Elke Salverda

21 Apr 2019

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These Are The Best Parties On Kingsday 2019!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 21, 2019 With No Comments

If you’re not Dutch and you are visiting our country on the 26th/27th of April, you’re in for a treat..
Kingsday 2019 (previously called Queensday) is a true happening in the Netherlands. First of all, we celebrate the Kings birthday and everybody gets a day off work. Secondly, there are a large number of flea markets all throughout the country but the city Amsterdam is probably the biggest when it comes to selling “stuff” on the streets and organizing parties.

Kingsday in Amsterdam last year

KINGSNIGHT:

Afterwork Kingsnight Edition at Bar Lely
When? 26th of April from 6pm till 3am
Bar Lely serves traditional Dutch Frikandelen and oysters. The in house Bar Lely DJ will play some disco-funky tunes until late..

Friendzone Kingsnight
When? 26th of April from 10pm -4am
Line-Up: Abstract / Lee Millah / Sergio Obergh / Jereno Joël / Alain Kuipers / Godzenzonen. Tickets are €16,- at the door.

Kingsnight at Le Patron
When? 26th of April 6pm – 1am
This year they host a Dutch night with many Dutch sing along numbers. The Line up? Quincy Schellevis, Danilo Kuiters, Robert Leroy Danny Plezier. Entree is free and the beers are cold!

P. King (restaurant) Kingsnight and Kinsgday
When? 26th of April 7pm – 1am / 27th of April 12pm – 8pm
Probably the best Kingsnight & Kingsday street party in Amsterdam if you ask us. For the last 10 years, this is the place to be on the corner of the Vijzelstraat & Herengracht. Deep house and techno makes this a yearly dancing event which attracts a large crowd. Be early or have a bad dancing spot. They also do a free party on Kingsday. for more info check: Facebook This is an outdoor event.

Oranjestad Kingsnight
When? 26th of April 10pm – 5am
With 3 area’s this party is going to be a bang! DJ’s like Geza, Heartbreak, DIO and Yung Internet will perform. Tickets cost €20,- and are still available!

P.King on Kingsday

Best free parties on Kingsday 2019:
» Westerstraat for beer, music and games. Outdoor
» Vijzelstraat, in front of cafe P.King or Le Patron as mentioned above. Outdoor
» Noordermarkt, Rewind & het Partyfeest, outdoor
» King of the Jungle: de Tulp x Super Social, at Heineken Marieplein. In and outdoor
» Koningsdag FISSA at Waterkant, Hip-Hop tunes overlooking the waterfront in the middle is Amsterdam. In & Outdoor
» NDSM Vrijhaven, for a party called These Guys Indoor & Outdoor
» Pllek in North Amsterdam for escaping the mass, live bands and cocktails. Info Inside and Outdoor
» Koning Nieges – Baskèts / Jajem at Meneer Nieges. Enjoy a BBQ, cool drinks and lot’s of DJ’s. Info
» Kingsday Westerpark and in particular at Mossel & Gin where the gin is flowing and the music is free. Outside
» Anywhere alongside the canals of Amsterdam!

Best Kingsday 2019 paid parties:
» Oranjebloesem at Olympish Stadion, is sold out but check ticketswap for last minute tickets. In and Outside
» Nassua Festival
» Loveland van Oranje (Techno) at Meerpark for 25 euro Info Outdoor
» Cartel Kingsday 2019: Indoor, Outdoor, Day & Night with 18hours of non-stop music. Tickets and Info. In and Outdoor

Best Flea markets on Kingsday 2019:

»Vondelpark (large and best flea market for children)
» Jordaan (flea market along the canals for all)
»Beethovenstraat (flea market for all in South Amsterdam)
» Apollolaan is a huge street where you can walk for hours
» IJhallen flea market at the NDSM (for children) Inside
» Erasmus Park, with live music and food, from 10am
» Westerpark, on the grass and anywhere else

Kingsday After Parties

» Audio Ubscura & Adriatique, Temp Amsterdam from 10pm, tickets.
» The Breakfast Club at Bret from 7am till 6pm on the 27th of April. Tickets are €17,-

Have fun and take some pictures!!

Wander-Lust

More Amsterdam in our Amsterdam Guide!

18 Apr 2019

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5 Must Try Non-French restaurants in Paris

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 18, 2019 With No Comments

France is famous for its gastronomy, and Paris, being its capital, no doubt has some of the best French restaurants in town. However, we understand that one might not be in the mood for cheese and wine, or even their delicious garlic escargot all day, every day. And sometimes, we just desperately crave the exotic food that we’re used to having back home or elsewhere. We know what it’s like, so, we’ve compiled a list of top five non-French restaurants in Paris that serve anything but French food to help you satisfy those exotic cravings.

