What we’re about
A warm welcome to CARPE DIEM Nature and Culture adventures!
🌍✨ Hike. Explore. Connect ✨🌍
This is a Meet Up group where nature and culture connects, for everyone interested in guided hiking or/and cycling trips, as well as a variety of outdoor activities like kayaking in the summer, urban city walks, museum visits, movie nights, drinks and dinner gatherings, board games evenings, parties, and weekend getaways both in the Netherlands and abroad.
At Carpe Diem, gezelligheid (a warm, social atmosphere) and good vibes are always a priority. Each event is thoughtfully crafted with care, creativity, and attention to detail, designed for small, friendly groups of 6 to 20 people—far from massive crowds. This approach not only provides a more personal, exclusive, and enjoyable experience for everyone but also allows us to connect more meaningfully with each other. Additionally, by keeping our groups small, we minimize our impact on nature and wildlife, ensuring a more respectful interaction with the environment.
I do focus and I am keen on making unique and exclusive routes that take you off the beaten path. Our carefully designed hikes might be inspired by long distance routes and others, but are often a mix with own creativity. We aim to reveal hidden gems and immerse you in the beauty and culture of the area, providing a distinctive experience far from the typical hiking trails like NS routes.
Many of you have busy schedules and limited time. That’s why we take care of all the planning and details for our events and trips, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience.
I kindly ask all members to include your first name and upload a recognisable personal picture. This helps foster a sense of community and avoids anonymity, making it easier for us to engage and creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
🍽🥣☕🥧🍲🍹🍻
With Carpe Diem Meet Ups, I always try to find cozy restaurants to indulge ourselves with a heartwarming break during the walk. Especially in autumn and winter, I prefer to have a nice break in a warm place with hot drinks and good food, rather than a picnic outside in the cold. 😃
Our attendees, predominantly singles from diverse backgrounds, come from all corners of the country and beyond. Our international groups typically include expats, immigrants, tourists, and locals, creating a rich mix of cultures and ages. You'll find a welcoming mix of regulars and newcomers at every event!
Feel free to bring a guest by signing up +1, as long as you both engage with the group.
I look forward to exploring nature and sharing delightful cultural adventures with all of you. Let’s enjoy great times together!
Terms & Conditions + Meet Up event fee:
- Most events, including guided hikes and cycling trips, have fees ranging from €5,50 to €15 per person a day for excursions, weekends, and trips. The event fee is not just a ticket to exciting experiences; it’s a valuable contribution to the group, supporting me in keeping on and developing unique events and adventures. The fee is to cover:
- MeetUp platform membership
- Guided walks or cycling tour, venues
- Administration costs, organiser expenses, service, and all the work, time, and effort spent on planning, organisation, bookings, preparation, execution and coordination of all events and trips
- Route, long-distance trail hiking books and other guides, and materials bought for my events
- Subscriptions, memberships for hiking magazines and different sites/apps (like Komoot) used for routes
- Donations to support nature, animal and other nature organisations.
- Commitment: By signing up, we expect you to commit to coming and to pay the fee directly when signing up, not to just show interest or reserve a spot. The event fee is non-refundable for day events.
For excursions, weekends, and trips, if the event is full and someone is substituting you, a refund is possible. However, the Meet Up event & administration fee (from €5,50 to €25, depending on the event) will still be charged.
* - Early Registration: A friendly request to sign up as early as possible for events to help with the smooth planning and organisation of the group. Early registrations encourage others to join, guaranteeing a successful event for everyone. Your timely RSVP also helps me confirm if an event will proceed and, if necessary, plan an alternative in time to maintain the schedule of two events each weekend (Saturday and Sunday). This keeps everything running smoothly, providing great experiences for all! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
- Payment: Also, please complete your payment directly at the time of registration. This helps me avoid losing time with reminders and allows me to keep a clear overview of my administration, ensuring payments match RSVPs promptly, so I can focus on developing more events and trips.
- Intellecual property: please note that all routes, ideas, and event concepts organised and shared within this group are uniquely crafted and remain the intellectual property of Carpe Diem - Nature & Culture Adventures. Copying, replicating, distributing, or publishing them (in any form) without permission is strictly prohibited. Thank you for respecting the creativity and effort behind my events.🙏🏼
About Me:
Hi, I’m Djamila! I’m half Dutch, half Algerian, and I live in Gouda with my two cats, León and Luna. Alongside organizing and hosting MeetUp events, I am working part-time as a Dutch language teacher NT2, offering both group and private courses. Energetic and active, I’m a bon vivant and foodie with a deep love for nature and culture. My background in Cultural Sciences—covering art, history, philosophy, and literature—enriches our outings with fascinating insights into cultural history.
