Lifestyle News in English

Camp in Willem Alexanderplantsoen this summer during Beverwijk neighborhood camp

The Buurtcamping Beverwijk event will take place on July 3, 4, and 5 at the Willem Alexanderplantsoen to help residents get to know each other. The program includes a variety of activities such as a b...

Grow your own vegetables? Apply for a free garden kit now

Residents can request a free vegetable garden kit to start growing their own produce on balconies, terraces, or in small gardens. The initiative aims to help people create mini-vegetable gardens even ...

Ban cigarettes: every beach must become completely smoke-free

A weekly proposition asks readers for their opinions on whether all beaches should become completely smoke-free. The debate focuses on the potential ban of cigarettes to improve the beach environment ...

No-nonsense barber Jan Dortmundt of Heart & Soul: Keeping it basic works best

Jan Dortmundt is retiring from his barbershop, Hart & Ziel, located in a former church on Kleverparkweg in Haarlem. The business will be taken over by Brenda Roffel and Cindy Jansen, who plan to prese...

Ingrid and Steven overlook the Zaanse Schans: 'A privilege to live in such a special place'

After living abroad for thirty years, Ingrid and Steven Ploem have settled in their 'forever home' in Zaandijk. Their residence features a view of the historic Zaanse Schans and has been custom-design...

What's happening in the Amsterdam Forest?

The public is invited to help identify and record as many species of plants, animals, and fungi as possible in the Amsterdamse Bos. This initiative aims to document the forest's biodiversity within a ...

Video | Prince William sits in brand new Jaguar Formula E car

How De Blaffende Vis designed this year’s famous King’s Day facade

Forum for Democracy floor leader Lidewij de Vos expecting

Lidewij de Vos, the group chair for Forum voor Democratie, has announced that she is expecting her first child. Her partner and fellow party member, Massimo Etalle, will be the father.

Eddy Zoëy could barely speak to his girlfriend and children for months due to illness

Dutch presenter and musician Eddy Zoëy was unable to speak with his partner and children for six months while suffering from Eagle Syndrome. He underwent two surgeries on his neck and was required to...

More regions moved to highest wildfire alert level

The fire department has raised the wildfire warning to the highest level, Phase 2, in several Dutch regions due to persistent drought. New areas under alert include Flevoland and Twente, joining regio...

Solar panel owners face major setback in new energy contracts: how much your bill will rise

Dutch households with solar panels are facing energy bill increases of up to 500 euros as the favorable netting scheme is set to conclude at the end of the year. New energy contracts are becoming sign...

Doctors train with special forces to stay calm in stressful situations: ‘Want more control’

Dutch healthcare professionals are participating in training programs based on military special forces principles to better manage high workloads and workplace stress. The initiative aims to provide d...

Everything related to measuring and weighing in the historic Scales Museum building

The Weegschaalmuseum in Naarden is highlighted as a unique, volunteer-run museum dedicated to the history of weighing and measuring. The article is part of a series showcasing lesser-known cultural ge...

This is what the new villa on the site of ‘De Echo’ in Heemstede might soon look like

The municipality of Heemstede has issued a building permit for a new villa on Van Merlenlaan, revealing the potential design for the site. This comes nearly a year after the demolition of 'De Echo', a...

Round North Holland is the flagship of IJmuiden sea sailors. ‘At YSY you can go all year round’

Yachtclub Seaport Ymuiden (YSY), established in 1995, continues to be a central hub for sea sailors offering year-round activities. The club is well-known for organizing the iconic 'Ronde om Noord-Hol...

More mortgage applications for home renovation and sustainability due to energy crisis

Mortgage applications for home renovations and sustainability measures in the Netherlands increased by 59 percent in March compared to February. This surge is attributed to the ongoing energy crisis, ...

Vintage shopping in Haarlem: 7 of the best stores

Haarlem's city center offers a diverse selection of vintage clothing stores, making it a prime destination for shoppers seeking unique items. Each shop provides a distinct atmosphere and collection fo...

Kees Tol finds long-distance relationship with American boyfriend 'a challenge'

Dutch presenter Kees Tol shared the challenges of his long-distance relationship with his American boyfriend, Buddy, in an interview with L'HOMO magazine. He explained that the distance is difficult t...

Fewer first-time buyers on the housing market, most are immigrants

New data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that the number of starters on the housing market decreased from 560,000 in 2023 to 518,000 in 2024. The decline is notably driven by a 12 percent drop...

Annet's 93-year-old mother looks forward to Ascension Day morning walk: 'They will go in a convoy of wheelchairs'

Annet’s 93-year-old mother, a resident of the Huis ter Hagen care center, is preparing for a traditional Ascension Day morning outing. The residents plan to celebrate the holiday and the fine weathe...

Not everyone in the Jordaan is looking forward to King's Day: My cafe is closing, my heart is breaking

Residents and business owners in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood express mixed feelings about the upcoming King's Day celebrations, with some opting to close their doors due to overwhelming crowds. T...

Jessie's birthday vouchers are worthless following FonQ bankruptcy

Jessie's birthday gift cards for the online home retailer FonQ have become worthless following the company's bankruptcy. She had requested the vouchers to help furnish her new apartment but now regret...

Video | British court shares footage of Prince Louis on his birthday

Jade Kops has now completely lost her speech: 'Palliative sedation has been mentioned'

Dutch influencer Jade Kops announced on social media that she has completely lost her ability to speak due to worsening health issues. The update follows previous struggles with communication, with th...

Police hindered by disaster tourists at Bos en Lommerweg accident

Amsterdam police reported being obstructed by onlookers and "disaster tourists" while investigating a car accident on Bos en Lommerweg on Tuesday. Bystanders hampered the investigation by filming the ...

Houseboat residents on King's Day: ‘If we don’t keep an eye out, they pee through the letterbox and in our plants’

Houseboat residents in Amsterdam must remain vigilant during King's Day to prevent revelers from using their homes as public toilets. Residents describe incidents of people urinating on doors, through...

Why children should be bored more often: ‘Good for resilience’

As the May holiday approaches, the article highlights the importance of allowing children to experience boredom to help build their resilience and creativity. While many families travel for new stimul...

Alderman wants deposit company to pay for new trash cans

Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren is requesting that deposit return organization Verpact pay ‐8 million for 8,000 new trash cans designed to reduce litter caused by people searching for deposit bo...

Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (April 24-26)

Haarlem is hosting a variety of events and activities for the weekend of April 24 to 26. The city is preparing for King's Night celebrations, offering residents and visitors several options ranging fr...