Abel Landsweers, Author at

Must Do’s during a Weekend in The Camargue

20/08/202220/08/2020 by Abel Landsweers

Explore the pink salt lakes

In the Camargue you will find two big pink salt lakes, which are used for the production of salt. It turns out that the Camargue produces the most salt in Europe. The two lakes are located near the towns Aigues-Mortes & Salin de Giraud. Salin de Giraud is a must visit. It is not touristic at all. These plains are private land so you can only enter the plains with a permit. But there is a viewpoint nearby. From here you can see the lakes from a higher perspective and that gives you a good impression of the colorful plains.

The perfect conditions to spot this phenomenon are a high salt concentration in the water, pink algae and heat. These conditions are also the perfect living conditions for flamingos. They often parade around in groups and they completely match with the pink environment. We arrived early at the salt lakes. At that time, the water was not intensely pink. When the sun shines more brightly and the water warms up, the pink color becomes visible.

Spot birds in Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau

The Camargue is known for its beautiful nature and wildlife. The best way to spot the animals up close, is to visit Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau. Many exotic birds live in this park. The narrow, overgrown paths and bird watching huts allow you to photograph the most beautiful (shy) animals unnoticed. We spotted low flying flamingos, the white Camargue horses and beavers, who were floating among the birds.

With a ticket you have access to the park all day long. Check the website of Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau for current prices and opening times.

Visit Aigues-Mortes

Aigues-Mortes is surrounded by walls and gates. You can climb the walls to enjoy the city view. The coolest thing about Aiges-Mortes is that it is located directly at one of the gigantic pink salt lakes Les Salins du Midi. Which you can admire from the top of the walls. The city itself has a cozy center, with cute squares where you can enjoy a lunch break on one of the many terraces. The city is filled with creativity. Take a look at the ateliers and unique boutiques, but be careful because you really want to buy everything.

Discover the Camargue during sunrise

Be sure to set your alarm early. The sunrise in the Camargue is breathtaking. Find a nice open spot to stop and wait for the daylight to come. When the sun starts to rise, the sky turns bright orange and yellow. The animal kingdom awakes, the birds begin to chirp and flocks of birds flying past the horizon. In the endless fields, the white Camargue horses start grazing and the first rays of the sun touch their wild manes. The bulls also begin to moo and cross the fields.

Drive around in Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue

You will come across many beautiful and secret places in the Camargue, such as infinite grain-, sunflower- and rice fields, cute local villages and farms. Despite the fact that there are a few roads through the park – which you can drive through for hours – you do have to know where to find the best spots. If you don’t want to miss one of them, you can download our route with all the pretty spots that are definitely worth a visit.

Let’s Explore the Camargue

Want to experience more of the Camargue? Watch our video of our road trip through the South of France; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybcJMHH5Vjo

Swimming with sea turtles; this is the best place on Curaçao to spot them

08/08/202221/07/2020 by Abel Landsweers

Place to spot wild sea turtles: Playa Grandi

Playa Grandi, better known as Playa Piskado, is a small typical fishing beach in the north of Curaçao. From a distance you can already see the fishing boats floating on the water. When the fishermen return to the beach, they clean their catch of the day. They throw the remains of the fresh fish into the sea. Both large and small sea turtles love this tasty meal and are attracted to it. If you are on Playa Grandi during this moment, there is a good chance to see the sea turtles. Because of the crystal clear water you can already spot them swimming around and occasionally they show themselves on the surface of the water.

Face to face with a sea turtle

It is even more impressive to meet these beautiful animals underwater. Grab your snorkel, drop into the water via the jetty and swim among these beautiful creatures.

Note! The sea turtles that live on Curaçao are critically endangered. So it is a very special experience, but be calm, don’t touch them and respect them in their natural environment.

10 Best things to do & see on the Canary Island Lanzarote, Spain

08/08/202209/06/2020 by Abel Landsweers

1. Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park is a beautiful volcanic area on Lanzarote, home to over 25 volcanic craters. A guide led us to all the breathtaking places in the park. It really looks like a moonscape!

