The weather has been great the past few weeks. It’s that time of year again where a trip or two to the beach might just be possible.

Kira at Cosmo Polite provides some great information about city beaches that are up and running for the 2009 season. She distinguishes “regular” beaches from city beaches, which are artificial beaches next to a lake or pond often with any number of bar or restaurants to serve the sun worshippers.

Most importantly, the link provides a Google map with all locations conveniently marked. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Have you heard of Proef A’dam? It’s more than just a restaurant – it’s a creative design studio where food concepts are developed and executed. But that’s not all, there’s a number of uses for this great space. According to their website:

In Proef you can work relaxed at the big table, have a break in our herbs garden or cuddle one of the chickens if you’re sick and tired of the meeting you are in. It is possible to marry in Proef, you can ask the civil servant to come to our studio! When the sun is shining, you can eat outside or share a picknick at a nice place in the park. In the studio you can give a presentation while the fireplace is heated up. Meanwhile you can see the chefs create the most delicious meals and serve in the same space. They like to tell you more about the taste and the honest ingredients we work with. In Proef the food tells a story and we think it is important to think together with our clients. Food concepts are tailor made.

Sounds delicious, and I’ll be trying this place out this summer. Proef is located on the Westergasfabriek at Goschalklaan 12 in Amsterdam. It is open from Thursday to Sunday and it is possible to eat at 6pm or 9pm. For more details see this page.

Have you ever visited a website that made you hungry? Well, take a deep breath, click this link, and enjoy the most incredible visual treat that will leave your stomach growling.

I heard about Bakery Niemeijer from Danielle at the style files, and I’m so happy I clicked through to their website! Run by two brothers, they offer French breakfast, pasteries, and lunch options ranging from sandwiches to soups and salads. After the online images, I can’t wait to try out the actual food. Their menu is available online (in Dutch).

The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 8.15am - 6.30pm, Saturday from 8.30am - 5pm and Sunday from 9.30am - 5pm. They are located at the Nieuwendijk 35 in Amsterdam.

File this one under "now I know":

Research by a fancy Dutch marketing research group indicates that the official summer drink of 2009 is... drum roll - Prosecco! Yes the Italian sparkling wine is everywhere this summer, I can testify to that effect. Whether I'm at a BBQ in vondelpark, or attending a friend's birthday party in Noord, everyone seems to offer me Prosecco, which immediately makes me think they just came from Italy.

Indeed this prosecco that is all the rage in Amsterdam right now is cheap and readily available at any grocery store (our most popular being Albert Hein). For those of you who don't care how popular prosecco is, fear not - there is plenty of beer, wine and any other drink available to you as always.

If you have ever visited Rotterdam or the city is on your list of places to visit, am sure you have come across the Cubic Houses (or kubuswoningen in Dutch). As of Monday you will have a chance to actually sleep in one of the cubes as the hostel chain Stayokay is opening with rates starting at €23.50. Each of the 49 unique rooms differ in layout and design.

The unusual architecture by Piet Blom has attracted visitors from all over the world. The cubes are located in the city center and overlook the historic old harbor of Rotterdam. For bookings and more information visit the Stayokay website.

I spend part of last weekend Kayaking in the recreation park known as Twiske. Imagine a huge area made up of water, tree's, the occasional windmill, and the occasional wooden bridge connection one meadow with another. Oh yes, cows too, there are plenty of cows nearby.

For about 20 euros per person, myself and 6 friends had use of simple kayaks that even a novice could figure out. Loaded with enough food for a picnic and plenty of sunny weather, we paddled to an island that looked appealing, setup out picnic, and spent the afternoon chatting, relaxing and eventually paddling around different corners of Twiske. At some point I found myself lost in a tiny stream used primarily by cows, I determined by the smell. All smells aside, I highly recommend Twiske, which is only about an hour's bike ride north of Amsterdam Central Station. Check the website for maps and details. And here's a quick video clip of me looking around on kayak.

A good friend of mine was just on a romantic getaway which took him to different small cities in the Netherlands, and one stop along the way was Delft. Where did he stay in Delft? The very interesting Havenstraat 5 Guesthouse.

Unlike hotels and hostels Havenstraat 5 is not for the masses. More to the point, Havenstraat 5 is a stylish apartment for 2 people. (yes, 2!) The apartment, which can be rented per night, per week or per month, features a fully stocked kitchen, a combined living room-bedroom, and a modern bathroom. Guests can also enjoy the tranquil garden.

Location wise the guesthouse is very near the Delft train station, and walking distance from the historic city center. So not only do you get to relax in an extra comfortable apartment, you're also right in the middle of the legendary city of Delft.

The weather has been great the past few weeks. It’s that time of year again where a trip or two to the beach might just be possible.