Exploring new places, traveling, and encountering animals on hikes and cycling adventures bring me immense joy. As a true foodie, I enjoy pairing our activities with delicious, healthy food and drinks.
Fluent in Dutch, French (my mother tongue), English, Spanish, and Arabic, I love connecting through language and often practice or exchange languages during events. I have a particular fondness for Spanish and Latin culture.
With nearly 20 years of experience organising hikes, trips, and group events, and as a loca, I know almost every corner of the Netherlands. I’m excited about sharing the beauty of my country and beyond. Come along and let’s create unforgettable adventures together!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Roman Limes path forest & estates with blooming azaleas & heaven mountain 21 kmStation Oosterbeek, Oosterbeek€5.50
Important! To sign up, please pay the € 5,50 Meet Up event fee directly (See notifications for tickie). From 1 April the fee will be € 6,95.
This 21 km varied and hilly hike 'Hemelse berg' (heaven mountain) goes through forests and estates of Oosterbeek with 50 shades of green this late spring, and stunning views over the Rhine. We will be walking through the woods along a beautiful stream and through the Duno estate with its waterfall and awesome Azalealaan (in bloom in May and June), and later on the Westerbouwing with again views over the river and later Wolfheze woods.
Part of the route goes over The Roman Limes Path, a long distance path along the historic border ('Limes' in Latin) of the ancient Roman Empire along the Rhine.
Gathering 10:51 at train station NS Oosterbeek, we start hiking after meeting & greeting. The hike starts and ends at the same station.
Hartenstein and Airborne monument
We will pass park forest Hartenstein, with its villa formerly the headquarters of Operation Market Garden *, now the beating heart of the Airborne Museum, with a monument in front, an obelisk to conmemorate the Battle of Arnhem (September 1944).Westerbouwing estate
In this beuatiful estate, with amazing views over the floodplains, Lower Rhine and Betuwe. There is a pavilion on the moraine. We can have drinks (to go eventually) at brasserie Bries (+ 5,5 km).Heveadorp
The area of this village has been a trade route between Germany, Nijmegen and the Veluwe from Roman until medieval times. Beginning 20th century, a rubber tire factory and worker houses were built here. But they have been demolished after the factory closed in 1982.Duno estate
Duno is an 18th century landscape park and consists of hillside forests and dry valleys on the high southern edge of the Arnhem lateral moraine, which descends steeply to the flood plains where the Rhine ends. It is unique in high low, wet dry contrasts. We will hike with gorgeous views of the south-facing mountain, flood plains and forest with several streams.
The villa and its hunter’s house were destroyed during WWII. Since 1965 Duno is an archaeological national monument with a renovated cascade waterfall, its special bridge and stairs.
The Azalealaan is together with remnants of the teahouse and the entrance gate memories of old times. It is colorful in bloom in May and June and well worth a visit.Hunnenschans
This is an oval medieval ring rampart castle high on the Veluwerand, with again a stunning view over the Rhine, the Betuwe and the skyline of Arnhem, and even Germany with clear weather.Castle Doorwerth
Castle Doorwerth is an imposing medieval castle with a moat. It is surrounded by beautiful estate with a vegetable garden and orchard with apiary. We can have drinks at the castle café De Zalmen (+10 km)Boersberg look out tower
From the Boersberg lookout tower you can enjoy a nice view over the characteristic hillside forests, looking out over the Nederrijn and Castle Doorwerth and sometimes even Nijmegen.Wolfheze woods
The last part goes through Dorwerth village and the woods Wolfheze with small paths and bridges along the streams.The hikes ends in Oosterbeek, where we can have drinks before going home.
Put your shoes on and come and join this wonderful hike!
Notifications:
- Meet up contribution fee: Euro 5,,50/Eur 6,95 to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=pv4frymQam94NSYxL6zMqdSrqJjWKhGN - We walk fast at (4 to 5 km an hour average) with 2/3 breaks, you should be fit for it and used to long distance walks of -+ 20 km ;-).
- Be aware that the hike will take the whole day and that the ending time is approximate.
- Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we might stop at a restaurant.
- I advise to wear comfortable hiking shoes and gear with layers and a rain coat.
- Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, participating is at your own risk.
- The hike might be cancelled or postponed in case of extreme bad weather or few people signed up. Check messages for last-minute updates the evening before.
- Please only sign up if you are attending to join. And change your RSVP if something unexpected occurs. Last-minutes cancellations are not appreciated and NO SHOWS will be recorded! No refund. Thank you.
