Michel Adriaan

Hello there! Thank you for visiting my website. I’m Michel Adriaan, and my life has been one long journey across borders and cultures. Born in the Netherlands in 1998, I spent my early childhood among the canals and cobblestones of my homeland until my family packed up and moved to North Macedonia when I was seven. Those formative years in the Balkans—surrounded by Byzantine churches, Ottoman bazaars, and the warmth of makedonska hospitality—sparked something in me that would shape everything that followed. Five years ago, I made another leap, this time to Switzerland, where the precision of Swiss trains and the drama of Alpine peaks became my new backdrop. But honestly? Home isn’t really a place for me anymore—it’s wherever my camera bag lands and my cocker spaniel Maxima can find a patch of grass to explore. What started as childhood curiosity about the world beyond my doorstep has evolved into 15+ years of serious travel writing. I’ve now crossed off 100+ destinations, from bustling metropolitan centers to villages so remote they don’t appear on most maps. Each journey teaches me something new, whether it’s the perfect way to fold burek in a Skopje bakery or how morning light hits the Matterhorn just right for that impossible shot. Recently, I’ve added a professional drone to my kit—because sometimes the best stories are told from above, where you can see how ancient trade routes still shape modern neighborhoods, or how a medieval fortress looks utterly different when viewed from a bird’s perspective. My approach? I don’t just visit places; I live them, even if only briefly. Every article I write comes from getting lost in back alleys, striking up conversations with locals, and yes—bringing Maxima along whenever airlines and customs allow. She’s got an uncanny ability to lead me toward the most authentic experiences, usually involving food. Ready to explore the world together? Let’s go.