COOK’N SAJ
This family-run restaurant is like your normal family dining room, but better. The place is warm, spacious and homely, no wonder it fills up almost instantly as it opens its door at noon. The smell of fresh Lebanese and Syrian food is inviting and the whole place is filled with a delicious aroma of their homemade bread straight out of the saj, an oven responsible for all the delicious wraps, and the inspiration for the name for the restaurant.

Middle eastern food at its best

The owners are two passionate brothers and the main chef is their mother, which make sense since mothers are the best cooks. Here at COOK’N SAJ, everything is made to order, using the freshest and highest quality produce. Plus, with the supervision and quality control by the head chef, satisfaction is guaranteed. Also, shout out to COOK’N SAJ for using stainless steel straws! We love a good sustainable and responsible kitchen!

Pretty drinks at Cook’n Saj

MIKUNA
This one is for not only Peruvian lovers, but also lovers of fine dining. Realising the majority of Peruvian food are enjoyed almost exclusively in the evening, MIKUNA is committed to making this refreshingly delicious cuisine accessible to all, serving fast but carefully crafted ceviches, alongside a variety of hot dishes, straight out of their South American kitchen both for lunch and dinner. Every bit of the place is inviting and radiates happiness, from the menu to its interior design.

Non-french food cravings?

The owner has clearly planned all of it with such close attention to details. Despite having opened its door three weeks ago, MIKUNA has already gained a steady customer-based. This isn’t a surprise considering how truly wonderful their food is. The menu is refreshingly creative, as the chef adds a Latina twist to the classic French dessert, crafting the most delicious dulce de leche pudding, quinoa au lait. Thanks to MIKUNA, you can enjoy quality Peruvian dishes that one would expect only from fine dining experience without draining your wallet.

Exotic cravings Peruvian style

21G-DUMPLING
Despite the overwhelming collection of Asian restaurants in Paris, not many, I’d say, is indeed authentic. 21g-Dumpling is here to serve you some proper Chinese and Taiwanese food, with a delicate French twist to it (I know, I said no French, but trust me, this is good!) Located in the 11th arrondissement, 21g-Dumpling is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings, because, who doesn’t love a good Chinese meal?

Source: 21G Dumpling

RESTAURANT LE MOSQUEE DE PARIS
You can’t leave Paris without visiting the Grand Mosque, which is conveniently located next to the Natural History Museum and the Jardin des Plantes. Not only is it the biggest mosque in Paris, but it has also a beautifully decorated restaurant serving authentic Moroccan and Middle Eastern food. The setting is absolutely stunning and even if you don’t want to commit to a full meal, make sure you grab one of their sweet pastries at the front and get yourself a glass of their mint tea.

Feel like you are in another world, only in Paris!

DOSANKO LARMEN
The street behind Palais Royale is packed full of Japanese restaurants. The selection is overwhelming but worry not, Dosanko is the only place you need to go to for the perfect bowl of ramen. A small corner restaurant, you will often find a queue outside this little place and for good reason. The portions are big and the quality superb, Dosanko is definitely one of the most authentic Ramen places in Paris.

With these five exotic restaurants on your list, I’m sure navigating the non-French food scene in Paris has just gotten much easier, seeing how many options there are in the city! Let us know what you think if you end up visiting any of them!

Love,

Chantelle

*Chantelle is one of our guest editor from Hong Kong. She has lived in three different countries and have travelled across many continents. Having been in England for the past nine years and graduated with a Law degree, she is now taking a break in Paris for the year as she figures out her next step in life. Always passport ready, she is an expert at traveling light and on a budget, although she still enjoys the occasional indulgence in a luxurious holiday. You can follow her on Instagram.

17 Apr 2019

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5 x amazing brunch spots in Utrecht

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 17, 2019 With No Comments

Brunch is hot right now. And we are not complaining! As of recently, Utrecht has seen various brunch-specialised spots popping up around town, and I selflessly volunteered to review them for you. Here are 5 outstanding brunch spots in Utrecht.

Frenchie Cafe
Frenchie is here to cater for a very specific crowd with its rainbow/unicorn and highly instagramable menu, and does a magical job delivering on its promise. It is decadent and it looks magical, unmistakably giving us a treat-yourself feeling.

This brunch spot in Utrecht has the basics covered; egg benedicts, pancakes, avo on toast, smoothie bowls. But when it comes to plating, they turn the volume way up. We couldn’t pay Frenchie a visit without trying out their signature ‘Unicorn Pancakes’ – a rainbow-colored stack, with pink-dyed white chocolate sauce and some fruits for a touch of healthy. We also got tempted by the acai-bowl, for a lighter but just as delicious ride. And finally, because the place really whispers you to treat yourself, we gave in to a side of truffle-parmesan fries, which friends strongly recommended to us.

