Seek and find
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, better known as the Mooncake Festival, takes place on a different date each year. This is because it is always celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar. I was once lucky enough to be in Chinatown in Bangkok I stayed there and happened to experience the Mooncake Festival firsthand. Since then, I've always wanted to make the special mooncakes myself. In 2025, for example, the Mooncake Festival falls on October 6th. You might be in Asia around that time, or in a city with a large Chinese community. It would be fun to learn more about the local holidays! And did you know that in Amsterdam, for example, you can get mooncakes at various places on Zeedijk during this time? For example, at Hoi Tin.
TIP: If you'd like to delve deeper into mooncake baking, these cookbooks are recommended: Mooncakes & Milk Bread of Mooncake & JasmineThe best way to order special baking cups for mooncakes is online. View the handy Mooncake molds with different prints here >>
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 🧧
The new lunar year begins on February 17th, and in the Netherlands, Chinese New Year (as you might know it) is becoming increasingly celebrated.
From lion and dragon dances in The Hague and on @dezeedijk in Amsterdam to full-on Oriental dinners at @rongastrobar. Looking for something creative? Check out the weekend full of workshops and a fun photo booth at the Wereldmuseum in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Check out all the tips for Lunar New Year in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague in this guide!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: I'll be in Bangkok for Lunar New Year! Want to follow my Thailand trip? Tune in via @yourlbb 🖤 And have you spotted @yourlbb.amsterdam yet, the dedicated account for my love of Amsterdam 🫶🏼?
#lunarnewyear2026 #chinesenewyear #yourlittleblackbook #chinatown
@nomansart @amstelhotel @hoitin1975 @wereldmuseum.amsterdam @cafewu.ams @anantarakrasnapolsky @wereldmuseum.rotterdam @rotterdamchinesenewyear
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟭𝟮, 𝟭𝟯, 𝟭𝟰 & 𝟭𝟱
Valentine's Day falling on a weekend? We'll take it!
Amsterdam is buzzing this weekend with plenty of reasons to head out: from markets and Lunar New Year brunches to pop-up cinemas and, as always, a wave of new hotspots worth checking out.
Looking for restaurant inspiration for you and your lover (or your best friend)? Head over to my other post on @yourlbb for my Valentine's shortlist. 🖤
💬 Comment WEEKEND to get the full Weekend Guide with 58 things to do in Amsterdam in your dm's.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb for all things travel, food hotspots and things to do in The Netherlands and beyond. And if you want more Amsterdam inspiration, make sure to also check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
#yourlittleblackbook #amsterdamweekendguide #weekendinamsterdam #amsterdamhotspots #whattodoamsterdam
@nemosciencemuseum @copainamsterdam @ijhallen @bonburgerbar @candlelight.concerts @thevinylcountdownamsterdam @carmen.amsterdam @salut_a_amsterdam @anantarakrasnapolsky @sun.dayrunclub
Wow, what a list! @gaultmillaunederland announced the awards and points for 2026 today. So many great new names and climbers, proud of the Dutch culinary scene, and enough inspiration to dine out all year long ✌🏼
👀Which restaurant are you very curious about?
