Travel Tips Archives - Wander-Lust

06 Sep 2019

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Best Airlines in the world 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 6, 2019 With No Comments

They call it the Oscars for the aviation industry, the yearly world airlines awards. Each year the numbers shift and it’s always good to know who you’re flying with in 2019.

Needless to say, that not all Airlines are the same. Some are obviously far better than others – This is a small selection of the top hundred 2019, chosen by travellers around the world.

Nr. 1 Quatar Airways

Still on top of the bill. Quatar airlines is still one of the best airlines in the world. They also won in 2012 next to a numerous other awards, and this year they climb back up from number 2 to the first spot. So why are they so great? Well; Quatar flies to 140 different destinations, they are Best in business class, Best on time performance, Best in vanity kit, Best economy long haul experience and the list goes on..

Fly fly away!

Nr. 5 Emirates

I will never forget my first backpacking adventure to Australia. I was 24 years old and traveling solo. Next to that I already had a fear of flying so the thought of being in a large plane for at least 16 hours wasn’t something I looked forward to. But Emirates made my experience sooo good. First of all, the staff is amazing. I really believe they are this nice! No fake smile, just an excellent service. Emirates stops at Dubai airport and I must say that’s a great stopover as the airport looks amazing and if you have a long stopover, it’s always nice to do some shopping while you’re there right? 😉 Emirates have been in the worlds top 5 best airlines for years now and if it were up to me, they can stay there for many years to come.

Nr. 6 EVA Air

This Taiwanese airline flies over 40 international destinations and comes it at number 6 in the top 100 best airlines. It’s not just the female name that does wonders because this airline does it really well. Some say that they have the best business class service there is and they are the only airline that I know that serves Dom Perignon champagne. Their premium economy has great leg space and that’s something many airlines still lack. Evaair.com

Nr. 9 Lufthansa

The low cost airline is doing extremely well in the top 100 list. They fly in at number 12. Sarah flies to Germany a lot and she always flies with Lufthansa. Reliability is the key word for Lufthansa. Sarah always feels save and that’s why she always chooses Lufthansa. Word goes around that Lufthansa doesn’t have the warmest crew but Sarah’s flights were always pleasant. You get free drinks and snacks, and during lunch or dinner you will get a sandwich. Not very posh, but Sarah loves it – like many other with her – it’s the fact that you don’t have to pay for it. Lufthansa.com

Nr. 18 KLM

It’s because we flew with KLM many many times. This means we should have a pretty good idea about their service and capabilities. They have been praised about their extremely good user engagement. If you have a question or complaint and you post this on social media, they are extremely fast in responding. I flew to Hong Kong recently and had an extremely good organized flight. On my way back, the steward came up to me and asked me if I had a good flight and if I wanted to join their Airmiles system. No annoying advertising emails but now I can enjoy all the perks of being a frequent flyer! KLM

Still one of the best airlines in our opinion!

Our advice? Book your next flight with one of these above mentioned airlines so that your holiday starts from the moment you step inside the aircraft!

Check here for the full 2019 list. What’s your favorite airline?

Love,

Elke

31 Aug 2019

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13 GIFT IDEAS FOR BACKPACKERS

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On August 31, 2019 With No Comments

For travellers, it can be pretty difficult to come up with a useful present – it shouldn’t be too heavy and not too large, otherwise it will not be handy to drag along. Therefore, we have selected 13 awesome gift ideas for backpackers!

Water bottle

Even though it doesn’t sound like the most exiting gift idea, every backpacker should hit the road with a good water bottle. It will save you money and it helps definitely helps reducing the plastic footprint for our wonderful planet! Pick one in his/her favourite colour.

Customised Passport holder

Pimp up your passport with a personalized passport holder! It can house credit cards, cash, tickets, and the thing (passport) that actually gets you in and out of the country, all in one spot. Another add-on is the secret wallet which prevents criminals to skim your cards, plus it looks pretty cool.

Water bottle holder

This is an upcoming trend in the bohemian fashion sphere. It looks nice and is super handy. You can also make this gift more personal by creating it yourself. On the internet there are numerous water bottle crochet patterns available for free.

