We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Our home country the Netherlands has beautiful coastal areas, green forests, modern cities, picturesque villages, fairytale castles and so much more. A road trip is a great way to experience all those sides
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 Sphinx and pyramids of Egypt 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
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
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
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
The best things to do in Leiden include world-class museums, typical Dutch architecture, impressive monuments and cool hotspots. Experience Leiden, a stunning historic city and one of the must-visit destinations in the Netherlands! Sebastiaan resided alongside its canals for three years, while Maartje frequents the city for its
One of the highlights of your Mexico trip is a visit to the ancient Mayan imperium Calakmul in the Campeche State. This lost Mayan city was one of the biggest empires back in the ancient Mayan times, making it one of the biggest Mayan sights to visit