At Booking Experts, creativity doesn’t stop after work. Our colleagues have a range of hobbies that show how they use their creativity outside the office. From music and photography to 3D printing and wine studies, our colleagues prove creativity comes in many forms.

In this blog, we share their stories and how they spend their time outside of work.

Lars (37): Designing with wood and skateboards 🛹

“Hi, I’m Lars, Teamlead HR & Recruitment at Booking Experts. I lead our HR & Recruitment team, focusing on various HR projects to support our employees and help build a strong, motivated team.”

Two hobbies in one

“During my part-time job at HUBO, I learned how to work with wood and tools,” Lars says. “I always enjoyed it. At the same time, I was skating a lot. One day I thought: hey, why not combine the two?” And it worked. Nowadays, Lars creates all kinds of designs using old skateboards.

What exactly do you make?

 “I cut narrow strips from old skateboards and glue them together again. That way, you get a new piece of wood with beautiful colors and patterns. I make things like coasters or wall decorations, really whatever comes to mind.” His ideas often come spontaneously. “Sometimes I see something on TV, public transport, or even at the office. I also like to get inspired by other woodworkers I follow on Instagram.”

A project he’s proud of

One project Lars is especially proud of is the indoor skatepark in Enschede. “I built it together with some friends. It was a big project, but really cool to do. Everything was made by ourselves, from start to finish.”

Creativity means clearing the mind

“What I love about this hobby is that thinking and doing come together. You come up with a design, and it needs to come to life step by step, all done by hand. I try to challenge myself by trying new designs and techniques. It’s something I can fully immerse myself in, which is very relaxing for me.”

Just get started

Does he have a tip for others who want to try something creative? “Definitely. Just start, the rest will come naturally. Also, you’ll be surprised how willing people with similar hobbies are to help. So don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

Want to see Lars’ work or get inspired?

 You can check out his creations on Instagram via @snap_design_

Amber (26): 3D Printing 🎨

"Hi! I'm Amber, and I work as a Product Manager for BEX PMS. Together with our Engineering team, I help make our product a little better every day. I translate customer needs into clear plans, so we can build features that truly add value."

After a work day,  Amber enjoys unwinding in a completely different way: 3D printing and painting mini figures. “I’ve got a 3D printer in my attic. I love printing small characters and then hand-painting them. It’s a great way to clear my head.”

How it started

"Back in my student days, about seven years ago, I bought my first 3D printer and assembled it myself. That’s how I learned exactly how it works, and now I can fix it when something breaks."

With her own printer, she could finally create the kinds of figures she always wanted. “It’s still a bit magical: printing something in the evening and holding it in your hands the next morning.”

Tech meets creativity

What Amber loves most about her hobby is the mix of technology and creativity. “You come up with an idea, turn it into a design, print it and then finish it by hand. The whole process from idea to final result is really fun.”

‘’That creativity definitely comes into play at work too. Every day, I work on developing new features, and without creativity, we wouldn’t get anywhere. I think that because I often challenge my mind to find solutions for complex problems, I’m able to think faster, which makes solving problems even more enjoyable!’’

A board game with herself in it

Is there something she’s especially proud of? “I once scanned myself and turned it into a game piece for a board game. It turned out really well and it actually worked!”

Amber’s tip

“I think it’s super important to have something you can really get lost in,” Amber says.“It helps clear your head, and you’ll surprise yourself with what you can do when you dedicate time to something. I wish that for everyone.’’ Curious about what Amber makes? You can find her creations on Instagram: @watAmbers

* * *

Dinia (35): Wine Studies 🍷

’'Hi, I’m Dinia. I’ve been working at BEX since September 2024. I’m part of the sales team, working as Manager Business Development Benelux - quite a mouthful! In short, our department ensures that new clients become interested in our product and choose BEX as the best solution for their organization. In our day-to-day work, we have frequent contact with the marketing, partnerships, customer success and product teams.’’

From hospitality to aspiring wine expert

Outside of work, Dinia is focused on something completely different: wine. ''I’m currently working toward an international wine certificate, WSET3. This means I’m learning everything about wine: under what conditions and on which terroir grapes grow, how weather, climate, and environment affect the production and flavour, and also which regions are known for their wines and why.''

‘’During my studies in International Hospitality Management, wine tasting and food pairing were already part of the program. My interest stuck with me afterward – I joined various tasting groups, took courses, and, of course, did a lot of tasting myself! Many of my friends share the same interest, so we often plan wine tastings, sometimes at home, sometimes out at a winemaker, wine shop, or restaurant. Last year I decided I really wanted to follow an in-depth course in this field.''

What does she loves most about it?

 “I love discovering all the factors involved in making wine, and how you can taste and smell them. Wine is also often enjoyed at celebratory moments with friends and family. How special is it to be able to choose the perfect wine to go with that moment?”

