Curious about the new participants in B&B Vol Liefde? We introduce them to you | Show

57-year-old Iris lives in the small Greek village of Sparto. Six years ago, while still married, she bought a piece of land on which she had three holiday homes built. Since Iris divorced, she has been running things alone, but the B&B owner now thinks it is time for a new flame in her life. Iris – who says she is often compared to Donna from the film Mamma Mia! – is looking for a sweet, charismatic man who can handle her busy lifestyle. She is also looking for someone who is active. “That doesn’t mean he has to do a lot of sports, but it also doesn’t mean he has to sit on a chair all day.”

Iris describes herself as a ‘sociable person’ and often visits fellow villagers during the quieter winter period. “I’m sitting here wonderfully and have enough rights, but I would really like to see that place next to or opposite me filled, with a partner who is really mine.” The blonde is therefore eager to embark on the adventure and hopes to find someone with whom she can grow old.

Robert Jan set foot in Scotland 26 years ago. It was an instant hit: he was overcome by a feeling of peace that never went away. After years of deliberation, Robert Jan decided last summer to pursue his dream: starting a bed and breakfast in Invergordon, Scotland. The cottage is not finished yet, but Robert Jan is already receiving guests. And it doesn’t stop there: he also organizes day trips. A busy bee, then.

Robert Jan, who also describes himself as an ‘old fart’, has also had difficult times: two and a half years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and had to fight for his life. The disease played a major role in his decision to move to Scotland. And now he is ready for a new love. But describe his type? That’s a tough one. “I do value education and some traditions. Preferably someone who understands what I am doing here. That the beauty of this country.” Robert Jan promises at least one thing: “Boring? That will never happen here.”

In a fourteenth-century castle in La Bisbal d’Empordà, Catalan, 63-year-old Albert runs not a small b&b, but a hotel with 57 rooms, two swimming pools, two restaurants and 95 staff. He bought his house at the age of 36 and built it from scratch. Largely together with his ex, with whom he was together for 23 years and had two daughters, aged 5 and 7. His relationship ended in April. “It’s like being shipwrecked, but you have to keep swimming,” says Albert, who says he is ready for new love.

The fit Albert – he runs every day – has a special hobby in addition to listening to music: he has recreated the entire Battle of Waterloo in a miniature world of eighteen square meters, including three thousand soldier figures, many of which he painted himself. He is looking for an adventurous woman who ‘looks a bit good’, is ‘a bit feisty’ and has life experience.

35-year-old Mike was born in Spain, but is a child of Dutch parents. His Dutch is sometimes a bit rusty – he thinks in Spanish – but that doesn’t stop him from looking for a Dutch beauty after some relationships with Spanish ladies. “Dutch women don’t complain, they are easier,” says Mike.

Mike, who in addition to a B&B in the summer also runs a water sports company with his father, has set his sights on a ‘sporty girl’ to watch movies and make popcorn with. And – very important – who loves dogs: Mike and his four-legged friend are inseparable, and anyone who shares a bed with the 35-year-old man will also find his faithful dog there. You also get the in-laws for free: Mike considers his father and mother, who live nearby, to be good friends. “I tell them everything.”

After always working in an office, 46-year-old Arno decided to exchange the Achterhoek for a life that mainly takes place outside in Payzac, France, where more cows live than people. He is still in the middle of renovating his B&B, but is thoroughly enjoying all the handyman skills he has taught himself. “I think being fit and healthy is very important. I don’t like the gym, but doing odd jobs is my sport,” says Arno, who hopes to find that in his future friend.

After being single for four years, it is now time for someone back in his life. He pays particular attention to the ‘energy from the glance’. “A sparkle, a bit naughty, I like that.”

When 70-year-old Anja, who has lived in Biches, France for 22 years, wakes up in the morning, she greets the squirrels and birds. They then happily wave their tails back and make Anja happy with their singing. “I followed my heart by living outside here. I’ve never regretted it.”

Anja, who stays fit by participating in Omroep Max’s ‘old-fashioned gym’ every morning, has been alone for forty years. “But I’m not lonely. I can handle silence well,” says the former Arnhem native. “I was married once and have had relationships, but never lived together again. Now I am entering calmer waters and am now consciously looking forward to love.” Her ideal partner has humor and is warm, an outdoorsman and a bit naughty.

One day, Roland’s wine cellar will become a luxurious paradise, but anyone who visits now must prepare for an even more primitive existence. When Roland needs to go to the toilet, he grabs a chair with a hole cut out and places it in the middle of his garden, surrounded by woods. “There is no better toilet. Usually you sit with a door 70 centimeters in front of you. This is freedom. I also have no mailbox, no doorbell, nothing.”

The eccentric Roland has been married three times. “Everything has its time. It’s just like with cars. It really has to be a good one, and a nice car too. One that I can continue to drive for the rest of my life,” he says. He is looking for a woman with humor and spirit. “Who can take a beating, because I’m not the easiest.” Ladies his own age don’t have to respond: Roland never has any girlfriends older than 40 or 45 years old.

When you come to Italy, you come to Henriëtte. She has lived just north of Venice for 39 years and she never wants to leave. Henriëtte can be alone, but she doesn’t like it. After six years as a single, she is now looking for a Dutch man who loves Italy as much as she does.

Henriëtte, who in her early twenties fell head over heels for an Italian she met on holiday, is the mother of two sons. Since the divorce, fifteen years ago, the Italian holiday sweetheart has only been in the picture as the father of her offspring. Henriëtte was allowed to do whatever she wanted with the former family home in Cesarolo. So start a b&b. The three rooms all have their own names.

Henriëtte is no longer interested in Italian men. “They cannot accept independent women, they want to call the shots. That doesn’t suit me very well.”

She needs a brush in her hand to be truly happy, but clothes? These are not so important at the naturist campsite in Naussanne. Suzanne is used to a lot of naked people around her and it would be useful if her future partner is not too prudish. But, she says as an expert: ‘you don’t want to keep your clothes on here, because it is very hot’.

Suzanne graduated cum laude from art academy and needs to paint a lot. Otherwise she can get grumpy and who would want that? Special element: her sister, her son and daughter, her niece and… her ex live nearby. Suzanne reassures her potential life partners in advance: this neighbor will certainly not interfere with her future.

You can already tell from the spelling of his name: Thijz is eccentric. He lives in a watermill, drives an old-school blue camper and misses a woman who occasionally reminds him that he needs to shave. He single-handedly built a campsite in it center du rienin good Dutch: the middle of nowhere.

Thijz also likes to paint and he is also an inventor who likes to put things together himself. He uses a sewing machine base to build a table and a compressor to make a barbecue. As a potential life partner of Thijz, you should not attach too much importance to regularity and structure. Thijz is a man of laissez-faire.

Afraid? Do you startle when a giraffe sticks its neck around the corner? Then don’t write to Mirjam, because she runs a safari lodge in the middle of the Kruger Park. Anyone who would like to hear an elephant happily hanging its trunk in the water of your outdoor pool can feel free to respond.

Mirjam has been single for a few years, leads the lodge team and misses her two sons who are studying in the Netherlands. She has a lot of love to give, but she does not go into detail: ‘What do I really have to give? That is private’. She laughs exuberantly.

That laughter is important; Mirjam is looking for a man with humor. “You can’t make it here without humor,” she says. Love for wild animals and nature is a bonus, love for Mirjam is crucial.

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