bison in netherlandsroyalty free (photo author's own)
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Bison in Haarlem’s backyard

Did you know that there is a herd European bison roaming a stone’s throw from the centre of Haarlem? Next to the largest dune lake of the bison area Kraansvlak in Zuid-Kennermerland National Park, you might have chance to spot them – and,…
tools
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Useful tools for video calls and online meetings

Your customers or colleagues are not together in the same location, but you still want to see each other in an online environment. The solution is to get your team together via video conferencing. There are now many tools to facilitate virtual…
whodunnit booksroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Classic locked-room mysteries to read during the lockdown

I have always loved locked-room mysteries and since we all seem to be in a locked-room life these days, I thought it might be timely to recommend a few ‘impossible crime’ reads that might help to pass the time. According to Wikipedia,…
Netflix tipsroyalty free (reuse with no attribution necessary)
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Binge-worthy Netflix shows to discover

During your time of social distancing, why not escape with some of our top picks of binge-worthy Netflix shows? In this time of social distancing, I will also admit that my grand plans of organising the house, learning Dutch and catching…
international women's dayroyalty free (reuse with no attribution necessary)
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Five books with a feminist focus for International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (Sunday 8 March) is a global day of celebration of the social and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This list contains some of the books that have helped me educate…
kids book museumroyalty free (author's own photo, no credit required)
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A Day Trip to the Children’s Book Museum

The Children’s Book Museum, a museum dedicated to Dutch language children’s books, delights the young and old with beautiful design and creative exhibitions. What could be better that finding a weekend activity for your children that…
Gluren bij de BurenRoyalty-free (author's own pic)
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Musical tour of Haarlem with Gluren bij de Buren

On the day that many people stayed holed up behind closed doors due to the fact Storm Ciara was making her presence felt outside, myself and the rest of the 'Gluren gang' took to the streets for a musical tour of Haarlem. What awaited us were…
A day off in HoofddorpApproved for re-use with attribution
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A day off in Hoofddorp

From water to land, between history and modernity: explore Hoofddorp in the heart of the Haarlemmermeer. It was a little over a year ago, when I arrived in the Netherlands initially, that I first heard about Hoofddorp. “Hawfff-what?”…
One hundred best poems for boys and girls. Compiled by Marjorie Barrows

Poetry for beginners

Three gateway poetry books for beginners   As a child, I loved nursery rhymes. When I was a teenager, I discovered poetry and fell in love with it. Completely. As only teenagers can do.  Then I grew up and left poetry behind.  During…
© Wikimedia Commons
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A day off in Bloemendaal

Take time out in affluent Bloemendaal, a short bike ride from Haarlem city centre. Aren’t weekends the absolute best!? It’s amazing all the cool stuff you can do with the luxury of free time. Like, finally going on that romantic date your…
Marnetta Anderson from Marnetta's Soul FoodPhoto by Fiona McGeever ©
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Marnetta's Soul Food

Food for the soul! From Jamaica to Haarlem, Fiona McGeever talks all things Caribbean with Marnetta Anderson the owner of Haarlem's spicy lunch spot Marnetta's Soul Food If Marnetta’s welcoming smile doesn’t warm your heart, then…
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…
Housing Event
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Review Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Housing & Education Event 2019

The ‘Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer Housing and Education Event’ on Saturday may 18th was an excellent way to find out why Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer are great places to live and to learn all about finding a home and education in these areas.…
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…
Dutch Mystery Books
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Dutch Mystery Books for a gezellige winteravond.

Reading a good mystery novel can be a very satisfying experience. I believe it has to do with the fact that, while crime is always terrifying, as readers we know that the crime will most likely be solved at the end of the book and the murderer,…
Christoph Paulik
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Visit Leonardo da Vinci at the Teylers Museum

The Teylers Museum for art and science opened in 1784 – five years before the French Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille and George Washington was elected the first president of the USA. As a museum of art and science, it houses fossils,…
novels
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3 novels from around the world.

When I moved to Haarlem in 2013, one of my biggest goals was to make local friends. I wanted my life to be Dutch and for a period I avoided things I considered not to be Dutch enough like meeting with expats or watching tv in English or Spanish.…
Kweektuin
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Visiting the Biomarkt at Haarlemmer Kweektuin

Living in Haarlem it is hard not to notice the big market at the Grote Markt every Saturday. But this isn’t the only market to discover. Every first Saturday of the month an organic market opens its doors in the Haarlemmer Kweektuin. Located…
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…
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…
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.…
Est! Est!! Est!!!
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Wine tip: Est! Est !! Est !!!

Est! Est !! Est !!! di Montefiascone is an unforgettable name for a wine named after a special story. In the year 1111 the German bishop Johannes Fugger traveled to Rome. On his way to Lazio, he asked his servant Martin to find a good…
New York Deli
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New York Deli: Food and Live comedy

On Haarlem Foodies we gave in February  a preview of this new spot with the taste of the Big Apple. With a unique concept inspired by inspired by Delis in The Lower Eastside. Fast-casual American Jewish comfort food with outstanding quality. The…
Coffee
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Coffee walk through Haarlem.

On a November afternoon, Daniëlle Martens went to discover cozy places in Haarlem. Haarlemfoodies was invited by Koffiefilters.nl in cooperation with Haarlem Marketing. The inspiration came from the book: Koffee! 182 coffee spots that make…
Brute burgers
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Brute Burgers Hoofddorp

Brute Burgers is a great burger joint with a great atmosphere and warm service located in Hoofddorp Centrum, 5-minutes walk from the Vier Meren Shopping Mall.  Also vegan/vegetarian friendly, the burgers are the star of the show but the sides…
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My First Sinterklaas

This past weekend on the evening of December 5th, I celebrated my first Sinterklaas. I first learned of the old Dutch custom earlier this year when moving to Haarlem with my Dutch boyfriend. As a Canadian new to the tradition, I would like…
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How to behave online in 2017

We learn how to succeed, follow a dream, but no one says how to behave online. Go search "how to behave online" on Google and you'll get "how to behave in the church" or “how to behave in the Gladiators Games." That's all you should know about…
Orangina
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Bon appétit avec Orangina

Flashbacks from holidays, mouthwatering taste buds, sunshine, shake the pulp… Most of you have wonderful memories of Orangina! On a Tuesday I was invited to come to the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam. Not knowing what to expect made…
Indian
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India Corner, the best Indian restaurant in Haarlem

I am actually quite well acquainted with a good Indian takeaway. A born and bred Londoner, we have a strong palate for what is a good curry and what is not. In this multicultural city, you will find Indian restaurants galore and a curry…
Bart
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Masterchef winner opens own restaurant.

If you've ever wanted to take a seat at Masterchef winner Bart van Berkel's table, you will soon get your chance in the center of Haarlem. The winner of the tv-programme Masterchef will open the doors of his very own restaurant on the 10th of…