Quixoticguide
Hi, I’m Maarten Van Den Driessche, a curious human, aviation enthusiast, vexillophile, world traveler, and food lover with over 14,000 days of life experience.
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Exploring the 8 Regions of Niger
Despite being one of the largest countries in West Africa, Niger remains one of its least-visited destinations. Covering vast stretches of the Sahara Desert and the Sahel, the country is divided into seven regions and the capital district of Niamey. Each region offers its own landscapes, cultures, and traditions—from ancient caravan cities to fertile river…
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Australia Is Wider Than the Moon
It sounds impossible at first. The Moon hangs enormous in our night sky. Australia is just one country on Earth. Surely the Moon must be much larger? Yet when you compare them side by side, Australia is actually wider than the Moon. The Moon has a diameter of approximately 3,474 kilometres. Australia, measured from its…
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What If Every Human on Earth Stood Side by Side?
A thought experiment that will change the way you look at the world It started with a conversation in Turkey. My friend Alex Tsaplev, traveller, thinker, the kind of person who asks questions nobody else thinks to ask, turned to me one evening and said: “Do you know that every human being on Earth could…
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Oman and Norway: Two Countries, One Population, Worlds Apart
At first glance, Oman and Norway seem to have little in common. One is a desert kingdom on the Arabian Peninsula, the other a Scandinavian nation famous for its fjords and snowy landscapes. Yet these two countries share a surprising statistic: both have a population of around 5.5 million people. This unexpected similarity often leads…
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Flag Etiquette — The Essential Guide to Displaying a Flag Correctly
A flag is more than just a piece of fabric—it represents history, identity, values, and pride. Whether you’re displaying a national flag, state flag, military flag, or organizational banner, following proper flag etiquette demonstrates respect for what that flag stands for. This essential guide covers the key principles for displaying a flag correctly and respectfully.…
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Japan’s Population Problem: What Happens When a Country Starts to Shrink?
Japan is often seen as a glimpse into the future. The country is famous for its cutting-edge technology, efficient transportation, and some of the world’s safest cities. Yet behind the neon lights of Tokyo and the bullet trains racing across the country lies one of the most significant demographic challenges of the 21st century. Japan’s…
Where Curiosity Leads
Travel is more than ticking countries off a map. It’s about discovering the stories behind places, understanding the people who call them home, and seeing the world through new perspectives.
Quixotic Guide is a collection of destinations, cultures, history, aviation, food, and ideas, created for curious travellers who want to go beyond the guidebook. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply exploring from home, every article is designed to help you understand the world a little better.
Explore Beyond the Tourist Trail
- 🌍 Discover fascinating destinations
- 🏛️ Understand history and cultures
- 🍽️ Explore national dishes and traditions
- ✈️ Travel smarter with practical guides
- 💡 Gain context behind the headlines
- 📖 See the world through curiosity
“The more you understand a place, the more meaningful your journey becomes.”
My Travel guides
- Not instructions, but orientation.
- These guides explain how places work — so you don’t just visit, you arrive.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” –
Ibn Battuta
Maghrebi traveller