Explore The City Beyond The ChaosWhere was 'iHostage' filmed Viewers of the movie may be surprised to discover the film was captured on location Sarah Rand•Apr 29 “iHostage” follows a heart pounding story about an actual crisis which was turned into a viral spectacle by the perpetrator back in February 2022 from several points of view. In the digital age where connectivity is integral, this Dutch thriller takes viewers to a high stakes yet bizarre true story event. After a gunman visited an Apple store in Amsterdam selfies and promptly demanded €200 million in cryptocurrency.  Key Scenes: Due to restrictions, some filming had to occur offsite. So Katwijk served as a backdrop for Apple store filming sets, which helped create action packed scenes. Instead of the actual Apple store location a set was made in a local air dock, reports Soap Central.  Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Katwijk truly depends on a traveler’s preferences If visitors don’t mind exploring during the higher tourist season in exchange for the best weather especially if you plan on checking out the beach Transportation Options: Since Katwijk is a separate municipality from Amsterdam it takes a commute to get there; the easiest way is via train or bus doing so will take about an hour and between €10 and  €30 Katwijk is a town that is technically located in the province of South Holland Many people who visit the Netherlands just focus on Amsterdam this location was only used for “iHostage” filming due to legal matters associated with the actual place Issues arose with depicting the hostage scenes there As StyleCaster states “Due to legal issues and a lack of required permissions to film not just inside an Apple store but *the* Apple store from the real-life hostage situation the movie had to recreate the location.” So instead the production team built sets to mimic the Apple store’s interior But this filming set is no longer standing viewers who were wondering where was “iHostage” filmed can explore the surrounding area Katwijk is known for its waterside resorts and lush greenery are two of the most popular options though Key Scenes: The majority of outdoor scenes in “iHostage” can be traced back to Leidseplein This is because the production team actually was allowed to utilize the real life place where the hostage situation happened Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Leidseplein is either spring or fall During the spring visitors can enjoy the pleasant weather but during fall there is a charming ambiance that comes with the season Transportation Options: Since this busy hub is located in Amsterdam bus and travelers can opt to get around via taxi too the tram is the most convenient and popular transportation option.  Leidseplein was a prime “iHostage” filming location because it is where the hostage situation went down years ago, making it an integral part of recreating the event. The bustling social spaces in central Leidseplein create a big contrast with the shocking events that occurred inside the shopping center. As the director Bobby Boermans tells TIME “That’s what made this incident bizarre chose to take a hostage in broad daylight on one of the busiest squares in Amsterdam.” Despite the scary situation that unfolded there visiting the Leidseplein square is an opportunity to explore local culture.  In fact, the actual apple store is still there. It is located in Hirsch & Cie, Leidseplein 25, 1017 PS Amsterdam, Netherlands. Due to how popular the area is, the “iHostage” filming lasted only a short while, as reported by StyleCaster Production set up shop around the square for about a month Given that the movie’s narrative follows the incident which only lasted a few hours Shooting in the area lasted from February to March of 2024 But filming in Leidseplein was mostly for capturing the building and its exterior features the interior of the store was not used for the majority of hostage scenes Those interested in the story behind “iHostage” can try to spot locations featured in the film Things to Do: For one, Leiden Square (Leidseplein) is more than enough entertainment for travelers interested in nightlife Travelers can book tours of the area or just walk around to discover underrated local spots.  