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Discovering Birmingham, Friendship, and the Magic of Cadbury Chocolate

I have this amazing girlfriend who lives in Birmingham, and we’ve known each other since I was 17. Our children have shared countless memories—playing together, sometimes sleeping over at each other’s homes, having their little squabbles followed by sweet reconciliations with hugs and kisses. The beauty of it is that we live near each other again now, even though I’m based in the Netherlands and she’s in the UK.

I have to admit, there are times when I really miss her. That’s why, for both our sakes and especially for the kids, we decided to hop on a flight from Amsterdam to Birmingham. After a short but sweet hour in the air, we landed, and there my friend’s husband was, waiting for us at the airport. Read more

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Atlas

Morocco – One Thousand One Nights In Agadir

I’ve been to Morocco. So what? Well, I’m already planning my next trip there—this time with a backpack, no child, and a list of Moroccan towns to explore. Here’s the thing: my daughter, Miss J, at the tender age of early teenagehood, suddenly became more enamored with swimming pools than with wandering from one city to the next. Our hotel had a massive pool, and I barely convinced her to leave the water long enough to see the sights. Eventually, she abandoned me entirely. But that’s okay. It gave me all the more freedom to dream of returning to Morocco. Read more

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Giethoorn, Little Venice Of The Netherlands

If I could fold a memory and send it like a postcard, it would probably look like Giethoorn. Tucked away in the northern part of the Overijssel province, this fairy-tale village is often called “The Little Venice of the Netherlands”—though, honestly, that might not do it full justice. It’s not just little. It’s enchanting, like someone painted it with a pastel brush and then added ducks, bridges, and boats just for fun.

The best part? Giethoorn is mostly car-free. Yes, you read that right—cars are only allowed on the outskirts. The old village doesn’t even have roads. Instead, it whispers you in with winding canals, charming thatched-roof houses, wooden footbridges (over 180 of them!), and an atmosphere that feels like stepping into another era. With just over 2,600 residents, it somehow manages to feel both intimate and grand. Read more

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Villa Augustus – My Secret Garden (Well, Not So Secret Anymore)

As soon as the first warm rays of sunshine peek through the clouds and the buds dare to bloom, I too emerge—like some sleepy bear stepping out of hibernation. I always say it, loud and clear: I do not like winter. Full stop. But spring? Spring gives me wings. Literally. Like in that famous energy drink ad—but prettier and more poetic.

The sun lures me outside like a mischievous child waving a secret, and I can’t resist. I toss a book into the basket of my bike and start pedaling. I cross the Merwede by ferry, that charming little detour, and lose myself among the narrow streets of Dordrecht—a town that’s been around since 1220 and proudly holds the title of the oldest city in South Holland.
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24 Hours In Köln

They say that once you visit your first German city, you’ll be hooked—and I’m here to confirm: it’s true. One glimpse at the mix of centuries-old architecture, war-era scars, and modern glass-and-steel giants, and your curiosity gets greedy. It wants more. And more. And more.

We started our adventure with a weekend visit to Frechen, a small, sleepy town just 12 kilometers south of Cologne. From there, we took the S-Bahn—Germany’s über-punctual suburban train system—into the heart of the action. The ride? A quick 18 minutes. The entertainment? Unexpectedly fabulous. Our fellow passengers were dressed for Karneval: feathers, glitter, painted faces, and wigs that would make Lady Gaga proud. Cologne’s “Crazy Days” were about to begin, and it was clear we had arrived just in time for the pre-party.
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Atlas

A Winter Escape in The Gambia – Part 3

Let me start with a confession: I don’t do 5 a.m. wake-ups. I’m not one of those sunrise yoga people. I’m more of a “snooze-button Olympics” kind of girl. On a regular weekday, I wrestle myself out of bed at 7:30 a.m., groggy, unenthusiastic, and half-human.

But then came Gambia. Suddenly, I was springing out of bed at 5 a.m. like a caffeinated meerkat. No alarm. No grumbling. Just me, excitement, and the road. Turns out, curiosity and wanderlust are better than coffee. Read more

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