“You’re probably wondering why you would read yet another travel blog? Let me try and come up with some reasons for that:
1. I’m not planning on writing standard travel pieces that could have been ripped straight out of a Lonely Planet. Everyone knows the Eiffel tower is tall and La Rambla can get quite busy. There’s no need for me to write another identical piece on any of those topics. Reading my blog should leave you with both interesting and practical info you didn’t actually have yet.
2. I believe travel stories should be personal, funny and sometimes slightly provocative. Bill Bryson and Michael Palin are huge influences.
3. I want to spend time on the hidden parts of lesser known destinations.
4. I won’t forget about domestic travel. Everyone can at least paint a mental picture of what Bali is supposed to look and feel like, but what can you do in a random Belgian town like let’s say Oudenaarde? Things might be pretty wild over there, who knows? I mean to occasionally find out. Humorous, different and slightly in your face: that’s how Trot Op! should be.
Jonathan Ramael is a travel journalist who’s been published in VAB Magazine, Goodbye, Pasar, Feeling and several newspapers. As a photographer he’s worked for the University of Antwerp, the City of Antwerp, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Zorgnet-Icuro, Mercy Ships and many others. Since starting Trot Op! in late 2018, the blog won four Belgian Travel Blog Awards, including the Audience Choice Award in 2023.
For collaborations or all sorts of proposals: info@jonathanramael.com.
For more photography: www.jonathanramael.com or @jonathanramael on Instagram.