Kira at Cosmo Polite provides some great information about city beaches that are up and running for the 2009 season. She distinguishes “regular” beaches from city beaches, which are artificial beaches next to a lake or pond often with any number of bar or restaurants to serve the sun worshippers.

Most importantly, the link provides a Google map with all locations conveniently marked. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Having recently received the information below via the Leiden expats Yahoo group, I thought I’d pass it on to Trippist readers:

0031, the international event for gay and lesbian students, young expats and their friends, takes place in Leiden every other month. The next edition of 0031 will be organised on Friday 5 June.

Event #1: 0031 Picnic @ The Park

Spring has brought sunnier weather and a sunnier mood. Bring some food and drinks, and of course some good friends, and join us in the park for the 0031 Picnic @ The Park! (Friday, 5 June, starts at 7:30pm at Van der Werffpark in Leiden)

Event #2: 0031 - 1001 Nights

Friday 5 June, COC Leiden promises to vibrate in a different rhythm again under the fascinating theme of 1001 Nights. You will enjoy our local stars in bewildering performances and the music will have an oriental touch to kick up your feet and shake some ... Bring your own belly buttons, though! (doors open at 9:30pm at COC Leiden)

Those long summer days mean lots to do, see, and hear in Amsterdam. Here's a few for the weekend:

Saturday:

Finale of the Next Stage band contest, featuring great new bands from the BENELUX region; Melkweg, 6:30pm, €15 plus membership.

The Mike Del Ferro Trio is doing an excellent Brazilian music set at Bimhuis; 8:30, €15.

Sunday:

Nexus Instituut - Great! is the performance at the MuziekGebouw aan't Ij; 2pm, €26.

Monday:

LEWIS BLACK! The legendary American comedian is doing at show at Carré. I will be there: 8pm, only ticket range left is €29 and up.

Scandinavian singing sensation Lisa Ekdahl plays a rare sit down concert at Paradiso; 8:30pm, €18.50 plus membership.

There’s still a week left of this exhibition, so head over to The Hague to check out India Contemporary at GEM. The exhibition provides an intriguing overview of modern Indian art that blurs the line between East and West. From the website:

In its forthcoming exhibition India Contemporary, GEM shows the work of three leading Indian artists and becomes the first Dutch museum ever to offer a clear picture of the current state of contemporary Indian art. Jitish KallatRiyas Komu (b. 1971) and Sudarshan Shetty (b. 1961) will exhibit not only recent installations and paintings, but also works made especially for this exhibition. The three are members of a generation of artists who bridge east and west, looking both to the old and the new world. Their visual idioms draw on western art movements like Surrealism, Pop Art and Social Realism but the intelligent use they make of the best elements of the two different cultures makes their work innovative and refreshing.

GEM is located at Stadhouderslaan 43 in The Hague. It is open Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-6pm. For adults, entrance is €5, and is free for under-18s and Museumkaart holders.

There are those buildings that announce renovations and you don't hear from them for several years. Quite often the work takes much longer than originally proposed. Well after extensive renovation, the Palace on the Dam, more officially known in english as "The Royal Palace", has re-opened to the public.

Built in 1648 by reknowned Dutch architect Jacob van Campen, the palace originally served as Amsterdam's city hall. The building's classicist style shows some very big Roman and Greek influences. When it was first opened citizens of Amsterdam were so impressed by it, they used to refer to it as the 8th wonder of the world.

Eventually the city would outgrow its little wonder of the world, the Royal Family took control of the building first as a residence in the city, and eventually only for official ceremonies; as it is used today.

All summer long the palace is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Standard price is about €7 with discounts available for seniors and students. A quick stroll from Central Station, the Palace is of course very obviously located on Dam Square.

In the city where I live, Amsterdam, there used to be a few people riding around on segways. However, 2 or 3 years ago, the futuristic transport devices seemed to disappear from the urban landscape. In 2007 there was supposed to have been a national ban on segways from public streets. Somehow in the beloved city of Delft in 2009, segway tours are still going strong.

A segway tour of Delft lasts about an hour. You can book it at the tourist information point, keeping in mind that its a minimum group of 4, otherwise you have to pay a surcharge. The €56, 60 minute tour is given by a professional guide, as is the €46, 45-minute tour. The tours depart 4 times daily, check the website for exact times.

While you may not be able to experience the wonder of seeing all Dutch cities by segway, it is still pretty cool that a city like Delft still offers you that unique option.

It is quite hot out there. Like middle of the summer, is every window opened? type hot. And with summer come the cool evening concerts, among them I recommend....

Friday:

The Netherlands Air guitar Championship takes place at Paradiso, 8:30pm, €10 + membership.

