Hey thereI’m Lieke Pijnappels, the face behind Little Wanderbook

Nice to meet you! Lieke here: commercial photographer, travel journalist and solo traveler with a soft spot for Portuguese cuisine, winters in Sri Lanka and boutique hotels that look as good as their breakfast tastes.

Little Wanderbook is a travel platform for women (and men) who love solo travel, boutique hotels, surf destinations and city trips with lots of good food. Here you’ll find the hotels worth checking into, the restaurants worth dressing up for and the beaches without the crowds.

View my portfolio

Lieke Pijnappels photographing a boutique hotel bathroom for Little Wanderbook

Solo travel, surf destinations & boutique hotels

“I check the mattress, the water pressure and whether the croissant deserves the early alarm.”

Think of me as the friend who arrives early and sends you the good addresses.

Tropical Escapes book and Dutch Travel Blog Awards won by Lieke Pijnappels

the brag cornerTropical Escapes & two Dutch Travel Blog Awards

In 2021, my book Tropical Escapes was published. I also won the Dutch Travel Blog Award for Best Hotel Story in 2026 and Best Roadtrip Story in 2025.

Over the years, I have tested dozens of surf retreats, boutique hotels and city stays across Europe and beyond. Everything you read on Little Wanderbook is based on personal experience and on-the-ground research. No generic travel advice, no copy-paste recommendations. I only feature places I would personally return to.

Curious about my photography, journalism and voice-over work for brands and hotels? Take a look at my portfolio website.

the good stuff

What you’ll find here

Solo travel tips for women (and men)
Surf retreats and surf spots in Europe and worldwide
Boutique hotels with character
Curated city guides
Slow travel routes
The best restaurants & cocktail bars

sounds like you?

Who is this platform for?

You love solo travel but value comfort
You prefer authenticity over all-inclusive resorts
You get excited about road trips
You appreciate design, atmosphere and great food

This is not a backpacking blog, nor a luxury jet-set platform for Kardashians. It’s for travelers who like a little salt in their hair and a decent wine list.

Pool of boutique hotel Casa Tikiri in Sri Lanka photographed by Lieke Pijnappels

let the adventures begin

ready when you areLet me send you the good addresses

Dreaming of a surf retreat in Portugal or Sri Lanka? Planning a boutique hotel weekend on Formentera or a slow travel route through Europe? Start browsing. It helps when someone has already tested the restaurants, checked the hotel sheets and found the good coffee. Follow me on Instagram for upcoming adventures.

Start exploring

With love, Lieke