Seek and find
YESSSSS, the R is in the month, which means oyster harvesting is back in the Netherlands. Right in the wild! And what's more: completely free. Time to list the best and most popular oyster harvesting spots in the Netherlands for you. From the Wadden Islands to Zeeland and the province of Groningen. Because, by now, I can already tick off a few myself. I discovered oyster harvesting a few years ago, and it's become a regular occurrence whenever the R is in the month. Oyster season runs roughly from September to April. However, there are a few rules you have to follow when harvesting oysters in the Netherlands. I'll tell you all about those rules in this article. Sometimes oyster harvesting is also called plucking. These days, both are used, and in that case, we're talking about the same thing! Enjoy!
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𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟮, 𝟭𝟯, 𝟭𝟰 & 𝟭𝟱
Rain or shine, there's never a dull moment in Amsterdam. Pinky promise!
From the Museum Market to spring openings and some really great restaurant deals.
The only thing I wish for is some sun this weekend. The rest will be perfect with this packed list full of tips!
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 59 tips straight to your DMs.
Have fun, and come up and say HI if you see me at one of these events this weekend <3.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
MOOD 👀, I woke up really early today and was just scrolling through my photos of Bangkok 🌴.
Then I thought: how nice would it be if we shared our booked and wishlist destinations for inspiration?
Here's a safari in Malawi & Zimbabwe 🐆 in the books with a stopover in Nairobi.
I'm also going to Paris for a few nights by train with Manuel. So excited! I'm going to visit all the Parisian clichés and more with him ✌🏼.
Also on the wishlist: China (May holiday), midweek Athens & coast (summer), London (always a good idea), Amalfi & Rome (Manuel's dream for the autumn holiday) & Japan (Christmas holiday including skiing, tips welcome☺️).
My intention for 2026 is also to plan more fun days/nights away in the Netherlands.
And I would love to go to Japan solo, but well... first I have to get back to work 😅😉.
Speaking off: happy new week!!
I'd love to daydream about your travel plans.
????
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
I have a nice garden and a nice summer day 🖤
March = the month in which my favourite Sunday markets start up again in full swing.
So my Sunday plans are quickly made: stroll along stalls, discover new food trucks and go home with a bag full of organic products or a good vintage find.
What I love about it? Every market has its own vibe.
• @feelgoodmarket for creativity and live music in Eindhoven
• Vintage heaven at @ijhallen
• @sundaymarket with creative makers and food trucks
• Curated vintage & design gems at @cabinetamsterdam
• @fairpricedvintage for scoring vintage clothing at many locations in the Netherlands
Have fun!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best markets, restaurants, travel guides, and more tips to make the most of your free time.
#sundaymarket #marketsinthenetherlands #vintagemarket #weekendtips #yourlittleblackbook
If you only go to one terrace in Amsterdam this weekend, make it @caferestaurant.meyer! What a great addition to the Amstelveld 😍.
Open from 10am, a very nice lunch menu, a wine list with a bottle of rosé for €20, but also olive ice cream with caviar (incredibly delicious!).
I'll be back soon to try the evening menu as well.
Tip: you can make a reservation on the terrace!
And did I mention there's a playground next door?
Have a nice weekend 😘
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam tips and travel guides to destinations around the world.
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Best terrace in Amsterdam, best new terrace in Amsterdam, lunch in Amsterdam, family friendly Amsterdam
My fav spot for freddo cappuccino in Amsterdam that transports me back to Greece.
Add a slice of spanakopita and you have the best breakfast to enjoy along the Amstel river.
My motto for the coming spring is to take more walks, so expect a lot of recs for coffee and other drinks to go in this new series! ☀️
Where should I go next?
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🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟱, 𝟲, 𝟳 & 𝟴
The first weekend in Amsterdam that actually feels like spring? I can't wait to spend time on the terrace this weekend and just cycle around town and go to the market for some shopping in the sun :-) 🌞.
YES dears; I'm back from vacation and fully ready for Dutch spring, long lunches and spontaneous dates with my favorite city Amsterdam.
This weekend is packed with fun things to do! From an Italian market in West with @zicami_market, to the @tableware.amsterdam pop-up sale, treasure hunting at the @ijhallen and the @nocknock.art fair. There's something for every day!
And is it just me, or is the wave of new restaurant openings huge this year? In the full weekend guide I keep a weekly updated list of the new places to check out.
The following:
📍 @caferestaurant.meyer
📍 @bouillondamsterdam
📍 @weinlokalstern
📍 @voorwaarts
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 55 tips straight to your DMs.
