I-Departure: Daphne & Wouter from Yours Boutique Hotel, Valencia
Hi! Valencia you are so nice. In fact, you are so nice that we would like to live there. Because not only the climate is a big plus, what about the catering industry? That temperamental Spanish culture? That romance? Yup, everything complete.
It's not just Bart that we think this way: Daphne and Wouter can agree. One more time: Hola! Because these two Dutchies We left Utrecht together for Valencia in 2013 for a real Me-Departure. Not because the Netherlands was no longer fun. No. 'just', because, after they returned from a nice long six-month trip through Asia and Australia, the travel itch on stayed. And what do you do then? Exactly, grab your bags and go.
That trip was an experience you can't say enough about. 'During such a trip you follow a route, we really wanted to settle somewhere for a longer period of time, in order to gain the ultimate experience abroad.'
Valencia was not an unknown destination at the loved ones, first alone city trips and later the new home of Daphne and Wouter. The two immediately fell in love with the Spanish city. And still... what a luxury it is to get up every morning and take it for granted that the sun is always there, palm trees on every corner and the beach within walking distance. Jealous? You're not alone.
Valencia, a wonderful combination of beach, city, culture and lots of greenery through the beautiful Turia park (a 9 km long park in a former riverbed)
Daphne and Wouter went for two years, and that has now been eight. 'We enjoy Spanish life and all the possibilities the city offers. Such wonderful and unforgettable years with beautiful milestones. We have grown into entrepreneurs with big dreams.
The two started running a B&B in Valencia, after more than four successful years it was time for... next step. The two are currently in the final stages of building their own Boutique Hotel YOURS. A place where Daphne and Wouter found their passion and can channel all their entrepreneurial energy. Did that happen without a fight? nope, it's taken four years for the couple to get to where they are today.
We have grown into entrepreneurs with big dreams.
Note: setbacks caused Daphne and Wouter to also start two other companies. And another rather big detail in those years: two kids were also born (now three and five years old).
We look forward to the opening of YOURS in July 2021. After years of preparations, with a lot of trial and error, more crying than laughing, it will be a beautiful place where a lot love is in. Partly thanks to the help of Kris. She will soon be the general manager of the hotel and will receive the guests with the team. She has already supported us in this last year pre-opening phase to make visiting YOURS an unforgettable experience.
At the end of this year, the family will exchange Valencia for the Dutch landscape again, but they will travel up and down as often as possible. The family will always have a connection with Valencia. Something about it best of both worlds is the idea.
Now you naturally want to know why back to the Netherlands? Daphne and Wouter continue to do the same, only from the Netherlands, remote working it is. For now the plan is to settle down again, find a new house and hopefully not do too much renovation because the couple has had that for a while now. Anyone who looks at the YOURS site will see at a glance that these guys have taste. That then becomes difficult, not renovating a house... Daphne and Wouter remain owners of the hotel in Valencia, they remain more than involved and ultimately responsible for all disciplines.
Kris is the manager on location and we are remote. Wouter also has one engineering agency specialized in interior design for luxury yacht building, with part of its team in Valencia and part in the Netherlands, so that work will continue as usual. And who knows what else will come our way?
Valencia fun with the kids? Of course, read more here.
The family is looking forward to living closer to family again and being able to see the children grow up with family around them. They have certainly missed that in recent years. The Spaniards as real family people, then you miss it a little more. The culture and mentality difference is something that will always remain difficult. Our Dutch drive, efficiency and our directness. Something that led to exciting situations several times during the construction and design of the hotel.
But also, for example, going along with the Spanish rhythm, including dinner around 21 p.m., late bedtimes and therefore also for children, we could not completely agree with that. This does influence integration as a family. School hours here are until 00:17 PM, extracurricular activities or children's parties can start around 00:18 PM to 00:19 PM. Afterwards we still have to eat, so nothing after Sesame Street and go to bed, then the party only starts.
We see Valencia as our home. The city where we started entrepreneurship and would never want it to be any other way. Where we will be a lot for YOURS and the other companies in the coming years. Almost ready for our 'new' adventure in the Netherlands!
You must have greetings from abroad
This is not only the case if you are going to emigrate health (travel) insurance a black: It is also recommended during a long journey. Or when you do an 'I'm leaving' for a while. The best tip we received was: 'take a look OOM Insurances to look!' This is a small Dutch insurance company that insures where other insurers stop. That's not a piece of cake – we did research and it really is true. Read more here.
