Arda: "Since we handed over the management of Van der Valk Hotel Cuijk-Nijmegen a few years ago, we regularly take trips together. Previously, we rarely took the time for this because we had a busy life due to the work in the hotel and our four children. Coincidentally, we just returned from a trip to Italy. We picked olives with family members in Umbria, which we try to do every year."

Fred: ‘I much prefer driving to flying. With the car, you come across something along the way. We like to choose "the detour." We do set the navigation, but we avoid highways. Enjoy cruising through the countryside and then stopping at a local restaurant.’

Arda: 'That way, you end up in surprising, non-touristic places. We then like to have a chat with the locals or other travelers. Such conversations are very valuable. We also visit small villages and natural areas. Sometimes during a stopover, we meet someone who points us to another beautiful place, and then we go there. That serendipity makes it so enjoyable.'

Fred: ‘When we were on our way to our daughter in Austria, we spontaneously visited a friend who was on a walking tour to Rome. We sent a message to see if he was busy. Then we had a wonderful meal together in Germany. Such moments are memories for life.

NEVER ARGUE

Arda: 'I have a passion for wines and am a vinologist, which is why we regularly make trips to wineries. We have often driven to France and Spain. Just last summer to La Rioja in northern Spain. It's amazing to get a tour from a winemaker who speaks with great enthusiasm. I choose the best wines and have them delivered, because those boxes don't fit in the convertible!'

Fred: 'I enjoy our convertible the most. If it's not too cold, the top comes off right away, wonderful! The first convertible we had, a Renault Floride Cabriolet, I got through a friend. I had to tinker with it a lot, but I immediately found it fun. That's how I accidentally discovered a new hobby. By now, I can fix a lot myself when something is broken.'

Arda: 'Fortunately, we have rarely been stopped due to a breakdown. Once the car broke down, we continued in a replacement car, and then the diesel froze. We were at a standstill again! We always remain calm then, those kinds of things are part of it. Our division of tasks is clear: Fred drives, I navigate. Sometimes I'm wrong, but then we just take the next exit.

TOUCAN TOUR

Fred: 'We have already made many beautiful trips. It's difficult to choose which trip was the most beautiful, but I was very impressed by the Lake District in England and the coastal route in Scotland.'

Arda: ‘Every trip is special. This winter, we're going again with a group to the North Cape. You also drive parts of the way there by car over ice, which is water in another season. Along the way, you see reindeer and moose, which I find very impressive.'

Fred: ‘Fun fact, every year a Tour du Toucan is organized. Family members then ride one after the other along a route to a number of Van der Valk hotels. It is always very enjoyable.’

Arda: 'Road trips give us the feeling of freedom. It's great to make these trips with Fred. We can drive for hours on end and enjoy. Honestly, we find the journey more important than the destination!'