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

When thinking about palace visits in Portugal, Sintra often comes to mind. However, did you know there’s another breathtaking palace often overlooked? The Mafra Palace, once home to Portugal’s royal family, boasts an immense size. The palace, a mere 28 kilometers from Lisbon, offers a grand alternative

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Tirana’s attractions are diverse, ranging from a colossal pyramid to dual cathedrals, cutting-edge architecture, museums devoted to its communist past, and much more. The Albanian capital certainly earns its label as unique, and it’s clear that visitors either completely dislike the city or are thoroughly enchanted by

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Bilbao’s attractions certainly include the renowned Guggenheim Museum, but there’s more to this city than meets the eye. With a historic center filled with medieval buildings, a magnificent theater, modern architecture, and much more, Bilbao has evolved from a once-dull industrial town to a vibrant tourist hotspot

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