Have fun making plans!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
I love my mother-in-law and I love her mother-in-law ❄️
Note to self: always leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs. During my ski trip to Méribel, I popped into the local pharmacy just before leaving, and these are the beauty products I took home.
They've been tested extensively and are all more than YLBB-approved. Save them for your next trip to France (or your online beauty store).
Which souvenirs always make it back in your suitcase? I'm curious!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb for tons of tips on how to make the most of your free time — from travel tips to travel guides and more.
𝗩𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗝𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘: 𝟯𝟬+ 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀
Spring break = sun, rain, hail, and everything in between. But don't stress: I've got a super comprehensive guide ready for you with 30+ tips for fun things to do together in Amsterdam and throughout the Netherlands.
From creative workshops to children's films that you will also like, indoor playgrounds and rainproof museums.
After years of testing hotspots with my own son, I know one thing: good planning and fun things to do together every day makes your holiday so much more enjoyable.
Via my link in bio you will find the direct links to the complete guides on 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞.𝗺𝗲 with all the details + many more tips to make every holiday a party.
Have fun!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for tons of tips to make the most of your free time, from restaurants to travel guides, and regular updates on the best kid-friendly tips. And have you spotted @yourlbb.amsterdam yet? The dedicated account for my love of Amsterdam 🫶🏼.
The following: 𝗠𝗲́𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗹 ❄️
Looking for a stylish winter sports destination in France? Méribel is one of those places where everything is perfect: beautiful ski-in/ski-out hotels, excellent restaurants on and off the slopes, wonderful spas, and, if you're feeling energetic, après-ski.
I was there for a weekend without my little FAM, but I knew straight away: this is also perfect for the whole family thanks to the many green and blue slopes, so we will definitely go back!
Below are the Méribel tips you'll want to save 👇🏼
**Illegible**
⦁ @lecoucoumeribel 📷
⦁ @refugedelatraye
⦁ @lachaudannemeribel
⦁ @lekailameribel
𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚
⦁ @beefbar.meribel
⦁ @leblanchot.vt
⦁ @tipimeribel
⦁ @leclosbernard_
⦁ @maya_altitude
⦁ @le_monchu & their food truck
𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗦𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚
⦁ @fifi.meribel
⦁ Biancaneve in @lecoucoumeribel
⦁ L'Ekrin* in @lekailameribel
⦁ @la_fromagerie_meribel
⦁ @brasseriele80
⦁ @liliebistrotmeribel
𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗘̀𝗦 𝗦𝗞𝗜
A long lunch at La Fruitière and then dancing on the tables at @foliedoucemeribel. Just because we can.
'𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗥' 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚
⦁ No trip to France is complete without a stop at the local Pharmacy for the best beauty brands.
⦁ And have you even been to France if you don't take home some cheese and charcuterie as souvenirs ;-).
𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘
⦁ Spa day @lecoucoumeribel (can also be booked outside the season for non-hotel guests!).
⦁ Nuxe Spa @lekailameribel
I am
⦁ Take a walk through the Lac de Tuéda nature reserve and have lunch at @la_buvette_de_tueda.
⦁ A must: book the First Track and be the first on the slopes at sunrise (incl. breakfast).
𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘
Taking the train to your ski holiday? I say go for it! Door-to-door via Paris (Eurostar + TGV + bus) to Méribel in just over 10 hours. I found it very relaxing!
And of course it would be even more fun to add a night in Paris to it next time.
Save these tips if you're a winter sports lover like me 🫶🏼.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb for more travel guides packed with places you can truly trust.
#presstrip #invited by @meribel3vallees
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟭 & 𝟮𝟮
While I'm currently hopping from hotel to hotel and neighborhood to neighborhood in Bangkok (all in the name of “research” and new food hotspots for the new LITTLE BLACK BOOK 😉). Back home, Amsterdam is serving peak weekend vibes.
Think: Dim Sum Sunday in Noord, vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations across the city and a Vietnamese Tết feast at @yen.diningbar. Add market gems like the @le.temps.perdu.brocante pop-up in Oud-West and @themakermarket at De Hallen, and your weekend basically plans itself.
And yes, make time for ARTIS: there are now two elephant calves and they're too cute. 🐘🐘 Instant serotonin incoming, I promise!
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 to get the full Weekend Guide with 71 things to do in Amsterdam in your DMs.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb for the best food hotspots, travel inspiration and things to do in The Netherlands and beyond. And for all Amsterdam tips, don't forget @yourlbb.amsterdam.