a free daily newsletter that features the best of travel and guides to the cities you love from a new point of view — yours you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy Queen Elizabeth Once Stepped In To Prevent Snoop Dogg From Being Banned From The UK United Airlines Flight Attendant's Armrest Announcement Sparks Social Media Frenzy ‘Basketball Wives’ Star Mehgan James Speaks Out About Popular Bahamas Island With Flesh-Eating Bacteria After Friend Loses Leg Chaos Erupts After Ethiopian Airlines Passenger Forced To Give Up Seat For Minister Check out these filming sites that have added to this harrowing story of creative survival in two popular cities Paramount+'s 'MobLand' has rapidly garnered a wide audience thanks to its fascinating characters and gorgeous scenic backdrops A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan was rescued twice from Mount Fuji within days – the second time after reascending for his phone The Haifeng is Taiwan’s first luxury dessert-themed train It redefines the afternoon tea experience with some Michelin-starred desserts is taking a step towards opening its doors to international travelers The Universel in Katwijk is a spiritual landmark situated in the dune-covered landscape near Katwijk a spiritual movement not connected to any one specific religious doctrine This temple was built on the very spot where Sufi mystic Hazrat Inayat Khan had a profound spiritual experience in 1922.  The building was designed by the Dutch architect S.J. van Embden in the late 1960s and opened in 1970. Van Embden was known for creating buildings for the universities of Twente, Eindhoven, and Delft. The Universel is the only religious building Van Embden ever designed.  The building consists of a large square hall with a golden dome on top. The square hall resembles stability and power. The dome symbolizes the human heart, opening to the light. In the temple, visitors can find an altar honoring the six world religions. The premises are also home to a chapel, a path of silence, and a teahouse. Keep in mind, the Universel is a religious building actively used for worship. The building is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and after the universal service on the first and third Sunday of the month (from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.). A grand Buddhist temple with Indian influences. Home to the world's oldest wooden building. On the outskirts of Ipoh, this sprawling temple complex is home to one of the world's tallest pagodas. Only open for two days a year, this church links ancient Greek and modern Christian celebrations. A pair of nearly 1,000-year-old temples profusely covered in meticulous stone carvings. The "Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands" stands at the center of 20 acres of lush, tropical prayer gardens. A glittering Thai Buddhist temple in suburban Pennsylvania. This Hindu temple is an architectural marvel designed and built according to ancient Indian principles. The Building Quality Plan includes detailed information, definitions, drawings and visualizations of the architectural design, the layout of the garage, the public entrances, the entrance‐ and exit ways for vehicles, the emergency exits, as well as the architectural design and guidelines of the signage (routing, orientation and identification).  © Luuk KramerThe architectural design of the parking garage builds forth on the Design of Katwijk’s Public Space, developed by OKRA Landscape Architects, and respects and adheres to its conditions. The underground parking garage holds 663 parking spots, hidden inside sand dunes along the coastline of Katwijk aan Zee. The location of the parking garage, in between the newly built town’s dike and the boulevard of Katwijk, makes this project quite unique in the Netherlands. © Luuk KramerTo maintain and strengthen the relationship between the village and the beach and to improve the public space, the design team proposed to hide the parking garage inside the dunes. The long and small elongated shape of the parking garage (500 meter) needed great attention to its functionality. The design team respected the fact that users need to quickly orientate themselves when inside the garage, and quickly find their way out to either the town or the beach.  © Luuk KramerNaturally embedded in the landscape © Luuk KramerCommissioned by the Municipality of Katwijk engineers and contract specialists from Royal HaskoningDHV were responsible for the architectural design specialist advice and contract of this underground parking “The underground parking is ground breaking not only because it is an exceptional building but it also illustrates how the Netherlands have to be innovative in its approach when it comes to protecting our coastline for the future,” according to Hanneke Groenteman The Jury finds the parking garage to be an “exceptionally beautiful object” which links the town to the sea seamlessly through its integration with the natural environment You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email The N206 ir. G. Tjalmaweg by ZJA architectural practice and BoschSlabbers landscape design studio serves as a vital link connecting the city of Leiden to the beaches of Katwijk aan Zee with a mindful integration into the surrounding landscape It acknowledges the historical significance of the region as a former boundary of the Roman Empire while also presenting a sustainable vision for the future Emphasizing the circular use of materials and seamless integration with the landscape the design provides a green experience for road