Powerbank

A bit more of a casual gift but always handy to have when traveling big distances. Giving extra battery life to your phone could keep you amused during long drives or flights and more importantly it ensures that you’re always able to get in touch with someone when necessary. We own a solar powered Waka Waka charger but there are many more chargers to choose from.

Travel journal

Although we live in a digital age, it is meditative to write down your thoughts while you’re on the road. A little book or journal is perfect for capturing memories. These journals become time capsules of your emotions and experiences you’ve had with people and places.

Travel Cocktail Kit

For the people who value some luxury: this little kit (that fits in every bag) provides you with everything you need to make 2 delicious gin tonics! A perfect treat after a long day of hiking, right? Shake. It.Up.

E-Reader

An E-Reader is a real must-have for travel-loving bookworms. It is super light and has often enough storage capacity to stuff an entire bookcase in a bag! The prices can vary from 50 to 300 euros depending on storage and extra features. Then again, a real book never get’s out of style. What’s your favourite travel novel?

Travel Guitar

It may sound a bit strange but this is probably the best gift you can get for a traveling musician. A travel guitar is small and can be taken as carry-on luggage. With this gift idea you can gather travelers around the campfire and sing songs all night!

The Goodbye box

This complete gift package fits through the letterbox and is packed with funny and handy travel gadgets and goodies. There are also plenty of handy travel gadgets for kids, that are very useful for parents too!

The ultimate adventure game

This game challenges the traveller to see destinations from a whole other point of view. There are 31 cards inside and they are divided into 5 categories: food, explore, culture, social and memories. Think of assignments such as: “Ask 3 locals about their favourite spots and visit them all”. In addition, the game has 31 bucket list destinations with beautiful pictures who will trigger everyone’s wanderlust.

Jewellery

A small piece of jewellery as a keepsake is always nice to give to someone who is going away for a while. It can be a symbol of protection, comfort and guidance as your loved one embarks on a new journey. Currently, we are in love with the new collection of Mimi Et Toi!

Hammam towel

Not only is this a super nice towel, it is also lightweight, compact and it dries quickly. Always handy to have for beach days, picnics or to use as a blanket or towel! Check out these useful packing tips if you’re going backpacking around the world!

Friendship book

While traveling around you often meet many people from all over the world. You can add them on social media, but isn’t it more fun to capture the lovely memories in a little book so you will never forget them?

Love,

Iris

Curious if you are a true backpacker at heart? Click on the photo and find out!

02 Jul 2019

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Zarautz Surf Village | The ultimate Spanish Surf Camp

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On July 2, 2019 With No Comments

Once you have experienced the surf culture, you will be hooked. Whether you’ve tried it in Bali, Australia, Portugal, France or Spain, surfing is something we highly recommend. There are many surfing spots around the world, but if you’re a first timer, we have a wonderful tip for you; Zarautz Surf Village.

A secluded beach at Zarautz

Never taking them off again

Become part of the surfer community

Zarautz is located between the 2 Spanish cities Bilbao and San Sebastian. It’s surfing culture started a long time ago, and it’s one of the best European surf locations, with several surfing competitions held yearly. Zarautz beach is long stretched and very wide, so also very popular for sunbathing.

The Surf Village

The camping area is located on top of the hill, overlooking Zarautz coastline. Waking up with this view is priceless. At Zarautz Surf Village you have a few accommodation options; You can sleep in a tent, a camp-inn, a tipi dorm, a deluxe tipi, or you can bring your own camper van. Being the glampackers that we are, we opted for the deluxe tipi. You’ll find all different nationalities at the camp. From Belgium to Greek, they all seem to find out about this place.

Our amazing Deluxe Tipi

Basic or luxury; you can decide

When you book your stay at Zarautz Surf Village, breakfast (9 – 11) and dinner (7 – 9) are included and the food changes everyday. There is even a champagne breakfast if you’re up for it. Don’t miss out on the BBQ or burger night, as they are pretty good! Drinks at the bar are bought with a drink card, that you can purchase for €15,- and you’ll get a plastic cup that you need to keep until you depart. Thinking about the environment!