2. Cueva de los Verdes

Lanzarote is beautiful above and below the ground. A mysterious 7 kilometer long cave system is located deep under the island. It was created a few thousand years ago by lava flows and cooled seawater. Today you can explore the first kilometer of the caves with a guide. You discover all the secrets and you end up in a completely different world. Admire the walls of congealed lava in different colors and be amazed by the lava drops hanging from the ceiling. In the lowest parts of the cave – 45 meters below the earth’s surface – you will encounter something very special; a concert hall, how cool! The music sounds extra special, because of the enormous reverberation through the caves.

3. Mirador del Río

Let’s go from the caves to the highest point of Lanzarote. Mirador del Río is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Lanzarote. The viewpoint was designed by César Manrique and is located in the north of the island at an altitude of 485 meters. There is a café with a large balcony that gives you panoramic views of the island La Graciosa and some uninhabited islands. From this point you can also admire the cliff Risco de Famara.

4. Fundacíon César Manrique

César Manrique meant a lot for the charisma on Lanzarote. His masterpieces can be found all over the island. He worked by the concept ‘art in nature’ and with his architectural style, he respects the natural environment. Also, the white houses with green, blue and brown details, the low-rise buildings and the billboard free roads were all his idea.

César Manrique’s house, built in the lava soil, has been turned into a museum and is definitely worth a visit. Through tunnels and stairs you walk through the unique spaces that he has created. In his house you will find large trees, art and a swimming pool.

5. Jameos del Agua

Jameos del Agua is a natural underground lake, where you can have a romantic dinner and spot blind albino lobsters – they normally live in deep waters, so it is unique that you can admire them up close! When you walk out of the cave you arrive at a tropical swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. It is very tempting to take a dip in this clear blue water, but unfortunately this is prohibited.

6. Jardín de Cactus

Jardín de Cactus is a botanical garden full of 6,000 cacti, with 2,000 different species from various countries. As a cactus lover you should definitely visit this place. The garden is also designed by César Manrique, one of the features of his architectural style is that he respects the natural environment. The garden has been laid out in an old quarry, so that all cacti are protected against the strong wind that blows over the island. For an overview of the entire garden, you can climb up to the mill. From here you have a beautiful panoramic view of all cacti.

7. Los Hervideros

When nature creates its own beauty…. This wild rocky area – Los Hervideros – is located in the extreme western part of Lanzarote. The coves are created by the waves splashing against the shore.

8. Lago Verde

Just be sure to stop at Lago Verde. It is a short walk to the crater where you will find a green lake in the crater rim. This color is caused by algae. The contrast of the black sand, red rocks, blue water and the green lake gives a special view.

9. La Geria

La Geria is a wine region in Lanzarote. The wine grapes grow in pits filled with lava stones. The pit protects the grapes from wind and the stones retain water, which allows the wine to be successfully grown and given a unique taste.

10. Casa museo del Campesino

In the middle of Lanzarote stands the huge 15 meter high monument “al Campesino” on a crossing. This statue was designed by César Manrique and pays tribute to the traditions and professions that the inhabitants of the island performed. The museum next to the monument explains the traditions and working methods of the farmers.

6 Things To Do in Rome in 3 Days

09/07/202209/06/2020 by Abel Landsweers

1. Visit the Pantheon

Waking up in Rome was so impressive. Our hotel was perfectly located and every morning when we opened the shutters on the window of our hotel room we looked out over the Pantheon! The Pantheon is one of the best preserved Roman buildings in the world. This church, which first served as a temple, was rebuilt in AD 125 and was dedicated to all gods. You can visit the Pantheon for free. When you enter you will see beautiful statues and a gigantic dome. In the center of the dome is an opening through which rays of light enter the building.

2. Toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain impressed us a lot, because the fountain was much bigger than we thought. We walked through some narrow alleys and suddenly found ourselves in front of the enormous fountain. The Trevi Fountain is without doubt the most visited highlight of Rome, so there are almost always a lot of tourists. So we went back early in the morning to enjoy this gem in peace. It turns out that you are returning to Rome if you turn your back to the fountain and toss a coin into the water with your right hand over your left shoulder. So definitely give it a try, because you want come back to Rome!

3. Admire one of the Seven Wonders of the World; The Colosseum

Most of us will immediately associate Rome with the Colosseum; one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the largest amphitheater in Italy! Where 50.000 visitors enjoyed watching various bloody battles that were held here. These fights were between gladiators (slaves, prisoners, death row inmates), but also between (exotic) animals, free citizens and between humans and animals. The fight usually didn’t end until one of the participants was killed.