Overall review? It is on the pricey side, but if you want to step up your brunch game for, say, a girls brunch date or just because sometimes all we need is rainbow cupcakes, then Frenchie is definitely the wow-factor on this list. www.frenchiecafe.nl

Anna Pancakes
Anna Pancakes is a more relaxed and slightly less bedazzled brunch option, yet the menu and price point is pretty equivalent to above-mentioned Frenchie. Tucked on a side street by Vredenburg square, you will find a little plant-rich oasis contrasting with the surrounding busy shopping streets; Anna Pancakes.

As you might guess, the menu revolves around pancakes with various toppings, from sweet to savory, with the option to customize it as you please. But as any brunch spot calls for (in my biased opinion), the menu extends to egg dishes (benedict, poached on toast and so on), diverse smoothie bowls or even the magic words that caught my eye; avocado and halloumi on sourdough bread.

Similarly to many brunch spots in town, the price isn’t what I would qualify as very budget-friendly, but that halloumi was priceless in my cheese-loving eyes. The pancakes were equally to die for, and the owner made the whole experience a pleasure. Again, maybe more of an occasional destination, but definitely a must-try for the brunch-fanatics in town. www.annapancakes.nl

HOOI
When it comes to cosy, yummy and unpretentious, HOOI holds a special place in my heart. I’m keen to think the reason it kept its “hidden treasure” status as long as it has is that it is slightly off-center. Located on Burgemeester Reigerstraat (in between the center and Wilhelmina Park), this rather small cafe is perfect for a cheeky little brunch or just to chill out for coffee or getting a bit of work done. They also have an outside terrace which is great for sunny days.

Again, they’ve got your brunch basics. The pancakes don’t have the wow factor some others in town do, but they wow you in their delicious simplicity. Alternatively, you can opt-in for the breakfast plank with croissants, eggs and the likes, or yogurt, granola and fruits, even overnight oats. That’s all a fair brunch game so far, but here’s the twist: Homemade. Scones. And. Jam. This is a brunch battle, but brunch isn’t all HOOI is good at. In fact, they advertise themselves as a “lunchroom”, so they’ll be serving you soups, delicious sandwiches, salads, and they are always creative soup and quiche of the month. To sum it up: if you’re looking for simple and homely, HOOI is worth the little detour and won’t drain your wallet in the process. Give it a go! www.hooiutrecht.nl

Karibu
Don’t even get me started on the venue. Karibu’s dream jungle themed interior is a clear winner on the venue front. And don’t you worry, the food follows up on that dream trend. The menu has got what it takes to please brunch traditionalists and adventurers alike.

Yes, they’ve got the basic breakfast plates, eggs, toast, pancakes, granola (all amazing choices by the way). But they also serve some more unusual dishes; shakshuka, huevos rancheros, Vietnamese banh mi and the one menu item that tickled my halloumi-loving taste buds: shouf shouf habibi (grilled halloumi and eggplant, crunchy chickpeas, smashed cucumber, cherry tomatoes, coriander salsa & tahini dressing).

You might have to wait a tad for a table on weekends’ busiest hours, but nothing unreasonable, and trust us when we say it’s worth the hype. When the decor and food is on point, the word spreads fast. www.karibucafe.nl

Loaded
Loaded with flavor, loaded with friendly vibes, loaded in value for money; in short Loaded is my brunch winner, and as a result I just can’t stop going back. Situated in the beginning of Amsterdamsestraatweg (i.e. center-side), this unassuming little spot ticks all the boxes, and usually won’t have you wait to get munching. It’s brunch, in all it’s best forms: eggs benny, avo on toast, smoothie bowls, pancakes… bacon. All absolutely delicious and without breaking the bank. And brunch is only the start of what Loaded’s got coming out of the hat; after 3pm, get the borrel bites coming with their loaded fries, kichmi fries (you read that right), loaded nachos, and other salivating snacks.

Source: @loadedutrecht

What’s new? Your own beer-tap table, where you get to help yourself to some beer, while munching on aforementioned sharing plates. Disclaimer, we haven’t tried this new addition yet, but we’re dying to. Overall, yes it is mouth-watering foods, from brunch to dinner, and at a decent price. But what really does it for me is the people. Loaded’s staff is the friendliest bunch, always there for a little banter or to help you pick one of the many hot sauces in their collection. But don’t just take my word for it, go get yourself a load of brunch and let us know if you agree. www.loadedutrecht.nl

In conclusion, Utrecht has a lot of amazing brunch spots, we have yet to try them all, but let’s start with these five, shall we?