Chill or Party

The village is not so big, but very cozy. There is a chill out area with 2 hammocks, several cushions and a skate ramp. Beer pong is played at night, and there is always room for a themed evening with fun & games. Remember, it’s a camping area, so the noise has to stop at midnight. Not ready for bed yet? No worries, Zarautz has a few bars to enjoy yourself and San Sebastian is only a 25 minute taxi ride.

The chill zone

Surfing & Yoga

Most people book at least one week at the camp, but we had only 3,5 days. For this reason we only managed to take one surf lesson and one yoga class. Surf lessons are held in the morning and is perfect for beginners. As the day passes, the waves become bigger, so the afternoon is better for the more advanced. There are 2 free yoga lessons included within a basic package, and the classes are great for stretching your body before you get ready to surf.

Trying to look like pro’s. All wearing Protest Women

The Surroundings

Zarautz has a stunning scenery, with cliffs, green open hills and turquoise water. Take a morning off to walk around before heading to the beach where you can eat a healthy açai bowl at the Shelter Surf Bar. They also serve coffee, wraps, salads and a few pincho’s. Zarautz beach is quite long and you will find several café’s and eateries where you can have breakfast or lunch.

Stunning backdrops. Wearing Protest Women. Fanny pack is from Eastpak

Walking down to the beach

Endless hills in Zarautz. Backpack is from Eastpak

Salad from Shelter

San Sebastian

Because San Sebastian is very close by, we recommend you go here for half a day at least. It’s great for shopping, eating out, and it’s easy accesible by train which is about 20 minutes walk from Zarautz Surf Village. The train takes you to San Sebastian in only 30 minutes and costs around €2,50 per person. Ask the staff for details.

San Sebastian

Zarautz Surf Village is open until the 3rd week of September and the new season starts in June 2019. Bookings are available from €259,- (drive-inn) which includes a full week camping and breakfast and activities. (Dinner can be bought extra for €95,- per person for a week). A Tipi Dorm: € 379 and the Tipi Deluxe is only available per week from: € 895

Tip: Bring a warm sweater and pants with you, as it can get quite chilly at night

Zarautz Surf Village
Calle Monte Talai Mendi, Zarautz
Website / Instagram

Love,

Wander-Lust

25 Jun 2019

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Last minute European Destinations for this Summer

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On June 25, 2019 With 2 Comments

Are you still debating about where to go on your summer holiday? We’ve selected 5 European destinations for this summer that we believe will make your decision a little easier!

Greece

The country that used to be one of the most visited holiday destinations in Europe, but since the economical and refugees crisis, tourists have decided to stay away. A big mistake if you ask us. Luckily, Greece is getting back on its feet and still one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Forget about the usual suspects like Rhodos, Kos and Mykonos and opt for islands like Lefkas, Kefalonia or Folegandros. Do you still need more reasons why it’s on our list? Well, what about the food (wow wow wow), it’s very affordable, you will the bluest sea and the weather is damn good! Not sure which island to choose? Check out our Greece section for all the inside tips! Fly to Greece affordable with TUI for just a few 100 Euro!

Sweden

Do something different this year and book a trip to Sweden! We traveled to Stockholm and Swedish Lapland last summer and we absolutely loved it! Stockholm is situated next to a large river with plenty of things to do and discover. From museums to cool restaurants, bars, vintage and concept stores to boat trips. Did you know Stockholm has a lot of little islands where you can swim and sunbath? Check out our Stockholm and Lapland tips!

Summer is great in Sweden!

Switzerland

It’s one of the places in Europe with the cleanest air due to all the nature. When spring arrives, the snow melts and makes way for green hills and a landscape that will take you straight into a Heidi scenery. We explored Switzerland last May and visited Bern, Lucerne and mount Rigi. For more info about this route and what you can see & do, check our Switzerland report.

Portugal

Surprisingly, Portugal landed on the least-visited-destinations-list last year published at the holiday fair. We love the golden beaches and rock formations and the Portuguese cuisine is to die for. Book yourself a stay at an Eco-resort like Into The wild Algarve where we stayed last year and enjoyed yoga, vegan cooking, supping and more. Hire a car and explore the Algarve and all the amazing beaches. Check our Algarve report about this adventurous (plus relaxing) spot.