- Meet up contribution fee: Euro 5,,50/Eur 6,95 to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
- Jungle swamp hike to the gorgeous moist fields & Rhoon castle estates! (15 km)Metrostation Rhoon, Rhoon€5.00
Important! To sign up, please pay the € 5,50 Meet Up event fee directly (See notifications for tickie). From 9 May the fee will be € 6,95.
This is a topper of and incredible rich nature, it's a stunning and varied -+ 15 km hike to the gorgeous moist fields & Rhoon castle estates in the south of Rotterdam. Here it is peaceful and quite, you wouldn't say to be so close to the bustling city!
A bit different and better version than last year, this time a round walk passing by the moist fields along the river and estates.Gathering 11:00 @ metro station Rhoon (20 minutes by metro from train station NS Rotterdam CS) in front of the ticket machine. We start the hike here short after meeting and greeting. It is a circular hike and it ends at the same place.
The route goes through the old Maas river, and narrow winding paths and wooden bridges through the unique nature reserve of the Rhoonse Grienden (moist fields). In between, the willow jungle of Klein Profijt, domain of beavers and kingfishers, awaits us. In early spring, the willow paths are lined with wild flowers like the precious yellow tidal plant 'spider dotter' and sometimes the bellflower, which provide us a nice color spectacle, we certainly will also enjoy the birds giving us a free concert.
Castle of Rhoon and its beautiful estates
First, we will pass by the castle of Rhoon with its beautiful English Baroque gardens and the castle forest.Dikes and polder landscape
After that, the first part goes through grass dikes with polder landscape passing by a mill and typical countryside farms.Rhoonse grienden
The Rhoonse Grienden form a unique nature reserve in South Holland. These are moist fields on which willow wood is grown and lie outside the dikes. It is an exciting swamp jungle forest where we wil meander through romantic small pollard willows paths with amazing views, it's really worth hiking! In the spring and early summer the flora is exuberant in this tidal area: the romantic willow paths are colored with cow parsley and comfrey and in the banks you often see the yellow tidal flower, the spindotter, and sometimes the summer bellflower.Klein profijt
Small profit is a great pleasure! This protected and precious nature reserve is rough and less cultivated, we will stroll on quays with wild pollard willows and crawl on paths through a floodplain swamp forest, dense and savage willow jungle, intersected by reed beds and rugged grassland, under the influence of ebb and flow. The area owes its name to the salmon fishery which yielded little here: a small profit.
Further on, the jungle opens up and we look out over the wide waters of the Oude Maas river. A narrow riverbank path accompanies us along the slow-flowing river, with herons scratching on the shore and swans bobbing on the water. The area also has the only duck decoy outside the dikes in our country!We will pass several restaurants where we can have a break in one of them:
Abel Tasman café restaurant
https://abel-restaurant.nl/
- Restaurant het Wapen van Rhoon (with a nice terras) nearby the castle https://hetwapenvanrhoon.nl/Notifications
- Meet up event fee: Euro 5,50/Eur 6,95 from 9 May to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=Nl6kmXnQVlldNpQ7qoMbjiPmDUxeFN7S - We walk fast at (4 to 5 km an hour average) with 2/3 breaks, you should be fit for it and used to long distance walks of -+ 20 km ;-).
- Be aware that the hike will take the whole day and that the ending time is approximate.
- Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we might stop at a restaurant.
- I advise to wear comfortable hiking shoes and gear with layers and a rain coat.
- Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, participating is at your own risk.
- The hike might be cancelled or postponed in case of extreme bad weather or few people signed up. Check messages for last-minute updates the evening before.
- Please only sign up if you are attending to join. And change your RSVP if something unexpected occurs. Last-minutes cancellations are not appreciated and NO SHOWS will be recorded! No refund. Thank you.
- Meet up event fee: Euro 5,50/Eur 6,95 from 9 May to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
- ☀️Summer weekend hike @ gorgeous Vlieland (Frisian Wadden island) ! ☀️Rederij Doeksen, Harlingen€285.00
******** Sign up before 1 February to make reservations on time *********
This is an adventurous summer weekend in the precious Wadden island Vlieland in the north (Friesland).
A pristine coastline with endless high dunes, white sand and quite forests far from the madding crowd. This island is perfect for an escape to connect with nature, unplug and unwind. The island is the smallest Wadden (inhabited) island, with only one charming village, Oost-Vlieland. It is also almost car-free and it has the most beautiful Dutch dunes and beaches. Come to explore this island together with Carpe Diem!We start the weekend Friday afternoon 13:30 at the harbour of Harlingen where we can have drinks/lunch before taking the fast ferry to the island at 14:35 (50 minutes).
