Travel Tips to become a clever traveller

15 mrt 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Lifestyle, Travel Tips With 2 Comments Permalink

BEST THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT HOME

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On maart 15, 2020 With 2 Comments

Whether we like it or not, it’s inevitable now. Most countries in Europe have decided that people should stay indoors as much as possible due to the Corona Virus. Holidays and travel plans are postponed, and events are cancelled.

It’s currently the best decision you can make in order to keep further infections with the Corona virus at a minimum. Being at home for hours on end can get a bit boring but there are many ways to keep yourself going!

Binge watching

Netflix is the one business that will be thriving for the next coming weeks, maybe months. Whether you decide to watch all the Matrix movies at once, or re-watch all FRIENDS seasons. Binge watching is the first thing that comes to our minds when having to stay at home. If you feel like some travel inspiration for future destinations, check out these movies that will trigger your wanderlust.

Stay Fit

In most countries the gym’s are closing too. Ans if we start binge watching a little too often, a lack of sport isn’t great for our fitness levels. Solution; train at home. The options are endless on YouTube and one of our favourite trainings are HIT training (which only takes up 30-minutes and finish with a yoga session. Try and do this for at least 3 times per week, or a 15 minute exercise every morning. If you want to clear your head, do some meditating, times like these force us to slow down, this can be beneficial! Our favourite training channel on YouTube at the moment is POPSUGAR Fitness.

Organise your admin

To be fair, we know this is a horrible suggestion, but now is the time! Right before you need to do your taxes, making sure everything is in order. Create a folder with all the right admin from your business, housing and income. You will be happy when it’s finally done. TIP: Organise your desktop. We bet it’s full of downloaded files, unused photo’s or documents.

Read and learn

Maybe you can finally start on that book that has been laying on your shelf for months. And if you still wondering which book(s) to read, here are a few tips:

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
The Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Travel inspiration for future travel plans? Off the Beaten Track by Wander-Lust is available for pre-order here. Dutch only

Play boardgames

Do you remember those days when you played boardgames with your family? Nowadays everyone is too occupied with their phones (guilty as charged!) so most boardgames haven’t seen daylight for a long time. Dust them off and re-introduce them. And don’t forget about those puzzles, get’s your brain working too!

Phone your (grand)parents

If we can’t hold them or see them physically, we will phone them. Thank god for video calling right! As we now know, the corona virus is a lot more dangerous for elderly, so they aren’t suppose to go out at all. This can get quite lonely for them so we can imagine that they love to chitchat with you every other day. TIP: maybe you can order them some food/groceries/vitamines. There are also many elderly without children so perhaps you can see if a nearby neighbour needs a helping hand or likes to receive a phone call.

Nobody knows how long it’s going to take, and the most important thing is to keep yourself and others healthy. Stay indoors as much as you can, use some of our tips and let us know if you have one for us!

Stay occupied and more importantly, stay healthy!

Love,

Wander-Lust

12 mrt 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Lifestyle, Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

7 DIFFERENT WAYS TO SAY HELLO WITHOUT SHAKING HANDS

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On maart 12, 2020 With No Comments

With the Corona Virus in full effect across the globe, drastic measures are being taken. Washing you hands, sneezing in your elbow and avoid shaking hands with one another.

But not shaking hands has been proven to be more difficult than we thought. Therefore we’ve did a little research to see which other ways are possible to greet each other, looking at different cultures around the world.

The Elbow Bump

It seems like the greeting that would be the easiest to pick from if you need to avoid the hands. However, we were also told to sneeze and cough in our elbows, so we are not sure about the level of hygiene, but we’ll leave that up to you of course.

The Foot Bump

Our favourite! Well, that depends if we are wearing shoes. Bumping our bare feet to one another wouldn’t be our first choice. That being said, you can always create a nice TIKTOK video!

The Head Bowing

Let’s do it Chinese style and gracefully bow our heads to say hello! I mean, it’s simple, and you don’t even have to touch each other at all! (make sure you save enough space in between to avoid bumping heads)

Wave

Simple as that. Just wave at each other like as you are saying goodbye. Just don’t say goodbye. Ugh, confusing.

Rubbing Noses

Did you know that the men in Oman greet good friends by rubbing each others noses together? At the same time, this probably wouldn’t be the best idea right now, but we like this traditional greeting with friends!

Raising Eyebrows

In the meantime, in the Micronesia region they tend to keep it simple. Each island has its individual way of ritual and custom when saying hello to each other; however, on the Marshall Islands they say hello by raising their eyebrows. (shame that I have a fringe..)