The Colosseum was built around AD 70 by order of the Roman Emperor Vespasianus. Ten years later, the opening of the Colosseum was celebrated with hundred days of entertainment and spectacle.

The Colosseum has endured a lot and is still being restored. It was partially destroyed by earthquakes and fires. Some parts are also missing, because components were used for the construction of churches, houses and palaces. Today, you can visit the Colosseum for performances, tours and exhibitions. With an entrance ticket you can enter the Colosseum, inside you see the tribunes and the underground areas, where gladiators prepared for their fight and where the (exotic) animals were kept. It’s bizarre to imagine what has happened here, in nearly 2000 years of history.

4. Go back in time by visiting Forum Romanum

The Roman Forum was the vibrant political, legal and religious center of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, earthquakes and looting have left only remains ruins, such as triumphal arches, parts of temples and the market halls. But it is still impressive to see! If you walk up the hill, you can see the ruins from above. Tip: You can buy cheaper combination tickets online for the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.

5. Stroll over the impressive St. Peter’s Square

Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, is not far from the center of Rome and the St. Peter’s Square is worth a visit. This square will leave you speechless and is surrounded by columns. On the square you can admire fountains, an Egyptian obelisk and one of the largest churches in the world; the Catholic St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope gives his speeches from this church. At that moment the large round square fills up with thousands of people who want to attend his speech.

6. Be amazed by the immense Victor Emmanuel II Monument

In the middle of the Piazza Venezia square is the immense marble Victor Emmanuel II monument. This monument was built in tribute to the first king of Italy and the unification of the country. In the center is a statue of King Victor Emmanuel II. The monument stands out for the high impressive colonnade and statues.

Sunset Sailing on a Catamaran in the waters around Curaçao

08/08/202226/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

Sunset sailing on a catamaran

To experience a perfect evening on the water we definitely recommend booking the Sunset Sailing Trip from BlueFinn Charters. During this 2.5-hour trip you will discover the east side of Curaçao by catamaran. The catamaran sails along Caracasbaai, Fuikbaai and the Spanish Water. The azure blue water, palm trees, beach houses and the beautiful coastline give you tropical vibes.

The Sunset Sailing Trip is an unforgettable experience. The trip with the catamaran is comfortable. There are plenty of spots to relax, on benches, or in nets where you hang above the water. And the enthusiastic and humorous crew wants to give you a carefree time. They tell you everything about life along the waters, prepare delicious drinks and snacks and put on some nice music.

Ultimate enjoyment while the sun goes down

When the sun goes down, the catamaran will anchor. The catamaran now floats over the waves, you can hear the water lapping against the boat. Admire the beautiful view over the red, yellow and orange colored horizon. The glow of the sun reflects off the dancing water. Slowly you see the sun sink into the sea. You think about the moments of happiness you experienced that day. Cheers to another successful day!

When the sun has set, you sail back. On the way back you will be surprised by all the lights you see from the water. From a distance you can hear the music of the beach parties and you sail past the vibrant nightlife of Curaçao.

Tips for 1 Day on Texel, a Wadden Island of The Netherlands

20/08/202224/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

How to travel to Texel

The ferry TESO takes you from Den Helder (province North Holland) to Texel in 20 minutes. You can enter the ferry by car, motorbike, bicycle or on foot. We recommend you to go by car, so that you can see a lot of the Wadden Island and get around easily.

Tip: On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you get a 30% discount on your ferry ticket. You can easily buy a ticket online in advance. It is also possible to buy your ticket at the ticket booth.

Discover the vast nature

The first thing that you will notice when you arrive on Texel is the vast nature. It is a small populated island, so there is more space for animals and nature. You will find a number of nature reserves where you can walk endlessly. Our favorites are:

The Muy. The muy is a dune area with steep slopes and elongated plains. it is the breeding area of a spoonbill colony and you can discover even more beautiful bird species and special vegetation. Also a part of the Muy is grazed by galloways cows. From the Muy it is possible to walk to the Slufter.
The Slurfter. The slufter is directly connected to the North Sea. So only plants that can live on salt water grow here. If there is a storm in the Slufter, a part will be under water. Most of the area is breeding and resting area. But through the southern part there are a number of hiking trails and routes that you can follow.