Accommodation
We are staying 2 nights in comfortable 2 persons rooms (with 2 single beds and own bathroom) in a cosy *** hotel in Oost-Vlieland village with Wadden sea view, at walking distance from the ferry and the beach.Friday: arrival + short hike & drinks @ the beach (7 km)
After checkin, we can do a short orientation hike (-+ 7 km) on the beach. * Dinner: we can have a potluck picnic @ the beach with games enjoying some music: beach party!
Option B is an outdoor cooking workshop.Saturday: Vliehors & Kroon' s polders (15 km)
We will hike over nature reserves Vliehors ( the Sahara of the North) and Kroons polder. The route goes through dense woodlands with lakes, a heather area with Scottish highlanders, dune valleys and wide beaches.
Kroon’s Polders are famous for their natural beauty and birds. It is also a water heritage from salty to sweet water. The polders have fresh water and salt water regions and agricultural fields with different vegetation then on the Wadden Sea borders.
Here we almost always see seals. We will also visit the Rescue House in the middle of the Horst: formerly a refuge for stranded drowning people, now turned into a beachcombers' museum. Everything that has washed up on the beach can be admired here, from cigarettes to bottle mail.
* Dinner: in the evening we will grab some food in a restaurant before our excursion.Vliehors Express evening ride with guide & campfire
In the evening we will go on adventure to the Sahara of the North with the Vliehors Expres: a unique journey to discover the island: a special excursion with a huge truck to the most western point of the island. Around the rescue House, we will enjoy sunset with drinks around a cozy campfire, sitting around the beachcomber with his stories and beautiful music with his guitar and accordeon!Sunday: hike to Vuurboets dune & the lighthouse (10 km)
Today we will hike to the top of the Vuurboets dune of 42 meter with its pictoresque lighthouse,the Red Dwarf. It is possible to visit the Lighthouse. From here we have a magnificent view over Oost Vlieland village, the Bokkendal’ dune area, inhabited by goats, and the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, as well as the neighbour islands. It is also possible to visit a bunker museum.
With nice weather we can enjoy a swim in the sea during the breaks.Price and registration
The price is € 285,- per person (from 1 February Eur 295) for 2 nights accommodation in 2 persons room with own bathroom (single separate beds), bed linnen, towels, one welcome drink, 2 delicious breakfast buffet, guided hikes, Vliehors expres truck excursion with campfire, tourist taxes and Meet up event Fee. The first 3 signed up will have the best rooms with balcony and wadden sea view.
You can pay directly when signing up through this link:Extra option outdoor cooking workshop € 70,- (not included).
Join this weekend on this Wadden island celebrating the start of the summer!
Notifications:
- Ferry Vlieland:
Eur 26,95 Friday at 14:35. Normal ferry to Harlingen on Sunday at 16:50 (95 min) Eur 16,77 or fast ferry at 19:10 (Eur 24,95/50 min).
[https://www.rederij-doeksen.nl](https://www.rederij-doeksen.nl) - The first people signed up will get the best rooms/beds.
- We walk fast (4 to 5 km/h average), with 2-3 breaks. You should be fit and used to hikes of approximately 15-20 km.
- Minimum attendance: 8 participants. Maximum: 12 participants. Priority may be given to people on the waiting list who have attended my events previously.
- Please wear comfortable waterproof hiking gear, including layers and a raincoat. Also, bring sufficient water and snacks.
- Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, and participation is at your own risk.
- The hikes might be adapted or shortened in case of bad or rainy weather.
- Please sign up only if you plan to attend and are ready to pay the fee upon registration.
- The event fee is non-refundable, except when the trip is full (12 participants), and there is someone to substitute you. However, the MeetUp and administration fee (€25) will still be charged.
- Thank you for your understanding and support in maintaining smooth planning and organisation for the group!
- Ferry Vlieland:
- Long weekend NP Dwingerderveld in sod huts: dolmens, purple heather & blue laked'Olde Kamp, Ansen€275.00
******Sign up before 1 March to make reservations on time ******
This is a 4 days hiking weekend in southwest Drenthe in the northeast of the Netherlands! We will stay in nice sod huts in the gorgeous National Park Dwingerderveld with its impressive heatherland fields turning into purple carpets in August/September. We will hike parts the Drenthepad trail passing through Havelteberg with dolmens, as well as the stunning blue lake.