Bread & Salt?

And finally, in Russia they eat! Well, although this may be true, Russians actually greet their guests with bread and salt. This is known as Kleb da sol. Obviously, this is a very traditional way of saying hello, but we like it! (as long as they’ve washed their hands of course ;-))

Overall, the head bowing, or shoe bumping seems to be the safest option for now. Which one would you pick?

All jokes aside, we hope everyone stays healthy and we can knock this Corona Virus out of the way, so we can greet each other which ever way we want to! Stay updated about the Corona Virus here.

02 mrt 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips Permalink

Your Guide to the Perfect Business Trip

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On maart 2, 2020

What is the first things that comes to your mind when you think of a perfect business trip? Fancy hotels, exotic destinations and luxurious restaurants maybe? All the ingredients for a perfect holiday. And somehow it often doesn’t feel like it.

To be clear, I’m not saying it’s no fun at all. To be honest I think business trips are awesome. It pulls you directly out of the comfort zone, gives your business relationships a boost and teaches you a lot about the company you got invited by. It all sounds amazing but putting it together in (often) only a few days can be totally exhausting. I normally feel like I’ve been traveling for a few months, been run over by a bus and like I drank two bottles of tequila when I get home from a business trip. And I don’t even drink tequila…

Isn’t it as fabulous as it sounds?

Is it all luxury?

To be fair, I’ve never been disappointed when it comes to food on business trips (and me and food have a pretty intense relationship, so that says a lot). And how about the fancy hotels? Perhaps you’re flying business class? Most of the time it’s part of the deal. But, after a whole day of spending out of that beloved comfort zone you’re probably only interested in spending time underneath the sheets. So what makes the big difference? Isn’t it as fabulous as it sounds? It can be as long as you can keep your balance. That thin line between business and pleasure, between late night ‘networking’ drinks and enough sleep and going on little adventures and staying in your cosy comfort zone. So let me give you some tips on staying energetic during your business trip while not missing out. Cause we all have some sort of FOMO case going on.

While you’re traveling, listen to this inspiring travel podcasts!

Waking up in some of the best cities in the world

Go on a business trip with a purpose

It can be hard to stay focused on a trip when it’s full of distractions, people swirling around you and often only a few hours of sleep. It will drain your energy when you get caught in de buzz of the day. Therefor it’s important to remember the reason you went on the trip. Although business trips are fun, they steal lot of your time. At the end of the trip you want to look back on days well spend. The key to be satisfied with the result is setting a purpose. Ask yourself this: Why did you go on the business trip? It doesn’t necessary have to be sales or closing deals on the spot. If your goal is to network, make sure you made a list in advance with the partners and people that are joining the trip and whom you want to talk to. Or maybe your goal is just to enjoy, cause it’s a little present to yourself or an incentive from your boss. In that cause it is even more important to remember why you went on the trip, to benefit from it to the fullest.

Do you want to travel more responsibly? Check these tips!

Stay ahead of the game

If you know your purpose, you know in which activities you should invest your energy. Take a moment to plan your day in order to make the most of your time. Or, if your business trip comes with an overbooked schedule it’s even more important to take a good look at the agenda. Is it necessary to attend every event or can you use those moments to rest of maybe work a little? If the activity is required but not that relevant for you, try to save your energy. You want to be sharp and well prepared for the moment that counts. A good plan is not only to make the best of your time there, it also makes sure you don’t feel like a puppy that’s just following the pack leader. Don’t forget to take some free time as well. Do some sightseeing, find a cute café to relax or just put on Netflix in your hotel room. After all those hours of networking, being polite and interested you deserve some me-time.

Being open-minded means that you’re willing to listen to other ideas, opinions and have a positive attitude towards other cultures.

Stay and open minded

The key to a relaxed way of networking is positive and open-minded. Being open-minded means that you’re willing to listen to other ideas, opinions and have a positive attitude towards other cultures. It’s not only pleasant for your conversation partner, it also guides your business to success. You may find that there is a lot of information you can profit from between the lines. Focus on things as body langue, the motivators of your business partner and their dreams. Those talks doesn’t necessary have to be about work. Sometimes the type of sports someone practice, his or hers family situation and their ideal holidays will teach you more about them than you’d have known after the standard formal talks.

In conclusion, are business trips the same as holidays? Absolutely not, and they never will be. But, there are ways to make your trip as comfortable as possible. So enjoy, with certain modesty, and you’ll be just as energetic on the beginning of the trip as the flight home, and probably even with a head full of ideas and motivation.

