About Martin
Historical investigator, storyteller and private guide
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"It has been an incredibly rewarding, satisfying and humbling experience meeting all these people on my tours and journeys."
A PERSONAL JOURNEY
Why I do this
I love storytelling, and every good story begins with listening.
What motivates someone to book a journey? What do they already know? What are they hoping to discover?
"It's your day," I always say at the start.
When, at the end of the day, I see that my guests have learned something, experienced something meaningful and had a day to remember, I know I've done my job.
And I love doing that.
Historical Investigator
I usually have thirty books around me, a laptop and notepad. I have learned that visiting places, carefully looking around, gives you the deepest insights. And always new questions to think about.
Storyteller
I write, talk and make music. Stories from the past, the countryside, the Dutch, and people's lives. Everything can be a story, as long as you know how to listen.
Private Guide
Taking you to places is the most rewarding. People often travel far and have only one chance for a visit, and I love to make sure we make the most of that.
Bringing history home
I like to bring history close to home. Experience what it was really like, not the boring facts but real life. I do this through my work as a guide and also in my writing. History for people who wouldn't read a history book.
Sometimes I become Flier de Fluiter, a 16th century troubadour who plays with his group at historical festivals. These are also stories and a lot of fun!
If you want to see Flier with his group Vive Les Gueux at a historical festival, follow the link below.
BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS
When I am not travelling with guests I also write (online) stories. I have published three works and am working on more.
ONLINE STORIES
I write about my journeys with you, reflections and just fun stories on Substack. Click the link to follow me there.
Dat Werkt Anders
"An Alternative Way" is my book about my twenty years of experience in corporate business.
De Alkmaarsche Scheurkalender
A calendar with every day a story of the year 1573 in Alkmaar, celebrating 450 years of peace since the "Siege of Alkmaar".
Om Alkmaar
A book about Alkmaar for everyone, with stories, photos and drawings. In Dutch and English.
"Martin is the best kind of guide — incredibly knowledgeable but also compassionate and thoughtful."
Lucy Adlington - Author of "The Dressmakers of Auschwitz"
STORIES FROM THE ROAD
Reflections and insights
Books and films are often about people, events, numbers and facts. What really happened fascinates me.
Long time ago
“Ah, Martin… this was all such a long time ago,” my father used to say when he told me his war stories.
War in the forest
If you want to try to experience how it was during the war, then the forest is the best place to go to.
The scariest picture
A man with an accordion and a group of laughing, flirty young ladies with two officers. They are in uniform, German.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions my guests ask me before or during our time together.
How did you become interested in history?
History has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. My parents were teenagers in the war and told me their stories. What I find most interesting is to find the people behind the names and the stories behind the events.
What do you enjoy most about guiding?
The conversations.
Every guest brings their own interests, experiences and questions. Some of the insights and stories I share today came from conversations with guests over the years. And it's nice to spend a good day together.
Why do you call yourself a Historical Investigator?
It's a joke I came up with when I thought of myself as a bit of a detective. But when I look through sources, visit places, talk to people and think about what happened, this is really what I am.
What is your favourite part of history?
I am interested in everything. Every age, every place in time has its own unique footprint. I always liked the 16th century when we started to (re)discover what shapes our lives today. Studying WW2 is becoming my life's work.
What do you hope guests take away from a journey?
I hope they leave with a deeper understanding of the places they visited, but also with a few stories they will still remember years later. If a journey makes history feel more personal, more human and more relevant, then I have achieved what I set out to do.
Not so
Frequently Asked Question
Do you know what tree that is?
Sorry, no.
Ask me anything about history and I am usually able to give you an answer, but the names of trees are not my speciality.
