The best places to picnic

Barbecue buddies, I don't know about you, but I want to have lunch in the park and quickly a bit. It's going to be TWENTY degrees next week, so come on, blanket under your arm, mini sandwiches at the ready, a bit of fruit, white wine, your best girlfriends and you're already 90 percent ready. One little thing: that location. Look, and there I have a solution for.

Wilhelminapark – Utrecht

Man, I don't even want to know how many summer hours I've spent here. The real Utrechters know: nothing beats this romantic city park. It's filled with beautiful old trees and you can choose to either lie by the water or on a kind of lawn. Don't feel like making those sandwiches yourself? No biggie. Order a picnic basket with a blanket (and champagne) from Parkcafé Buiten: success guaranteed.

Vondelpark – Amsterdam

Okay, it's big and busy, but definitely a classic for those lazy summer evenings. There's always something to see. For those who prefer to watch less of the whole monkey business: go chill by the water at Westerpark with your blanket. It's one of the few places where you can barbecue in the capital. Is it really sticky-thighs weather and feeling like cooling off? Then head to the Amsterdamse Bos. Bonus: here you also have picnic tables and ponds where you can swim.

Sint Jansberg – Nijmegen

Whistling birds, babbling water, and an environment to picnic fairy-tale-like? Go to Sint Jansberg. Settle down here with your girls, a cheese platter and a gooooooood wine and believe me: you'll be entertained for hours. Is the bottle of white going to your head? You can also enjoy a lovely walk here.

The Paleistuin – The Hague

Picnicking like Meghan Markle is done here. The park is hidden between Palace Noordeinde, the Royal Stables, and the Royal Archive. And yes, it's open to the public and not many people seem to know that. Also a photogenic spot to shine on Insta by the way. Think: gigantic ponds and flowers everywhere. In the Hofkwartier, you have several places where you can pick up picnic baskets. Oh summer, I suddenly feel so much like you...