NS’ ICNG train set makes passenger debut as Benelux deployment delayed

On Wednesday 19 April 2023, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) introduced its ICNG, nicknamed ‘Wasp‘, into commercial passenger service in the Netherlands. The rolling stock will further be deployment over the next months. Introduction on the Brussels – Amsterdam Benelux service is delayed. 

RIDE & DINE | Brussels Tram Experience

The Hague has the Hoftrammm, Milan has the Atmosfera and Brussels has the Tram Experience. In September 2022 Danny, Sam, Oriol and I booked a table for four. 

NETHERLANDS | Poffertjes in Dordrecht

On a colder than anticipated Sunday in March 2022, Oriol took me for a surprise one-day road trip to the Netherlands for a hike. First we walked the Moerputten Bridge near ‘s-Hertogenbosch, we then went to Gorinchem (also spelled as pronounced Gorkum or Gorcum), to Dordrecht and we ended the excursion at Willemstad.

REVIEW | Carlton President Hotel Utrecht Maarssen ft. Restaurant One24

July 2021. A week after my Eindhoven escapade featuring the DAF Museum and a night at Hotel Mariënhage, I travelled to Utrecht for a culinary weekend with Steve. At that time, the Netherlands were very liberal concerning coronavirus countermeasures. That was both concerning and liberating at the time. 

Discovering Belgium and the Netherlands in COVID times

March 2020. The world learns the words coronavirus and COVID-19. Lockdowns, travel restrictions, restrictions of other kinds, social distancing and other new dynamics which have become more or less natural since. No foreign travel meant staying in Belgium. So in 2020 and 2021 we did quite a few domestic excursions to still our hunger for…

Inside the Royal Palace of Brussels

Each year, except in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Royal Palace of Brussels opens its doors to the general public, as Buckingham Palace in London does. For a few weeks after Belgium‘s National Holiday (Nationale Feestdag, Fête Nationale) on the 21st of July, you can visit the ‘office palace’ of the King of the Belgians.