Welcome!

I’m Eline

a.k.a @explore.with.eline

Hi, how nice that you found your way here!

I’m Eline — a Dutch girl born and raised, now living in the middle of the forest in a small village called Ermelo, the Netherlands. By day, I work full-time as a laboratory analyst in the pharmaceutical industry. But beyond the lab, my heart belongs to travel, photography and discovering beautiful places on this earth.

I’ve been bitten by the travel bug for many years. I love discovering and photographing beautiful places, whether they are far away or closer to home, in nature or a city, a tourist hotspot or a hidden gem—I’m always on the lookout for unique spots to find and share.

Over the years, I’ve shared my adventures on Instagram, combining my love for travel and aesthetic storytelling. But with the fast-paced nature of social media algorithms, I felt the need for a more permantent space where I could dive deeper. That’s why I started this blog — to create a little corner of the internet where I can share travel guides, hidden gems, helpful tips, and beautiful places worth visiting.

Whether you’re planning your next trip, looking for travel inspiration, or just love dreamy destinations — I hope you’ll find something here that sparks your wanderlust.

Thanks for stopping by ♡

“Never stop exploring”

Explore the Blog

Get to Know Me

coffee order

Chai Latte with oatmilk

favorite destination

Greece

always in my carryon

Waterbottle and my Camera

AIRBNB or hotel?

boutique hotel

On my bucket list

Iceland & Japan

Guilty pleasure

Hands Off My Chocolate

Window or aisle?

window

currently binging

Love is Blind

FAQ

As a European, I love traveling around Europe — there are just so many diverse and interesting places packed into one small continent! From the dreamy islands of Greece to the majestic Alps, and historic cities full of stunning architecture, there’s always something new to discover.

I also have a soft spot for Arabic influenced culture — I absolutely love the architecture, the atmosphere, and of course, the food! The Middle East always draws me in with its rich colors, spices, and beautiful details.

I’m very fortunate to be able to afford my travels by working full-time and prioritizing travel in my budget. I earn a fairly average Dutch salary, but ever since I started working, I’ve chosen to spend a big part of my savings on travel — it’s what makes me happiest!

It also helps that I share both living and travel expenses with my husband, as we usually travel together. We don’t have kids, which gives us more flexibility (and keeps the costs lower), and we’re pretty good at finding affordable ways to explore the world. For example on longer trips we like to have accomodation with a kitchen so we don’t have to go out to eat three times a day.

As a European, I’m lucky to have a generous amount of vacation days. At my current job, I get 30 days of paid leave per year — that’s about six weeks off!

I also make the most of public holidays, especially in spring when we have quite a few in the Netherlands. By planning trips around long weekends and national holidays, I can extend my travels without using up extra vacation days.

It’s all about smart planning and making travel a priority!

I definitely recommend taking an online course to get started — especially if you’re new to blogging or content creation. Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable have lots of options.

I personally took a course by Cristina Galbato, which was incredibly helpful (though unfortunately, it’s no longer available). Other great creators offering blogging or content creation courses include The Professional Traveler and The Creator Passport. There are so many useful resources out there these days!

If you’re not ready to invest money just yet, no worries — there are also plenty of free resources available, like YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and blog posts. The most important thing is to just get started, stay consistent, and learn as you go!

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a few amazing brands, and I’m always open to new collaborations — as long as they align with my values and audience. Whether it’s travel, lifestyle, photography, or content creation, I love teaming up on creative projects that inspire others.

If you’re interested in working together, feel free to reach out via my [contact page] or send an email to elinefijlstra@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Where are you off to Next?

Road trips
City Trips
Hidden gems