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…
expat interview
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Interview of the month June 2017

While supporting expats with integration, their confidence and languages, I share these interviews, revealing personal stories, tips and advice. Moving countries is such a change, and how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be challenging. Let’s…
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Top ten Expat Books.

Recently a bumper crop of well-received books written by or for expats have been published – from the serious to the scandalous, the droll to the dramatic. In no particular order, here is Expat Bookshop’s top 10 titles, including a couple…
interview expat
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Interview of the month April 2017

While supporting people with integration and languages, I interview expats each month, revealing personal stories, tips and advice.  How is the life of an expat, and how can one feel ‘’at Home’’ abroad. Challenging,  or not? This…
taxes
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Need help with your Dutch tax return? Our selected service providers can help you

We selected for you the best financial professionals with a good offer for our readers and members. Check them out. Our business partner ttmtax (www.ttmtax.nl) is organizing a special tax consultation session fro expatsHaarlem readers…
Interview of the month
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Interview of the month March 2017

While supporting expats with integration and languages, these interviews reveal personal stories, tips and advice. Arriving in a new country is a big change and how to feel 'at Home' can be a challenge. [Or not?] Interview with Sagar from India…
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Introducing the Haarlem Art Room

The cosmopolitan and multi-cultural component in the classes also provides an opportunity for people (especially expatriates) to mix, mingle and associate in and outside the class. Street photography is particularly interesting to foreigners... “Everybody…
massage
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I got a holistic massage and went on a mini vacation.

Last week Friday I got my first ever holistic massage by Ellen. I admit I was a little skeptical and I didn’t really know what a holistic massage entails, but I was determined to go ahead and keep an open mind. What is a holistic massage? Holistic…
expat italy
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Interview of the month February 2017

While supporting expats with integration and languages, I publish these interviews, revealing personal stories, tips and advice. Arriving in a new country is such a change, and  how to feel ‘’at Home’’ can be a challenge. Or not? This…
Warung Mini Den Haag
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Warung Mini in Den Haag

'For nearly two decades Warung Mini on the Amsterdamse Veerkade in The Hague’s city center has been a popular place to eat for the locals in (and outside of) The Hague area. Warung Mini literally means 'small shop' in Indonesian, which…
Interview month January
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Interview of the month January 2017

In my goal to support people moving abroad, I enjoy taking interviews, revealing personal stories and advise. Why do you seek to move abroad? What are the challenges and opportunities you may encounter? This month we are traveling from Mexico,…
Tokorico tempeh roti
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Tokorico: A little slice of fire and spice on the Botermarkt

In need of some exotic Suriname cuisine to warm up these winter nights? Or perhaps you’re hitting the January sales and need a quick, tasty lunchtime fix? Then consider Tokorico, a little takeaway joint on the Botermarkt which opened in April…
New Year
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Why New Year’s Eve is My Least Favourite Day of the Dutch Year

Those bangs you heard already in November? The ones that made you think for a split second that a gun battle had broken out in your Dutch neighbourhood? Those bangs are the reason I’ve always looked forward to a Dutch New Year’s Eve as…
Interview month
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Interview of the month December

In my goal to inspire people, I write these interviews, revealing expats’ personal journey’s. Arriving in a new country and feeling ‘’at Home’’ is a challenge.  So how do you integrate easily? This month I introduce you to…