users and cyclists as part of the broader RijnlandRoute project aimed at enhancing accessibility and livability in the Holland Rijnland region Biocomposite with grass fibers is employed for decking and street furniture beneath the bridges such as the Torenvliet Bridge over the old river Rhine all images courtesy of Boskalis Nederland unless stated otherwise the green park creates a link between Leiden’s inner city and Katwijk aan Zee’s beaches The park not only facilitates a safe and efficient cycle route but also offers a thoughtfully designed natural environment for recreation the park incorporates furniture and insect hotels crafted from the trees that were cut down supporting material reuse and a sustainable ecosystem The combination of the road and adjacent green zone enhances mobility and the overall living environment Running through a UNESCO heritage area, the Tjalmaweg pays homage to the northern boundary of the ancient Roman Empire, known as the ‘Limes.’ Roman excavations, including a reconstructed section of the original Roman road and displayed oak piles, are integrated into the collaborative project between ZJA and BoschSlabbers Road crossings are named in reference to Roman legacy such as Praetorium Agrippinae and De Castra The Tjalmaweg embodies a forward-thinking vision where mobility becomes an opportunity to offer a green experience and showcase sustainable construction methods integrating seamlessly with the surrounding landscape the road and green zone combination improves mobility and enriches the overall living environment the Tjalmaweg aligns with the RijnlandRoute project’s goals | image by ZJA and wooden slats define the road’s eco-friendly ethos | image by ZJA the recreational green park features playgrounds and a high-speed bike lane | image by ZJA the park serves as a natural haven for recreation the road incorporates excavations and reconstructed sections from the historical remains | image by ZJA name: N206 ir. G. Tjalmaweg, Leiden architect: ZJA | @zja_arch landscape architect: Bosch Slabbers Landschapsarchitecten | @boschslabbers client: Provincie Zuid-Holland  principal: Boskalis | @boskalis_official / ZJA designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Archive Art Hospitality venues across the Netherlands partake in a new scheme to combat high rates of deadly melanoma Zand Katwijk doesn’t just serve food and drinks – this beachside restaurant offers “shots” of sunscreen too It is one of 160 hospitality venues around the Netherlands taking part in a new sunburn prevention scheme. The small, wet and windy country might not be known for its tropical climes, but the Dutch have one of Europe’s highest diagnosis rates for melanoma “They have researched different types of cancer and where they occur and one of the conclusions was that places like Katwijk have more skin cancer than average,” said Dirk Schipper the fourth generation of his family to run this business sea and sand… but things have changed in our 94 years.” customers would sometimes ask for a squirt of sun cream so when a health insurer created 100,000 promotional “shots” of factor 30 this June selling the 30ml bottles at the cost price of €2.99 “People have called it a lifesaver,” he said so the wind often cools things off but at the same time the sun’s rays are really strong Offering this should be as normal as offering a napkin.” Dutch authorities and insurers who foot the bill More Dutch people are not dying from skin cancer – probably due to good diagnostics and treatment – but the costs are rising. The health insurer behind the scheme, Zilveren Kruis, believes that 95% of cases could be prevented by proper use of sun protection Healthcare in the Netherlands is provided via mandatory health insurance and the government regulates what must be in a “basic” health insurance Zilveren Kruis is one of the major providers Local authorities, sports clubs and schools have also been installing sun cream dispensers in public locations such as beaches and parks to encourage wider use But new research suggests that restaurants terraces are a key location where people are likely to burn Free suncream on the beach in Netherlands Photograph: Judith Jockel/The ObserverAt Zand Katwijk said that both her mother and son had experienced skin cancer “People who live in warmer countries like Spain try to avoid the sun but we don’t: we go in search of sun,” she said because I find it too warm… but I don’t really use sun cream either.” bike and walking tours company in The Hague ordered 100 tubes said his staff are encouraged to wear hats and sun protection “It’s logical to take it to the beach but you need it in the city too,” he said Dermatologist Dr Daniel Kadouch and founder of Tenue Soleil a UV clothing maker which created the suncream for the campaign said: “I think it’s a combination between the UV index that has risen in the last 10 We try to educate people that sun protection