This past Sunday we paid our first visit to Jennifer and York’s new home in Rotterdam. Like I have already confessed to them, I felt like a kid in a candy shop, trying to absorb all the beautiful details of the space – the light, the mood, their choice of furniture and decoration – and, at the same time, to take photos of everything.

“It’s work in progress,” Jennifer said apologetically, to which I replied I was already impressed, yet was nevertheless looking forward to seeing it in its final form, too.  It really is one of the most charming and full of character homes I have ever been to.

After a homemade brunch of mango smoothie with cereals and fruits, warm croissants and bagels, we went for a walk in the neighbourhood – Kralingen, in the East of Rotterdam – home to chic, romantic looking villas and elegant lanes.

“Avenue Concordia sounds so French!” I said to Jennifer reading the name on a street plate. Jennifer, perhaps the biggest lover of Paris of non-French origins, was happy with my remark. “I know, right?” A satisfied smile showed on her face.

I didn’t stop there with my enthusiastic remarks. “If I hear one more person saying they don’t like Rotterdam, I am going to bring them to your neighbourhood!” I meant that.

As usual when in the city, we ended the afternoon at Kop van Zuid, a popular hangout area for locals in search of a cultural treat. This time, the four of us went for a movie at LantarenVenster, the arthouse cinema opposite of Nederlands Fotomuseum.

“We live like on a movie set here in Amsterdam!” I heard my boyfriend saying upon our return to Amsterdam. I had to agree. The two cities are incomparable. We are happy to enjoy each of them with the same pleasure.