Happy Lunar New Year from Bangkok!
🥹 yellow lion in the third frame 🫶🏼❤️
#liondance #lunarnewyear #centralworld #bangkok #chinesenewyear lion dance performance at central world bangkok for lunar new year 2026
My small tiny Thai wedding 🥰
Krabi 27-12-23 / Amsterdam 14-12-24
Still so glad we had a rather spontaneous elopement wedding in Thailand with just the three of us during the Christmas holidays instead of staying engaged forever ❤️. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Happy V-day 😘
Everything you need to know about oyster harvesting in the Netherlands
Why do I enjoy collecting oysters so much? Of course, because I absolutely love oysters. I buy them almost every week at the market and make different kinds of them. tasty recipes I'm also a fan. But what I also love about oyster collecting is the great outdoors. And spotting oysters can almost feel like a sport in some places! That's why I've created this guide with tips for oyster collecting in the Netherlands. Because if you know where to go, it's a piece of cake to fill your bucket with this briny delicacy in no time. While you might pay at least €4 per oyster in restaurants and bars, you can collect these wild oysters completely free. Oysters are collected at low tide. So it's very important to check the tide carefully before you set out. Preferably go during ebbing tide, not during rising tide.
This is what you take with you when you go oyster collecting
A bottle of champagne, glasses, an oyster knife and glove, a tea towel, and some lemon. Just kidding ;-). Or maybe not! Nothing beats opening your oysters right on a picnic blanket to sample a few. It doesn't get much purer than that! But besides these items that complete this free outing in the Netherlands, I also want to give you some advice on the best clothing for oyster harvesting and other handy tools. And trust me: I speak from experience, having once lain stretched out in the mud on the mudflats of Texel.
Best clothes for oyster harvesting and other tools
Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and bring rubber boots. Make sure they're not too big, as your feet can sometimes get stuck in the bottom. It depends a bit on where you're going to collect oysters whether you'll get really dirty. Still, I would definitely recommend bringing a change of dry clothes. Thank me later! Work gloves are also handy, and don't forget to bring a screwdriver. Sometimes oysters get stuck together or to the rocks along the dike. Also, bring a large bucket and several garbage bags. Garbage bags for your dirty clothes and boots, and garbage bags to put around the buckets containing the oysters. You don't want them to topple over and roll all over your trunk. Thank me later ;-).
These are the rules for collecting oysters in the Netherlands:
– You are allowed to bring up to 10 kg per person at a time. This is roughly the size of a cleaning bucket. – Note: you may only pick oysters for your own use, so you may not sell them later to restaurants, for example. – You may not stir, scoop, or scrape the bottom. – You may not go onto the mudflats, not even to walk to the oyster beds. This is quite difficult in practice on Texel, so keep a close eye on the tide to ensure the path is truly 'dry'. – You may not damage any plants or seaweed while picking. – Of course, you may not pick oysters on private property or if a nature reserve has been cordoned off. – Going to pick oysters abroad? Then it's useful to check the local regulations!
Eating right away? Here's how to know your home-harvested oyster is good:
In short, but to the point: you can't smell a good oyster. If you open one and smell a strong sulfurous odor, it's best to skip it. Also, depending on the location, some oysters may have a lot of mud. You don't want to eat those either, of course. I always enjoy eating the smaller oysters with lemon or a vinaigrette and gratinating the larger ones in the oven. The wild oysters in Zeeland (the Japanese oysters) are particularly large, making them perfect for a recipe that calls for slicing them. For example, I recently ate an oyster mixed with steak tartare at restaurant De Kas. So delicious!
How long can you keep oysters in the refrigerator?
Opinions are somewhat divided on how long you can store oysters. During the really cold months, I've sometimes left them in seawater in the garden for a week (let's say at refrigerator temperature). In the refrigerator, I'm still comfortable eating them after a few days. But when opening them, always pay close attention to the smell and, above all, trust your instincts.
8 Best Places to Pick Oysters in the Netherlands
The Oyster Dam – Zeeland
The province of Zeeland is one of the Dutch provinces with a long coastline and numerous beaches, both on the North Sea and the Oosterschelde estuary. It's a province where a lot of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans are caught and farmed, such as Zeeland mussels. The Oosterschelde also boasts several excellent oyster-picking spots, including the Oesterdam, a dam in the Oosterschelde that runs between Tholen and Zuid-Beveland. Besides finding and gathering oysters to your heart's content, the Oesterdam is also known as a great diving spot.