Spot seals in Ecomare

Seals can be spotted all year round on the sandbanks of Texel. A fun way to see the seals is by taking a boat trip to the sandbanks. Another way to admire the seals up close is by visiting Ecomare. This is a rescue center for injured or weak seals who cannot survive on their own. By buying a ticket you help the seals grow up and recover so that they can be released back at the sandbanks as soon as possible. You can also support Ecomare by donating. We have so much respect for their good work.

Tip: From Ecomare you walk in a few minutes to Strandpaviljoen 17. Here you can enjoy lunch or dinner on the terrace overlooking the beach. There are many vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Cuddle with baby animals on a sheep farm

If you love (baby) animals, you should definitely visit sheep farm Schapenboerderij Texel. They are open daily from mid-February. There is a small entrance fee, but parking, the cuddling with lambs and other activities such as sheep herding demonstrations are included. Also pigs, a donkey, goats, calves, chickens, dogs, ponies, guinea pigs and 25 different sheep breeds, living on the farm.

Admire the icons of Texel

The entire west side of Texel is a beach strip. The Wadden Island has wide beaches on which you can walk for miles. Enjoy the tranquility and the sound of the waves. For the most dreamy sunset you have to go to the lighthouse on the northernmost point of Texel.

In addition to the iconic lighthouse, there is also a beautiful spot in the eastern part of Texel. Here you will find the windmill Het Noorden. This windmill is surrounded by water and a polder landscape. This is really a typical Dutch view.

Visit the cozy villages of Texel

In Texel you will find mainly small, cozy villages with unique boutiques. Local food is served almost everywhere and there are plenty of accommodations to stay overnight. Let’s visit:

💛 Den Burg
💛 Den Hoorn
💛 De Koog
💛 Oosterend
💛 Oudeschild

5x What makes Bruges unique?

08/08/202224/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

1. Unique architecture

The buildings in Bruges are unique and impressive. Every building is different. Thin, thick, high, low, round, angular. You see everything passing by.

2. Medieval vibes

Time has stood still in Bruges. Admire the old buildings, streets and squares and take a look at Burgundian lifestyle. In the Beguinage you will find small white-painted houses and a church, where nuns devote their lives to faith. This is something you see less and less these days. This court is located on the Minnewater, where many swans swim around.

3. One of a kind shops

Bruges has many one of a kind shops. The special thing about these shops is that they are very transparent and show how chocolate, warm waffles, beer and clothing are made. You can watch how beautiful handmade works of art are made from Belgian chocolate. The other advantage is that you can have everything made to your own liking. This way you can compose your own warm waffle. How about waffle with strawberry, banana, chocolate and whipped cream?! If you are a real beer lover you really should visit the bottle shop, which sells more than 600 special beers!! Heaven.

4. Venice of the North

Bruges is also known as the Venice of the North. The city has a lot of canals that go throughout the city. A fun way to discover Bruges is by a cruise. There are many options for a boat trip to see the city in a different way.

5. Cozy & homely Bruges

Bruges is especially very cozy. The atmosphere is pleasant, the people are very friendly and the city feels safe. There are many terraces where people are having fun.

3 Tips for Your Visit to the Popular Hallstatt, Austria

09/08/202224/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

1. Set your alarm early to avoid mass tourism

Hallstatt is often considered one of the most beautiful villages in Austria. And we totally get that. It’s magical, idyllic and it looks like a postcard! The fog clouds hanging over the village that day made it mysterious and we were super excited to explore Hallstatt. The houses are built against a steep rock mountain and the village is surrounded by high mountains and a green-blue lake, the Hallstättersee. Unfortunately, Hallstatt’s beauty also has a downside. The small village is overrun by tourists. If you want to avoid them and experience how Hallstatt can be itself for a while, you really need to get there early.

Many day trips to Hallstatt are organised. So make sure you have discovered most of the town before 10am. Then the first tourists arrive by tour bus or boat. We arrived in Hallstatt around 8:30 am, so we had enough time to discover the village. Hallstatt wakes up, slowly all the shops are opening and the locals get ready for another busy day. The advantage of arrive early is that you can enjoy the beautiful viewpoints. You can also spot all kinds of animals who only pay attention to you. Charming swans like to follow you and cats come to cuddle.

