maeverutten's Qype profile

My taste buds were pleased that they got to know Ginger Jar canapes at the Qype Summer Party media session! Really amazing (such a difference from the regular drab that finger food often is at sessions like that!). The only danger is that nothing else will taste great ever again.

I had the pleasure of joining fellow Qypers at the Hoxton Salon event last Thursday. I expected fun company and a demonstration here or there. I did not expect a professionally catered event with fancy foods and Kir Royale to top it off! So thank you Paula, you are one talented lady!

My first experience of a mini manicure was a rather pleasant one and make me want to indulge in red, mushroom or plum soon again (and I hope you ladies had a good time in Amsterdam!).

Looking at all the wonderful hairdo’s that seemed to be created in split seconds by the charming staff, I was sad to shoot off so soon. I could have done with some hair advice myself (especially as up-do’s are my main and only style due to my, dare I say, rather thin and boring hair). Well, perhaps next time when I'm in the Hoxton area!

Having grown up in a small town just around the corner from this park in Arnhem it was never in my mind as an exciting place (the grass is always greener.....). Therefore I surprised myself that, after living in London for several years, this was one of the first places I took my brand new English partner to introduce him to The Netherlands (obviously only preceded by Amsterdam ;-)

A great park to get a feel for old-fashioned Dutch living as ORIGINAL old buildings from all over The Netherlands have been moved to this park. From windmills to old farms, mud huts and oldy worldy children’s fun fair, here you can get a taste of Holland’s heritage. Especially nice on a summer’s day for obvious ‘open-air’ reasons.

I’m giving this café 5 stars, not because it’s luxurious, not because the staff is super helpful (even though they are not unfriendly either) but because of its wonderful location and the atmosphere in this place. It’s a local pub for many of the colourful characters who live in the Jordaan and therefore feels more like the ‘real Amsterdam’ than you would get anywhere more central. Students, creatives and locals mix in a place that sells nice draft beer and the wine is not too bad either. Try and get the booth at the back with your mates and hang out eating Dutch bar snacks and natter the evening away!

Ohh Berlin, Berlin I miss you so! Just a stone's throw away from our funky Kreuzberg flat.....Badeschiff and it's surrounding area were such a cool place to hang out.

So, if the pool is too crowded you can always decide to give up and have a drink in one of the establishments looking out over the stream nearby. Never a disappointment this part of town, go and check it out for yourself!

When you’re an art lover, then Het Mauritshuis in The Hague is really a museum you should not miss out on during your time in The Netherlands. Apart from Vermeer’s block- buster painting ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’ – yes you do need to see this painting in real life (it’s not the same as seeing a postcard or a film!), it has a 800 piece collection with wonderful works of Rembrandt, Holbein, Jan Steen and Brueghel among many others. On a sunny day do the museum in the morning and then make your way to nearby Scheveningen (tram ride away) and relax on the beach taking in all the summer sun!

Boijmans van Beuningen I don’t visit enough…but the only reason is that I’m actually not in Rotterdam very often. But that is the only reason. Really, the only reason indeed. This is a very cool museum, with a celebrated museum director making it even more of a vibrant place. The great thing of this museum is that it has a vast collection of old masters as well as contemporary art. And the only museum in the Netherlands that actually has a Hieronymus Bosch in its collection. It also has Pieter Bruegel’s famous ‘The tower of Babel’ - for those art geeks out there (like me) who get excited about that ;-). Check out their website for current contemporary exhibitions – but as said even if that doesn’t grab your fancy the fixed collection in itself is worth a visit!

The Efteling....growing up as a child in The Netherlands...this was the themepark you went to...told all the kids in school about...and their eyes would turn green. So yes, not something most Dutch kids visited every year. It was one of those special treats, you wouldn't get much sleep the night before a visit! The fairytale forest - designed in the 50s by famous Dutch illustrator Anton Piek - still has it’s magic (I visited the park recently with my English partner). Young children are still scared off by the huge Dragon guarding the gold - as I was at age 4 (and had to be carried off to see some pretty flowers instead). Teenagers still get their thrills with the Python rollercoaster, truly haunted house experience and a range of other fast and furious rides. Parents and grandparents still have that glint in their eyes; the enjoyment of seeing your kids having fun. The park reveals a new ride almost every year, so a repeat visit is never dull. For those visiting from aboard, a nice nearby city to stay the night is Den Bosch (there's a direct bus from the train station). Order online to avoid long queues for tickets or buy your tickets at the train station in Den Bosch. Also, to avoid long queues inside, check The Efteling’s calendar online, it shows you which days are busier than others – it’s worth visiting off-season for the best experience. Some of the park’s older ‘story-based’ attractions are indeed still in Dutch but ask for a language guide at the ticket desk and most attractions do open up their world! Even though most people view this park as a summer experience, nowadays The Efteling is also open during the Christmas period, a great way to spend the holiday season in truly festive surroundings.