Golden rocks and beaches in Portugal

Eco-Resort Into The Wild Algarve

Malta

Hidden between Italy and Africa, Malta is easily overlooked. A shame, since those pristine beaches, ancient cities, spectacular cliffs, amazing architecture and so much more, is worth every bit of your attention. The Daily Telegraph evens tips it as one of the hottest destinations for this summer. We’ve been there and yes, it’s all true. Read the Guide To Malta from our guest blogger Jill for more info.

Madeira

We just came back from an amazing trip to Madeira and even though this is not your typical beach holiday, we think it deserves a spot on this list! Firstly, the island is incredibly beautiful and reminds us a little bit of Hawaï and Portugal combined. Besides hiking, you can tour the island with a jeep, watch wild dolphins and whales or swim in one of the many natural pools. Find out more in our Madeira Island Guide.

Have a great summer y’all!

Love,

Wander-Lust

13 Jun 2019

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Why you should Travel Solo at least once

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On June 13, 2019 With No Comments

It’s midnight and I’m walking through the rainy streets of Koh San Road, Thailand. I’m surrounded by fried scorpions and Thai neon signs which I can’t read. With a backpack full of courage I try to connect with the already drunken tourists, but unfortunately without any success. It’s my first time out of Europe, the first time backpacking. It was the best decision I could have ever made and I’ll give you 5 reasons why I think you should Travel Solo at least once in your lifetime.

I walk alone, but I feel more powerful than ever. A sense of freedom, I can do what I want, whenever I want.

Nobody can discover the world for you

We can get lost in the most beautiful travel documentaries, dream away with breath taking photos and listen with unbelief to the stories of others. But nothing can compare to the experience in real life. If you want to discover the world we live in, go. Cause nobody can discover it for you. Being on your own means you can decide where you want to go, which places inspire you and choose the adventures that most appeal to you. You are in charge of broadening your horizons.

There is nobody here to stop me. It was time to discover the world on my own.

Finding your own rhythm

I’m definitely not a morning person and it has always been a challenge to agree with the overenthusiastic waking-up time of my friends. It’s a great feeling waking up and start doing whatever you want. There is no boss waiting for you at the office or a friend that desperately wants to go to that trendy, hipster breakfast place four blocks away while you’re starving. You have the time and space to create your own rhythm and discover your own needs. This is a valuable lesson to learn, also regarding your daily routines back home.

You are more in the moment when you travel alone

While traveling, I realised that the differences between all of us are insignificant compared to what connects us.

Experiences will be more intense

The autopilot of the mind will be switched off when you’re confronted with new situations, which results in a higher level of focus. You’ll have to stay alert, take care of yourself and create your own path. Because of this you’ll feel more aware of your surroundings instead of looking at it passively or getting lost in a conversation with your partner. You will experience the world around you instead of only seeing it.

New perspectives

Not being with friends or a partner means you have to go out of your comfort zone to meet new people or talk to locals. You’ll meet travelers from different cultures, backgrounds, social environments and also different characters. While traveling I realised that the differences between all of us are insignificant compared to what connects us. Traveling alone will teach you to be flexible, open minded and less judgmental.

Trust your intuition

Being on your own in an unknown country will give you a major confidence boost. Not only will your self-esteem grow because it’s really awesome to travel solo, the trust in your own intuition will increase as well. I can be quite the control freak so I tried to avoid making too many plans for my backpacking trip. It made me really nervous in the beginning as I was constantly questioning myself if it would workout. And to be honest, not everything did work out like it was suppose to. There was one day I didn’t have any money, food or a place to sleep cause my credit card got blocked. But in the end, everything will be fine, one-way or another. There is no need to stress or worry cause if you trust on your intuition it will always work out. Are you worried about traveling alone as a female? Check these 5 safe destinations that are perfect to start from.

Eva in Chiang May, 2015

So what are you waiting for?

In my opinion, Solo Travel is not just a “cool” thing to do but it also really helps you to extend your boarders and develop yourself. You will gain new insights of the places you’ll go, the people you will meet and the cultures you will learn about. Secondly, it will also deepen the perspective on your own social environment and needs.

