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The next city

From Rothschild Riches to Dutch Royal Drama: The Magic of De Haar Castle

When Etienne Gustave Frédéric, Baron van Zuylen van Nyevelt van de Haar (yes, say that three times fast), married Baroness Hélène de Rothschild (yes, those Rothschilds) he hadn’t yet inherited De Haar Castle. But it turned out, marrying her was the best thing that ever happened to the place.

Five years later, the Rothschild fortune finally reached the grounds of De Haar. And when it did, it didn’t just renovate the castle, it resurrected it. Baroness Hélène fell in love with the ruin, with its crumbling stones and ghost stories, and decided to turn it into a modern-day fairy tale. She hired none other than Pierre Cuypers, the architectural genius behind the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station, and gave him twenty years (yes, twenty) to bring her vision to life. Read more

Photo: www.bluebirdsinthebackyard.nl
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Bluebirds in the Backyard – Vintage Store

There’s just something magical about vintage stores. For me, every piece whispers a story, a forgotten past, a memory stitched into fabric. And if you’re anything like me, you’re going to fall head over heels for Bluebirds in the Backyard.

This isn’t just a vintage shop. It’s a full-blown fairytale tucked inside the walls of a breathtaking 18th-century building, Huis Roodenburch, to be exact. Rococo charm, art-deco elegance, and a deep sense of history all under one roof. Built in 1766, this former wine shop and printing house has worn many hats before becoming what it is today: one of the most charming hotspots in Dordrecht. Read more

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Atlas

Mauritius And The Tropical Storm Named Diane

If you ever want to test the strength of your friendship, don’t go to IKEA. Go to Mauritius, preferably during cyclone season. And, for extra spice, make sure a global pandemic starts right when you’re supposed to fly home. I know, Mauritius sounds like a dream: turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, fruity cocktails with mini umbrellas. And we had all that for about 72 hours. Then things escalated… both meteorologically and globally.

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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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