GAULT & MILLAU AWARDS
Bistronome of the year
Madeleine | Utrecht @madeleine_utrecht
Mediterranean restaurant of the year
Elea | The Hague @restaurantelea
Asian restaurant of the year
Kaa Lun Palace | The Hague @kaalun_palace
Terrace of the year
The Coach House | Bennekom @hetkoetshuisbennekom
Vegetable restaurant of the year
Tryptique | Wateringen @restauranttriptyque
Craftsman of the Year
Dick Middelweerd
Restaurant De Treeswijkhoeve | Waalre @restaurant.de.treeswijkhoeve
New Chef on the Block
Koen van Weer
De Cuijt | Mierlo @restaurantdecuijt
Prize-Fun of the Year
Aragosta | Leeuwarden @bistro.aragosta
Discovery of the year
Shun | Medemblik @restaurant_shun
Cocktail bar of the year
Fitz's Bar | Amsterdam @fitzsbaramsterdam
Wine list of the year
Azurite | Delft @restaurant.azurite
Sommelier of the Year
Antonello Nicastri @antonellonic_somm
Flore | Amsterdam @restaurant.flore
Notable Newcomer of the Year
Wild Studio | Hoog Soeren @wildatelier.nl
Best Dutch Chef Abroad
Marcel Koolen
7132 Silver | Counterfeit | Switzerland @mmmarcel.koolen
Lifetime Achievement Award
Cees Helder
Host of the year
Bjorn van Aalst | SAAM | Amstelveen @saamrestaurant
Young Chef of the Year
Sofiane Bons @bonssofiane
Yulia | Rotterdam @restaurantjoelia
Chef of the year
Hans van Wolde @hvw043
Brut172 | Reijmerstok @brut_172
CONGRATULATIONS!! 🍴
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 🫕 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲
Thinking back of amazing days in the snow, I'm in the mood for cheese fondue!
I call it comfort food at its finest, and I also love making fresh cheese fondue at home this winter (sometimes even better than eating out ✌🏼☺️).
𝗠𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺:
📍 @badhuis.amsterdam (East)
Every Thursday is fondue night. For €26 pp you dig into a pot of cheese fondue with unlimited sourdough bread, crudités and vegetables. Good vibes included!
📍 @smelt.amsterdam (City Center)
Always a good idea. The cheeses come from De Kaaskamer, so yes: this is next level. Perfect if you love to mix & match.
📍 @cafe_bern (City Centre)
Here they serve the best Classic Gruyère cheese fondue. No fuss, just great flavour. This is cheese fondue exactly how it's meant to be.
𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻:
📍 @fromagerie_kef (City Centre, North & East)
Amsterdam's go-to cheese specialist. From fondue cheeses to perfect wine pairings — and yes, tasting is encouraged.
📍 @fromagerielamuse (South)
Cheese fondue kits for at home plus several recipes to make yourself. Which one will you try first?
📍 @dekaaskameramsterdam (City Centre)
Swiss fondue, Dutch cheese fondue or ready-made options — you'll always leave with everything you need for the ultimate cozy night in.
On 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 you'll find the complete guide with 12+ cheese fondue spots in Amsterdam.
Let's make a list like this for the rest of The Netherlands too! What's your favorite spot? 🧀
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam restaurant guides, travel guides & the best things to do on the weekends.
#cheesefondue #amsterdam #winter
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟱, 𝟲, 𝟳 & 𝟴
From €3 tacos, a pizza battle and new hotspots to creative ceramics, vintage markets and feel-good exhibitions 🖤Amsterdam is giving us plenty of reasons to go out this weekend.
Perfect for a solo date or plans with friends.
💬 Comment WEEKEND and we'll send you the full guide with all 48 tips for this weekend in Amsterdam.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#yourlittleblackbook #amsterdamweekendguide #weekendinamsterdam #amsterdamhotspots #whattodoamsterdam
@dehallen.amsterdam @grachtenmuseum @camino.amsterdam @glazemade @nikotin.restobar @amsterdamstreetart @klaproosamsterdam
And in my opinion this is a perfect combination - 🥰
Valentine's Day is (almost) here... and yes, I've gone through my usual long list of restaurants and compiled my favorite (new) tips for every mood. Whether you're looking for a truly romantic restaurant in Amsterdam, fancy a splurge, or are searching for great spots for daytime drinks and a snacky dinner... you'll want to save these tips!
Let me tell you something funny. I officially registered my Thai marriage in the Netherlands on February 14th 😂. And guess where I'll be on February 14th 🛺🇹🇭👀!
What are you going to do on Valentine's Day?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
PS: Follow @yourlbb for tons of tips to make the most of your free time, from date night tips to food hotspots and travel guides. And have you spotted @yourlbb.amsterdam yet, the dedicated account for my love of Amsterdam 🫶🏼?