Hungrily yours,

Mathilde

*Mathilde is one of our guest editors who lives in Utrecht. She was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and currently works in Amsterdam as a Field Marketing Executive. She’s going to keep us updated on what’s happening in Utrecht and it’s surroundings!

17 Apr 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam, L U S T, Tasty Hotspots With 3 Comments Permalink

15 x Best Terraces In Amsterdam West

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 17, 2019 With 3 Comments

The sun is out and so are the people. During the week, people run out of their offices when the clock hits five, trying to find the best spots to enjoy the last sun-rays of the day. So where exactly are those places? Well, as Amsterdam West is my hood, I did a little research and came to the conclusion that these are the best places where you can enjoy the sunlight until it goes down.

Hotel Buiten
Hotel Buiten is not just any hotspot, it’s a creative hub, build from raw and used materials, designed by Lenka Dittrichova. It stared with a few neighbours a few years ago, that wanted to do something with lost space full of weeds and grass. After a temporary set up, they managed to get more people involved and eventually 180 people and businesses helped fund the project. This resulted in a wonderful spot to relax in the sunshine whilst enjoying organic lunch and drinks.

Hotel Buiten

De school
Too cool for school? Well, not this one! Not far from Yumler, you will find this hotspot. Besides being an awesome nightclub with some of the biggest underground DJ’s, it’s also the house of a wonderful restaurant, cafe and gym with a large terrace! www.deschoolamsterdam.nl

Bar Kosta
If you live in Amsterdam, and you’ve been around the Overtoom, you must have seen the large terrace on the corner of Surinameplein. It used to be Café Ter Brugge, but it has completely changed it’s look, menu and name. Bar Kosta is just in time for the sunny weather this weekend! For all the pics and the menu details click here.

Plenty of space at Bar Kosta

Cafe Zurich
Probably one of my favorite terraces in Amsterdam West! It’s large and wide with many seats available. The service is good and the drinks are cold. Just what you need when the sun is out. Read more about Zurich here.

Part of Zurich’s large terrace Source

Frits
Across Zurich you will find bar Frits on the same square they call “Mecatorplein”. They serve a large range of beers so it’s always buzzing until the sun goes down and that’s when people go inside the bar. www.frits-amsterdam.nl

Bureau
Opened last year, this is rooftop heaven. You must visit Bureau if you haven’t been! Enjoy the garden, chickens and sunshine. It’s probably one of our favorite terraces in Amsterdam West. For more pictures and impressions, check our article.

Sunset at Bureau

Oslo Beers
Good news because Oslo Beers is open again and right in time for summer! They coped with a big fire 15 months ago but managed to build a brand new and better Oslo which resulted in a wonderful Oslo Beers 3.0. There is a nice outside seating space outside next to the bridge of Surinameplein with sunshine up until about 3pm. On the menu there are speciality beers and simple but tasty breakfast and lunch. www.oslobeers.nl

Corner Bakery
A bit tucked away in between the World Fashion Center and an apartment complex, but it’s the perfect terrace for after work drinks or your afternoon coffee in the sun. The corner Bakery can be quite busy during the weekends so be early if you want to enjoy brunch in the sunshine. More info about this Instagrammable spot here.

The Corner Bakery West

De Bakkerswinkel
Great coffee, and tasty scones! We love this place right at the entrance of Westerpark. Oh, and the outside area at the back of the Bakkerswinkel is pretty good too. Nothing fancy but great for friends and people with babies. www.debakkerswinkel.nl

Mossel & Gin
Oysters and Gin are a great combination and you can get the best over at Mossel & Gin. Drink cocktails and eat until the sun goes down. Right on the Westergas area, this cozy terrace is great for catching up with friends! www.mosselengin.nl

Mossel & Gin Source

Westergasterras
Also on the Westergas, you will find this extremely large terrace that is partly covered and there is an open lounge area where you want to sit for days, looking over the water. They have just restyled so have a look! www.westergasterras.nl

Bar kantoor
The building dates back from 1885, and was used as an office and assistant engineer’s house of the original Westergasfabriek. As an ode to the former destination and to keep it’s authenticity, they named the location “Bar Kantoor” – meaning Office in Dutch. Every detail in Bar Kantoor has been carefully thought of. The menu, the accessories and the cool ceiling painting. (check it out!) When I entered, they were still painting and working on the outside terrace. About that terrace..it’s located at the perfect spot and with Pacific and Westergasterras always full, this new terrace, that has space for 150 people, is more than welcome! More info about Bar kantoor here.