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.

24 feb 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in LUST, Travel Tips With 1 Comment Permalink

6 Mobile Apps that fight Food Waste, and can Save you Cash!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On februari 24, 2020 With 1 Comment

Food waste is a huge problem across the globe. Also in The Netherlands. Did you know we throw away around 45 kilo’s of food per person, each year?

These apps fight food waste, plus it’s such a great way to save money! These 5 apps are fighting food waste, and it’s so easy to participate! We’ve included Worldwide apps, so you can pick the most suitable for your sustainable needs.

Food Waste, the numbers

Most of the time, it’s because we don’t use all the groceries we’ve bought, but we also throw away a lot of cooked food, simply because we can’t finish it all. In the meantime, around 800 million people suffer from chronic undernourishment. (reported by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization). And we haven’t even talked about the restaurants. It’s estimated that 10% of the already produced food in restaurants ends up in the trash instead of hungry mouths. Crazy but true; 40% of all the produced food in the US is wasted, and 30,8% of all food purchased in the UK is thrown away. But there is a solution! (we like solutions, not just mentioning the problems)

If we stop wasting food, it would be the equivalent of taking 1 out of 4 cars off the road.

1. Too Good To Go

This app launched in 2016 already, but is growing fast this year. In 2017, they saved more than 2 million meals, which is pretty impressive! Good too go is active in 7 European countries, including Amsterdam. The app is available on IOS and Android. Download it here!

Source: TooGoodToGo

2. NoFoodWasted

This company based in the Netherlands is mainly collaborating with supermarkets, restaurants and bakeries. How it works: Download the app and select a date when you want NoFoodWasted to keep you up to date with supermarkets that offers products/groceries at a discounted price. (when the best before date is due) This way, you can create your grocery list with discounted prices, and you help the supermarket get rid of their perfectly good food that would normally disappear in the trashcan. www.nofoodwasted.com

3. ResQ

Every meal purchased via ResQ is one less meal thrown away, helping our urban communities to waste less and be more sustainable. Their mission? To reduce food waste to zero at restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. The company started in Finland but is now active in several cities around the world. Whenever you open the ResQ app, you will see affordable quality food easily on a map and on a list. The offering consists of meals, ready-to-eat snacks, and massive grocery bags that usually have a 50% discount on regular prices. www.resq-club.com

4. Olio

Founded by UK resident Tessa Cook, this app is huge in the UK! OLIO connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. This could be food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare home-grown vegetables, bread from your baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away. www.olioex.com

Source: Olio

5. Food For All

Their formula is simpel; customers buy food at a discount and companies gain revenue and save food from going in the trash. The app can be used in both Boston and New York. www.foodforall.com

6. Feedie

Do you always take photo’s of your food and are you based in the US or South Africa? This app is for you! Feedie is a mobile app that transforms the passion for sharing food photos into sharing actual food with children in need, served by The Lunchbox Fund. Simply said; Every time a photograph of food is taken at a participating Feedie restaurant, the restaurant donates 25 cents, the cost of a meal for a child. Briljant! www.ffwd.org

In Stock creates the most amazing meals from otherwise, wasted food

Also worth mentioning

In Stock. This is a restaurant based at several locations in The Netherlands, that creates the most delicious meals with ingredients from supermarkets, that would otherwise be thrown away. This also means that the menu changes constantly, and that the consumer can enjoy a much more affordable meal compared to other restaurants. www.instock.nl

Are you ready to fight food waste?

Love,

Elke

Also nice to read: 6 X TRAVEL PODCASTS TO FEED YOUR WANDERLUST

06 feb 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Off the Beaten Track, Travel Tips With No Comments Permalink

RENZY TAKES YOU ON A SUSTAINABLE TULIP TOUR!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On februari 6, 2020 With No Comments

During wintertime, the Netherlands may seem gloomy and grey. But from April onwards, the country transforms into a colourful display of flowers! People from all over the world come to our Holland to see the best tulip fields.

If you have never seen the Dutch tulips before, you are in for a treat. There are several ways to explore the fields across the country – by car, bicycle or touring bus (we discourage the last option though). But now there is also a sustainable and unique way to explore the Dutch tulips.

Electric Tulip Tour

Renzy is a relatively new tour operator that is 100% electric and let’s you discover the Netherlands in a Renault Twizy! They also offer other tours through the Netherlands like the Dune & Beach Tour, the Countryside & Windmill Tour and the History & Castle Tour. But because it’s almost Tulip season, we’ve recently tried and tested their Tulip & Flower Fields Tour to see what it is all about.

