Lifestyle News in English
Latest lifestyle headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Hours of waiting, missed flights and damages for airlines: queue chaos at Schiphol border control is critical
The implementation of the new digital Entry/Exit System at Schiphol Airport has led to critical wait times and significant operational chaos. Travelers are facing missed flights and airlines are exper...
Minister pleased with massive residential towers near Arena: "Excellent accessible location"
Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan and Amsterdam officials have officially marked the construction start of Eleven Square, a major development near the Johan Cruijff Arena. The project will...
Rien would rather have ended his life than come out of the closet, he wrote in his farewell letter
Rien Kamphuis, a twenty-four-year-old from the Netherlands, died by suicide after years of persistent bullying and the intense fear of revealing his homosexuality. A new documentary honors his life wh...
Over half of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, significantly more than in comparable municipalities
Data from the new VitIndex system shows that 66 percent of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, which is a higher rate than in similar Dutch municipalities. Additionally, more than half of the city's ad...
Balans takes legal action against the State over the problem of school absenteeism: "More appropriate education needed"
The parents' association Balans is taking the Dutch State to court, arguing that the government has failed to guarantee the right to education for children who are currently falling out of the school ...
On a ship in the NDSM harbor, Aki Mateta (34) prepares West African dishes: 'At Omoka, you get generous portions'
Restaurant Omoka has opened a permanent location aboard a ship in the NDSM harbor, serving traditional West African cuisine. Congolese-Angolan chef Aki Mateta leads the kitchen and focuses on authenti...
John (62) and Roemer (21): ‘We get along well with everyone in Amsterdam’
John, aged 62, and Roemer, aged 21, discuss their experiences living in Amsterdam. The pair refer to themselves as 'the Sigimannen,' a term that holds significant personal meaning and is even tattooed...
Brittany (29) gets to live in Debby's attic for a year: 'Otherwise I would end up on the street'
Twenty-nine-year-old Brittany faced homelessness until the Regenboog Groep matched her with Debby Goossens, a 56-year-old woman who offered her empty attic for a year. Brittany describes the arrangeme...
Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam from September 25 to 27
Amsterdam residents and visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities from September 25 to 27, including professional polo matches, arts and crafts workshops, and community-focused Burendag celebratio...
What needs to change for girls and women to feel safer?
Participants gathered in Amsterdam for an Actie Aletta session to discuss strategies for combating sexual harassment and enhancing public safety for women. Government officials and young people explor...
Sports party for children at Cruyff Foundation open day: "Also for kids like me, in a wheelchair"
The Johan Cruyff Foundation hosted its 26th annual open day at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, allowing over 1,300 children to try thirty different sports. The event focuses on inclusivity, ensuring...
Güner Kuban (1935-2026) turned club Homolulu into a safe space for lesbians
Güner Kuban, the former owner of the Amsterdam club Homolulu, has passed away at age 91 in Bodrum. She is recognized for establishing the club as a crucial safe space for lesbians throughout her twen...
Looking for handymen: 5 fixer-uppers in Amsterdam that need a lot of work
This article features five renovation-heavy properties in Amsterdam that offer significant potential for buyers willing to undertake major construction work. The listings range from canal-side histori...
Pieter (59) set sail and booked a room on a cargo ship to Dublin: 'There is no Wi-Fi'
Pieter Stroop van Renen, a 59-year-old traveler, has gained half a million Instagram followers by documenting his vacation aboard a cargo ship. He chose this unique method of travel to avoid the tradi...
MEAU engaged to guitarist Vadim: 'Still recovering'
Dutch singer-songwriter MEAU has announced her engagement to her partner, guitarist Vadim, after dating since 2023. Alongside the announcement, the artist shared a message supporting LGBTQ+ equality i...
Offices, homes, and nature: this is what 'Zuidas village' should look like
The City of Amsterdam is planning to transform the current ABN Amro office complex into a new, mixed-use neighborhood called Zuidas Village, which will integrate residential spaces, retail, and office...
Gasoline and diesel are very expensive, but we are not driving any slower
Dutch drivers are attempting to cut down on fuel costs by driving less frequently and avoiding short trips. However, they are not reducing their speed, as many continue to drive at 130 km/h on highway...
Jesse from Amsterdam develops app that gets you from A to B while staying dry
Amsterdam developer Jesse Verbeek has launched a navigation app called Droog Over that uses KNMI weather data to help users plan routes that avoid rain. The application analyzes specific travel paths ...
Hello new friends! This is what you can do in Haarlem during the Week Against Loneliness
The Week Against Loneliness takes place across the Netherlands from September 24 to September 30, encouraging people to foster social connections through small, meaningful interactions. Residents in H...
Review Human Nature: such a trek through wild Norwegian nature at a very slow pace captures the imagination
Director Bart Schrijver's 2022 outdoor feature film debut, Human Nature, is receiving a theatrical release following the popularity of recent cathartic hiking-themed movies. The film's story continues...
Sombr finds it 'incredibly absurd' to be called a nepo baby
Singer-songwriter Sombr has dismissed accusations of being a nepo baby, stating that his parents' work in HIV and AIDS advocacy did not influence his musical career. After achieving international succ...
Dazzling bike ride past new Amsterdam monuments
Between 2021 and 2025, Amsterdam added 88 new monuments to its cityscape. A recent cycling tour highlights 12 of these unique and significant buildings.
French cuisine is delicious! 9 French restaurants in Haarlem
Haarlem features a wide selection of French restaurants, ranging from traditional bistros to modern establishments with Michelin-recognized quality. These dining spots, scattered across the city, offe...
With blind faith in God and five young children, Robert and Isabelle moved to East Germany to start a residential community
Robert and Isabelle Born moved from the Netherlands to East Germany to launch a Christian residential community despite facing significant financial hurdles. After an initial failed attempt that left ...
Huge interest in 'crispy white' giant water lily flower at the Hortus
Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam to witness the evening blooming of a rare giant water lily. Staff at the botanical garden manually pollinate the hybrid plant, which i...
Everything is dying: Norwegian Consumer Council goes viral with ad about products breaking faster
A viral video campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council critiques manufacturers for intentionally creating products that break quickly and are difficult to repair. The initiative calls for stronger c...
Bloem (22) and Lou (21) met at the Hyperion Lyceum: ‘He built me a bookcase’
Bloem Hartman, 22, and Lou van den Tooren, 21, reflect on their relationship which began during their time as students at the Hyperion Lyceum. The couple shared that their connection grew from their s...
Thanks to Lydia Lamp (68), the once-paved terrace at the Flevoflats is blooming: ‘Women enjoy weeding, men prefer the heavy hoeing’
Lydia Lamp, a 68-year-old resident of the Flevoflats in Amsterdam-Oost, has transformed a previously paved terrace into a thriving garden. Her project has brought diverse plant life to the area, provi...
Femke Bol seals marriage with big party in Sardinia: 'A dream'
Dutch athlete Femke Bol and pole vaulter Ben Broeders recently celebrated their marriage with an elaborate party at a winery in Sardinia. The couple had previously wed in a civil ceremony in Amersfoor...
Wrijving, an open stage for personal, honest sex stories, has now arrived in Amsterdam: 'It’s for people who think: please, let us hear more about how diverse sex can be'
Wrijving, a platform for sharing personal sex stories on an open stage, has expanded its operations to Amsterdam. The initiative aims to offer a more diverse and honest perspective on sexuality compar...