Traveling solo is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

Love,

Eva

*Eva is one of our guest bloggers from Amsterdam. She’s a city girl who only leaves her heals 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.

More travel tips? Check them here!

03 Jun 2019

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8 Facts & Tips about Travel Vaccinations

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On June 3, 2019 With No Comments

Vaccinations, it’s something any frequent traveler has to deal with at least once in their lifetime. But do you know all the facts? We have combined the most important facts and tips for you.

Did you know?

That there is no vaccine (yet) against malaria, you need to take pills to prevent the infection?
Malaria is one of the most widespread diseases in tropical and subtropical countries. Symptoms look a lot like a heavy flu but don’t be fooled, The disease is very dangerous and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Make sure you use strong mosquito repellent in Malaria area’s. Check the complete malaria map to find out where you need to get your pills for.
That most people don’t know that it’s preferable to get a vaccine more than 3 weeks in advance?
It totally depends on the vaccination you’re getting. Some vaccinations even need to be taken twice within a space of a few months. It is preferably to get your vaccines at least 3 weeks in advance. However, it always helps to get vaccinated, even if you think you are too late. Better safe than sorrow!
That prices may vary between different providers that offer travel vaccinations?
Nowadays you can get home vaccine kits send to your home, but they often come with a price that is not always standard. Also, different district can offer different prices. You can always get a Cholera stamp for free.
One out of ten travellers will have diarrhoea when traveling?
Good personal hygiene and adequate sanitary conditions will lower your chances of suffering from diarrhoea. It is also important to be careful what you eat and drink! Certain foods are unsafe to eat, especially raw food and food that has been standing at room temperature in warm environments for a while. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables, unless you have washed and peeled them yourself. Not all water is fi t for drinking. In countries with poor sanitation, tap water can be unsafe to drink, even in luxury hotels.

Sarah had a few rabies injections because of a dog bite on Bali

Tips & Tricks

Try to avoid close contact with dogs, cats, bats and other pets if you are in a foreign country. They can contain the rabies virus, something you really don’t want to get. 2 years ago, Sarah got bitten by a dog in Bali and she needed to get rabies injections immediately. This also meant; no swimming for a few days and heavy antibiotics.
If you are planning a longer trip, say for 6 months or longer, it’s always a good idea to visit your dentist before you go. This way you do not have to deal with dentist cost and hassle abroad. Did you know that hepatitis B can be contracted from non-sterile medical instruments, for example at a dentist’s office. Infection can also occur through non-sterile instruments used for body piercing, tattooing or shaving.
If you are on medication, always pack these into your hand luggage.For some medications, such as strong pain killers, ADHD-medication and medicinal cannabis, a declaration signed by your doctor is necessary.
When we travel we always bring the following remedies:
– Paracetamol
– Diaree stopper (you do not want this mess while you are on a 6 hour bus ride)
– Antihistamine for allergic reactions

Vaccinations may be the last thing you want to think about when planning a trip but it is always necessary.

Hopefully, these tips will help you prepare for your next trip.

Safe travels!

Wander-Lust

10 May 2019

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9 Things you need to know about Amsterdam before visiting

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On May 10, 2019 With No Comments

Having lived in Amsterdam for over 15 years now, we can say we are well-established locals. There are some misconceptions about Amsterdam, and we would like to clear things up. They might come in handy for first time visitors.

1. Amsterdam is not just about parties and prostitutes

Amsterdam is a popular destination for bachelor parties. There are plenty of clubs and the Dutch capital has the red light district. Truth is that most locals won’t ever set foot in the red light district unless they need to pass it on their way. Firstly, the women behind the windows are mostly foreign and secondly, the shops and café’s are mainly here for tourists purposes. It will probably disappoint. If you visit Amsterdam for the first time, we advise you to skip this tourist trap and go for the more local experience. Instead, visit the contemporary and street art museum Moco Museum. They showcase exhibitions from Banksy, Daniel Arsham, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol to name just a few. Yes, there is so much more to Amsterdam than the tourist district.

