the snow storm in the center…
Lockdown measures tightened including curfewAnne Nygard
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Lockdown measures tightened including curfew

On the evening of  Wednesday 20 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that lockdown measures have to be tightened in response to concerns about new variants of the coronavirus. The previous announcement on…
dutch cabinet resignation
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Dutch government resigns: what are the consequences for the corona crisis?

The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s government resigned on Friday 15 January over a scandal in which thousands of parents were falsely accused of child benefit fraud between 2013 and 2019. Ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity…
Netherlands to remain in lockdown until at least 9 February inclusiveMartin Sanchez on Unsplash
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Dutch lockdown continues until at least 9 February

On the evening of Tuesday 12 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended for a further 3 weeks. The previous announcement in December…
baby feetroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Freebies for newborns in the Netherlands

When your new baby is delivered, this will undoubtedly be the best present ever. Though, did you know that you can get other deliveries – for free – for when you bring your newborn home, if you know where to look? Read on to know what surprises…
Oliebollen, a Dutch New Year's tradition
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Oliebollen, a Dutch New Year's tradition

It is a Dutch tradition to eat 'oliebollen' on New Year's Day. What's that, what's their origin, where to buy the best ones and how to bake them? Here we go... Oliebollen? Oliebollen are a traditional Dutch delicacy eaten during winter.…
festive food sparklesroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Festive food deliveries in Haarlem: order a tasty New Year treat!

The period between Christmas and New Year can be a hazy, lazy time and it is understandable if you don’t fancy cooking for yourself. After such a hard time for the horeca industry, it can be a good idea to support our favourite restaurants…
festive hot cocoa and whipped creamroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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A festive Dutch lesson for Christmas lovers

Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is here! The – normally – most wonderful time of the year is definitely going to be somewhat different this year, and maybe even difficult for some of us, so we thought it would be a good idea to try to raise everyone’s…
upside-down reflection
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Can we really compare our cultures?

Across the globe, ways of life differ immeasurably – yet people are people. They will always compare – and, generally, they will always like to complain (at least a little bit). So, it might be only natural that when you experience a new…
YouTube gives visitors the option to see less alcohol and gambling adscottonbro via Pexels
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YouTube gives visitors the option to see less alcohol and gambling ads

YouTube will give visitors to the video site the option to see fewer alcohol and gambling ads, the company announced on its blog. The option is expected to be available globally in Google Account Settings in early 2021. Alcohol and gambling…
rise in corona cases december 2020
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8894 new infections yesterday, 1600 more than the weekly average

A total of 8894 new confirmed coronavirus infections were reported to the RIVM as of Friday morning on 11 December, which is 120 more than the previous day. The weekly average is 7264. The number of infections has increased rapidly over the…
An interview with Sinterklaas (Photo: Rodi)
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An interview with Sinterklaas

The Shallow Man recently had the dubious honor of interviewing the world’s angriest not black man, Zwarte Piet. Like many of his supporters, I found him to be very emotional, irrational and downright aggressive. There were a number of questions…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus

They both work in the same sector, wear red, and have a big white beard. For Piet's sake: what's the difference?  The Big Day Sinterklaas: Sinterklaas' "heerlijk avondje" / delicious is 5 December, although Sint arrives with a steamer…
From December 1, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the NetherlandsUnsplash
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From 1 December, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the Netherlands

To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, it is compulsory to wear a face mask in all public indoor spaces for everyone aged 13 and older from Tuesday 1 December. Anyone not wearing a mask can be fined €95. The new law provides a legal…
primary school abacusroyalty free (re-use possible without attribution)
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Choosing a primary school in Haarlem

The process of picking the perfect primary school starts a long time before your child actually heads off for their first day. In the Netherlands, kids start school shortly after turning 4-years old and the application deadline will be 12 months…
coronavirus masksroyalty free (reuse possible with accreditation)
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Dutch coronavirus response: survey for internationals

A new survey aimed at internationals living in the Netherlands about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their daily lives has been issued by ICAP, the International Community Advisory Panel – which is an initiative put together by four…
Sint Maarten 2020 in HaarlemSven Brandsma
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Sint Maarten 2020 in Haarlem

Every year, children sing songs at the door during Sint Maarten on 11 November. This could increase the chance of coronavirus spreading, though the chances are reduced when everyone is careful and follows the guidelines. The celebration can…