is a combination of measures: staying out of the sun during peak hours trying to cover as much of the skin with clothing … including hat and sunglasses and then for the remaining skin that’s exposed “The American Skin Cancer Foundation is very clear on the link between sunburn and skin cancer: if you have five or more sunburns, especially during childhood, [this] doubles your risk. Research from Maastricht University on the psychology of sun protection has shown that one-third of people still get sunburned.” a researcher at the RIVM public health institute who advised the health ministry on a skin cancer education campaign said that while precise causes are difficult to establish the numbers are growing due to an ageing population with a lifetime’s worth of skin damage “The issue starts with the Dutch people being fortunate to have an increasing life expectancy: that is the major cause of the skin cancer trend,” he said “We are similar to Danish and Scottish people: [many people] have a relatively light type of skin that gives you a disadvantage in this issue And Dutch people tend to be in love with the sun we all run off outside and expose ourselves!” Beach cafe customer Petra Hoogeven whose mother and son both experienced skin cancer Photograph: Judith Jockel/The ObserverA history of bad weather is one reason for societal behaviour around the sun a cultural historian at the University of Amsterdam “The Dutch always have the feeling that they are missing the sun because it’s such an overclouded sky it’s always raining and we never shut our curtains,” he said “I have lived in Rome and everybody keeps their shutters and curtains closed to keep out the sun – but the Dutch want the light inside But as climate change brings warmer weather “We are not saying that tanning behaviour or holiday behaviour is to blame,” said van Dijk “but the advice that we give to change behaviour is the only steering wheel we have to turn this oil tanker This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025 The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media Quick Boys forward Ravelino Junte celebrates the cup win over sc Heerenveen on the shoulders of a fanČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Broer van den BoomIn the age of modern football and the rise of autocratic giants football enthusiasts often turn to the fairytale stories of the sport Dutch amateur side Quick Boys might be this year's ultimate entry into the lore of heartwarming football minnows.With the much-discussed magic of cup football come both expectations and questions: who will excel this year With a lot of the magic of football having disappeared in recent times thanks to the meteoric rise of revenues and oil powers like the Saudi league lovers of the world's game turn to these surprise packages For this year's fairytale story we might have to take a trip to quaint Katwijk aan Zee The scenery around Sportpark Nieuw-Zuid: the dunes of Katwijk aan Zee.ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / IMAGOFounded as Quick in February 1920 by a small group of teenage friends in a small herring shed, the club had to settle for the name 'Quick Boys' after another team from nearby The Hague had already taken up the name 'Quick' at the local football association Katwijk had been a fisherman's town with a nearly exclusive Christian demographic - a given that would permanently make Quick Boys play their games on Saturday instead of Sunday from 1929 onwards After World War II had ended in the Netherlands the club would rise to eventually become the biggest amateur club in the country with 20 titles of which 11 were won in the Saturday league and two were national championships The first big win was the first game back at their own ground after clearing the pitch of German mines and rebuilding both the goals and dressing rooms Quick Boys' first major title came in 1953 when the Narren won the KNVB Cup for amateurs against local rivals Rijnsburgse Boys It would take over 50 years for the club to come close to cup glory In the 2007/08 season, the team in blue-and-white fought its way to the quarter-finals with wins over two amateur sides and the U21 side of sc Heerenveen. Eredivisie side NAC Breda would eventually prove to be be three sizes too big and leave Sportpark Nieuw-Zuid with a 3-0 win Football: very much alive in Katwijk aan Zee.Hollandse Hoogte / Shutterstock Editorial / ProfimediaSixteen years and only three cup entries later, Quick Boys would have their moment of glory again. On October 31st of 2023, none other than professional side NAC Breda were the opponents in the round of 32, again in Katwijk. Quick Boys took their revenge thanks to a Nick Broekhuizen goal making that season the first with a cup win since 2008/09 De Graaschap captain Jeffrey Fortes rose to infamy in Katwijk after the experienced defender asked for a "sh*tty amateur club" after De Graafschap's win over fellow