enjoying liferoyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Lessons learnt since my last birthday

Every year, we celebrate our own birthdays – and what a good opportunity this is to look back and see what has been experienced, discovered and learnt about ourselves in the last year. A birthday is a milestone… an anniversary date…
Dutch safari girafferoyalty free (author's own pic)
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Go on safari 1.5 hours’ drive away from Haarlem

If you opted for a 'staycation' and are looking for ideas of what to do, why not head to Tilburg for an educational outdoor adventure? Go on safari right here in the Netherlands, exploring nature, getting some fresh air and coming face-to-face…
New wine bar Zuid Noord
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A new gezellig wine bar and bistro in the centre of Haarlem!

Pavle Jovanović from Serbia, has taken a brave step and opened a new Natuurwijnbar & Bistro, at Kleine Houtstraat 105zw in Haarlem, immediately after the loosening of the coronavirus restrictions. Zuid Noord offers a delicious list of Natural…
haarlemroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Things to do around Haarlem during July

As July rolls in, more restrictions are eased and more events will hopefully start happening. From 1 July, many – but not all – places can now welcome more visitors while everyone needs to remember to keep 1.5 metre distance rule and to…
Rachel Smetsroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Overcome self-doubt and stop your inner critic

How to stop the negative self-talk. Learn how to stop your inner critic. Your thoughts create your reality. We need to stop telling ourselves: I'm not good enough. I will never succeed. Self-doubt and self-talk will hold you…
cyclingroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Get on Your Bike for Rondje Haarlem: The Most Stunning Cycle Route

Hey you! Are you, like me, feeling the wanderlust growing as days pass by? Have you, too, reached that uncomfortable point, where you really need to get out and about for some kind of adventure, even if just for an afternoon, but don’t quite…
News: Swimming in Spaarne dangerous & forbidden
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Police warns against swimming in the Spaarne: fine €140

With such a good weather, the police has seen people swimming in the Spaarne. This is dangerous and forbidden. The following days will still be nice and warm and the Haarlem police announced that they will constantly patrol the Spaarne with…
wind farmroyalty free (resuse possible withput attribution)
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Dutch renewable energy consumption is increasing – but is it fast enough?

According to a recent report released in early June by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the usage of green energy increased by 16% in 2019 relative to the previous year across all renewable sources. However, this only accounted for 8.6% of the…
arrivalsroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Revelations of repatriation: 3-step-model to help you prepare

If you live overseas and are considering heading back home after months or years abroad, then this article is vital reading for you. Repatriation can be tough, so read on if you are curious as to why this is, what you can do to prepare and what…
summer wineroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Which wines are the best for warm summer days?

Few things are more refreshing than a perfectly chilled glass of wine on a warm summer day. If you are wondering what the best way is to enjoy wine in high temperatures, here is what you need to know. First of all, don't limit your wine list.…
intuitionroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Following Your Intuition: It Can Lead You to Surprising Places

We often drawn to a place, somewhere that you just feel that spark and you don’t know why. Did you ever land up somewhere on a whim or by accident, only to find it’s the perfect fit for you? Maybe it was an old photo that led you there,…
SUPmission Haarlemrpyalty free (reuse possble, as it is a promo shot)
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SUPmission in Haarlem for World Oceans Day

Through the efforts of five friends and a whole lot of helpers, who all happen to be stand-up paddleboarders (SUP), a clean-up mission was undertaken on the canals of Haarlem on Monday 6 June – coinciding with World Oceans Day. Karen, Kasper,…
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,…
social distancingroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Things to do in Haarlem and beyond during June

The start of June brings with it new possibilities for physical outings to take place. Museums and some cultural institutions have opened their doors from 1 June, keeping in mind the restrictions that come along with that. Be prepared to keep…
Yellow heartsHaarlem Marketing
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Yellow heart markings in Haarlem

Now that the city is reviving and more people are on the move, the message to keep 1.5 meter distance from other persons and avoid crowds will continue. That is why yellow heart markings have been applied in Haarlem to remind visitors this message…
terrace open June 1Afbeelding van Markus Distelrath via Pixabay
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Terraces in Haarlem open on 1 June with ten golden terrace rules