Off the Beaten Track

Well, this tour couldn’t be more suitable for us! (As you know, we’ve written a book called Off the Beaten Track) Finding tulip and flower fields in Holland isn’t that difficult. What is difficult however, is finding a tour or route that doesn’t includes busses full of tourists! If you book an electric Twizy tour with Renzy, you get the chance to drive yourself, stop wherever you want, and listen to an audioguide in English, German or Dutch. Every Twizy is equipped with a GPS system so you won’t get lost. The Twizy is suitable for 2 adults or one adult and a child (children seats are available). The tour also passes a tulip farm (De Tulperij or Annemiekes Pluktuin) where you can stop and walk around in the tulip fields.

How to Book

Pre-book your tour now before it’s full! The tulip tour is available from 21 March to 10 May and they depart 4 times a day. For €85,- you get a 120 minute audio guided tour. Are you ready for a new way of exploring the Netherlands?

Renzy
Electric GPS Audio Tours
Meer en Duin 36A
Website

Wander-Lust

*This article was written in collaboration with Renzy. We always pick our collaborations wisely, looking at a background and the message we want to spread

04 feb 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Travel Tips Permalink

From Amsterdam to London by train in just 4 hours!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On februari 4, 2020

A few days ago the new Eurostar train arrived at Amsterdam Central station, where it continued its way to London in just 4 hours.

The train was filled with VIP’s for now, as the train made its first ever direct trip to London and back. You need to wait just a little while (until the end of April to be exact) until you can board the new Eurostar. Are you ready for shopping in London, check our 3-day London Guide!

The train speeds up to 300kmh and will eventually take around 4 hours to get from Amsterdam to London. Previously there was an extra stop in Brussels where you needed to get your passports checked, and this takes around 1 hour extra. Eurostar was planning to change these international agreements a while ago, but apparently this took a little longer than expected.

The comfort of train travel

Reasons to travel to London by train

It’s better for the environment
You arrive in London’s city centre
It’s comfortable and easy (no long waiting lines, easy check in, comfortable seats)

Tickets are already made available to buy, and are as cheap as €40,- for a single fare. Book early if you want to catch this cheap fare though. Sure, taking the plane is faster, but not so great for the environment, and if you have a fear of flying (like I do!), this is such a great option!

See you in London baby!

Love,

Elke

Looking for Off the Beaten Track destinations?

31 jan 2020

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5 Oscar movies that will give you Wanderlust

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On januari 31, 2020 With No Comments

The big night in Hollywood is coming up. The night that the best movies in the world are crowned with a little statue named Oscar.

Let’s look back a a few Oscar nominated blockbusters that make you want to travel.

1. Lord of the Rings

This movie has to be in this list. It has inspired so many people to pack their bags and travel to the land of hobbits, elf’s and orcs.
Lucky for us, you can book several “Lord of the Rings” tours that will take you through the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand where the scenes were shot.

Oscar winning locations, The Lord of the Rings

2. The English Patient

Shot within the beautiful Italian scenery with key parts of the story taking place against a stunning Tuscan backdrop. Director Anthony Minghella spent weeks in Tuscany searching for the perfect monastery to film in.

Beautiful Italy, where The English Patient was filmed

3. Slumdog millionaire

This amazing Oscar winning movie makes you dislike India or make you extremely curious. It portraits the heavy slums of Mumbai in all its glory. You’ll be surprised that tourism picked up immensely after the success of this film.

Culture shock; India

4. Forrest Gump

This movie isn’t just about the locations but about the feeling this movie is giving you. It inspires and tells you that you can do anything and go anywhere you want in life. No limits. And that is a beautiful thing. This is the northern route through Utah to Monument Valley and was used as the location in the movie “Forrest Gump” were Forrest (played by Best Actor Oscar winner Tom Hanks) ended his cross-country run in the USA.

Utah to Monument Valley

5. Vicky Christina Barcelona

The title gives it away but this film shows the romantic and vibrant city Barcelona. Filmed during spring/summer, this movie takes makes you fall in love with the characters and scenery. Drinking wine and eating all day and still look as good as Scarlet Johansen and Penelopé Cruz? Miss Cruz won a best supporting Oscar for her performance.

Sexy and beautiful in Barcelona

What’s your favorite Oscar winning movie?

Love,

Elke