Maartje

Maartje's enthusiasm and curiosity knows no bounds. She loves museums, nature, food, walking, architecture, history, animals. Writing and photography is a big passion and she has been writing about cooking, minimalism, food, hotspots and travel for many years. Above all, she has a special place in her heart for castles, royal jewels and ancient Egypt. Maartje gave up her job as a lawyer to bring more balance to her life: less work and more life. Besides to The Orange Backpack, she works as a legal entrepreneur.

Recent Posts

Iceland is the only country in Europe where the ground is, in a very literal sense, still being made. The island sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which means the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart underneath it at roughly two centimetres per year. The

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Cambridge had long been on our bucket list as the quintessential English university city, packed with historic charm and world-famous colleges. What we didn’t expect, however, was just how much our kids would love it too. Between exploring centuries-old university grounds, we hunted for tiny “Dinky Doors,”

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Andalusia is full of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Think of narrow gorges with swaying hanging bridges, cave homes with white chimneys peeking out from the hills, ancient Roman baths, and wild desert landscapes perfect for adventure. Most visitors to southern Spain are drawn to the

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Trying to choose between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura? You are definitely not alone. These two eastern Canary Islands sit close together and both promise sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a warm, dry climate for most of the year. On paper, they sound almost identical. But once you start exploring,

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Llanes is one of the most well-known coastal towns in Asturias, in the north of Spain, and it is easy to see why it has earned this reputation. With its charming medieval center, a rugged and dramatic coastline, and dozens of beautiful sandy beaches, it is a

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