2. Cannabis isn’t officially legal in The Netherlands

Now, the drugs. Did you know that cannabis isn’t officially legal in The Netherlands? (shocking right?) Weed in the Netherlands is actually decriminalised (‘toleration policy’). This basically means that it’s tolerated. When it comes to growing your own, this is another story. Locals can grow up to five cannabis plants, but if you start growing on a larger scale or decide to sell the weed, this is a major no go. Very confusing, we know. As a result coffeeshops in Amsterdam hire people to get the soft drugs and bring it for them. So can you officially smoke weed on the streets of Amsterdam? technically no, but if you have less than 5 grams on you and you are not causing a public disturbance, you are fine.

3. Bicycles rule the streets of Amsterdam

This is an unwritten rule. No matter if you ride a Harley or monster truck, people on bicycles are relentless. Cyclist ignore stop signs and find their way through the most narrow streets, plus they always seem to be in a hurry. As a pedestrian, you need to watch yourself. Before crossing the streets of Amsterdam, make sure you look to every direction possible, twice. Just obey by this rule and you will be fine.

Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth, it is a city of freedom.

4. Rent a bicycle

On the other hand, this may seem a bit in contrast to our previous tip, but renting a bicycle is a must do if you visit Amsterdam. This is the best way to see the city and enjoy it. On a bicycle you can get to places you wouldn’t get to if you go by foot or public transport. You will discover little alleys and the prettiest canals. Renting a bike is possible almost anywhere in the city center. Make sure you bring your ID and wear a helmet if you don’t feel too confident.

5. Be prepared for all weather conditions

This basically means you need to pack you raincoat, umbrella, sunglasses and sunscreen. The Dutch weather can play tricks on you so come prepared! If you want to be certain, check this website which tells you exactly if the rain is coming and for how long it will last. Subsequently, when there is a ray of sunlight, the Dutch run outside and sit outside on any terrace in the city they can find.

6. Get yourself a OV Chipcard

A what?? Basically an OV Chipcard is the same as the English equivalent of an Oystercard. If you’re likely to visit Amsterdam again, this card is very useful and will save you money on public transport. It is also convenient because you can quickly add new credit. You can do this at most train stations or supermarkets. Since of last year, it’s only possible to pay by bank card in the tram and busses. No cash!

7. Get out of the city centre and explore

Did you know that just outside Amsterdam, you have a huge forest called Het Amsterdamse Bos or Oeverlanden? This is a must visit if you have kids because there is a goat farm, a large lake, beautiful walking paths and an outdoor theater. But there is more, find out how to escape the hustle and buzz.

Yes, this is in Amsterdam

8. Download the Via Van app

To clarify, once you’ve downloaded Via Van, it works the same as Uber, the only difference is, that you might have to share your ride with another passenger along the way. Therefore it’s much cheaper than any other taxi. You need a credit card to connect the app and there is no need to pay the driver in cash.

9. These are the parties you do not want to miss

There are a few dates in Amsterdam that you should mark into your diary. Firstly, it’s Kingsday on the 27th of April. Secondly, the Dutch also celebrate freedom on May 5th. And if you’re up for it, check out the Amsterdam Gay Pride on the 27th of July until the 4th of August. Just look at the header photo and you’ll understand.

Do you want to know where to eat and what to do in the Dutch capital? Find the best local tips in our Amsterdam Guide below!

08 May 2019

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7 hotels with the perfect view

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

We’ve stayed in many hotel rooms and some are better than others. There are several factors that make a stay memorable and one of those important factors has got to be the view from our hotel room. Feast your eyes on these hotels with a picture perfect view!

Overlooking the Big Ben, London

Stay at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel if you want to have the best view of the Parliament House and Big Ben. It offers stylish rooms, studios and apartments plus the award-winning Brasserie Joel features classic French bistro dishes with a twist. The modern hotel is an excellent choice if you want to stay in the heart of London and take a picture of this historic monument from your bedroom window.

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Looking at the historic Acropolis, Athens

Across the Acropolis, you will find the stylish AthensWas Hotel offers a phenomenal view of the Parthenon. The Modern Rooftop Restaurant is located on the 7th floor of the hotel and is the perfect spot to enjoy modern cuisine with a refreshing cocktail. The evening illuminates acropolis which makes it the picture opportunity.

