Act like a local in 7 steps

I have indeed been to Ibiza many times, but take me to a breathtakingly beautiful cove with a small restaurant where the linen is on the tables and the rosé softly whispers my name and I have the word ‘tourist’ tattooed on my forehead in a second. Time for some extra lessons in the mission to be seen as a local and not as a tourist.

Don't be impressed

Don't take photos of those beautifully rolled towels and the overflowing lemon tree. No, not even of the tub with fresh lobsters and that cutest little cove where a small boat is swinging. Act like it’s all normal.

Don't ask for the wifi code

Once, Lies and I managed to chat our way into the Soho House rooftop in New York, but when we, as Insta-junkies, asked for the wifi code, we of course got caught. I mean; a local knows the code. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Know the menu

You come here daily, at least, that's what you pretend. You can dream that menu. Tip; check it out online beforehand and ask what the catch of the day is. Shake the waiter's hand and act like he’s one of your best mates. He will play along. The customer is king, after all.

Bring a dog

A dog might just be your most important local asset. Especially a big one, which you can't easily take on the plane. A dog and a very small bag (because you live around the corner so you don’t need to drag along tourist gear) are your most important items.

Leave the kids at home

They will betray you in a second. Some time ago, I went shopping in Amsterdam with my girls. We moved to Haarlem because it was easier with kids. For old times‘ sake, we got on tram 2, where my middle daughter immediately shouted very loudly: ‘Wow, how fast is this going? We don’t have that in Haarlem.”