Quixoticguide
Hi, I’m Maarten Van Den Driessche, a curious human, aviation enthusiast, vexillophile, world traveler, and food lover with over 14,000 days of life experience.
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Caucasian Albania — The Forgotten Albania of the East
Caucasian Albania — The Other Albania When we say “Albania,” most people picture the Adriatic coast and the Balkans. Yet far to the east, between the Greater Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea, there once existed another Albania — Caucasian Albania — a forgotten civilization at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Caucasian Albania roughly…
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Austria and Australia — Two Names, Two Very Different Worlds
At first hearing, Austria and Australia feel almost like twins — separated by just a few letters, easily confused in casual conversation, and often mixed up by schoolchildren, travellers, and even seasoned newsreaders. Yet beyond their similar names, they could hardly be more different. One sits quietly in the heart of Europe, wrapped in Alpine…
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China – Shandong Coastal: Between Sea, Kite, and Delta
Most people arrive in China through its superstars — Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu. But if you move eastward, past the familiar skylines and high-speed rails, the Shandong Peninsula offers something quieter, saltier, and more atmospheric. This is China facing the Yellow Sea: part maritime province, part agricultural heartland, part industrial frontier. Qingdao: The German Memory…
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Where Should the World Meet? The Search for a More Central UN
The United Nations sits in Manhattan like a promise carved into concrete: a place where the world gathers, argues, negotiates, and, occasionally, agrees. Yet every time I walk along the East River, past that slim slab of international idealism, I feel the same quiet tension. For all its symbolism, the UN is anchored to one…
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Why Are There Two Countries Called Congo?
If you’ve ever been confused by the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you’re not alone. Two neighboring countries, almost the same name, even capitals facing each other across a river—it feels like history played a prank. But there’s a good reason both countries kept the name Congo, and it has far deeper roots than modern…
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Not every movement needs a purpose.
Some of the most meaningful journeys don’t begin with a plan, an itinerary, or even curiosity. They begin with restlessness — the quiet kind. The kind that doesn’t demand escape, only motion. We rarely talk about that version of travel. The Pressure to Justify Motion Modern travel is obsessed with explanation.Why this place?Why now?What’s the…
Dream destinations
Finding the perfect travel destination involves considering a variety of factors to ensure the trip meets your expectations and desires. My destinations
Research Destinations
- My Travel Blogs and Websites:
- Social Media:
- Books and Documentaries:
My Travel guides
- Travel guides are invaluable resources for planning and making the most of your trips.
- They provide detailed information on destinations, attractions, accommodation, dining, and local culture.
- Providing practical tips and itineraries with a focus on cultural experiences.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” –
Ibn Battuta
Maghrebi traveller