Cedars
Not many people have heard of this restaurant because it’s situated below the A10 highway and the road that leads to Hoofddorpplein. It has some of the best outside seating in Amsterdam West, believe me. It’s overlooking the water and you can order some tasty Lebanese bites. Service can be a bit slow but if you don’t mind that, you will love it! www.cedars.nl

The hidden spot, Cedars. Source

Floor17
On top of the Armada hotel, it’s the highest outdoor terraces in Amsterdam West. Drink cocktails, enjoy tunes and stay for dinner! www.floor17.nl

Brandstof
If you want to enjoy the good looking people of Amsterdam, you should go here for a beer. For the girls, there is a fire station next door (read: cute firemen watching all day!) www.bar-brandstof.nl

Plenty of choice we think! Enjoy the sun y’all!

Love,

Wander-Lust

Looking for the best after work drinks in Amsterdam? Check our selection!

15 Apr 2019

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Festival trends seen at Coachella 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 15, 2019 With 2 Comments

Coachella Festival is the catwalk that defines the new trends for this coming festival season, and what to wear this summer.With the festival weekend one gone, we can talk about some of the outfits and festival trends for 2019!

Trend » Sneakers
Yep, sneakers are cool and you are allowed to bring them to the festival this year. Hailey Bieber was wearing Vans at the Levi’s party last weekend and many peeps wore the comfy shoe at Coachella.

Hailey Bieber being casual

Trend » Whites
Even though the dust at Coachella Festival makes everything dirty, white dresses, tops and skirts were more popular than previous years. Check out Sincerly Jules, Helen Howen and Jamie Kidd in pearl white.

Jamie Kidd in white

Trend » Lays
Flaunt it with everything lace this year, because this trend is back in 2019.

Trend » Multi Color
Colors are proven to make people happy, so we totally feel this one. People went crazy on colors this year. What do you think?

Hair Trend » Long Braids
The double parting braids we have seen for the last 2 years have vanished but long traditional braids are back in 2019! If you don’t have long hair, you can fake it with extensions and add in some colour too. We like it!

Braids are back, but different

Trend » Denim
The Coachella trend that never fails; Denim. We saw a whole lot of it at Coachella this year. Timeless right?

So which trend will you follow this festival season?

Check out our Festival Guide for 2019!

Love,

Wander-Lust

13 Apr 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Permalink

10 x Easter in Amsterdam 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 13, 2019

With Easter coming up, comes the egg hunting for young and old(er)! It’s more popular than ever and some are quite special with great prizes to win! Besides the hunting, there are Easter brunches, and special Easter coffees! Here is a full list of Easter in Amsterdam this weekend.

Easter Brunch at Bar Kantoor
When? 21/22 April, 11am Westerpark
What? Easterbrunch with livemusic
Bar Kantoor belongs to Conscious Hotels so this brunch is vegetarian. There will be live music, cocktails and food is also served out on the large terrace of Bar Kantoor. Facebook

Egg Hunt X Pulitzer Amsterdam
When? 1st of April 2019, 11am – 12.30pm Pulitzer Amsterdam
What? Chocolate Bunny search for adults & kids
A ‘Chocolate Easter Bunny’ escaped from the Pulitzer gardens but left a trace of chocolate Easter eggs. A shout-out to our youngest fans; come and help us find the Easter Bunny and its lost eggs! All children 10 years of age and younger are invited to participate in the Egg Hunt. Before the hunt kicks off, children will have the chance to festively decorate their egg collecting bag, while feasting on some lemonade & cookies. The lucky finder of the Easter Bunny wins a voucher for lunch at Jansz, a Toddler Push Banwood Bike or a Chocolate Easter Bunny for the entire family! Pre-register before the 12th of April by sending an email to marketing@pulitzeramsterdam.com Facebook

Easter Disco at Chin Chin Club
When? 21st of April 2019, 11pm Rozengracht
What? Dancing on Sunday
Enjoy Disco, Hits & Classics, Extravagante live-acts and Confetti all night long. We can’t wait for this one! Facebook.

Easter Egg Hunt at Vondeltuin
When? 21st of April 2019 from 10am – 11am at Vondeltuin
What? Traditional egg hunt for kids
Bring your kids to this traditional Easter egg hunt at the Vondeltuin, located in The Vondelpark. Be on time because the hunt is only on for 1 hour. Dress up your little one and bring your own basket. There is a play garden next door for playtime afterwards, plus kids can get their face painted. Facebook

Easter Brunch at Het Rijk van de Keizer
When? 22nd of April 2019 from 11:30am
One of our favorite spots out of the city! Tucked away in Amsterdam West you will find Het Rijk van de Keizer, a place where food meets art and art meets events. From 12pm adults can feast on a delicious Easter brunch with live music. There will be a special kids lunch with children songs and stories, face painting, egg hunt, crafts and a DJ workshop for the older kids. €37,50 for the adults Easter brunch (including bubbles, fresh juices, barista coffee) and €24,50 for kids including the kids program. Reserve your spot via email or phone. More info on the Facebook Event Page.

