
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…

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 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 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 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…

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…

Local Charities Worldwide: four Haarlemmers start a revolution of giving
I don’t know about you but I am quite done getting my heart broken every morning, for the best part of the last year. Getting up, sipping coffee on the couch while browsing through the news is supposed to be a relaxing start to my day, like…

Back to school: Camille and her Dutch learning journey
As an expat moving to a new country, learning the local language or at least some notions of it usually is one of the first concerns – right after having sorted out the important stuff actually essential to life, such as finding accommodation…

When your family doesn't support your dream
What do you do if you are lacking support from your loved ones? It is time to apply the crab theory!
Is your family not supporting your dream?
You are super excited and motivated but they say you're crazy.
Knowing this crab theory will…

The tricky expat question: where is home?
Expats the world over establish themselves in new places, but do they call the new place home or is it where they originally came from? This Expats Nest article asks this question by sharing the story of Greek-born expat now ensconced in London.
Here,…

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…

Travel tales: moving to Morocco with a passion for photography
During this period of time when we cannot travel, let’s look back and share stories of past trips – ones that have come about so we can make life changes or holidays where we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This article tells the story…

Travel tales: Iceland’s dancing Northern Lights
During this period of time when we cannot travel, let’s look back and share stories of past trips – ones that have come about so we can make life changes or holidays where we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. First up is my own recollection…

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…

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…

Unruly kids: is it time to embrace the ‘time out’?
Time out is often used to calm children down. It is a controversial method, with both supporters and opponents. This article includes a description of what the ‘time out’ method entails and the advantages and disadvantages that go along…

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…

Online happenings for January
During the current period of lockdown, people are looking for digital entertainment and so here’s a short round-up of activities for online inspiration and pursuits to pass the time during January. Why not travel around the country – virtually…

Compulsary negative coronavirus test for all travellers
A compulsory negative COVID-19 test result is now required for all airline passengers, including Dutch nationals.
The Dutch government recently amended the travel restrictions, valid for all incoming passengers including EU residents. The…

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.…

Live life without regrets
Living life without regrets needs you need to take the leap. Are you ready?
Regret is poison. Imagine being 90 years old and you're looking back upon your life and all you can think is:
What if I had done it?'
What if I had done what…

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…

Christmas from home in Haarlem: shining light on an Irish tradition
Making sure there is a candle flickering in the window is one tradition from home that will be lighting up my festive time in Haarlem this year. It is an Irish tradition, now brought to the Netherlands.
Not travelling home for Christmas is…

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…

A coronavirus patient from Haarlem taken by helicopter to German hospital
On Monday 21 December, a coronavirus patient from Haarlem was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Dortmund. This is first infected patient in two months that has been transported to Germany.
The last time patients were admitted to…

Festive Traditions: Ukraine vs the Netherlands
Many expats celebrating the festive season in the Netherlands will also incorporate traditions from home. Sometimes it can be an overwhelming time, especially for kids, and parents need to decide what to celebrate and when, how to accommodate…

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…

Feeling blue this festive season?
Some of us, this year more than ever, might be dreading the upcoming festivities. Not being able to travel home to be with loved ones is going to be tough for so many people. While some might be putting a brave face on, determined to decorate…

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…

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…