first division side FC Emmen He will have been happy after drawing Quick Boys Quick Boys supporters, armed with scarves saying "my sh*tty club", welcomed De Graafschap into their ground and sent them packing after a more than convincing 2-0 win. Local hero Sem van Duijn scored both goals and helped Quick Boys earn their second consecutive win over a professional side Completely in the team's spirit, Quick Boys played itself alongside AZ when Leonard de Beste headed in the 2-2 in injury time AZ jumped in front again but got confonted with the amateurs' bravery when cup hero Sem van Duijn scored is fourth goal of the cup campaign in the 113th minute Under manager Thomas Duivenvoorden, who joined Quick Boys from fellow Katwijk side FC Rijnvogels in 2023, and without Sem van Duijn who moved to AZ, Quick Boys continued writing their magical story in 2024 when Eredivisie side Almere City FC got the formal invite to Katwijk for a round-of-32 tie against the surprise package of the season prior In front of over 4,000 spectators, Almere City got handed a historic loss when Quick Boys booked a 3-0 victory thanks to Ravelino Junte, Milan Zonneveld and Nick Broekhuizen - a game which made Almere City compensate the 149 traveling supporters in full Quick Boys made one thing known: they were back and ready to fight As fate would have it, Quick Boys would meet a fourth professional team in a row as Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard had to travel to Katwijk for a meeting with the giant-slayers. The amateurs would confidently win once again and sent Fortuna, the team of former FC Barcelona wunderkind Alen Halilovic packing after a 3-1 win in front of a sold out 7,000-man crowd Quick Boys had made waves in Dutch football and sent out several warnings to the big boys of Dutch football. They'd made enough of an impression to make Robin van Persie one of the country's biggest-ever stars and current Heerenveen manager want to avoid them in the next round: "I don't hope so As if the football gods would want it to happen Heerenveen drew Quick Boys in the round-of-16 of the KNVB Cup And not in the comfort of their own Abe Lenstra Stadion but away in the icy-cold dunes of Katwijk aan Zee The game sold out instantly and Quick Boys had made new scarves with a quote from an opponent: supporters with scarves saying "I don't hope so" filled the ground and the Dirk Kuyt Stand named after the Katwijk-born Dutch legend whose career started at the club Quick Boys were looking for history with a third consecutive win over an Eredivisie side a feat which no other amateur club in Dutch history had ever completed After an impressive opening show with plenty of fireworks Quick Boys proved to be a more than worthy opponent for Van Persie's Heerenveen which beat NAC Breda 4-2 just days prior to the cup tie An ecstatic and fanatic crowd saw Neville Ngidi Nwankwo repeat his trick from a year prior and score the first goal in the biggest game in the club's recent memory Heerenveen would score the equaliser after the break with their first shot on target and even take the lead late in the second half but would again concede to the fairytale writers from Katwijk After a puzzling substitute which saw Robin van Persie take off his goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart, substitute goalkeeper Andries Noppert would cause a penalty late in the game and thus Milan Zonneveld's equaliser in the 88th minute - a goal which would make Zonneveld once again become the tournament's joint-top goalscorer A game in which Quick Boys dictated the pace and were the only side consistently showing the willingness to play, the home side once again caught Noppert lacking when substitute Levi van Duijn headed in his first goal of the tournament and beat a surprisingly rushing Noppert in the air Quick Boys player Lukas Hamann celebrates the famous win over sc Heerenveen with the fansČTK / imago sportfotodienst / IMAGOWhat ensued was a more than nervous ending to the extra time period and a new chapter in the history books of Dutch football with the amateurs of Quick Boys beating a third consecutive Eredivisie side in the KNVB Cup Their success has not even been down to luck - Quick Boys have earned the respect of football fans all over the country with their daring style of play and willingness to fight the biggest of opponents The team will have to find their bravery once more in the quarter-finals with former foe AZ being the next opponent A revenge game for their loss over one year prior: could there be any more of a storybook scenario for the biggest fairytale writers of the current campaign The amateurs of the Quick Boys are the sensation of the current edition of the KNVB Cup After the amateur club from Katwijk previously eliminated the Eredivisie clubs Almere City FC and Fortuna Sittard the team of coach Thomas Duivenvoorden was also too strong for sc Heerenveen The match ended in