Oliebollen
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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.…
Dortmund Christmas marketsJulia Smile ©
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Dortmund Christmas Markets

A day trip to Dortmund Christmas Markets! When we think of the best Christmas markets in Europe Germany is certainly up there! Having done some quick research, we found that there were only a few of them open on December 26th, most close by…
Haarlem ChristmasInage by Jill Wellington ©
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Things to do in Haarlem this December

Happy holidays to all our expatsHaarlem readers, December has finally arrived! Sinterklaas kicked off the festivities but that is only the beginning! This month promises a variety of festive events from the much anticipated Christmas Markets…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas comes to Haarlem

Sinterklaas and his Pieten will visit the city of Haarlem on Sunday, November 17th. Once again the man in red has chosen our picturesque city to moor his boat. As is now traditional, Sinterklaas and his crew will come to a halt…
Halloween
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS OCTOBER

October has arrived and with it comes a host of Autumnal events and activities. Sustainability is the theme of this month, you can learn more about it during Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week and Mugfest 2019. You can also soak up the arts at Popronde…
In De Wolken Festival
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In De Wolken Festival Harlemmermeer

Practical advice for new parents and parents to be! The In De Wolken Festival caters for all parents and parents-to-be! Over 100 shops and brands will present the best products and services for your baby. The festival will also host singer-songwriters…
Museum night kids HaarlemMuseum night kids Haarlem website
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Museum Night Kids Haarlem

After three very successful editions in The Hague, Museum Night Kids is coming to Haarlem On Saturday, October 19th eleven Haarlem museums and cultural institutions will open their doors and offer a program full of exciting treasure…
Mugfest 2019
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Mugfest 2019 Sustainability Festival

Sustainable initiatives in Haarlem On Sunday, October 6th Mugfest 2019, the sustainability festival will take place in Haarlem. Between 12 pm and 5 pm, the Grote Markt will be transformed into a green festival site. Mugfest is all about…
weekend
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Open House Weekend Toneelschuur & Filmschuur

Have you always been curious about that very special building on the edge of Haarlem’s red light district? Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September sees the kick-off of the new cultural season, and to mark the occasion Toneelschuur will be holding…
DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3 ©
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Toneelschuur Haarlem 'Language No Problem' Theater Program September-December 2019

Toneel-en Filmschuur Haarlem offers a ‘language no problem’ program that consists of a broad variety of films, theater, dance and musical theater performances for adults, youngsters, and children. Below you find the Language No Problem theater…
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS SEPTEMBER

Summer may be coming to an end but there are plenty of reasons to be happy that September has arrived in Haarlem! As always we have the Dutch Language Café, our monthly drink and to celebrate the start of the cultural season, we have 3 comedy…
Poldergoud FestivalPoldergoud Festival ©
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PolderGoud Festival

PolderGoud Festival 2019   PolderGoud Festival is a blazing music festival in an industrial setting! Surprising elements are presented to you and ensure a constant shift of your attention. For anyone looking for a great festival…
Parksessies
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Parksessies

Park Sessions is a multidisciplinary art festival that takes place four days in a row in the Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem every summer. This monumental park is the background for an easily accessible place, where various arts, from museums,…
Climbing light
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Climbing to the light

The extensive restoration of the cathedral is almost complete and it is more beautiful than ever! To celebrate this until July 31st you can climb to almost 60 meters height and enjoy great views on a spectacular bridge from tower to tower. Making…
British Festival in Zandvoort.
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British Festival Zandvoort aan Zee

Great Britain in the Netherlands for a weekend, that's the British Festival in Zandvoort. Take the well-known double-decker bus to the various locations, eat Fish 'n Chips with a sea view, marvel at the beautiful British cars, be amazed…
Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
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Pentecost 2019 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…
Speeltuin
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Best Speeltuin in Haarlem.

What kid can resist a good playground? Luckily, we can find in Haarlem safe and fun Speeltuins to let children play outside and enjoy the sun. After visiting with my son most of the Speeltuin in the city, I thought it could be useful for mums…
childrens books
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Children’s books too (re)read as an adult.

My friends are having children. And I am happy for them. I am also very happy for myself. Not only do I get to be the cool in-law uncle who spoils them without worrying about bed times and healthy meals, but I also get to buy them books. Children’s…
MarchexpatsHaarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this March.

EVENTS, EVENTS & MORE EVENTS! From a Kids Carnival to a Dutch Language Café, a free Tax Income Return Workshop, an Artificial Intelligence Lecture, a Comedy in English with award-winning comedians to the Monthly Drink. March, we do it…
multilingualhttps://pixabay.com/en/users/readyelements-8569947/
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Planning a Multilingual Family

Living away from the home country, I didn’t need to take a decision on whether my children are going to be raised multilingual, it is just meant to be so. At home, we speak Russian, Ukrainian with some friends, English with non-Russian/…
CanadaJulie Smile
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Our 6 weeks in Canada with a baby.

Canada, a country of big cars, big buildings, big distances. We came here for a big vacation of 6 weeks with our little one-year-old daughter. For us, it’s a country of our first intercontinental travel, first travel experience outside Europe.…
London with kidshttps://pixabay.com/en/users/annie_bridie-11346/
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Travel Ideas 2019: London with kids

If you have children and love travelling, London is the perfect destination for 2019. In just 3.30h by train or around 40 minutes by plane, you can land in one of the best european cities to visit with kids. Here you have a recap of my family…
Kids in Haarlem
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Why You Should Raise Your Kids In Haarlem

The Netherlands is one of Europe's most kid-friendly countries, according to Lonely Planet. Haarlem, which is a rich destination for history, culture, and shopping - it's also exciting and comfortable to explore or live in. With almost all…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas arrives to Haarlem!

Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive by steamboat and moors on the Spaarne on 18 November in Haarlem. A fun and festive activity for the whole family, starting from 13.00, Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive on his famous Steamboat along the…
Things to do in Haarlem
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Things to do in Haarlem this November

The weather is getting colder but that doesn't mean Haarlem is quiet. From the Comedy Factory night to the arrival of Sinterklaas himself; November is full of activities for the whole family. From Friday 2 November to 4 November Haarlem…
pregnancy and dismissal
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Pregnancy and dismissal: what you need to know

Unfortunately, getting fired during pregnancy is a nasty situation that some women have to face in the Netherlands. If your boss has handed you a dismissal letter when you are expecting, here you can learn everything about what to do and not…
Marc de Haan
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Dutch History; Sint-Maarten Dag, the Dutch Halloween.

Sint-Maarten (St. Martin's Day) is a popular children's feast day in many parts of the Netherlands. On the evening of November 11th, small groups of children can be heard going up and down the street singing songs and reciting poems, equipped…
birth
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My story of my second birth in a Dutch Hospital.

It is approximately 22:30 hours and I am shifting and turning and nursing painful cramps. I am 9 months pregnant. It is the 7th of July 2014. Is it labour pains already!? His due date (uitgerekend) is 16th July but the planned c-section (keizersnede)…
dutch school
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Are you looking for a school for your children?

Are you looking for a school for your children? A Dutch public school may be the answer. When moving to The Netherlands with children, your first plan might be to send your kids to an international school. The curricula are of high quality…