Seek and find
You'll want to know these tips and tricks before you board the plane
One of the biggest pitfalls of traveling so much is being lax in your preparation. Too lax. That's why it's happened to me a few times now that we look at each other, somewhat startled, only to simultaneously ask, "Huh, do you need a visa?" HELP! Last year, I even had to rebook an entire trip because applying for a visa for China wasn't going so smoothly. Next time, I would definitely get this visa through a specialized agency. I also made a mistake once in my ESTA application for New York. Luckily, I double-checked everything before going to Schiphol, just to be sure, and I was able to quickly reapply.
I can still see myself, bright red from running and rushing, boarding the plane for the domestic flight to Phu Quoc.
A country where these kinds of last-minute emergency arrangements are much harder to arrange is Vietnam. And there too, team yourlbb once managed to get notified that we had to return to Hong Kong. I can still see myself flushed from all the running and rushing to board the plane for the domestic flight to Phu Quoc. We made it just in time! That's why this blog post from the Vietnam Travel Guide offers 9 tips and tricks to keep in mind when it comes to your Vietnam visa.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER! Are you also longing for warmer weather and secretly itching to book a weekend getaway on the Dutch coast ☀️? I certainly am! That’s why today I have a tip for 24 LOVELY BEACH HOTELS AND HOMES BY THE BETWEEN.
Save this post, or comment STRANDHOTEL and you will receive the complete list of all the gems directly via DM. Enjoy the weekend!
#beachhotels #housebythesea #netherlands #northhollandzeeland
𝟭𝟲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘀 🌮
Are you going classic with carne asada & salsa verde, or do you prefer something a little different, like birria for dipping or tempura mushroom with salsa negra!?
In this guide, you'll find my favorite taco hotspots in Amsterdam, including a must-try tip for every spot 🍴
📍 @masmais.taqueria (West)
🌮 Favorite: tuna tostada & sea bass ceviche
Perfect if you love Mexican food with a focus on seafood, great cocktails, and a laid-back cantina vibe. It feels like being in Mexico for a moment, right in Amsterdam West.
📍 @tacos.lasinaloense (Ten Katemarkt & Albert Cuypmarkt)
🌮 Favorite: create your own taco & go all in on salsa
Street-style tacos the way they're meant to be: handmade tortillas, slow-cooked steaks, and choosing your own spice level.
📍 @madre.amsterdam (Jordaan)
🌮 Favorite: birria quesatacos & tempura mushroom tacos
A plant-based Mexican restaurant that proves just how flavorful vegetarian food can be. Comfort food with a twist, and perfect for sharing.
📍 @bacalar.amsterdam (North)
🌮 Favorite: octopus taco
Still one of my favorites in Noord, with a great terrace too. Raw setting, huge on flavor. Weekend lunch here is my favorite! Definitely ask for the specials.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 you'll find the complete guide with the 16 best taco spots in Amsterdam.
Do you have a taco spot I really need to try?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam restaurant guides, travel guides & the best things to do on the weekends.
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟴, 𝟵 & 𝟭𝟬
This weekend is packed with markets, food events and lots of good excuses to spend the entire weekend out and about in Amsterdam.
From the free @oatly Matcha Strawberry Signature Drink and limited edition bag charm launch at @binibakery to Het Hapjesfestijn in Noord and the Creative Lab Summer Pop-Up at Klaproos & Café Soleil.
Plus, there are lots of fun Mother's Day ideas in this new guide, from brunches to the @ladress summer sale and 50% discount tickets for a concert at @concertgebouw.
Also very in the mood for the North Seafood BBQ at @nikotin.restobar
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 76 hotspots, events and 19 kid-proof tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, matcha, a long lunch or trying a new hotspot?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
#yourlbbcollab #oatly
Come with me to get breakfast in Taipei 🥢
Straight from the airport to this little place to taste soup dumplings and so much more! That's what I call a soft landing 😉 <3
In Taipei, you go to a Soy Milk Shop for breakfast. Warm soy milk to eat in a bowl, and steam baskets with the tastiest dumplings and baozi. You can really wake me up for this kind of breakfast. These local breakfast spots come in all shapes and sizes, from Michelin-recommended spots to hole-in-the-wall stalls.
Most soy milk shops open early (and sometimes even 24 hours a day), and these are the dishes you want to try:
🥄 Warm soy milk
🥢 Soup dumplings (you can often choose between pork and veggies)
🥢 Pork baozi
🥢 Youtiao (油條 - a kind of fried donut stick)
🥢 Youtiao (油條) w/ pork floss & rice
🥢 Turnip cake
🥢 Chives pancake
🥢 Scallion pancake
TIP: Sharing is a good idea to taste as much as possible, because the portions are (often) large.
You'll want to remember these soy milk shops for your future trip to Taipei:
📍Fuhang Soy Milk
📍Soy Milk Shop
📍Yong He Soya Milk King (Da'an)
📍Sihai Soy Milk
I am currently touring Taiwan, and you can also find all the tips in my Stories Highlight.
Have you ever been to Taiwan? I'm curious if you thought it was *that* amazing!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
#taipeifood #taipeitravel #TaiwanWavesOfWonder #ExperienceTaiwan @taiwantoerisme #presstrip
{ In this Taiwan Travel Guide video, I share my favorite breakfast spots in Taipei for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast }
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟯𝟬 + 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭, 𝟮 & 𝟯
HELLO first weekend of May!
