Author Profile: Marcella Van Alphen

Carcassonne is a marvel of the Middle-Ages: an entire city completely fortified with its narrow cobblestoned medieval streets, its imposing castle, and gothic...   view more

Fresh basil, peaches, melons, figs, nectarines, tomatoes, lavender, thyme, olives… All these scents enter my nose as we walk through the colourful and authentic market of Cour Lafayette in the city centre of...   view more

I am standing on the hornet’s nest, the Bidouane Tower that 323 years ago was filled with gunpowder making it a target for the English and Dutch...   view more

The mist is hiding the goal of our pilgrimage, one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage sites of my time, the marvel dedicated to the archangel Michael, the leader of the army of God against the forces of the...   view more

If Friday is the busiest day because of the goat market and auction, a centennial old tradition in Nizwa, it is also when tour guides followed by their flocks of tourists outnumber...   view more

When Oman converted to Islam peacefully and by faith in the 8th century, the idea to create a true Muslim state was paramount, and prior to today’s sultanate, the Imamate was ruling the...   view more

Most visitors check Delft out on a Keukenhof day trip, spending only a few hours in the city. Shame! Lovely Delft has a lot to offer beyond its Market Square, Vermeer Centrum and must-visit Royal Delft earthenware...   view more

It looks so easy. It is just a small circle in a corner. But at that moment when my brush reaches a sort of inflexion point and its hairs suddenly switch side, it all goes wrong and I break the regular...   view more

The third city of Norway, and the first significant one in the North, Trondheim remains rather small and easy to discover over a couple of...   view more

Walk in the footsteps of the founder of Norway and let Saint Olaf, the Viking chief who Christianized and united Norway into one kingdom, be your guide in Trondheim and its beautiful surrounding region of...   view more

With still mainly organic ingredients cultivated by small scale farmers from the low Amazon basin to the high Andes, the wide variety of microclimates offers Bolivian chefs the perfect opportunity to present their unique flavors to the world. Whether prepared innovatively or traditionally, all are crafted with the utmost pride and reflect the different cultural heritages of the country in the following top 5 restaurants that you must try in La...   view more

Sometimes referred to as the Venice of the East, Bangkok is shaped by the Chao Praya River that is connected by a large network of canals. On most of them, water buses shaped as very long long-tail boats run constantly. Used mostly by locals, they are a fun and efficient way of getting...   view more

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the ideal prelude to any trip to Bolivia with its rather low altitude, tropical savanna climate, and plenty of history, culture, and nature to explore within easy reach of Bolivia’s fastest growing city. Another upside: this secret gem is off the tourist...   view more

Gin, a spirit with a rich history dating back to the Middle-Ages, has experienced a remarkable rebirth in recent years, captivating palates with its diverse flavours and botanical blends. Let us delve into its intriguing past, explore some notable distilleries, craft our own and savour its nuances through expert tastings to learn more about this versatile drink. Join us on a journey through the world of gin in Cape Town, South Africa – world’s second largest gin...   view more