Vegan Easter Brunch
When? 21st & 22nd of April 2019 at Mr. & Mrs. Watson
On Sunday the 21st of March and Monday 22nd of April this Vegan Hotspot will serve a completely vegan sharing buffet! A brunch with scrambled tofu, breadrolls, homemade vegan cheese and enough for those with a sweet tooth! This bunny brunch in Amsterdam will cost you €21,50 p.p. Reserve via www.watson.bar and they will save you a spot!

Bottomless Easter Brunch at INK
When? 21st & 22nd of April 2019 (yes, on Monday) at INK Hotel
It’s time for INK’s Hotel monthly Bottomless Brunch! This edition will be entirely dedicated to Easter and has 2 days to choose from. What better way to enjoy these days than a delicious brunch with your friends and family? The Bottomless Brunch package (€ 37 p.p) consists of a combination of one savoury and one sweet dish, including a cocktail and unlimited bubbles! Book your table via http://pressroom.amsterdam/reservations/.

Easter Mimosa Brunch
When? 21st & 22nd of April 2019 at Hoed & Krelis
Mimosa’s, Mimosa’s and more Mimosa’s. For those not familiar with Mimosa’s; a Mimosa cocktail is composed of one part champagne and one part chilled citrus juice, usually orange juice unless otherwise specified. Thanks Wikipedia! What else do you need for the weekend?

Eggs and Beer at Ceuvel
When? 21st of April 2019 at Café Ceuvel
For young and old! After the egg hunting there is an Easter beer hunt for adults! Spread out at Ceuvel you can search for the hidden beer bottles from Brouwerij het IJ. If you find one, you can drink it, for free! Now, this is something you can sign us up for!

Thuishaven Easter Weekend
When? 20th & 21st of April 2019, Contactweg 68
If you are not into brunches or you want to dance those extra calories off, you can do it at Thuishaven. Tech-house and more in and outside. The weather is going to be sunny, so get your tickets.

Good luck with finding the eggs and enjoy your Easter in Amsterdam together!

Love,

Wander-Lust

13 Apr 2019

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This is most Instagramable hotel in the world

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 13, 2019

The Maldives is home to endless coconut trees, white sandy beaches and one ama-zing hotel. Looking at the photo’s, it’s no wonder that Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has been voted Most Instragrammable Hotel in the World by Luxury Travel Advisor.

Well hello!! Photo source

Luxury Travel Advisor is the insider’s publication for travel and tourism operatives, detailing what’s happening, in trend and upcoming in the world of hospitality. The inaugural contest saw 121,000 votes cast online, with Anantara Kihavah taking the lead!

Photo by @Mvandersluis

The hotel is Designed by Maldivian architects Group X Design Associates, and offers guests the world’s most stunning backdrop. Even though luxury to the mex, it still feels natural and laid back.

Jealous making jacuzzi shots by @Mvandersluis

Ride a white bicycle to get to your villa. Photo credit: @ulianaberdysheva

The hotel offers one in a lifetime experiences such as underwater dining, overwater stargazing, and swimming with mantas and turtles and plenty of photo opportunities!

Dinner with the fishies

Situated on the western Baa Atoll in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah is a 30-minute seaplane flight from Malé and Velana International Airport. If you want to go and see it for yourself, you need to save up some cash because a villa at the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas start from £787. (and yes, that includes the devine breakfast)

For ore info about the hotel visit this Website.

Love,

Elke

13 Apr 2019

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7 x Must Visit Vintage Stores in Rotterdam

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 13, 2019 With 2 Comments

Big cues, everyone having the same T-shirt, and the unsustainable waste produced by fast fashion? Forget the high-street chains and get ready to rummage! From cheap and cheerful thrift shops to more high-end vintage stores, there’s something for everyone when it comes to second-hand and vintage stores in Rotterdam!

1. Dearhunter Vintage, Eendrachtsweg 55A
My first experience with Dearhunter was love at first sight. It’s definitely my favourite vintage store in Rotterdam. Instead of all racks being completely stuffed, they have made a selection of only the most beautiful items. The owner selects with her eye for colour, shape, prints and material, a collection of unique vintage items that makes every fashion person happy. All items are cleaned and steamed before being hanged in the trendy and well-arranged shop. When you plan to visit the shop, be aware that you are going to spend money. In fact, you would like to take home every item hanging in the store (especially when you look at the price tag). For only 50 euros I came home with a leather brown pants, a red belt and a leopard top. You won’t leave the Dearhunter empty-handed!

