Work With Me
Turning miles into meaning
Through my work in the travel industry, including my time at Club Med and KLM, I’ve been fortunate to explore many destinations around the world. But for me, travel has always been about more than simply visiting a place. It’s about the people you meet, the food you taste, the stories you discover and those small moments you remember long after you’ve returned home.
Since publishing my first travel story in 2025, things have moved quickly. What started as a love for travel and writing has opened the door to wonderful publications, collaborations and new opportunities.
I write about travel, culture, art, gastronomy, unique stays and authentic local experiences, always looking beyond the obvious highlights to discover what gives a place its character. Through engaging storytelling and useful information, I bring destinations and experiences to life, capturing their atmosphere and the soul of a place.
I bring my enthusiasm for travel into my writing, sparking curiosity and inspiring readers to see a destination differently, discover something new and experience it for themselves.
My work has been featured on platforms such as OnePlanetJourney, Les Couleurs du Monde, Triptalk.nl, and Reisleven.nl, reaching both Dutch travellers and an international audience.
I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next, and to keep turning miles into meaning.
Let's talk numbers
Explore my media kit and the platforms I write for, including their audience and reach. These resources provide a clear overview of my work, publications and the Dutch and international audiences we can reach together
Author Profiles & Publications
✍️ Reisleven.nl
Contributing Travel Writer | Sharing personal journeys with a strong focus on authentic experiences, slow travel, food culture, and colorful storytelling.
✍️ Triptalk.nl
Contributing Travel Writer | Published multiple times with inspiring travel features that bring destinations to life through engaging and accessible storytelling.
✍️ OnePlanetJourney.com
One Planet Journey Ambassador | Travel Writer | Creating in-depth travel stories focused on mindful exploration, cultural connection, sustainability, and local perspectives.
Contributing Travel Writer | I specialize in uncovering hidden places, cultural soul, and unique landscapes, from the Netherlands to destinations across Europe and beyond. Through my work for Les Couleurs du Monde magazine, I share meaningful stories that capture the essence of slow travel, authentic experiences, and remarkable places.
Current Projects, Press Trips & Partnerships
Analogica Group, Portugal | PR & Communications Agency
Started in March 2026 - ongoing partnership
Partnering with Analogica Group, a communications agency representing some of Portugal’s most prestigious hotel collections, I traveled from North to South Portugal to document heritage properties, gastronomy, culture, and hidden destinations.
The collaboration resulted in a multi-article editorial series published across multiple platforms, featuring luxury hospitality, regional storytelling, and cultural experiences across Portugal, with many more properties and destinations still to be explored as part of the ongoing partnership.
Selected features for Analogica Group
Explore editorial features on these hotels:
👉 Published on Reisleven.nl, TripTalk.nl & One Planet Journey.com
Koptekst 3What Partners Say
What Partners Say:
"I really like the way it is written, I genuinely transports us to the place. A big thank you from Portugal."
Salvador Holstein
Sales & Marketing | Hotel Casa Palmela
"Thank you so much for including Hotel Casa Palmela in your beautiful selection. It was a pleasure to be part of your journey through Portugal. We truly appreciate your thoughtful storytelling and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable stay "
Once Upon a Time
"Thank you so much for including Pacheca Group and Hotel Quinta da Pacheca in this beautiful selection. Portugal truly has so many special places to discover, and we are very happy to see the Douro and our wine tourism experience highlighted among such inspiring stays. Thank you for sharing our story with your readers."
Hotel Quinta da Pacheca
Pacheca Group
"Great to have you onboard. You set a great example in your travels of how to see wonderful places in a deep way."
"Yes, I always like your articles. You follow the guidelines well, and understand how to write engaging content for readers. Plus you feature interesting locations, often off the beaten track like this one.
Richard Lindberg
"We are so happy to have you again in our magazine, Ilse"
Cindy D'houst | Chief editor
Les Couleurs du Monde Magazine
"Hi Ilse! Thank you, I have read the article and it's reallly great. I love how it reads, like a story from a book."
Joana Sousa | Communication Account
Analogica Group
Wow, great publicity! Really well written too.
Hans van der Klis
Writer | Editor
This is amazing, and thank you Ilse for the incredible write up and for coming to stay with us!
Stephanie | Owner
Basecamp 37 Utah
BrandChoice, Portugal | Hotel Communications Agency
September 2026
I collaborated with BrandChoice, a Portuguese PR agency specialising in hotel communications. They represent a curated portfolio of hotels across Portugal, from historic estates to contemporary luxury retreats.
From 5–11 September 2026, I travelled through Portugal to experience several of their properties, with a focus on distinctive stays, local gastronomy, wine and immersive travel experiences.
The trip has resulted in editorial coverage across several platforms, including Reisleven.nl, OnePlanetJourney.com and Les Couleurs du Monde magazine.
Visit Portugal
September–October 2026
Porto & North Portugal
Invited by Visit Portugal, I joined an exclusive press trip through Porto & North Portugal from September 28 to October 2, 2026.
