Lifestyle: Living, Leisure, Work and Wellness

novels
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Novels to better understand the Dutch

Getting to know a new culture can be difficult, especially when there is a language barrier. I moved to Holland five years ago and even if I have taken lessons and try my best to speak Dutch on every available occasion, my Dutch is still not…
Animals
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A child or a dog? A decision of millennial's.

A close friend, a successful journalist, an attractive girl and wife, bought a dog with her husband. They are not ready for children at the moment but will consider this question in five or six years. Having the dog is an excellent solution…
Anthony Fokker
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Dutch History; Anthony Fokker, the Haarlem mechanic who changed the face of WWI.

Anthony Fokker, also known as the Flying Dutchman, built his first plane in 1910 and taught himself to fly. During WWI he introduced the gear system that made it possible to fire a machine gun through the propeller arc without hitting the blades. Anthony…
greenjoy
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Get the Most from Haarlem — Rent a Boat at Greenjoy!

As 98% of Dutch people can swim and sailing a boat is an easy task even for a kid. An untrained expat also can manage it after fifteen minutes of shame. If you don't have a driving licence, no worries, it is not required if the boat is less…
road trip
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3 road trips with kids to make from the netherlands part 3 Germany

Its summer and you're probably thinking about taking the family out for a road trip! In this final instalment, we look at Germany. Part one of this series is in France and part two of this series is in Belgium.  Road trips from the…
friends
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6 tips on how to make friends

Leaving your friends and support network behind can be one of the greatest challenges of an international relocation. But, as every expat knows, it also creates space for new friendships and the opportunity to engage with people you might not…
Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this July

Summer is finally here and July is packed full of activities! From a concert on the Spaarne to the end of the month drink; we got you covered. On Saturday, 7 July our famous river, the Spaarne will turn into a floating stage to host the…
old men
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Propositioned by older men

He then proceeds to wink at me. The man looks at least 70! This man is as old as the hills. What business does he have winking at young ladies in bars! I am disgusted. Once upon a time, I thought I was ageing before my time. I accept…
motivation
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Tips to stay motivated anywhere in the world.

Are you truly enjoying your experience abroad and completely happy? You may have days when your motivation is completely lost, your courage is below zero and your self-doubt is sky high. I sure recognize that. Over the past years, in every…
circus sijm
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An intimate, wonderful world of Circus Sijm

There’s magic in a traditional circus that can’t be topped by any other forms of entertainment. Last weekend, I was able to see one of the few remaining travelling circuses in the Netherlands. The Circus Sijm doesn’t disappoint.…
Haarlem Talks
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Haarlem Talks with Kate D'Anvers

It’s officially summertime! It is so great to sit outside in the evening on the terraces of local bars and restaurants, and the weather makes it very easy for us to meet new people around the city!  Meet Kate D’Anvers who also enjoys the…
Henry Hope
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Dutch History; Henry Hope, the American who picked Haarlem for his pleasure Palace.

Henry Hope (1735–1811) was an Amsterdam merchant banker born in Boston, in Britain's Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He was a key figure in the Dutch East India Company and made a fortune. He built the Villa Welgelegen in Haarlem. Henry…
Circus Sijm
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Circus SIJM is back in Haarlem with expatsHaarlem reader's discount!

Circus SIJM will be performing in HAARLEM from June 13 untill June 24.  Circus SIJM is back on the road in 2018 with a nationwide Big Top tour – “Vive le Cirque” - celebrating the 250th anniversary of the circus. Expect a spectacle…
road trips
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3 road trips with kids to make from Netherlands part 2 Belgium

No matter if you are planning a break for a weekend or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone living in the Netherlands. This article is a part of a three-part series. Part 2 is about Belgium. Part one…
home
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In search of home.

Home, Charles Dickens writes, is a word stronger than a magician ever spoke. A word that houses under its roof an entire universe of virtues. To feel at home implies an essential alignment – an ease with the world and with oneself. We all…
workplace
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Haarlem's Top Coworking Spaces

Expats who engage in remote work have the benefit of working from anywhere, but selecting your office space should be done carefully. Recent research from Deskmag and Deskwanted revealed that 74% of coworkers have increased productivity.…
Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this June

After the warmest May on record, we now enter June. Will the good weather last? Who knows! However, Haarlem still has plenty of things to do. On Friday, June 1 is the SoRally 2018! Old and young cars will tour Haarlem starting from the…
Name
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What is in a name?

Adolf is aloof, boring and probably has a hidden agenda. Geraldine is a nobody.  Troy is pretentious. Tony is a thug. Donald is a puppet who thinks he is funny.  Vicky is  fun, excitable and good company. Bertha is a fat and uninteresting…
Suriname
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Suri-where?

Why would anyone go to Suriname if you’re not a nostalgic Dutch or someone just looking for a wild adventure? Simple, this tiny country is a world itself—breaking out from its colonial history while embracing its mixed heritage. Tucked between…
homesickness
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9 Tips to Beat Homesickness

It can be difficult adjusting to a new environment and homesickness creeps in. You feel lonely and miss your familiar routine, your family, friends, and neighbourhood. You long for your kitchen with your food and drinks and being able to find…
Haarlem Talks
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Haarlem Talks with Alice from Italy.

Meet Alice, originally from Italy but she has been travelling all around the world. She moved to Haarlem from Bali, because she found love with a Dutchman. She is a yoga teacher and loves Haarlem for its beauty, calmness and the breweries!   1.…
appelparade
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The Appelparade with Haarlem Foodies.

Around Haarlem, there is plenty of food events. But where can you taste, drink and discover new products? Let me introduce to you Landgroed de Olmenhorst. In the middle of Haarlemmermeer, between The Hague and Amsterdam, Landgroed de Olmenshorst…
road trip
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3 road trips with kids to make from the Netherlands part 1 France

Spring is already here and I am sure you have already started thinking about your next family trip. No matter if you are planning a break for the upcoming bank holidays or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone…
sleepless nights
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When expat worries become sleepless nights.

“I can’t sleep.” “I don’t sleep through the night.” “I lie awake for hours each night before I fall asleep.” Do any of these sleepless nights sound familiar to you? People suffer from disturbed sleep for different reasons,…
Liberation Day
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5th May: Liberation Day and festival

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day throughout Haarlem and the Netherlands. You will find a wide variety of entertainment and events taking place to commemorate the liberation…
William the Silent
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Dutch History; William the Silent. How the Prince of Orange became an outlaw.

William the Silent or more commonly known as William of Orange was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs that started the Eighty Years' War. He was born in the House of Nassau as Count of Nassau-Dillenburg. He became…
Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this May

Its now May in Haarlem and there are lots of things to do! On Friday, May 4 is the first instalment of the freedom festival, the memorial concert. On Saturday, May 5 is the freedom concert! The whole of Haarlem turns into a massive music…
Tulip fields
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Tulip fields in Holland: where and when to go?

Every year, 2 million tourists come to Holland to see the Tulip fields. Most people will go to Keukenhof, and if you want to make a photo of the background with the fields, you will need to stand in a line. When to see the Tulip fields? The…
flower parade
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VIDEO: Bloemencorso Haarlem 2018

Wasn't the flower parade this year in Haarlem lovely? We managed to capture it on video for you. Enjoy!  
doubting
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What To Do When You Start Doubting Everything.

There you are, in a new country. You decided to live abroad and you made it! Awesome! Then, some weeks go by and suddenly a fear creeps in. Do you start thinking to yourself, “What the heck am I doing here? Is all this hustle even worth…