'Drenthe is so beautiful, that's how much it captivates me and satisfies me absolutely, that I, if i couldn't be here forever, I would rather not have seen it. It is indescribably nice.' - Vincent van Gogh in 1883 -
Gathering Friday at 11:45 (or later 18:00) at te accommodation in Ansen (nearby train station NS Steenwijk).Accommodation:
We spend 3 nights in original traditional 19th century Drenthe turf wooden sod huts (3 persons a hut) in camping OldeKamp. The huts are fully equipped with 3 bed steads, bathroom, toilet and kitchen, table with rush chairs, oil lamp + electric lighting, as well as a sitting area outside with campfire.
[https://plaggenhut.nl/accommodaties/plaggenhut-deluxe/](https://plaggenhut.nl/accommodaties/plaggenhut-deluxe/)Programme
Daty 1 Thursday: Hike Havelteberg mountain (12 to 15 km)
We will walk through the woods of the hilly Havelteberg to the characteristic Drenthe village of Uffelte. Nearby we will pass a hunnebed (dolmen), the mysterious megalithes, a geological monuments for this region. The route goes further through estates with a farmlands.
Teahouse: [http://www.theehuys-anserdennen.nl/](http://www.theehuys-anserdennen.nl/)
*Dinner: we will prepare a nice meal together, relax in the garden by campfire...Day 2 Friday: Ansen roundwalk Ruinen or Ansen - NS Beilen (-+ 18 to 20 km)
Today we will will cross the extensive Dwingeloo forestry passing drifting sands, beautiful moss, juniper bushes, and peat fens which houses a large number of birds. We will end at the stunning blue lake, a deep sand hole created by sand extraction*.* In the Lheerbroekerzand nature reserve with a large sheep herd, there is a lot of heathland and juniper bushes. Here we will meet many scotish highlanders.
* Dinner @ restaurant (Ruinen or Ansen).
[https://www.restauranttanteans.nl/](https://www.restauranttanteans.nl/)
[https://www.restaurantluning.nl/](https://www.restaurantluning.nl/)Day 3 Saturday: Hike Ansen/Dwingeloo - blue lake (-+ 20 km)
Today we cross the impressive Dwingeloose heather. We will pass a sheepfold and visitor center Natuurmonumenten. Soon we reach the village of Dwingeloo, where we can have a break. After passing some farmlands, we will end at the blue lake, a beautiful hidden gem! We will walk around it, and who wants can also swim!
Lunch: Bospub Dwingeloo [https://www.bospub.nl/](https://www.bospub.nl/) or Restaurant Onder de Eiken [https://www.onderdeeiken.nl/](https://www.onderdeeiken.nl/)
* Dinner: self cooked meal or pizza delivery + games night by campfireDay 4 Sunday: 4 options:
- Museum farm Kastenhoeve [https://karstenhoeve.nl/](https://karstenhoeve.nl/)
- Birds park Ruinen [https://www.vogelpark-ruinen.nl/](https://www.vogelpark-ruinen.nl/)
- Taman Indonesia zoo [https://www.taman-indonesia.nl/](https://www.taman-indonesia.nl/)
- 4. or visit city Meppel
Restaurant Ruinen: [https://restaurantoldeposthuus.nl/Posthuus/restaurant.html](https://restaurantoldeposthuus.nl/Posthuus/restaurant.html)
Price and registration:
Price is Euro 275,- p.p. for early birds (Eur 290,- from 15 February) all inclusive including 3 overnight (3 persons man/women hut/separate beds), bedlinnen, 3 breakfast + packed lunch, 2 dinner, Tourist tax, bedlinnen, guided hikes, Meet Up event fee + administration and organization costs.
After the minimum of 8 attendees is reached, you will receive a tickie for payment.Come to this weekend and enjoy the stunning peaceful landscapes of Drenthe!
Notifications:
- The first people signed up will get the best rooms/beds.
- We walk fast (4 to 5 km/h average), with 2-3 breaks. You should be fit and used to hikes of approximately 15-20 km.
- Minimum attendance: 8 participants. Maximum: 12 participants. Priority may be given to people on the waiting list who have attended my events previously.
- Please wear comfortable waterproof hiking gear, including layers and a raincoat. Also, bring sufficient water and snacks.
- Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, and participation is at your own risk.
- The hikes might be adapted or shortened in case of bad or rainy weather.
- Please sign up only if you plan to attend and are ready to pay the fee upon registration.
- The event fee is non-refundable, except when the trip is full (12 participants), and there is someone to substitute you. However, the MeetUp and administration fee (€25) will still be charged.
- Thank you for your understanding and support in maintaining smooth planning and organisation for the group!