One wine Dinia can always rely on is Grüner Veltliner. “It’s fresh, versatile, and goes well with lots of dishes. Perfect when you’re dining with a group and everyone is ordering something different.”

Also a fan of bubbles?🥂Then Dinia has a golden tip: “Try a Crémant! It’s a French sparkling wine, just like Champagne, but made in a different region and often much more affordable.”

Special occasion?🍷"I also really enjoy red wine and am a big fan of Syrah, especially from the Northern Rhône. You’ll taste dark fruits like blackberry, blackcurrant, coffee, and spices in it. Looking for something special? Go for a Côte Rôtie from the Northern Rhône: elegant, rich, and unforgettable.’’

Tips from Dinia for wine lovers:

1. Taste a lot 😇: ‘’Ultimately, wine is about enjoyment and discovering what you like, without generalizing grape varieties. I often hear, “I don’t like Chardonnay.” But Chardonnay from Burgundy tastes very different from Chardonnay from South Africa or the US.''

2. Upgrade your dinner wine: ‘’Pinot Grigio is great as an aperitif, but for more depth, go for a Grüner Veltliner: fresh, lively, and super versatile. It pairs with everything from summer salads to grilled chicken to Asian dishes. Another favorite of mine is Verdejo: a Spanish grape that’s also approachable and fresh with nice acidity. It's often the perfect middle ground between a “Sauv or Char” 🤩.

3. Don’t stress over wine shopping: ‘’Supermarkets have great options under €10 for a dinner party, so no need to break the bank. Try a grape or region you don’t know and don’t be too quickly swayed by cheerful labels or familiar names. An Argentine Médoc can sometimes taste better than a French Bordeaux under €10.''

4. Wine + travel = win-win: ''Many countries have their own grape varieties: when planning your next vacation, find out if there’s a local wine farm that offers tastings nearby. It’s a fun way to learn how wine is made locally and to taste the product right away (don’t forget to take a bottle home as a souvenir)!'' 🍇

Bouke (26): Making music in a band 🎸

 “My name is Bouke ten Voorde, I’m 26 years old and I live in Hengelo. At Booking Experts, I work as a CMS Website Specialist, which means I design websites and onboard new clients.”

Passion for music

“I’m a very creative guy with several hobbies, but my biggest hobby is making music. I play multiple instruments, mainly guitar—both acoustic and electric—and I’ve been playing for 15 years. I’ve played in different ensembles and bands. Right now, I’m in a band called Snoep.”🍭

How it started

 “My passion for music started from birth. There was always music playing at home and I took lessons on different instruments. But my real love for guitar and bands kicked off around 2007 when I got Guitar Hero 2 for Christmas. Little Bouke started ‘performing’ for his whole family, and I loved it so much I dreamed of becoming a rockstar.”

The joy of playing together

“The best part of making music, especially in a band, is creating something beautiful together. When I play with my band, I completely lose myself in the music. The thrill of performing live is an incredible feeling.”

Highlights and proud moments

“The coolest gig I’ve played was with my previous band at Serious Request in Apeldoorn, sharing the stage with bands like Chef’Special and Kraantje Pappie. On December 6, 2025, we’ll perform again, opening for Millstöne at their album launch,  it’s going to be an amazing party!”

Advice for following your passion

“A mistake I often made was trying to do too many things at once. I tried to combine having a band with other hobbies and didn’t get anywhere. So my advice is: if you want to follow your passion, make it your number one priority.”

Where to follow Snoep

“Check us out on TikTok and Instagram at @snoepofficial. We’re not very active yet, but stay tuned: there’s more to come!”

Iris (25): Nature Photography📷

‘’Hi! I’m Iris, and I’ve been working at Booking Experts for over 2.5 years now. As part of the Customer Success team, I help clients get the most out of our platform. I’m also involved in event planning. A great mix of communication, creativity and organization.’’

Her creative outlet: macro photography

In my free time, I love being out in nature, especially with my camera. I’m really into macro photography where I capture the tiny details in insects, flowers, plants and sometimes I shoot landscapes too.

How it started

 “It all started when I spontaneously bought a camera. Then for my birthday, I got a macro photography course. From that moment, I was hooked.”

Why photography?

“It’s incredibly calming. You can spend ages trying to get that one perfect shot, getting the focus and lighting just right. It’s a moment of stillness.“Photography and my work are really two opposites. With photography, I step away from the occasional hectic moments at work. It gives me space to slow down and focus on just one thing: capturing the perfect shot. That eye for detail and the drive to get it just right, definitely helps in my day-to-day role too.”

Proud shots? Absolutely.

You can find Iris’s work on Instagram via @irisleeuwerink_photography. “I’m especially proud of a few shots from recent nature walks, I love playing with focus and light.”

Iris’s creative tip

 “Go outside and take a closer look at the world around you. You’ll quickly start noticing the small things. Don’t worry about making the perfect picture. Play around with angles, light, and sharpness. You’ll be surprised how much fun it is.”