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The Story Behind MyTraveLifestyle
"Cultivating a Life of Intent"
Welcome to MyTraveLifestyle!
Welcome to My Travel Lifestyle, your ultimate resource for transforming your travel dreams into reality! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to travel better, experience authentic destinations, and create unforgettable memories, you’ve come to the right place.
"From Congo to the World: Proving that a life of ultimate freedom and boundary-pushing independence doesn't have an expiration date."
Welcome to my corner of the world. My name is Iris. If you had told me a few years ago that at 72 years old, as an independent solo woman, I would be parking a 6.36-meter, mat-green Peugeot Boxer campervan named Alma outside my door to serve as my mobile office and home under open skies, I might have smiled. But deep down, I would have known it was inevitable.
Movement, curiosity, and the art of adaptation are woven directly into my DNA.
A Life Shaped by Changing Horizons
My journey began in the vibrant heart of the Congo, born as the daughter of a Belgian engineer whose work constantly pulled our family toward new frontiers. From an early age, life wasn’t defined by a static backyard, but by a kaleidoscope of African landscapes. I spent my deeply formative years absorbing the diverse cultures and vast horizons of South Africa and Rhodesia through the late 1960s.
By the early seventies, the global compass shifted. I found myself calling the Arabian sands my temporary homes—living and breathing the rapid evolutions of Abu Dhabi, Doha in Qatar, and Bahrain.
These constant transitions, dictated by my father's blueprints, taught me two invaluable life lessons before I even reached adulthood: absolute resilience, and a completely open, non-judgmental mind. Fueled by a deep passion for languages and global studies, I went on to live and work across the globe, gathering a lifetime of stories, cultural appreciation, and an independent spirit that refuses to sit still.
The Global Footprint
“Forty-two countries, four continents, and a lifetime of collected horizons.”
My passion for language, culture, and deep immersion didn't just take me on holidays—it led me to live, work, and truly weave myself into the fabric of communities worldwide. Here is the geography of my journey so far:
🇪🇺 The European Circuit
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The Core: Belgium · France · Germany · The Netherlands · Luxembourg
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The Alpine & Mediterranean Paths: Austria · Switzerland · Italy · Spain · Portugal
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The Bridges: England · Turkey
🌍The African Horizons (From the North to the Deep South)
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The Formative Horizons: Congo · South Africa · Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia)
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The Ancient & Coastal Trails: Egypt · Morocco · Tunisia
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The Wild Landscapes: Angola · Mozambique · Tanzania
🏜️ The Middle Eastern Footprint
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The Gulf Dynamics: Abu Dhabi (UAE) · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Kuwait · Bahrain · Oman · Yemen
🏝️ The Island Escapes
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The Caribbean Gems: Guadeloupe · Martinique
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The Mediterranean & Atlantic Havens: Malta · Tenerife · Gran Canaria · Ibiza · Mallorca
Every destination offered its tapestry of culture, history, and gastronomy for me to explore—and every encounter became part of my story.
Settling in the South of Spain
“For over thirty years, the vibrant landscapes of Andalusia have been my anchor. Here, between the Mediterranean horizon and the whitewashed mountains, I turned my lifelong passion for discovery into a career in hospitality and tourism.”
After decades of crossing continents, it was the warmth, the rhythm, and the light of Southern Spain that finally captured my heart. For more than three decades, I have called this breathtaking region home. Working deeply within the local tourism and luxury hospitality sectors, my daily life became about one thing: mastering the art of the perfect experience.
Living here taught me how to look past the typical tourist traps and find the true soul of a destination. I learned where the quietest beaches hide, how the seasons change the mountain paths, and how to connect meaningfully with local communities.
This 30-year archive of insider knowledge is the very heartbeat of MyTraveLifestyle. It is why my route itineraries are meticulously planned and filled with verified, authentic secrets. I am not just passing through Andalusia; I am sharing the deep, slow-crafted essence of a region I know inside out. And now, with Alma ready outside my door, I am thrilled to take that local expertise even further down the winding coastal roads.
The Evolution: In Praise of Slowness
For decades, I moved fast, crossed continents, and managed the logistics of a global life. But as time teaches us what truly matters, my philosophy evolved. I traded the frantic pace of traditional modern travel for the beautiful discipline of Slow Travel.
I stopped looking at travel as a checklist of monuments to manage. Instead, I began practicing the art of deceleration—staying long enough in a single village café to watch the locals, choosing the winding mountain passes over the sterile highways, and seeking out mindful luxury in simplicity.
That is why MyTraveLifestyle was born. It is a premium digital sanctuary where I share the sophisticated blueprints of a deliberate, independent lifestyle.
My Newest Chapter: Meeting Alma
Today, I am running my global online business and managing my fixed home while embarking on my most audacious logistiek project yet: transforming
Today, I am running my global online business and managing my fixed home while embarking on my most audacious logistiek project yet: transforming Alma, my custom van, into a safe, secure, and stylish off-grid oasis.
This page is a masterclass for the conscious explorer. Whether I am sharing heavy-duty mechanical security checklists under Van & Road Logistics, reviewing high-end minimalist travel gear inside The Travel Notebook, or savoring slow morning espresso rituals in The Art of Living, my mission is to inspire you to design your days with absolute intent.
Your life is your own masterpiece. And it is never, ever too late to rewrite your horizon.
, my custom van, into a safe, secure, and stylish off-grid oasis.
This page is a masterclass for the conscious explorer. Whether I am sharing heavy-duty mechanical security checklists under Van & Road Logistics, reviewing high-end minimalist travel gear inside The Travel Notebook, or savoring slow morning espresso rituals in The Art of Living, my mission is to inspire you to design your days with absolute intent.
Your life is your own masterpiece. And it is never, ever too late to rewrite your horizon.
What You’ll Learn on My TravelLifestyle Blog
Through my travel and lifestyle blog, I want to share a wealth of information designed to inspire and empower you in your travel journey.
🌍 Global Perspectives
Personal stories from a life lived across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
🧭 Empowerment to Explore
The confidence and inspiration you need to step out and discover the world yourself.
✍️ Practical Guidance
Proven itineraries, budget hacks, and packing lists to make your planning stress-free.
🏛️ Cultural Insights
Deep dives into the history, traditions, and local flavours that make each destination unique.
✨ Inspiration & Connection
Join a community of like-minded travellers who value authentic experiences.
🛡️ Honest & Independent
Unbiased reviews and advice, because I pay my own way—just like you.