a 3-2 victory for the home team after extra time This makes Katwijk the second amateur club after Noordwijk in the last eight of the cup tournament and Heracles Almelo also qualified for the quarter-finals The draw will be made on Friday at 5:00 p.m Goalkeeper Andries Noppert has taken the blame for sc Heerenveen being eliminated from the KNVB Cup Noppert came on for first keeper Mickey van der Hart ten minutes before the end of regular playing time when sc Heerenveen was ahead 2-1 It is clear that that did not work out well it’s over,” according to the former Oranje goalkeeper who is still eyeing a transfer this winter Argentine club San Lorenzo has signed for the 30-year-old goalkeeper The match had to be stopped after just one minute by referee Alex Bos after fireworks set off outside the stadium had caused a smoke screen on the field The match was resumed after just over five minutes who failed to get past Heerenveen goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart from close range Quick Boys took the lead in the 37th minute Neville Ogidi Nwankwo headed in a corner kick from Jesse Reinders It was no surprise that the opening goal came from that side did not manage a single shot on the goal until half-time Ilias Sebaoui shot the ball into the corner past goalkeeper Lars Jansen from the edge of the penalty area: 1-1 Ion Nicolaescu headed in a cross from Alireza Jahanbakhsh Everything seemed fine until a foul by substitute goalkeeper Andries Noppert on Lukas Hamann earned the home team a penalty but Milan Zonneveld was able to score the 2-2 and help his team to extra time Levi van Duijn headed past the hesitant goalkeeper Noppert and the party started in Katwijk shortly afterward A stunning car park in Holland has won the Best Dutch Building of the Year 2016 by the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA) thanks to its innovative and sustainable marriage of engineering and architecture The building at Katwijk aan Zee is a stroke of civil engineering brilliance because it has also been designed to provide coastal flood defence Royal HaskoningDHV managed the architectural design with the team including Adviesburo Snijders providing design engineering and Arcadis providing dyke consultancy The chairman of the competition Jury Hanneke Groenteman said: “The underground parking is ground breaking not only because it is an exceptional building but it also illustrates how the Netherlands have to be innovative in its approach when it comes to protecting our coastline for the future.” The parking garage is part of Kustwerk Katwijk a scheme to protect the coastline of Katwijk aan Zee in the Netherlands It had to consider defensive coastal protection functional parking requirements as well as sympathetic landscape design Royal HaskoningDHV architect Richard van den Brule said: “The underground parking is carefully embedded into its natural dune environment so as to respect its surrounding landscape.” Tagged with: An Irish start-up using a pioneering system of low-temperature anaerobic digestion is… Flood management in the future means accepting that flooding will happen and… In January this year the government published its 25 Year Environment Plan,… Two innovative inflatable weirs are protecting Leeds city centre from catastrophic flooding. Photo: Brandon HartleyYou’ll find these two charming coastal communities a few kilometres northwest of Leiden Head to either to avoid the larger crowds that typically flock to Scheveningen and Zandvoort on busy summer weekends The histories of Katwijk and Noordwijk date back a few millennia The Roman Empire used Katwijk as an outpost along its northern border Its proximity to the Rhine River made it a suitable port back in those days and it was often used as a departure point for voyages to and from England Noordwijk was officially founded in the 13th century fishing gradually became the primary source of revenue for both towns Tourism has largely supplanted it in recent decades but their maritime heritage still echoes through the ages in the historical displays in the Vuurbaak The fishing crews have been largely replaced by beachside cafes and businesses that offer kite surfing lessons Both communities can be incredibly busy during the summer months but they’re well worth visiting any time of the year especially for those who enjoy brisk strolls along the sea during the off season Hit the beach… Let’s get the most obvious attraction out of the way: the coastline itself Beachcombers and dog walkers flock to the shores of Katwijk and Noordwijk regardless of the season unless they’re getting pounded by heavy winds and rain you’re bound to find a few diehards out there The two towns are close enough that you can walk from one to the other. The trek typically takes an hour or so if you stay on the sand, provided you don’t get distracted by kite surfers, seashells, and/or the lure of snacks and drinks at a beachside