We are Thomas and Cees, the faces behind Explorer4Experience. We have been together since 2000 and were married in 2006. We live in the Netherlands, near Amsterdam, and both work in the banking sector. Beyond that, we share a great passion for travel, fine dining, and everything that goes along with it.
To date, we have visited more than fifty countries together—from Australia and Japan to South America and various destinations across Europe. On Explorer4Experience, we share our independent experiences regarding luxury hotels, exceptional restaurants, and dishes we’ve prepared ourselves.
Back home, our Australian Labradoodle, Tobias, awaits our return; he occasionally joins us on our travels. For this reason, we pay close attention to whether a hotel merely “allows” dogs or truly makes them feel welcome—a distinction that is far more significant than you might think.
Honest and critical
If something isn’t right, we say so. Politely, but we say it.
For instance, at the Park Hyatt Saigon, we booked a room with a “view”—which turned out to be a view of a roof. The alternative room they offered smelled of mold. When we asked for another option, the front desk claimed there were no other rooms available—until one of us mentioned we would be calling our travel agent. Suddenly, a room became available after all. We requested to speak with the manager, but that never happened. Later, back home, we received an email from the manager expressing regret that he hadn’t been able to speak with us. The front desk did offer us a complimentary meal, which was a kind gesture—but the fact that the conversation never took place is what we find most disappointing.
Mistakes can happen; no one is perfect. But they should be resolved, and guests should be taken seriously. Recently, at a restaurant, the meat we were served arrived cold. They promptly brought a fresh plate with a new portion of meat, followed by a complimentary dessert and coffee. That is exactly how it should be handled. And anyone who treats you as if you should be grateful just to be there—well, they needn’t count on us anymore.
What brings us joy
It’s rarely the marble bathrooms. It’s the window at the InterContinental Monterey left open, with seals calling out below and seagulls landing on the balcony. It’s the window at the Wickaninnish Inn in Canada, with the fireplace crackling and the ocean stretching out in the darkness. It’s a dinner paired with champagnes at Royal Champagne. It’s a card featuring a drawing by Tobias at the Anantara Quy Nhon. It’s a printed photo from our own website, inscribed with “Welcome back,” waiting for us at the Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains. It’s having your glass refilled before you even have to ask.
And then there was the time at De Librije when, after dinner, Thomas mentioned to Thérèse that the dessert was so delicious he could easily have another. Ten minutes later, she returned with a second serving. That’s something you never forget.
To us, luxury is someone noticing your glass is empty and refilling it before you even have to ask.
Who pays?
We pay for our own trips, accommodations, and meals. Should a hotel or restaurant ever extend an invitation—offering a discount or even a complimentary stay or meal—we will always disclose this, and we will share our honest opinion regardless. We make no compromises on that front.
Food
We often recreate dishes we’ve tasted during our travels once we’re back home. The recipes featured here are our own creations; we aren’t professional chefs—we simply enjoy the process. We also draw inspiration from other blogs. If we adapt a recipe almost verbatim from a cookbook or another blog, we always cite the source. We believe that’s only natural.
LGBTQ+ Community
As a married male couple, we also travel to destinations not typically known for being LGBTQ+-friendly, such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates. People advised us against this beforehand, but we have never encountered any issues and have always been welcomed with hospitality. On one occasion, a staff member at check-in asked if we really intended to share a double bed; once we confirmed that was fine, the matter was dropped immediately.
That has been our experience—though it is no guarantee for others. Laws and attitudes vary by country, and sometimes even by individual hotel, so please consider what feels right and safe for you.
We want to show that there is much more to explore beyond the well-known, gay-friendly destinations. We want to inspire people to travel and to discover the gems of this world.
In Closing
Do you know of a great place, or do you have a question? Email us at info@explorer4experience.com
We welcome tips, suggestions, and any questions you may have regarding LGBTQ+ travel.
