Hola! I am Renate and I am a Dutch freelance travel writer, a dive instructor, co-owner of Art and Walk Karpathos for walking tours and creative workshops and the creator of this travel blog, That Wanderlust.

In 2007 I made my first trip all by myself and I have been traveling a lot and living abroad ever since. I write, photograph and create videos about adventure, culture and I mention some mindset during my travels. So far I’ve visited 40+ countries and lived in plenty of them. I’ve always enjoyed meeting people around the globe who inspire me and I see beautiful nature that amazes me by its purity. Being outdoors and getting to know the local people and their life stories is something inspiring.

I have since very young age wanted to go on adventures every single day. Getting along with foreign cultures can be very exiting, even while I consider myself very easy going and I speak plenty of languages. Since 2019 I have settled down on a little Greek island where I felt I can have wanderlust on a daily base with the gorgeous nature and culture around me.

Even while I ended up moving to Greece, the Spanish language has always been my favorite to indulge myself into and I’ve mostly visited Latin-American countries. Scandinavia makes my heart skip a beat too.

A lot of new worlds have opened up to me since I started travel writing and diving is one example of them. Isn’t it great to spend time in the ocean 30 meters below sea level between the coral with a sea turtle around you or in the waves on a surfboard? What about standing on a mountain in the snow, where the forest and the rocks become your compass? The euphoria of freedom.

I enjoy experiencing a destination and its local ways on my own, but I feel even more wonderful sharing these great travel experiences with my Swedish viking hubby and our little family.

Mission Statement

With this travel blog I want to inspire you to follow your dreams and take adventures exploring the world. Nothing is more amazing than being able to arrive at untouched beaches and meeting local inhabitants who help me discover the soul of a destination.

Which languages do I speak?

I am fluent in Spanish, German & English. my mother tongue is Dutch, and I can make conversation in Brazilian Portuguese, French & some Italian.
Right now I’m busy like a bee to try and learn Swedish and Greek!

Why do I travel?

Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.

Where was I?

Maldives – Mexico – Argentina – Brazil – Costa Rica – Nicaragua – Guatemala – Honduras – Panama – Bolivia – Peru – Chile – Uruguay – Thailand – Kenya – Jamaica – Australia – Spain – United States – Singapore – Indonesia – Malaysia – Tanzania – Austria – Dominican Republic – Aruba – Sri Lanka – Scotland – France – England – Poland – Belgium – Canada – Germany – Malta – Gozo – Hungary – Turkey – Italy – Greece – Sweden – Norway – Denmark – and my birthplace the Netherlands.