terrace. Feeling more adventurous? Contact Beach Break which offers lessons and more for those who want to learn how to surf or kite surf …or wander through the dunes The Duinmeertje Coepelduynen nature preserve runs alongside the coast between Katwijk and Noordwijk it’s home to a variety of birds including nightingales and warblers There’s also a chance you might get a glimpse at a more elusive deer or fox Certain areas are closed to the public during breeding season Gaze into the future at the Space Expo If the weather isn’t behaving, head to the Space Expo a family-friendly museum located at the The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) between the two towns Devoted to the history and future ambitions of space exploration the exhibits include a walk-through model of the International Space Station and astronaut André Kuipers’ original Soyuz space capsule Children will also get a kick out of Expedition Space Expo an ‘interactive mission’ that will earn them a astronaut diploma if they complete all the activities Step into the past at the Vuurbaak lighthouse This lighthouse in Katwijk dates back to 1605 and is the second oldest one in the Netherlands It was phased out in 1912 and was never equipped with a flashing electric light the Vuurbaak served as a watchtower during WW I and a machine gun post during WWII when much of the surrounding community was literally torn apart during the construction of the Atlantic Wall Displays about the history of Katwijk and the tower itself will lead you all the way to the top where you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the sea and the town below you can see all the way to the Europoort in Rotterdam Get a bit comical The Museum of Comic Art (MoCA) in Noordwijk is another option if your plans to hit the beach get rained out It’s devoted to the work of American and European comic book and newspaper artists Those travelling with fussy eaters, especially ones under the age of 10, might want to aim for Katwijk’s Pannenkoeken & Grill De Beslagkom They have pancakes as well as meat and grill dishes If you’re more interested in spending time on the sand than in a cafe, Harteveltvis is an outdoor stand along the main boulevard of Katwijk with fried seafood including kibbeling but the crowds can be brutal during the summer months The same goes for Pistacchio, an ice cream stand further down the boulevard. The proprietors have been cranking out scoops both there and at Vivaldi’s in Noordwijk since 1995. As the name implies, WinterLodge in Noordwijk is open year round Where to stay The four star Hotel Alexander is a short walk to the sand in Noordwijk and guests can use the Azzurro Wellness Centre next door for no additional charge If you don’t like getting woken up early by families heading to the beach with their sand buckets and coolers, try Hotel Hogerhuys. Also located in Noordwijk, they have an adults only policy. B&B de Cley is another option if the kids will be spending a weekend with opa and oma The family-owned Hotel Zee en Duin Katwijk has been going strong since 1928. It has great views of the sea and over 500 types of whiskey in its lounge. Travelling with a tent or caravan? Try Camping Zuidduinen How to get there The drive down from Amsterdam typically takes around 50 minutes to Noordwijk Going via public transport is a bit tougher Your best bet is to head to Leiden Centraal and take a bus over to either town You can also get to them via Voorhout Station Anything else? If you like beer, try a Tulum Cerveza Blanca. It’s a Mexican-inspired microbrew that’s available in several beachside cafes and elsewhere as well as Tulum itself. Located in Noordwijk, it’s a cafe that also has its own furniture line. What’s with all these beachside eateries that have their own furniture collections? Your guess is as good as ours. We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day. Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days! We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here. Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey. The calm summer weather in the Netherlands over the past few days, created some fairy tale-like scenes along the Dutch coast. The sea was illuminated bright fluorescent blue in some areas, due to Noctiluca scintillans, more commonly known as sea sparkle, NOS reports. Sea sparkle is a unicellular algae species that exhibits bioluminescence when disturbed. This happens most commonly in warm and calm summer weather. This natural phenomenon resulted in some beautiful photos taken along the Dutch coasts over the past days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeevonk (@zeevonkalert) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adri Noort (@adrinoort) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zeevonk (@zeevonkalert) Ook in België is gisteren voor het eerst zeevonk gemeld in Oostende door @brechtheusequin pic.twitter.com/8oh00Jp7ai