Secretly, I've become a bit in love with Gouda. Last year I came here for the first time for a lawa (sorry Ella) but after my second visit last week, I've decided that this city deserves more attention.

The reason for my visit to Gouda was restaurant LIZZ in boutique hotel Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis (WSHS), located in a true gem of a building that was once used as an orphanage by a group of nuns. Over the years, women have always played an important role in the history of the orphanage, so it's extra nice that a number of lovely places in the WSHS are named after powerful women from our time. There is coffee & cocktail bar COCO and casual fine dining restaurant LIZZ where I really ate incredibly well (pardon my French). It couldn't be otherwise because the dynamic duo behind all this deliciousness are Martijn Kajuiter, who cooked in Ireland since 2007 and earned a Michelin star there, and Remco Kuijpers. His mission is to make LIZZ the green heart of the boutique hotel by cooking with as many seasonal and self-grown products as possible.

Just a bit about that food, because what do you think of Dutch Yellow Tail Sashimi, Roasted Highland Lamb Fillet or Lambada Strawberry Ceviche with Pavlova? Divine, right? Also very nice: vegetarian food has an equal place on the menu at LIZZ. Now you might think that this is all a gigantic fancy affair, but what it's mainly about here is a lot of coziness, good food and drinks, and celebrating life. Well, you've got me.

Of course, I also have to talk to you about the interior because holy moly, what a special look and feel. The entire WSHS is inspired by Gouda pottery, which means: expressive use of color and floral prints that are both recognizable and abstract everywhere. Now, such a colorful whole is normally not something that warms me, but this was so detailed that even I could appreciate it. Well, you should really go see it.

So quickly put Gouda on your city trip list, join in at restaurant LIZZ and extra tip: treat yourself to a wine arrangement with your meal and some cocktails at bar COCO. Especially if you have reserved a suite at the WSHS. Nothing is as nice as an evening of intense enjoyment and falling into bed three times.

I can tell you: this was gold.