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…
marlou montageroyalty free (interviewee's own pic)
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Creative chats: Q&A with Marlou on seeing the beauty in everyday things

Welcome to our new series of informal chats with creative types! Seeking inspiration and a pop of vibrancy? Then, look no further. Today, we chat to writer, translator and all-round documenter Marlou about how she’s coping during lockdown. It…
6th may corona measures
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Government press conference on relaxation of coronavirus measures

On the evening of 6 May, the Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the Minister Hugo de Jonge gave a press conference in which they explained which corona measures are relaxing and which stay the same. In this latest conference, it was said that…
drone heartroyalty free
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Beating Heart: drone light show celebrating Dutch freedom

More than 300 drones illuminated the sky in a spectacular light show above Rotterdam on the evening of 5 May, the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day. Watch a video of the show below. Studio Drift created the aerial display as a special…
Liberation
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Liberation Day 2020

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day, celebrating the end of Nazi Germany’s occupation during World War II.  Liberation Day is usually celebrated with festivals and events…
may online eventsroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Online creative pursuits for May

People are dealing with our current episode of dormancy in different ways. Some are trying out new activities at home, others just like to watch those people who are being creative and providing the entertainment. Whichever category you fall…
Remembrance
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Remembrance Day without an audience in Haarlem live on NH Nieuws

Remembrance Day on 4 May in Haarlem will be this year be held in an adapted form due to the corona crisis, without any members of the public in attendance. The special commemoration ceremony can be seen live at 16:30 on TV news channel NH Nieuws. Mayor…
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…
Verwulft
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New HEMA in former V&D building at Verwulft in Haarlem

In the course of the following month, the department store HEMA will move into the ground and first floors of the former building of V&D / Hudson’s Bay at Verwulft in the centre of Haarlem. There the group starts a Hemarkt. It is…
Ikea
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Long lines at the reopening of IKEA Haarlem

The Dutch stores of housing giant IKEA opened their doors again this Tuesday, after they closed on 17 March because the safety of customers and staff could no longer be guaranteed due to the crowds. The run-up was also massive on the day of…
natural skincareroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Natural skincare using ingredients found at home

Imagine this scenario, you are at home and about to make your favourite beauty ritual. Finally, the kids went to sleep and you have time to yourself. You go to the bathroom and suddenly realise that you don't have any products left. If it wasn't…
Haarlem historyroyalty free (public domain), no attribution required
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10 interesting little factoids about Haarlem’s history

Hello, my fellow quarantined friends! Are you looking for something new to do to occupy yourself in these somewhat dull times? How about some fun reading, to brush up on your history of our beautiful city? As an incorrigible trivia addict,…
wine and filmroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Movie tips where wine is the star of the show

Open your favourite bottle of wine, choose a wine movie from our list, press play and relax. In these weird times we are living, self-isolation does not mean you stop enjoying good food or good wine. Parties have been postponed, restaurants…
stay homeroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Government measures to control coronavirus extended

Announced this week, the Dutch government has extended most measures to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) until 19 May inclusive. Plans are in place for primary and pre-schools to open in May, with all events cancelled until 1 September.…
orange flagsroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Celebrating King’s Day from Home

It is officially the day the Netherlands turns orange. Flags fly high and everyone adorns orange items of clothing in preparation to honour the King’s birthday. This year all that will still be possible but without the partying on the streets.…
rachel smets, life hacksroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Say no to panic – say yes to boosting your immune system

During times of uncertainty, taking steps to protect your mental and physical health can help your body’s natural defenses stay strong. Boost your immune system using these hacks. This global pandemic is real. A lot of people understandably…
kids gamesroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Creative activities for homebound toddlers

While there is no daycare during these weeks, we are spending a lot of time at home with our children. Keeping them entertained can be challenging at the best of times, especially when you have small kids. In case your inspiration is running…