#valentinesday #amsterdamrestaurants #datenight #yourlbb
Amsterdam Weekend Guide: Jan 29 – Feb 1
From the city's first ever Tea Festival to Sunday Roasts, winter markets, and hot new openings — Amsterdam is serving up another packed weekend.
👉 Inspiration to enjoy together or SOLO
💬 Comment WEEKEND for the full guide with all 43 tips
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#yourlittleblackbook #AmsterdamWeekendGuide #ThingstoDoAmsterdam #AmsterdamHotspots #WeekendPlans
And in addition to that, do you also have a nice garden?
This TRAVEL TIP is for anyone who wants to travel a lot in 2026 despite having a permanent job.
Save these tips, put them next to your calendar and send them to your travel bestie!
And then ask for time off as quickly as possible, before your colleagues see these tips too ;-).
Happy travels 😘
IRON 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗩𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦
**Illegible text**
⟶ Taking vacation days: March 30 to April 2 & April 7 to 10
⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8
ツ Total free period: March 28 to April 12 (16 days)
**Stylish & Indigo**
⟶ Taking vacation days: April 28 to May 1, May 4 & May 6 to 8
⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8 days
ツ Total free: April 25 to May 10 (16 days)
and
⟶ Taking vacation days: December 21 to 24 & December 28 to 31
⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8
ツ Total free: December 21 to January 3, 2027 (16 days)
𝗞𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗦
**Illegible text**
⟶ Taking vacation days: Monday March 30th to Thursday April 2nd
⟶ Vacation days required: 4
ツ Total free: March 28 to April 6 (10 days)
𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗱𝗮𝗴
⟶ Take vacation days: May 15
⟶ Number of vacation days required: 1
ツ Total free: May 14th to 17th (4 days)
Innocent
⟶ Take vacation days: May 22 or 26
⟶ Number of vacation days required: 1
ツ Totally free: May 22 to 25 or May 23 to 26 (4 days)
Follow @yourlbb for more Travel Tips.
And the extensive article about vacation days can now be found on 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#vacationdays2026 #traveltips
**Due to poor weather, this product has been carefully selected and is in excellent condition.** 👀
The market calendar may be a bit quieter now, but luckily there's still plenty planned for January and February, including a new gem (I predict)!
Don't miss these weekend markets:
• 𝗡𝗶𝗲𝘂𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺: @cabinetamsterdam, a curated vintage design market under one roof, including snacks & coffee.
• @sundaymarket
• Museum Market
• @rotterdamseoogst
• @themakermarket
In the complete guide on Your Little Black Book, you'll find 12 weekend markets in the Netherlands, including dates and locations for January and February.
Send these tips to your market-browsing bestie!
Follow @yourlbb for more tips on restaurants, travel, hotspots & the best things to do.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#weekendmarkets #dutchtips #autumnouting #vintagemarket
IF YOU ARE READY: 𝗺𝗶𝗷𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀
As a child, I went there with my parents to shop, and as a teenager and in my twenties, I went clubbing. Now, I love coming here for a weekend escape, filled with good food, great wine bars, and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude.
Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT-factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots you'll definitely want to know.
📌Book your next trip to Rotterdam.
𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘
⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe
⦁ @dunerotterdam
⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant
⦁ @nice.neighbourhood
**Illegible**
⦁ @morganandmees
⦁ @hotelame
⦁ @roommate_bruno
⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam
𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦
⦁ North
⦁ Katendrecht
⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park)
⦁ Shipping Quarter
I
⦁ Take the Water Taxi
⦁ @boijmans
⦁ Walk & unwind at the Kralingse Plas
⦁ @nlfotomuseum
⦁ Visit @stationbergweg
**
⦁ @tresrotterdam
⦁ @barbertarotterdam
⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam
⦁ @barbistroloevetdie
⦁ @oxrotterdam
⦁ @restaurant_rotonde
⦁ on my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro
𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦
⦁ @walsjerot_nl
⦁ @cafeverward
⦁ @spikizibar
⦁ @lenselinq
💌What's your favorite spot in Rotterdam?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Perhaps the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️
Are you a cocooner or do you prefer to get outdoors? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city.
Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰
Do you have any great winter tips for Amsterdam? I'd love to read along!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
First of all: thank you for being here to close out 2025 <3.
2025, you were everything I hoped you would be and more. So many new memories.
I don't yet know what 2026 will bring, but last year was one for the books. Highlights included trips to China, Mexico City, Egypt, and exploring the English countryside.
Entrepreneurs probably recognize that 2025 was not an easy year.
When I started Your Little Black Book, I had one dream: not to work to stay somewhere for free in exchange for content and the pressure of a "picture perfect" experience. But to use my revenue models to book and experience those special places myself, as a guest instead of an influencer, and to give you honest tips.
After almost 15 years of entrepreneurship, I'm so happy with the balance between editorial and commercial work and that I can also say no to things that don't feel right.
At the same time, it's still special that destinations, airlines, and hotels hire me to create a customized Little Black Book for them. I have complete freedom with these campaigns, and I believe in the value of these content-based tips that truly suit your taste. And they come from me personally, not from a machine.
So thank you for your support when you see #yourlbbcollab, #pressstrip or #prinvited ;-).
This will always be my dream job, the one I created almost 15 years ago. I still do as much as possible myself. That's energizing—from both successes and failures.
Luckily, I have a small team that helps with certain sections, and this year we're going through all the tips critically. What's still truly fun, and what's not?
As a leisure expert and queen of curation, I'm so excited to take yourlittleblackbook.me to the next level. Even though being an online entrepreneur requires constant attention and doesn't always come naturally, I wouldn't want anything else.
My mission remains: making your life easier.
So you don't have to search, but can simply choose well.
So glad you were here this year. Without you, there would be no Your Little Black Book 🖤
See you in 2026!
With love,
@anne_de_buck
What do we celebrate during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mooncake Festival celebrates the harvest of rice and various types of fruit. By celebrating this, people hope that a bountiful harvest will return the following year. Later in this article, we'll tell you more about the origins, the countries where these festivities take place, and the typical mooncakes enjoyed during this festival.
What is the origin of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mooncake Festival traces its origins back over 3000 years to the Zhou Dynasty. Through the Mooncake Festival, people thanked the gods and the moon for the fruitful harvest that had taken place that year. They also hoped that by doing so, they would appease the gods and the moon, ensuring a bountiful harvest next year.
What are Mooncakes?
Mooncake is the signature dish always eaten during the Mooncake Festival. Just keep an eye out, and you'll see various street food stalls and local bakeries selling them. What makes the mooncake so special? This small pastry is only made and eaten during the months of September and October, and can be recognized by its authentic shape, marked by the special mark on the top. Fun fact: Mooncakes are almost never eaten all at once. The cake is cut into pieces, shared, and is a favorite accompaniment to a cup of Chinese tea.
In which countries is the mooncake festival celebrated in a big way?
The countries where the Mooncake Festival is celebrated are East Asian countries. It's also possible that the countries refer to the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival by different names, although in the Western world it's always called the Mooncake Festival. This is especially true in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Macau, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam en Japan The Mooncake Festival is a regular fixture. It's also celebrated in Western cities with large Chinese communities, such as New York.
How do you make mooncakes? Here are some recipes:
Mooncakes are made in different ways and can therefore vary in ingredients. The basic ingredients of a mooncake are always lotus seed paste, sugar, and an egg yolk in the center of each cake. You can customize the flavor of your mooncake by adding ingredients like red bean paste, green tea matcha, or various nuts. Whatever you like! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQo8qgz-PNk Want to try making mooncakes yourself? You can order the molds online. Below, I've shared a few links to recipes I've bookmarked to make!
- Classic Mooncake Recipe >>
- Mooncake recipe with different fillings, such as red beans and green tea >>
- Mooncake recipe without salted egg >>
TIP: If you'd like to delve deeper into mooncake baking, these cookbooks are recommended: Mooncakes & Milk Bread of Mooncake & JasmineThe best way to order special baking cups for mooncakes is online. View the handy Mooncake molds with different prints here >>
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