2. Go by car

In the past, you could only reach Hallstatt by boat, but later a road has been built and you can reach it easily and quickly by car. Therefore, visit Hallstatt early by car. Then you still have a spot in the parking lot that is only a 5 to 10 minute walk away.

3. Respect the rules of the residents of Hallstatt

The village is so small and in proportion there are way too many tourists who visit Hallstatt on a daily basis, so try to inconvenience the residents of Hallstatt as little as possible. For example respect their rules and don’t fly your drone.

The visible turbulent history of Berlin, the capital of Germany

08/08/202224/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

Differences between East and West Berlin

You can still see how East and West Berlin have developed separately from each other. The economy in the east is still lagging behind of the west. In the east, infrastructure was in a bad state and unemployment was high. After the fall of the wall, a lot of money has been invested in modernizing the roads, bridges and other infrastructure, which now looks even better than the West side.

Border crossing Checkpoint Charlie

During the division of Germany, a heavily guarded border ran through the center of the country. Berlin was also divided in two parts. To prevent people from fleeing between East and West Berlin, the 45.1-kilometer-long Berlin Wall was built on the night of August 13, 1961. One of the best known checkpoints was Checkpoint Charlie. This was the only border crossing where foreigners could travel to East Berlin. After the fall of the wall, Checkpoint Charlie is disbanded. A few years later, a replica was made of the guard house, showing the border crossing between East and West Berlin.

The Holocaust Memorial

The Holocaust Memorial was built in memory of the more than 6 million murdered European Jews during the Second World War. The Jews in the concentration camps felt the emotions of loneliness, powerlessness, disorientation, isolation and despair. They did not know what awaited them, where they were and how to escape from the terrible situation. The thought behind the design of the memorial is to evoke these emotions. As you walk deeper into the monument, through the narrow sloping paths between the 2700 uneven gigantic concrete blocks, you are cut off from the outside world and you get the feeling that you can no longer find a way out.

Remnants of the Berlin wall – East Side Gallery

The division of the city is clearly visible through the remnants of the Berlin Wall. The East Side Gallery is a 1316 meter long wall, which has been painted by artists. These artists expressed their view on freedom and political issues on the wall. Each work has a different approach. You can visit the world’s largest open air gallery for free.

The iconic Trabant

In the time of the GDR, the Trabant dominated the street scene in eastern Berlin. You can rent these iconic oldtimers to discover the best sights of Berlin. You see them crossing through the city a lot. They excist in all kinds colors and really stand out!

6 Most impressive buildings in Prague, Czech Republic

08/08/202224/05/2020 by Abel Landsweers

1. Astronomic Clock Tower

Old Town Square is the busiest part of Prague. This is mainly due to the Astronomical Clock Tower (the Old Town Hall). The clockwork comes into action every hour. The doors above the clock open and Jesus and his apostles appear. You can admire the historic halls of the town hall and climb the bell tower. From here you have a beautiful view over the city. You can also get a closer look at the apostles from the inside of the tower.

2. Petrin Tower

In about 10 minutes, the funicular takes you to the top of the 318-meter hill of Petrin Park. Here you can admire the Petrin Tower, more commonly known as the Prague Eiffel Tower. You get the feeling that you are in Paris for a while. The 64-meter high tower was originally a watchtower, but now you can climb it and see Prague from above.

3. Tyn Church

In our opinion, you will find the most impressive church in Prague on the Old Town Square. With two gigantic black spires, the Tyn church immediately stands out. If you want to have an impressive view of the Tyn church (right photo), you can climb the bell tower.

4. Powder Tower

The dark Powder Tower is gigantic. It is one of the old watchtowers that functioned as a city gate. We suddenly came across it when we got lost in the narrow alleys. So it made a big impression on us. The Tower can be found on nám. Republiky 5, 110 00 Staré Město.

5. Dancing House

This glass building is unique and we have never seen anything like it before. The modern style in which the Dancing House is built makes this building different from the other buildings in Prague. The Dancing House owes its name to the wavy lines and graceful construction, which makes it look like it is dancing.

6. Jerusalem Synagogue

Unlike the other buildings, this synagogue is very colorful. It is therefore a nice eye catcher and you will certainly not pass by here. The Synagoge locates on Jeruzalémská 1310/7

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