Credit: AthensWas Hotel

The Empire State Building, New York

The iconic American building, across from your bedroom? Yes, The Langham Place in New York makes it happen. Located in midtown on Fifth Avenue, features modern rooms and a Michelin Star restaurant. Because the hotel is just 300 meters away from the Empire State Building, you can easily visit the famous skyscraper in the late hours and avoid the long queues.

Credit: The Langham Place

Get up close with the Eiffel Tower, Paris

Résidence Charles Floquet is located in a renovated historic building just 50 meters from the Eiffel Tower. It offers spacious accommodations with private cooking facilities and views of the Eiffel Tower, which after sunset gives a brilliant light show. Sounds ‘formidable’ right?

Dreaming of the Taj Mahal, India

Just 600 meters from the Taj Mahal, you will find The Oberoi Amarvilas Agra. This accommodation has luxurious rooms, a wonderful spa, beautiful gardens, an outdoor pool, four restaurants and a great view of the Taj Mahal. Guests can enjoy delicious traditional Indian specialties in the restaurant or enjoy a good glass of wine overlooking the imposing Taj Mahal.

Credit: The Oberoi Amarvilas

Overlooking the Duomo, Florence

People visit Florence because of the many Musea and beautiful architecture. Hotel Firenze Rentals Corso 12 is located in central Florence and a 5-minute walk from the architectural sight they call the Piazza del Duomo. This beautiful property features self-catering apartments and the balcony overlooks the famous Duomo.

Credit: Firenze Rentals Corso 12

Skyline & Marina Bay, Singapore
Wow, this must be the ultimate skyline view from a bedroom in the Ritz-Carton, Millenia. Okok, we’re talking about the Ritz here of course and there is always a price tag attached. But hey, we can dream of staying here one day, can’t we?!

Credit: Ritz-Carlton Singapore

All there is left to say now is; we are looking forward to see your stunning bedroom shots soon! If you have any tips on accommodations with a picture perfect view, let us know and we might add it to the list!

Love,

Wander-Lust

Ever wondered what the most sustainable hotels in Amsterdam are? Check them here:

08 May 2019

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SRPRS.me | Brings Spontaneity Back Into Travel

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

Are you the adventurous type, or do you like to plan everything ahead? Whatever you prefer, we think you should try SRPRS.me at least once. A few months ago Wander-Lust took the plunge. We booked ourselves a trip without knowing where we would end up. Find out where we went!

What is SRPRS.me?

Travel organisation srprs.me, founded in 2014, is a travel organization where you can book yourself a mystery holiday or city break. Only to find out at the airport where you are going. You can book your surprise trip in several themes like: Summer Holiday, Solo Together, City Tripping, Honeymoon & Luxury, In Control (where you are able to eliminate 15 destinations), Road Tripping, and the ever changing theme of the Month. A week in advance, you will discover what the temperature is at your mystery destination and what time you should be at the airport or at your car checkpoint. Here you enter a scratch-code into your smartphone and your destination will be revealed. Pretty cool right?

Srprs.me believes it’s time to bring some spontaneity back into travel, make your own memories and no longer google your way into a vacation.

Not Scary, But Exiting!

We understand that booking a surprise trip can be a little daunting, because you don’t want to end up somewhere you’re not going to like. Luckily, SRPRS.me has many options, so that you can select your own needs. For example; if you are looking for that ultimate holiday feeling and you want to soak up the sun, go for the Summer Holiday package where a beach and comfortable hotel is guaranteed. If you are the type that likes to explore and loves to shop and discover tasty hotspots, pick a city trip. You can also set your budget and see the cost in the calendar. A trip with sprps.me always includes the flight and accommodation.

You never know where you will end up

At Wander-Lust we also believe that the most beautiful things will happen if you have no expectations.

The Destination

Sarah and I actually booked one of their surprise trips 2 years ago and ended up in sunny Valencia! It was awesome to say the least. This time around I decided to take my man, so I was hoping for a destination where the food would be great and the sun would shine. A week in advance we received our destination’s weather forecast and things were looking good, 21º degrees with sunshine! This resulted in packing light and bringing our sunglasses.

