These homes are mainly under Dutch ownership. We focus on making people acquainted with all the beauty of Hungary, so therefore we mainly focus on village tourism and not on mass tourism at the Balaton. We get many good responses from guests about Hungary and their experiences with local food, culture and wine.

For us, Hungary is a great country to be because of its bohemian way of living, the unexpected parties, the varied landscape, the beautiful and lovely people and the spectacular wining and dining. Since last year, we operate a new website: boedapest-hongarije.nl, which is all about Budapest and focuses on tourism again.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first arrived in Hungary in the summer of 1993 and, as in so many cases, the reason was love since I met a Hungarian girl in Holland. The next year I arranged to spend a year on the Közgáz for an international study programme. I now operate a business in Holiday Homes in Hungary, mainly from Dutch owners.

We rent out the homes via Hungariahuizen.nl on the Dutch/Belgian market and via ferienhauserinungarn.de on the German speaking market. Further, I try to write as many articles as possible for Dutch language travel magazines about Hungary, because the beauty of the country is still very unknown to the western tourist.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The capability of people to organise an instant party with hardly any means in no time at all. And, on the other hand, the capability of Hungarians to think and act opposite of all that is found logical in the west. Both are fascinating.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Aha, this depends on the weather of course, but I would say: take a stroll along the Danube, visit the parliament and the nearby Basilicum. Don't miss out on the Matthias Church and the Halászbástya and the Royal Palace. Have a coffee in either Russzwurm or Müvész (or both) and take a swim in either Széchenyi or Gellért. If it's hot, sit down in the Városliget under a tree with a nice cold Borsodi or Dreher. If it's bit cooler, go to Margit Sziget to rent bike and tour over the island. For dinner, I recommend a Dina & Wine tour on the Danube. Those who are in love should have an evening walk on the Rakpárt to enjoy Széchenyi Lánczhíd and the Royal Palace by night.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I would say homemade Hungarian gulyás, cooked in a kettle on a woodfire

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Aha, that's an easy one: Pick Szalami, Borsodi Sör and Emmenthaler sajt

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
There's only one word coming into mind: szeretlek. For those of you not knowing, learn it by heart

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Actually, nothing.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Becoming a novelist.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Anything that has to do with taxes. I can't imagine someting more boring.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In a small village called Sály, just South of the Bükk Nemzeti Park

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
We're off to Brighton tomorrow.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favourite band was Simple Minds, especially Promised you a Miracle in the live version, one of my all time favourite films is Nothing Hill

14. What can't you resist?
Chocolate

15. Red wine or white?
Red! Egri Bikavér, Egri Merlot, Székszárdi Kadarka.

16. Book or movie?
A bit of both I guess. Depends on my mood and how much energy I have. I love reading, but I also love watching movies.

17. Morning person or night person?
Definitly a night person

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Honesty, since most politicians are lying through their teeth.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
For the views I would vote for Buda, but for the action one should go tp Pest. Both sides of the Danube have it's charm. It just depends on your personal wishes.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Honesty is the best and most profitable policy.