The journey focused on sustainable tourism, cultural heritage and outdoor adventure, taking me through Alto Minho, Ponte de Lima, Guimarães — European Green Capital 2026 — and the Arouca UNESCO Geopark.
From historic stays and local traditions to outdoor experiences and regional gastronomy, the trip offered a different perspective on Northern Portugal.
A dedicated travel feature will be published in TripTalk Magazine’s December-January issue, with additional editorial coverage across my other platforms.
TM Marketing UK | France
Dordogne & Limousin, France
October 2026
An upcoming luxury road trip through Southwest France in collaboration with TM Marketing UK, featuring a curated collection of historic châteaux, refined gastronomy, immersive culinary experiences and authentic regional storytelling across the Dordogne and Limousin regions.
The itinerary will include visits to three exceptional properties from the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection, offering a closer look at their heritage, hospitality, unique character and culinary excellence.
Editorial coverage and feature articles across multiple platforms will follow after the trip.
Media & Press Events
August 2026
I participate in media events to connect with travel brands, discover industry developments, and create meaningful connections within the travel community.
Holland America Line Media Event – Zuiderdam, Rotterdam
Invited by Lieb Management, I joined an exclusive media event aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam in Rotterdam. The visit included a behind-the-scenes ship tour, insights into the cruise line’s latest developments, and the opportunity to connect with the team and fellow travel professionals.
Read the article: A First Look Behind the Scenes at Holland America Line
Hotel New York · Rotterdam
Press Stay · 7–8 November 2026
A press stay featuring breakfast, fine dining, a hotel tour highlighting the history of the Holland-America Line, and a water taxi experience. I look forward to discovering the story behind this iconic place and sharing the unique atmosphere, experiences and culinary side of Hotel New York through my travel stories.
Editorial coverage and feature articles across multiple platforms will follow after the trip.
Featured Editorial | Évora, Alentejo
Évora: Wandering Through the Historic Heart of the Alentejo
In this feature, I take readers through the historic heart of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city and European Capital of Culture 2027, where Roman ruins, medieval streets and centuries-old architecture bring the past to life. Beyond the city walls, I also explore the surrounding Alentejo countryside, combining culture and gastronomy with unique stays at Cenoura-Brava and Convento do Espinheiro, a beautifully restored 15th-century monastery.
From wandering Évora’s cobbled streets to discovering local flavours and special places to stay, this story offers inspiration for experiencing a different side of Portugal’s Alentejo.
Featured Editorial | Les Couleurs du Monde
Ameland: Discover the Hidden Island Paradise of the Netherlands
In this comprehensive feature for Les Couleurs du Monde, I explore the serene beauty of the Dutch Wadden Islands. From the rhythmic tides of the UNESCO World Heritage site to the local craftsmanship of Ameland’s mustard mills, this article captures the 'slow travel' essence of the island. It’s a perfect example of how I combine practical travel tips with evocative storytelling to inspire a conscious, global audience.
Read my featured article on Les Couleurs du Monde magazine.
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Featured Editorial | Les Couleurs du Monde
Amsterdam: Discover the Hidden Oases of the Canal Belt
In this comprehensive feature for Les Couleurs du Monde, I explore the serene silence hidden behind the grand façades of Amsterdam’s busiest canals. From the perfectly manicured hedges of historic museum gardens to the private, lush oases of local residents, this article captures the 'slow travel' heart of the city. It is a perfect example of how I combine practical discovery with evocative storytelling to reveal a world that remains invisible to most visitors.
Read my featured article on Les Couleurs du Monde magazine.
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Featured Editorial | Les Couleurs du Monde
Setúbal: Beyond Portugal's Familiar Coast
For Les Couleurs du Monde, I take readers beyond Portugal's well-known destinations to discover Setúbal, a place where fishing traditions, fresh seafood, unspoiled beaches and the Arrábida Natural Park create an unforgettable travel experience.
By combining immersive storytelling with practical travel inspiration, this feature encourages readers to slow down and experience one of Portugal's most authentic coastal regions.
Editorial | Italië Quizboek
When a Book Becomes the Beginning of a Journey
Travel books can inspire long before a trip begins. For Reisleven, I reviewed Italië Quizboek by Hans van der Klis, transforming a traditional book review into an engaging travel feature.
Rather than writing a conventional book review, I highlighted how its stories, cultural insights and surprising facts encourage readers to explore Italy with fresh curiosity. The result is an editorial that combines storytelling, destination inspiration and SEO-driven content while showcasing the value of travel publishing.
This feature reflects the type of editorial work I create for publishers, tourism brands and travel-related businesses looking for authentic, inspiring content.
Read my featured review on Reisleven.
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Let’s create new stories together. Whether you have a question about one of my journeys, want to share a spot you love, or are interested in a guest blog or professional collaboration: I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message and let’s connect!