Saturday:

Part of their summer concert series the Royal Netherlands Concertgebouw Orchestra plays in their house; 8:15pm, tickets range from €29 to €40.

Sunday:

Duff McKagan's Loaded (Velvet Revolver / ex-Guns N' Roses) has been touring the world, you can see them at Melkweg this Sunday; 8:30pm, €20 + membership.

The summer’s heating up, and there’s so many things going on I don’t even know where to start. And now, there’s an entire website dedicated to discovering the summer in Leiden.

The months of June, July, August and September are full of activities and events in art, culture and music. The website “Zomer in Leiden” provides a comprehensive look at all of these, updated each Monday.

Mark this website and get ready to enjoy the summer months to the fullest.

Amsterdam and Rotterdam have their museum nights in the winter months, but Leiden holds its night of cultural fun in July. The deal is similar to the other cities – lots of museums opening their doors until late with exciting programs and a whole new look at their contents. A couple details:

Museum night in Leiden runs from 8pm until late on July 4th, 2009. In addition to the many museums that will take part, there will be DJ's, concerts, outdoor cinema, workshops, theater, dance and more. Afterparties will be held in InCasa and ALSV Quintus.

Interested participants can buy a Passe-partout for €10, which can be purchased online (see the banner at the top of the page), at participating museums and at the Visitor’s Center Leiden.

The Hermitage is opened!

Yes over the weekend there was major fanfare on the Amstel as the Queen and the Russian president got together along with several other important people to have a ceremony and declare the Hermitage- opened. The museum is the only branch outside of Russia, of the world famous Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg.

For the past 300+ years the building on the Amstel had served as a home for the elderly. Until the decision was made several years ago that it should be renovated and made into a permanent museum. As one would expect, it will offer visitors a chance to view rare works of Russian art.

The museum is opened daily, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is €15 for adults. But children under 16 or those with an I Amsterdam card, get in for free.

Here's a video of the opening ceremony:

Looking for an excuse to get to know Den Haag better? There’s still a week left to go in the 2009 Hague Festivals. For the second year in a row, Den Haag is hosting a large number of events in the city, such as Festival Classique, The Hague Sculpture, Shopping Night, Dutch Veterans Day, and Parkpop.

For a full list of events, click here. To see photos of this year’s events, check this page.

One of my favorite Amsterdam-based bloggers, pia jane bijkerk, will be holding a book signing at the American Book Center located on the Spui in Amsterdam. She’ll be part of an event called Urban Culture, a celebration of the creative, the handmade, and the do-it yourself movement.

Pia will be signing her new book called Paris: Made by Hand. For a full listing of all participating artists and authors, see the American Book Center blog.

The book signing will take place on June 27th, and the American Book Center is located at Spui 12.

This weekend is the last weekend for the beloved theater festival known as Oerol which takes place in Terschelling. They call it location-specific theater which means you might see a performance in a barn, shed, or just on the street. The performance itself can also take any number of forms or styles.

Since Terschelling is one of the islands in the north of the Netherlands, getting there is in itself part of the journey. Getting there via public transport involves taking a normal train north and later switching to a ferry which takes approx. 2 hours. For full details you can check out the directions on the website, where they also recommend you book the ferry beforehand.

I've not yet been to the Oerol Festival and it looks unlikely I'll make it there this year. But my friends who appreciate theater and creative performances, they love the festival. They even recommend it to non dutch speakers coming from outside the country. Not only are the surroundingss beautiful, they often tell me, but you get to watch some extremely inspiring performances.

It is time again for the Amsterdam Roots Festival. This Sunday you can enjoy, for free, national and international musical acts as well as browse the more than 100 stands that make up the festival.

Among the acts this year are names like: Natacha Atlas & The Mazeeka Ensemble, Zimbabwe's Chiwoniso, and Miami-based Locos Por Juana. Beyond the music, there will also be dance workshops and demonstrations of numerous styles like: salsa, samba, African dance, and tango.

Last year 60,000 people found their way to Oosterpark to enjoy the roots festival. This year organizers expect even more visitors to what has become one of the city's most loved festivals. Stands as well as performances will start around noon and continue til at least 9pm, giving you plenty of time to enjoy at least some of it.

As always, expats have lots of choices if they look to Cosmo Polite for things to do. A couple examples of what to expect in the coming weeks:

On Tuesday, July 7th the group will attend the Robeco Summer Concerts. Thursday the 16th is the monthly Thursday Expat Drinks, and Thursday the 23rd hosts a summer wine tasting. Saturday the 25th of July is a Salsa Beginners workshop, and another Robeco Concert presents itself on Tuesday the 28th.

See Cosmo Polite’s website for more information and to learn more about the club.