In today’s member interview, we chat with the lovely Romy Boomsma, mother of two – Bobby (4) and Mozes (2) – influencer, jewellery designer, model, and columnist. Alongside her husband, Dutch tv-host, model, and gym-owner Arie Boomsma, and her adorable kids, Romy loves staying at stylish, environmentally-conscious, and family-friendly properties. Today, this great mum and travelbee Romy Boomsma tells us everything about her family travels.
“How sweet, thanks for the compliment. We’ve noticed that, ever since we’ve had kids, we feel a stronger desire for ‘spaciousness.’ We want to live a greener life that allows us to get in touch with nature and, of course, for some peace and quiet. On our most recent vacation, we stayed at TRVLBEES property Barrocal. This zen getaway spot truly pushed us to find a new home that is surrounded by nature and greenery.”
“Absolutely! However, we do realize that, since we had children, we prefer to go on a longer holiday once a year than to take shorter trips. I usually book the trips – I love to sort everything out and prepare for our next adventure.”
“Yes. I always try to find out in advance what the area looks like, what the possibilities are, and whether the property can provide practical things, like a high-chair. It’s great to know exactly what to expect; you leave home feeling relaxed, ready, and excited for the trip you’re about to embark on. Of course, it’s also good to know what’s necessary to bring and, even better, what to leave behind.”
“This category certainly appeals to me! I adore charming, small-scale stays. If possible, we prefer to avoid large and busy destinations. Luckily, there are many great alternatives nowadays – and they’re not just great for children, but also for parents. At the end of the day, children are much better off when their parents are relaxed and are truly enjoying themselves, rather than going crazy running from waterslide to waterslide across a crowded, large-scale resort.”
“Absolutely! Even in our daily lives, we try very hard to live sustainably in as many ways as possible. As a family, we, for example, do not eat meat and consume consciously. It’s lovely to implement this lifestyle on holiday, too.”
“From an early age, I’ve loved everything interior-related. Fashion too for that matter, but that has more to do with taste than with trends. I love treasure-hunting for ourselves and our house and enjoy doing so abroad, too. Visiting markets and local shops while traveling, we always collect souvenirs for back home.”
“Based on our travels with the kids, Portugal is our absolute favorite so far. We just had a fantastic, dream holiday in Comporta, and after that, we were lucky enough to visit TRVLBEES property São Lourenço do Barrocal, which was absolutely incredible.”
“We had a truly fantastic vacation. The photos we saw in advance were beautiful, but don’t do the hotel enough justice. It was even better in real life! The atmosphere at Barrocal is so relaxed. It’s a very spacious getaway that is wonderful for children. Our kids loved it!”
“No, not specifically. I do notice that we’re postponing farther journeys that we’ll probably go on when the kids are a bit older. For now, we’re still finding and visiting the countless beautiful spots that Europe has to offer. We don’t feel like we’re missing out on anything.”
Need some inspiration for Europe destinations? Check in at the best luxury kid-friendly resorts in Europe tipped by the TRVLBEES team.
“We try to raise them as freely as possible, but do want to set some (healthy) boundaries and create a safe environment.”
“I love the way they show you the world through their eyes, it’s such a special thing. They inspire you to live in the moment and to focus on the small, but vital things in life. We don’t have a dream-destination; as long as we’re together, I’m happy.”
“Marissa Mooiman. She visited São Barrocal last year and introduced it to us; we instantly felt an urge to visit that place, it was love at first sight.”
More travel inspiration? View more member stories.