Valencia

We needed to arrive at the airport at 12pm and this was also our cue to scratch the srprs.me code and reveal our destination. 3, 2, 1..we were flying to Nice, France! I was very exited because it was a destination I was hoping to visit in the next coming years. Upon arrival everything was well arranged. The airport was just 15 minutes by bus or taxi, and we stayed in a charming boutique hotel which included breakfast.

Check our Valencia video and see how surprised we were!

Are you ready for the unexpected? Book your tailor-made srprs.me trip and take a leap of faith. You won’t regret it.

Love,

Elke

01 May 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Obsessions, T R E A S U R E S, Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

Camptoo, the Airbnb for Campers!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On May 1, 2019 With No Comments

As a traveler, you always have a few things on your bucketlist that NEED to be done. These could be destinations, but also experiences. Most people would agree if I said that taking a camping roadtrip with an old Volkswagen Van would be one of them. 2 years ago I was so lucky to cross it off my bucketlist! Camptoo, the Airbnb for campers and mobile homes, asked me to take an oldtimer Volkswagen T2 for a little roadtrip.

What is Camptoo?

It’s too easy to compare Camptoo with Airbnb but it’s really the best comparison to make. It Basically works like this; most mobile-home owners only use their ride half the time so it just sits there, in front of their garage. Camptoo makes it possible for those owners, to rent out their camper. Take a look on their website and select the camper you want, for how long and for which date. As a result you get several options and all you need to do is to pick your favorite and send the owner a message. Finally you will see which camper is available and if they’ll accept your request.

After a quick check up, we were handed over the keys and headed on our little adventure.

Once accepted you will receive a confirmation email plus a text message. I picked a beautiful Volkswagen T2. Not really knowing what to expect, me and my family drove down to her house where Nicole explained everything we needed to know about her precious ride. Camptoo makes sure that you are all-risk insured and you pay a deposit to cover yourself for any damages along the way. Just make sure to have your travel insurance sorted. After a quick check up on damages and details, we were handed over the keys and headed on our little adventure.

I was worried about the cold, would the rain drip inside? What if the van breaks down?!

The Route

The first thing I noticed is that driving a car like this get’s a lot of attention. A lot. People waving, throwing up peace signs or giving you a thumbs up out of respect. Pretty cool. We decided to drive to The Ardennes, an area with hills and greenery and lot’s of adventurous roads. From Limburg we had about 2 more hours to go and we found this amazing camping online called Les Cabanes De Rensiwez. Here you can camp but also rent the most amazing lodges such as treehouses, Norwegian style cabins and hobbit-like-houses. Our campervan included a little kitchen with a stove so we could prepare dinner and make some tea. No camping adventure is complete without a little thunder storm and boy did we have one on the first night! It rained and rumbled for about 3 hours but it just made the whole experience even more special and cozy. TIP: Bring your own pillows for comfort and a (extra) warm sleeping bag as it get’s very cold at night even during summer. Many camper owners have blankets available but they can be too thin for your liking.

Yep, this is soo me!

A breakfast basket brought to our camper

The next we drove down to a special place called the Jan Foppen Forest. This is a small forest on top of a hill where you can do crazy survival stuff like abseiling, climbing, paragliding, horse riding and much more. Definitely check out this spot if you’re heading to the Ardennes.

Camptoo at The Foppen Bos
Our VolkswagenT2 at the Foppen Forest

On our last and final day we really got to drive through small towns where we stopped if we saw something nice such as a little Sunday market or a beautiful viewing point. The Van had to be brought back to its owner in the early afternoon so we decided to sleep at a camping in Limburg, near the Belgian border. This camping was very modern and even had a swimming pool, restaurant and beautiful forest nearby to walk in.

We stopped at La Roche, a town visited by many cyclist

My Verdict

A dream come true. honestly. Ok, I didn’t have a lot of sleep like I would have in a 5 star hotel but that’s not what camping is about. Camping and especially, camping in an oldtimer, is about the magic of it. The adventure without knowing where you will sleep the next day and to follow your own path. I felt like a true nomad and besides that, the whole thing was so well organized from beginning to the end.

Do you want to go on the same adventure? Visit Camptoo’s website, Facebook & Instagram for inspiration!

Check out my video to get a good impression!

Love,

Elke