SUMMER IN THE CITY
Sanny Verhoeven
I just love Sanny. I don't know what it is, but every time I look at her, I feel happy. Everyday luxury problems seem to fade away for a moment. If you don't know this funny girl: Sanny is a blogger, a presenter and vlogs for her own YouTube channel, and she does it all so well that she can now make a living from it. When you radiate so much genuine positivity in your videos (and in real life), you are just a boss. What is she up to this summer?
Sanny, let’s take it away!
What's in your glass?
‘My ultimate summer drink this year is: Tinto de Verano. I make it myself by mixing red wine (merlot) with Sprite, half and half, and then I add a lot of ice and a slice of lemon. It resembles sangria, but is much tastier.’
Where do you settle when the mercury rises above twenty degrees?
‘I just moved and now have a really nice garden. So there, but when it’s really hot, I like to go to the water, sail with the boat and my sister or to the beach, to Ubuntu or Hippie Fish in Zandvoort.’
Your secret favorite to absorb extra, EXTRA hours of sun? Yes, we want your secret terrace.
‘In Amsterdam, nothing is secret, but these are my spots: Meneer Nieges, Louis Louis, De Waterkant, Park, at Oosterpark or De Plantage by Artis.’
And what’s on your plate?
‘A green, well-filled salad or risotto.’
Which destination is on your ticket?
‘I just got back from a relaxing family vacation in a villa in southern France and at the end of this week, I’m going on a beautiful nature trip through Canada with my love and five cameras.’
The three ingredients you need for the perfect holiday?
‘Sun, nature, and cool hotspots and restaurants.’
What book are you reading this summer?
”Who (doesn't) travels is crazy‘ I just finished that, it was a nice combination of travel stories with scientific research on why we love to travel so much. Usually, I read non-fiction books about happiness and how to get more out of your life.’
And what’s coming out of your speakers?
‘Everything, ranging from meditation music to hard techno. I’m a fan of Tash Sultana, Paul Kalkbrenner, The Black Madonna, that song ‘Lion King’ by Makam and ‘Follow the sun’ by Xavier Rudd.’
Are you the tennis racket type or do your toes not come out of the sand?
‘It’s life-threatening to let me play tennis. I’m really more of the lounging type.’
Your tip for when there’s a long flight ahead?
‘Nice series on your laptop. I also love to edit videos on the plane, I don’t know what it is. And I don’t get on a plane without my Bose headset and sleep mask.’
How does your ideal summer day go?
‘Waking up naturally by the sun and the birds. Walking out of my bedroom with my bare feet in the grass and then enjoying breakfast in the garden and doing something fun with friends.’
And what do you immediately grab from the closet to wear when it’s finally warm?
‘Dresses!’
Where did you go on vacation as a child?
‘We went to the Greek islands a lot with my parents and sister, and then we did ‘beach excursions’ with our rental car. In the morning, we would look for an untouched beach and splash around. Then in the afternoon, we would look for a local restaurant for lunch and afterwards we would drive to another beach. Along the way, we experienced the craziest things and discovered the most beautiful spots on the island. When we were older, my sister and I often went out late and then the next morning we would get back in the car with dad and mom.’
Are you a luxury type or do you go back to basics in a tent and be green by the campfire?
‘I’m very much into both. Preferably combined in one trip.’
What do you do in the summer that would never occur to you in the winter?
‘Showering outside.’
Are you team soft serve or team water ice?
‘Ice pops!’
Your most delightful/funniest memory of a holiday romance?
‘Oh, god. I’ve had quite a few holiday romances and the funny thing was that they always wanted to come visit me in the Netherlands after the vacation, while for me it was really just a holiday fling. Once, my Greek lover called me saying: ‘In two weeks, I am with you again.’ He had booked a ticket without consulting me. My Russian holiday flame suddenly stood in front of me in the local pub, which completely startled me. And my most serious holiday boyfriend, a tall amazing guy from Kuala Lumpur, who was half Malay, a quarter Indian, and a quarter Australian, wanted to live with me in Amsterdam… I found it exciting and adventurous, these foreign men, but unfortunately, I didn’t see them as serious relationship material, more like preparatory field research. By the way, I still keep in touch with some of them.’
