Lysanne's summer plans

Spring is starting, summer is being unlocked. In the category of anticipation and hopefully inspiration, I asked all our editors and other colleagues for their most beautiful vacation memories and plans. Today it's the turn of Lysanne Aardema.

Spring is starting, summer is being unlocked. Where are you going on vacation this year and why did you choose this place?

We are going to Italy for a lovely week in June to visit my sister-in-law and her family. If it were up to us, we would also go back to Indonesia this year to further explore my boyfriend's roots. Last year I went with him for the first time and I also fell in love with the country. One of my resolutions this year is also to go away for a weekend more often to a nice city in Europe, so there is also a chance that we will go to Lisbon, Madrid, Valencia, or another city.

Zoom in on that perfect evening. Where are you sitting, what’s on your plate, and who’s at your table? 

Last year we spent an evening on the beach at a small ‘restaurant’ in Bali. The fish we ate had been caught that afternoon and there were actually only locals, so you know it's good. A friend of ours knew the owner and he came to sit at our table and told the most beautiful stories about his life on the island and where he came from. If I could do that evening ten more times, I would.

Are you the type that plans-books-and-fixes everything or do you let it come to you a bit? What is already fixed and what is still open?

Does everything-planning-booking-and-then-doing-something-else count too? Because I think I fall into that category... We drove to southern Spain last year with a very clear plan, but on day 2 we let everything go and mainly enjoyed everything that came our way. Don't get me wrong, I like to have a bit of an idea of what to expect, but the adventurous side also attracts me.

Is there still a bit of movement or is vacation for you really ‘rest in place’?

There is definitely sports being done. Looking for local gyms is incredibly fun: here too you have great conversations and you also get tips from the locals. I also really enjoy walking and stretching in the morning to start my day; the morning sounds and rising sun are just a bit more special when you're on vacation.

Have you thought about your summer wardrobe yet? What will go in the suitcase and how do you put your outfits together?

I love linen in the summer, preferably as a set. Furthermore, I always make a Pinterest board with nice outfits and then look for similar products as in those photos. I prefer to start packing my suitcase a week in advance and during the week I buy everything that usually doesn't fit in anymore. I always put together sets. The loose pieces can then be worn together, so I get the most out of it.

Is there already a summer 2024 playlist made and what music will definitely be on it?

I think I am the person who gets the least out of her Spotify... I always start with a lot of good intentions on a new playlist, but after five songs I give up. The only thing I do know for sure is that if I were to work on this, there would definitely be a few nice 90’s and 00’s songs in it.

Is there already a stack of books ready? If so, which books are those?

I think I would mainly set up a lot of podcasts. The last few vacations I did take books with me, but they actually never came out of my suitcase. A shame, when I think about it. If I take one, it will probably be books like Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead.

Then a few either-or questions.

Bikini or swimsuit? A swimsuit always goes with me, just in case, but that usually gets swapped for a bikini.

Cocktail or mocktail? Mojito all the way, but if that's not served, I'll go for a fresh coconut.

Museum or beach club? When I'm at the beach, I prefer to lie alone; listening to the waves and not to yet another Ibiza rooftop playlist.

Location recidivist (returning to the same place) or adventurer? Highest mountain, diving, eating with locals, catching your own fish? Absolutely.

Book or E-reader? Then definitely a book, because I find reading on an E-reader less enjoyable.

Make a photo book or save everything on your iPhone and never do anything with it? Save everything on my phone, but I do look at it really often, you know! I often throw away the duplicates right away. Tactic: at the end of the day, like your favorites and the rest, hop, to the trash. Saves space during your vacation.