Thank god it’s summer
josselin bijl
Summer, when does it start for you?
‘Yes, then we immediately start with the toughest question. For me, summer really begins in November. We haven't booked anything yet, but usually we go on vacation just then to cross off winter as quickly as possible. And preferably, I also include Christmas, because then I don't have to experience all that hysteria and stress. Actually, I see the beautiful days here in the country as a kind of warm-up to get going, and I just carry that low-key feeling through to the end of the year. And then on repeat. Just give me that all year round,’ summer.’
And what is going to happen this summer? Vacation?
‘Well, not much exciting during the summer. I guess I'll often be sitting on terraces and sipping the wine list dry instead of lying like a sardine on the beach in Zandvoort. And I hope to invite myself again to people with gardens for a summer barbecue,’ ’(I have a balcony myself, so I'll take care of the wine and desserts) and furthermore, I have really resolved to rent a boat more often this summer. I find that the ultimate vacation feeling in my own country. And if I really, really miss a plane heading to the sun, then I'll book a city trip somewhere. To my sister, for example, in Spain. That is of course very tempting.’
Where should everyone go this summer?
‘I would love to talk everyone into a trip to Australia, California, or South Africa, but I also really understand that you can't just take a last-minute trip there. What is doable? Valencia, Sardinia, or Formentera. Then you're guaranteed a good bit of sunshine (and thus some tan on your face upon return), a good beach, and the nicest terraces where you can linger until sunset. The southern regions always do best in that regard.’
What does your ideal vacation day look like?
‘Let's start with breakfast at Granola in Copenhagen. You've never had such a good egg with avocado on toast. After that, we'll do a little safari in South Africa and then we'll have lunch with a picnic basket on Pebly Beach near Sydney. Then you have the kangaroos that sneakily nibble a bite and you can see a dolphin peeking out of the water here and there. And then I'll also immediately put my surfboard (not that I have one, but I will) in the water to catch some waves for an hour. When I'm done, I of course need an hour on the beach to recover – factor fifty please – before I hop on the plane to La Paloma in Ibiza to have a romantic dinner in the orchard among the fairy lights. I guess I'll have a huge jet lag afterwards, and then this plan seems good for a repeat.’
What’s your summer drink?
‘I become incredibly happy from (rapapapa, this sounds incredibly boring) a cola. I really gulp down an ice-cold one with a slice of lemon in one go when I'm sitting on a terrace. But I also sometimes act very grown-up with a bottle of wine filled with an incredibly rich Chardonnay. And I can also greatly appreciate a Caipirinha. I slurp myself silly.’
And your favorite meal on a warm day?
‘Recently, I've become totally addicted to the tomato-watermelon-feta salad from Het boek van Jet. I even know how to peel tomatoes, and believe me, that's a miracle. But my real favorite meal is an ice cream with scoops of chocolate and stracciatella and a dollop of whipped cream on top.’
What are you reading and listening to this summer?
‘Well, then you can slide the whole library my way. I can really read a book in an afternoon, and I devour magazines in just an hour. Right now, the book Lieveling by Kim van Kooten is on my nightstand, but I already know that book will be completely finished by August 1st. So if anyone has tips? Please. As for music, Taylor Swift has been my summer favorite for years, so I’ll gladly put that on repeat again this summer.’