2. Sweet Rebel, Schiedamse Vest 89B
Sweet Rebel is a small, but definitely must-visit vintage shop in Rotterdam. The prices are low and you can find real affordable gems. The shop has a wide selection of regularly renewed and incredible vintage items, as well as a selection of carefully curated designer items. All their vintage clothes have been carefully selected for style, quality and comfort. Here I scored an oversized denim cowboy-ish blouse with suede patches and sturdy studs for 17 euros.

3. Cheap Fashion, Meent 25
This one is for the real treasure hunters who love to dig through mountains of clothing. They have 2 floors stuffed with all kinds of clothes and accessories; leather jackets, skirts, blouses, boots, sunglasses, shawls.. If you are a fan of ‘hunting’ then you should definitely visit this store! It is is also the place to go to score outfits for theme parties. They have for example hysterical ski-suits and crazy disco outfits.

4. Episode, Witte de Withstraat 19A
Episode is a chain with stores in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, Antwerp, London and Paris. They have an extensive collection of second-hand and vintage clothing that emphasize on the 70s and 80s. You can find all kinds of styles from casual to nightwear. There is also a large selection of vintage shoes, bags and accessories such as hats, belts, sunglasses and jewellery. Tip: for a good vintage levi’s jeans you should definitely visit Episode!

5. Margootje Vintage, Zwaanshals 276B
The store is owned by, guess who, Margot. She offers all her special finds for sale in the shop. You will mainly find clothes and shoes, but on the wall and in the cupboards you will also find other special trinkets, such as old school plates, stuffed animals and jewellery. The old records on the wall, the rugs on the floor and the small, special trinkets in the old-fashioned closets make the shop very atmospheric. Margootje Vintage also organizes a Garage Sale in the back garden every last Saturday of the month.

6. Ruby Lee and the Vintage Factoy, Nieuwe Binnenweg 206A
Ruby Lee is a cozy vintage store with handpicked items. The owner used to work as a fashion designer, but her love for vintage took over eventually, so she opened Ruby Lee and the Vintage Factory. The shop has a mixed collection of ruffled blouses, leather skirts, Japanese kimonos, woolen coats, crazy jackets and much more. In addition, they sell all kinds of fun gadgets, such as notebooks made from old, recycled books.

7. SeventiesDesign, Schietbaanlaan 45G
SeventiesDesign buys and sells vintage furniture from the 50’s-60’s & 70’s. In the store you will find a very nice collection of chairs, benches, lamps, umbrella stands, cupboards, ottomans, glassware, art, coat racks and more. All these items are from the bigger names among the interior designers, making it a slightly expensive collection. If you are at home in the world of design this is a must-visit shop for sure.

Overall, I don’t mind hunting through overfull racks in vintage stores in order to find some treasure pieces, but it does take quite some time. What I noticed in Rotterdam is that many vintage stores, such as dearhunter, sweet rebel, margootje vintage, and Ruby Lee, have a pretty good selection of vintage pieces already sorted out what is saving you a lot of time going through ‘junk’. Visiting Rotterdam is a must for every vintage lover!

Love,

Iris

*Iris is one of our guest editors from The Netherlands. She’s got a big interest in photography, fashion, spirituality and traveling. She was 3 months old when she was on the plane for the first time and has been to every continent in the meantime. You can follow iris on Instagram.

09 Apr 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam, L U S T With No Comments Permalink

Shocking! These restaurants in Amsterdam are dirty!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 9, 2019 With No Comments

RTL News channel just released a shocking report that tells you which restaurants in The Netherlands are below the hygiene standard. Find out which restaurants in Amsterdam are well.. read for yourself.

The report that was written in 2017, shows that 450 restaurants and foodbars in The Netherlands are well below the health standard. Normally reports like these remain closed but in January 2018, RTL News asked the Nederlandse Voedsel en Warenautoriteit for the reports that were made during inspections of restaurants that were under stricter supervision in 2017. Under supervision means that those restaurants have received at least three fines in a two-year period because of their poor hygiene. The NVWA recently decided that the news channel could receive these documents. This makes them public and accessible to everyone!

