When I started working as a companion nearly ten years ago, I could never have imagined how many extraordinary places I would have the opportunity to discover. Of course, I knew I would meet new people and occasionally visit beautiful hotels or restaurants. What I did not expect was that this work would take me, both literally and figuratively, to places I might never have experienced otherwise.
When people think about my profession, they often immediately think of luxury hotels. While I have certainly visited many beautiful hotels over the years, the places that have stayed with me the most are rarely the most exclusive or expensive ones. Instead, they are the places where meaningful conversations took place, where memories were created, and where I was fortunate enough to be part of a special moment in someone’s life.
Some of my favourite memories were made right here in the Netherlands. A long walk through Amsterdam as the city slowly came to life in the early morning. A spontaneous dinner that lasted far longer than expected because the conversation flowed so naturally. An evening at the theatre followed by hours of talking over a glass of wine. More often than not, it is these simple moments that leave the deepest impression on me.
My work has also given me the opportunity to experience cities in a completely different way. Not as a tourist checking landmarks off a list, but as someone discovering a place through another person’s eyes. Together with clients, I have visited museums, wandered through historic city centres, and discovered hidden corners that never appear in travel guides. Sometimes it was the city itself that made an impression, but more often it was the stories shared along the way that made the experience truly memorable.
One of the most beautiful aspects of my work is that no two meetings are ever the same. While one client may enjoy visiting a fine dining restaurant together, another may prefer a peaceful walk or an afternoon spent exploring a museum. It is this variety that has allowed me to visit so many different places and continue discovering new experiences year after year.
My work has also taken me beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Visiting a new city takes on an entirely different meaning when you experience it together with someone else. Getting lost in unfamiliar streets, tasting local dishes, taking a boat tour, or simply enjoying a view you have never seen before—these moments become about much more than the destination itself.
What I find perhaps most remarkable is that, over time, the locations themselves often fade into the background. When I look back on the past decade, I do not always remember the name of a particular hotel or restaurant. What I do remember are the people. The conversations we shared. The laughter. The personal stories. The moments when someone felt completely comfortable enough to be themselves.
Perhaps that is the biggest misconception about my work. Many people assume it revolves around luxury locations, beautiful hotels, exclusive restaurants, or international travel. While I am incredibly grateful for all of those experiences, they are not what made this journey special.
The places were beautiful. The experiences were memorable. But it was always the people who mattered most.
After nearly ten years, I can honestly say that the most special place my work has ever taken me is not a city, a hotel, or a restaurant.
It has been into the lives of the people I have had the privilege of meeting. Their stories, their trust, and the memories we created together are worth more to me than any destination could ever be.
And that is why I look back on this journey with such gratitude. With love
