Get to know us
Our story
Two people, one dog and a big Italian dream
From the Netherlands to Italy
We traded a lovely holiday park in the Netherlands for a dream in Italy. Not because things weren't going well, but because we knew it could be better. More personal. More real. With the feeling of staying with friends, not a company. Le Marche pulled us in. And hasn't let go.
Savouring the good life. Dat is wat we willen maken
We were both involved in developing a holiday park in the Netherlands. It was good work, at a lovely park. But somewhere we knew: this isn't our story. We want something smaller. Something more personal. A place where the conversation on the terrace runs long, where you smell the campfire and where people can simply be. This year we get to help manage Villa Alwin Beach Resort on the coast of Le Marche, a luxury glamping resort right by the sea. That's the step bringing us closer to our own place.
Read how we ended up hereHospitality is in her blood
Daphne has a sense of humour, a warm manner and makes guests feel at ease instantly. Trained and experienced in hospitality, she knows exactly how to make a guest feel that everything is just right. From the first hello to the final goodbye. And if something isn't right, she'll sort it before you even notice.
"Nothing makes me happier than making guests feel at home."
Atmosphere and good food. That's his thing
Geert took a pizza course in Naples with a real pizzaiolo and has been on a mission ever since. He believes good food brings people together in a way nothing else can. His hospitality and leisure background keeps things running smoothly. His love for Italian cuisine sets the mood. And his eyes, meanwhile, are keeping track of campsites for sale in Le Marche.
"My dream? A table full of people who didn't know each other this morning, but won't forget each other after tonight."
Villa Alwin Beach Resort
Via via kwamen we in contact met Alwin en Bionda, de eigenaren van Villa Alwin Beach Resort aan de Adriatische kust. We herkenden ze meteen van Ik Vertrek, keken de afleveringen terug en dachten: dit zijn onze mensen. Na een videocall en een ontmoeting in Nederland was het snel duidelijk. Zij wilden een stapje terug kunnen doen. Wij wilden ervaring opdoen op de plek waar we willen gaan wonen. Een perfecte match.
This season we're managing Villa Alwin. We live on site in a luxury tent, getting to know the region from the inside and keeping our eyes open for what's to come.
Book your holiday at Villa Alwin
A place of our own in Le Marche
We're looking for a small campsite, thirty pitches at most, in the hills of Le Marche. No more than forty minutes from the coast. With a view, character and room for our own approach. We've already visited a few. At one, we stood on a terrace, looked out over a valley with a village on the hill, and said nothing. We didn't need to.
That place exists. We'll find it.
Daphne & Jim
Jim in de bladeren
Jim de gastheer
Jim.
Our three-year-old Australian Shepherd simply comes along. We even bought a van for it. Jim prefers not to leave our side, has never avoided a stranger and considers every new place his home within five minutes. The thought of him soon running through his own stretch of Italian countryside makes the dream just that bit bigger.
"You don't find a campsite behind a keyboard. You have to feel it."
Daphne & Geert. Our Place in the Boot.
Follow our adventure
We write about the search, life in Le Marche, the people we meet and everything we learn along the way. Honest, personal and unfiltered.