From a brand-new rooftop beach in Oost to vintage treasure hunting at IJ-Hallen, Italian market mornings, new restaurants and lots of May holiday plans for families.
Also on my radar this weekend:
📍 East Beach
📍 Café Pigalle
📍 Sassy's
📍 HORTA
📍 Bar Copa
📍 Amour Amer
📍 Café Felix
📍 Chez Chloé
And yes, market season is fully back. Sunday Market, IJ-Hallen, NoordOogst and Zi Camì Market… where to start?
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 85 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… markets, terraces, new hotspots or something fun with the kids?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in The Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away.
During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies, where there is plenty to do.
• A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea.
· Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round.
· Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting.
Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold right now, but there is plenty to do.
• The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!).
Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
HELLO WEEKEND!
A short note, but a very packed Amsterdam Weekend Guide online with 76 tips for Kingsday, Kingsnight, new restaurants, kidsproof May holiday activities and everything in between.
Comment WEEKEND and I'll send you the full guide in your DM.
Cheers from Spain, where I will celebrate with orange wine from Priorat ✌🏼🧡.
✖️✖️✖️
@anne_de_buck
The most important things to do are done by the community through this Nederland and in Amsterdam?
The May holidays have begun, and that means: quality time with the kids. From creative workshops and fun playgrounds to new museums, kid-friendly festivals, and adventures in nature.
On 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲, you will find two comprehensive guides with more than 50 tips! Believe me, you won't be bored anymore ;-).
Take all tips via the line in my bio. Have fun!
I'm curious: what do you have planned for this holiday?
PS: We are doing a road trip from Barcelona to Valencia this year and you can travel along via stories.
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭𝟲, 𝟭𝟳, 𝟭𝟴 & 𝟭𝟵
Your Amsterdam weekend, sorted. 🖤
Baby lambs, spring markets, new restaurant openings and more events not to miss, this week's Amsterdam Weekend Guide is packed.
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 81 tips straight to your DMs.
Have fun making plans!
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
| PS: Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in the Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
PUUR YONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer.
Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese.
I spent the whole evening reading and flipping through the pages.
WHAT A BOOK.
What stories.
WHAT AN ODE.
Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being.
Everything passes by, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert.
With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043.
Thanks for the lovely afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚
PURE JONNIE,
From 14 April
at your local bookstore
(and online)
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢
@tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality.
It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3.
In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds.
Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
{ one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }
𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟵, 𝟭𝟬, 𝟭𝟭 & 𝟭𝟮
This is one of those weekends that's packed with cool events!
Catch the last cherry blossoms, hunt for vintage treasures or feast on oysters.
💬 Comment 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 and I'll send you the full Amsterdam Weekend Guide with 71 tips straight to your DMs.
What's your vibe this weekend… vintage, culture, markets or a new hotspot?
✖️✖️✖️
🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Follow @yourlbb for the best Amsterdam hotspots, new restaurants, weekend tips and travel inspiration in the Netherlands and beyond. Only Amsterdam tips? Then check out @yourlbb.amsterdam.
9 tips & tricks for a Vietnam visa
- You need a visa for Vietnam. It's wise to arrange this immediately after booking your ticket. Would you rather arrange the visa first and then book your ticket? That's also possible, but you'll need to have booked your first night's stay. Vietnam visa is a permit to travel to and enter Vietnam.
- When I traveled to Vietnam in 2017, I still had to apply for a visa on arrival. This meant I had to apply for a visa approval letter in advance, which I then had to queue in Vietnam to actually receive the visa. Not only did we wait for almost three hours, but when it was our turn, something was wrong with the letter (always triple-check your date of birth!), and we were threatened with having to return to Hong Kong to wait for a new visa letter. "Luckily," they could issue a new approval letter on the spot for just $100. Which, given the lack of other options, was a welcome change at the time.
- Do you want a apply for a visa for VietnamSince January 2018, you can complete your entire visa application from the Netherlands. And I can recommend this from experience. You'll have more certainty of entering the country without any problems, unlike with a visa on arrival. Cost-wise, it's often even cheaper to arrange everything in the Netherlands. Your visa will cost €39,95.
- All travelers must have their own visa. So, for example, if you're traveling with a one-year-old baby who has their own passport, you'll also need a separate visa for the baby.
- The easiest way to apply for a Vietnam visa is online. Once approved, the visa will be emailed to you, and you can print it out and take it with you on your trip to Vietnam.
- Do you need your Vietnam visa urgently and within a few days? You can submit an expedited application. However, there are no guarantees that the visa will be issued on time.
- When applying for the visa, your passport must be valid for 30 days longer than the last day the visa is valid.
- With the visa, you can't simply enter the country through any airport. Larger cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, for example, are among those where this is possible. Here you will find all cities and ports where you can enter Vietnam with a visa.
- Want to know more about applying for a Vietnam visa? You can also watch the video below.
APPLY HERE FOR YOUR VIETNAM VISA
PSSSST... you can find more (travel) tips in my books!
- Feed Your Wanderlust – Travel Guide for a bohemian lifestyle
- staycation – 22 guides and shortlists for a holiday close to home
- Wanderlust – Urban Travel Style Guide
- The Amsterdam City Guide (Dutch) & The Amsterdam City Guide (English)
Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
Discover more tips in the
Vietnam Little Black Book
Click here
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