Yerseke – Zeeland
If picking your own oysters is a bit too adventurous, try one of the restaurants by the oyster pits in Yerseke, such as De Oesterij. Yerseke, in Zeeland, is also known as the "oyster capital" and therefore definitely deserves a mention. Yerseke is originally a true fishing village, which is no surprise, as it lies directly on the Oosterschelde, just like the Oesterdam. Along the beach, you'll find numerous oyster beds where wild picking is permitted.
Wilhelminadorp – Zeeland
I regularly go oyster collecting in Wilhelminadorp in Zeeland. Here, the oysters are literally there for the taking, and you can fill your bucket so quickly that you can even be a bit critical about the shape and size of the oysters. Wilhelminadorp is located in the municipality of Goes on the Goes Canal that flows into the Oosterschelde, which explains why you have a good chance of finding oysters here at low tide. Walk down the Westhavendijk or Oosthavendijk to the Goese Sas and start picking right away! I tend to head closer to the beach near Restaurant Katseveer. You can easily park there and just walk into the water with your bucket. You'll also find beautiful empty oyster shells there, which are completely white. I always collect these to make crafts with my son later. These shells are great fun to paint with the kids! If you're in Zeeland with your family, the beach near Wilhelminadorp is a great place to collect oysters with (younger) children. There's plenty of space for them to play safely on the beach and search for shells. And then you and your partner can take turns in the water to fill a bucket with the Japanese creuses.
Scheldt moor – Zeeland
The last Zeeland destination in this list of oyster-gathering destinations is Scheldeoord. Unlike the previous three oyster-gathering locations in Zeeland, Scheldeoord isn't located on the Eastern Scheldt, but on the Western Scheldt. If you have a choice, I'd suggest going to one of the spots near the Eastern Scheldt, as the Western Scheldt's water is often in the news for being significantly more polluted. If you happen to be in the area, check with locals and trust your instincts.
The Mok Bay – Texel
The Mok, or Mok Bay, is a bay in the south of Texel, between De Hors and 't Horntje, not far from the village of Den Hoorn, where you arrive by boat from Den Helder. Because of the sheltered and shallow water in the bay, Mok Bay is an ideal habitat for shellfish such as oysters and mussels. Until 1990, mussels were the primary habitat, but in 1990 the Japanese oyster, also known as the 'creuse', was introduced to the area, after this oyster species had already been introduced in Zeeland in 1960. Mok Bay is truly beautiful and a must-see, but because it is a protected area, oyster harvesting is not officially permitted here. However, other oyster banks can be found along the Wadden Sea dike.
De Cocksdorp – Texel
I always pick oysters in a different spot on Texel. At the northernmost tip of Texel, you'll find De Cocksdorp, a village with about 1.185 inhabitants, where you can find excellent oysters nearby. One of the best spots on Texel for oyster picking is the oyster bank near the Lancaster Dike (the dike body). You can hardly miss it at low tide, as several local oyster tours also depart from this spot. That's how I discovered these oyster banks myself and always remember to go back when I'm on a weekend trip to Texel with my partner. Personally, I don't think this spot is suitable for oyster picking with young children. You have to walk quite a distance out onto the mudflats, and it's easy to get your shoes stuck when the water rises again.
Wadden Sea dike near Oost-Vlieland – Vlieland
Oyster gathering isn't limited to Texel; you can also forage for your own meal on Vlieland. I haven't been there myself yet, but I've heard good things about it! The best place to gather oysters on Vlieland is at the oyster banks along the Wadden Sea dike south of the village of Oost-Vlieland. So you can walk the mudflats and gather oysters at the same time!
Lauwersoog – Groningen
Zeeland and the Wadden Islands might be places that immediately come to mind when you think of oyster collecting, but did you know you can also find oysters in the province of Groningen? In Groningen, you can collect oysters in Lauwersoog! In Lauwersoog, you'll find the oyster beds along the Zeedijk, where the ferry to Schiermonnikoog also departs. It's a lesser-known wild oyster-collecting spot, but how great would it be to combine it with a weekend in Groningen? Lauwersmeer National Park is definitely a must-see during a weekend in Groningen. Honestly? I immediately feel like planning a weekend in Groningen and, for example, staying at De Piloersmaborg, because it's been far too long for me! Enjoy the tips in this article about the best places to collect oysters in the Netherlands. One of the best free outings in the Netherlands, if you ask me, and with the tips in this article, you'll be all set! Literally, because did I mention the water can be quite cold if you go in winter ;-).
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