Tag: #HiddenGems

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Atlas, Wanderlust

A Love Letter to Romania: 10 Stays That Will Steal Your Heart

Don’t Know Much About Romania Beyond Dracula? Let Me Fix That.

If the only thing that comes to mind when you hear “Romania” is a vampire with questionable dental hygiene, then I have fantastic news for you: my home country is so much more than spooky legends and pointy castles.

It’s time to pack your bags and fall in love—with fairytale landscapes, charming villages frozen in nostalgic time, painted monasteries that look like something out of a storybook, fortified churches that whisper secrets of the past, and a national obsession with sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) and mamaliga (our golden maize porridge love child). Read more

Photo: www.bluebirdsinthebackyard.nl
The next city

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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The next city

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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The next city

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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