We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Our own Netherlands has beautiful coast, green forests, modern cities, picturesque villages, fairytale castles and so much more. During a road trip you have the opportunity to explore all these sides of our
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.
For as long as I can remember, the pyramids and the Sphinx have been on my bucket list. The ancient buildings are the only remains of all the wonders of the ancient world. Few buildings have survived so many centuries and continue to fascinate humanity. Our second
Now that we have to settle with exploring our own beautiful Netherlands in Corona times, the Dutch do so en masse. And that also applies to Dutch travel bloggers! Of course we love to share all those travel experiences in our own country during this mandatory staycation
The magical land of pharaohs, pyramids and mummies captures the imagination more than any travel destination. A trip to Egypt has been on my wish list since I was a child. But, of course, there is more than ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. How do you
Egypt does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety. Since 2011, the Egyptian Revolution has made the country unsafe for travelers. That image has stuck in many people’s minds, but the country has been accessible to tourists for years. How safe is it to
There is little more that sparks our imagination than historic castles with turrets and beautiful palaces with graceful gardens. The kitch, the splendor, the glamor and the history will take you to another world. The Netherlands offers many opportunities to imagine yourself in medieval times with knights
The Dutch museum icon is of course the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This immensely large museum has been back in full splendor since 2013 after years of renovation. From the famous hall of fame to the Asian pavilion, from the old masters to modern art and from a
In the north-eastern part of The Netherlands you will find the province of Drenthe. It is perfect for a weekend trip or holiday, for it offers modern design, beautiful hikes and extensive nature. Or learn about Drenthe’s history with 5,000-year-old buildings and a former Nazi camp from
Let’s say you have an old manure storage tank on your land, but don’t use it. Why not start a bed & breakfast in there? The owners of Longhorn Ranch decided to create a unique sleeping place. We were allowed to stay for a weekend among the
If something characterizes Leiden for us, it is the beautiful canals and monumental buildings. Everything breathes the ancient history of the historic city. Exactly this atmosphere is captured in the two boutique hotels in the heart of Leiden. Generous four-poster beds, historical art, chandeliers and heavy furniture