The terraces may open again on 1 June. That is good news for the catering industry and the city. The municipality of Haarlem has drawn up ten golden terrace rules to enable the necessary expansion during the current restrictions. With the golden…
eco friendlyroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Everyday eco ideas that put the planet first

Taking steps to save the planet can save you money and cost you little effort. You can go about your everyday life and start becoming more eco-focused from today. Going green is not so hard to do – you can change your life by simply making…
weather pentecosthttps://www.theweathernetwork.com/
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Summer weather during and over Pentecost weekend

The summer weather, with plenty of sunshine and some cloud, is set to continue during and over the Pentecost weekend, with even higher temperatures next week, according to KNMI (the Dutch national weather service). On Friday it's sunny…
Half of the Dutch also want to continue working from home after CoronaUnsplash
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Research shows that half of Dutch workers want to continue working from home

Working from home in the times of coronavirus will remain in place until September. Respondents to a new survey indicate they are happy working at the kitchen table or in their attic room for the time being. More than half indicate that they…
Rijksmuseum open 1 June
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Rijksmuseum opens on 1 June

The Rijksmuseum will re-open on 1 June. All visitors need to book a start time, including Friends of the Rijksmuseum or Museum Card holders. This way the visitor can enjoy the art again in a safe way. Daily opening hours Starting 1 June…
Haarlemmers protest for 500 refugee childrenNH Nieuws / Geja Sikma
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Haarlemmers take action for 500 refugee children from the Greek camps #WeesWelkom #500kinderen

A human chain was formed in the Grote Markt on the evening of Thursday 21 May in protest against the cabinet's decision not to take in 500 refugee children from the Greek camps. It is an initiative of two Haarlem friends who no longer want to…
power of the mindroyalty free (author's own image)
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Control your thoughts with this one-minute experiment

Control your mind – your thoughts create your reality. Grab a string and a small object, or a necklace. Get ready for a mind-blowing magical experience. This mind-blowing experiment to show you the power of your thoughts. You can change…
Arianna Ardia
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HEMA opens new outlet store on Verwulft Haarlem

On Friday 22 May, HEMA opened the doors of a new outlet store at the Verwulft in Haarlem. The new HEMA Outlet is now in the location of the old Hudson's Bay's department store. The opening of the store on 22 May soon led to a queue of customers…
Santorini wineroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Can you drink Santorini in a glass of wine?

You have a piece of stone in the middle of the Aegean sea. Hot, barren, dry and windswept. And you can imagine that there is no way that this stone can give birth to any kind of life. And then you try the wine that its vineyards produce. And…
Keukenhof CastleKeukenhof Gardens
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Keukenhof Castle ready for summer

Now that government measures have been eased somewhat, the Keukenhof Castle estate is accessible again. With the beautiful spring weather and nature in full bloom, everyone can take a lovely walk in the gardens and the forest around Keukenhof…
keep your distanceroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Government’s next steps to ease measures for tackling the coronavirus

The Dutch government announced a step-by-step approach on 19 May to further ease the measures for tackling the coronavirus. Throughout June, some restrictions will start to be relaxed at a local and neighbourhood level first, with the situation…
schools are openroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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The Highs and Lows of Back to School

The gates are open again for many schools across the country and the school yards are slowly filling with laughter again. Homeschooling every day has come to an end and lots of our young children are returning to school. Sending your kids back…
which way
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Expat life: which way next?

Recent events have probably been causing us to ponder a true expat dilemma more than ever: where to next? (Not that we are taking journeys anywhere just yet.) As expats, most of us will be faced at some point with the issue of moving to another…
Police shot tires in play area
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Police shot car tyres of fleeing suspect in Haarlem (+video)

On Wednesday 13 May, around 15:30, police shot the tyres of a suspect's car that drove off in Mathilde Wredestraat in Haarlem. The car stopped on the lawn of a play area where, according to witnesses, children were playing at that time.  According…
connecting with familyroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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10 intriguing ways to stay connected with loved ones abroad

As expats, we are accustomed to finding ways to stay in touch with our friends and family abroad. Here, we share 10 creative and unique ways to stay connected with your loved ones – virtually (online) as well as emotionally (offline). Whoever…