In more than half of the checked kitchens, animal droppings were found

From roaches in the oven to moldy spare ribs: more hospitality outlets under strict supervision

Some names you know
In the article by RTL News you can find out exactly which restaurants near you are bad news when it comes to the kitchen. In some restaurants the NVWA found many cockroaches, mice poo & urine next to the cutting boards and dripping grease from the kitchen ceilings. We were shocked to find favorites such as Thai Bird and Oriental Express on the list. Even healthy foodspot SNCKBR (now closed) is on this list! We must say, that not all reports are as shocking as others. Favorite hotspot Coffee & Coconuts is also on the 2017 list but they had no animal invested problem, but their ice machine was extremely dirty on the inside.

Some are less surprising. Fast food restaurants like Burger King and Vapiano, that have been around for ages are under supervision.The inspection means that food samples are taken and the results weren’t pretty.. Restaurants that are under new ownership have not been added to this list.

Find out if your favourite restaurant is on the list and check the detailed reports per restaurant!

Love,

Wander-Lust

08 Apr 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Spain, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

Eat My Trip is the Instagram foodie dream of Barcelona

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 8, 2019 With No Comments

Welcome in the wonder world of cotton candy clouds, unicorn smoothie bowls and pink lattes in skull cups. Eat My Trip is the place sweet dreams are made and after reading this article you surely won’t disagree. If somebody knows how a good dream should look, taste and feel like, it’s Genia Sukhacheva, the founder of Eat My Trip. She dreamed big and worked hard to make her dream reality: in the summer of 2018 she opened the doors to this second dimension restaurant in Eixample, Barcelona.

The new unicorn on the block
Eat My Trip literally takes you on a trip to another dimension, but the name has more to it. The menu is inspired by Genia’s trip around the world before she started the restaurant. You can find your favourite classics on the menu levelled-up with an exotic twist. For example, eggs benedict with curry sauce inspired by Thailand, French toast with a cloud of passion fruit infused cotton candy and pancakes Mexican style with guacamole, black beans and corn. Big plus: they only use organic and ecological ingredients and have many vegan options on their menu.

Eat My Trip is a great place for breakfast and brunch

So how does it taste?
The menu offers options for every type of hunger and healthiness level. I love what Genia did with the savoury dishes, offering the classics but with a travel inspired touch. The combinations are great (curry sauce + eggs benefict = winning), unfortunately the exotic touch was fairly modest in the dishes we tried. Because it’s such a great idea, it could be exploited a bit more in my opinion.
On the sweet side of life, Eat My Trip is writing history. Genia managed to create one-of-a-kind sugar rush dishes that are as good for the eye as for the mouth. The presentation forces people passing by to stop and stare and will make you feel bad for even wanting to eat it. Honestly. I had to be stopped taking photo’s of my plate because it was already turning cold.

Everything on the menu is beautifully presented, but for the absolute wow-effect you should at least order the Tostada Francesa (vg). A soft brioche soaked in cream of passion fruit, house made marshmallows and a cloud of peach infused cotton candy. Top it off with a blue Matcha or Barbie latte and a “wow-face” is guaranteed. If you’re not convinced yet, take a look at their Instagram account and start the drooling in 3,2,1…

Feeling the pressure from bikini season around the corner? No worries, Eat My trip offers healthy dishes as well, for example smoothie bowls and veggie dishes. But I have to put out a warning; you probably get seduced by the mouth-watering cakes at the counter anyways.

Who doesn’t want to drink out of a skull cup and eat French toast with a freaking sugar cloud on it?

The atmosphere
The restaurant looks as creative as the dishes, which isn’t a surprise when you realise that Genia also build the whole interior herself (Girl, what can’t you do?!). The restaurant has a homey feeling; blue walls, floral mural prints and surf-hut-like wooden chairs and floor. The chalkboard above the counter exposes all the food goodness and the restaurant is full with “Alice in Wonderland style” accessories to keep you busy while waiting for your order. Although the decorations of the dishes are complex and extraordinary, the overall vibe in the restaurant is super easy going.
We visited on a Saturday and it wasn’t hard to find a table, which is quite unique in Barcelona. However, I have the feeling this is going the change soon once Barcelona’s tourists guides pick up on this little piece of sugar heaven.

My verdict: Definitely a must visit if you either live in Barcelona or just on a city trip. The food is a guaranty for a fun afternoon; taste-wise and because of colour explosions and original combinations. I very much respect what Genia has created and creativity like this should be rewarded (by a visit from you).

P.S.: The blue tables outside are great for soaking up the midday sun and Instagram worthy food pictures (just saying).

Eat My Trip
Carrer del Consell de Cent,378
Website / Instagram

Love,

Eva

*Eva is one of our guest bloggers from Amsterdam. She’s a city girl who only leaves her heels at home when wearing a backpack. Living by the urge to be where she’s not, to explore, experience, fall and get up. You can follow her on Instagram.