Read more about their trip…

“We arrived in Amsterdam about 8:30 a.m. on March 10 and took the train from the airport to the central train station, just across the square from our lodging, the Victoria Hotel. After an almost two hour nap, we unpacked and went looking for a place to eat. We found a little five star restaurant, Habsburg, with good fish stew and very nice people.

On our first full day, we took off to Volendam fishing village and a windmill village. Here we got to go inside a windmill and learn the history of making wooden shoes. Most of the houses in Volendam are all the same, except the doors and window drapes are all different! That evening we went on a candlelight canal cruise, where we saw lights on the buildings and bridges and learned more about the canal area.

The next day, we enjoyed taking the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Along the ride we stopped at the Gassan Diamonds, where we saw several different cuts of diamonds including one valued at 80,000 Euros – too bad we can’t afford that! The next stop was at the Heineken Experience. The tour included how they make beer along with great history and free beer.

After a few more days exploring Amsterdam, we took a quick trip to London and enjoyed another Hop-on, Hop-off bus. Along the route, we stopped at Piccadilly Square, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. We also took a boat cruise on the Thames from the Tower Bridge to Big Ben and the House of Parliament and London Eye. What a busy day!

From London, we traveled on the Euro Star under the English Channel to Paris and enjoyed a nice ride through the countryside.

On our second day in Paris, we decided not to take the bus and instead opted for a taxi ride to the Eiffel Tower. From the top you could see forever – we stole a kiss then headed back down.

The next day we went to the Catacombs. Following over 150 steps down (but who is counting) and then through the catacombs with skulls and bones…more skulls and bones… then up 83 more steps (that’s right – oh boy!). Afterward, we walked through the garden of Luxemburg and the Palace du Luxemburg before stopping for dinner at Le Trait D’Union.

From here,  we took the train from Paris to Gent to meet up with some family, and then we were on to Bruges!

In Bruges, we walked and walked. Dick’s cousin showed us where her father guarded the area during WWII and we had a real Belgium lunch (so Mimi said) outside at Marieke Van Brugghe. Then walked through the Church of Our Lady and took a ride on the canal.

We caught the train to Aalter to meet the rest of Dick’s relatives. Filip, Mimi’s brother-in-law picked us up and drove us to Poeke to see the castle where Dick’s grandfather was the game warden – we even took Dick’s picture in front of the castle just like a picture of his grandfather. In the evening we had dinner with more family and shared family photos and stories before catching the train back to Gent.

On Sunday before we left, we discovered very few stores were open – so we just took it easy and slept in a little. We walked around the canals, through several church squares and saw a 100 year old castle. In the afternoon we sat in a church square and ate Italian ice cream in the sun while we people-watched.

Finally we took the train back to Amsterdam – sadly lost our camera on the way – and then flew back to Portland. We were a little tired for a couple days but overall we had a wonderful trip!”

Photo credit: Notre Dame, Paris, wlappe; Volendam, KubaSram; Paris Catacombs, Christopher Macsurak

Photo credits: Daniel Peckham,  Arte_ON, highrockphoto, termie, Paul MacDougall, elsamu, William Beutler, -QIQ-, Emilio Santacoloma, KP Tripathi, MorBCN, John Kannenberg, Fulvio Minichini, Roger Wade.

1. Digital Camera

From ancient cathedrals to historic castles, photo-worthy destinations spring to life in Europe. Bring home thousands of delightful memories with your digital camera. Make sure to pack extra memory storage for your camera. Bring several cards with 8 GBs of memory total. These cards take very little space and by using more than one, you won’t lose all your trip photos if something happens to your camera.

2. Good walking shoes

While public transportation is wonderful throughout much of Europe, be ready for lots of walking – whether it is on guided tours or just roaming attractions. Trail running shoes offer needed walking support and are durable and versatile if you also want to incorporate any light hikes into your itinerary.

3. Refillable water bottle

Make sure to stay hydrated during your travels by packing a lightweight, refillable water bottle. You could also try one that has a built-in water filter to keep your water tasting fresh and clean even out of unfamiliar taps.

Travel Tip: Remember to empty your water bottle before entering airport security lines.

4. Power adapter and convertor

Before you leave for your European vacation, buy a power adapter and convertor. The convertor will reduce the 220 volt charge down to the typical 110 volt charge needed for U.S. based electronics. To accompany the convertor buy an adapter to change your cables to the correct prong size to fit the wall outlets. For items such as laptops, the power cables will already make this conversion for you, so read the labels carefully on all your electronics.

Visiting more than one country? Look into purchasing a world-wide adapter kit so that you will always have the right size plug.

5. Plastic bags

Tuck into your suitcase a handful of extra sealable quart sized plastic bags and one plastic grocery bag. These bags can be used to pack snacks on the road, carry your important travel documents in bad weather, and protect and organize your small items and toiletries. If you encounter wet weather, a larger plastic bag can also be used to wrap muddy clothing or shoes and keep the rest of your pack clean and dry.

Photo credit: Sony Compact Digital Camera, digitpedia; The Kleen Brigade, cogdogblog; Rock Creek Park Keens, Mr T. in DC.

As a hub for the rest of Europe, Amsterdam can connect you to most cities in under three hours. If you’re an art lover who wants to maximize your time while in Europe, Amsterdam is a convenient location from which to begin a journey through centuries of artistic expression.

1. Amsterdam: Start at the Rijksmuseum. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, this Dutch national museum is home to some of the most iconic images that represent the Netherlands. From intricate tulip paintings dating back 400 years to Dutch Master, Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The Rijksmuseum will fill you with enough excitement to pack an overnight bag and hop on a plane for your next destination: London.
2. London: Only a thirty minute flight from Amsterdam, London is home to a number of museums. Though, to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed with the options, choose one to visit and know you’ll have many years to see the rest. For this trip, spend some time at the Tate Modern. While it is the most visited modern art gallery in the world, you’ll have no trouble finding a quiet room to examine the brush strokes of Matisse and Rothko. The museum isn’t ordered chronologically; it is divided on various levels by style. Don’t miss Level 5, known as the States of Flux, this level houses Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein and more.
3. Paris: After a solid night’s sleep in London, find your way back to the airport and hop a plane for the City of Lights. Paris is less than an hour away by air and worth the trip. Spend your time while in the fuselage reading up on your next destination, the Louvre. With over 35,000 items filling over 652,000 square feet, you’ll need a game plan. What began as a 12th century fortress is now home to artistic treasures that show the evolution of art itself. With artifacts dating back over 7,000 years, you can wander through ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Smile back at the Mona Lisa and marvel at the sculptures of Michelangelo.
4. Back to Amsterdam: After settling into your hour-long flight back to Amsterdam, you can reminisce on your museum hopping adventure. Keep in mind that it’ll be impossible to see everything on your list. There will be cities you miss. There will be treasures not captured by your camera. Just know they’ll be awaiting your return. This is just one more reason to start planning your next European adventure. Who knows, perhaps the next vacation theme will be food?

Art lovers, do tell: what are you favorite museums in Europe?

Photo credits: I Amsterdam, ariaski; Tate Modern, ReservasdeCoches.com; Louvre, simo0082, Tate Modern, i_abel.

For help planning your trip to Bruges, check out the New York Times Bruges Travel Guide.

Photo credit: Bruges, jiri.

1. Have a fairy-tale ending in Estonia

Think quaint towns with cobblestones, castles and medieval charm. This destination is off the beaten track for most European travelers, so you’ll be guaranteed some peace and quiet with your Valentine.

Recommended towns: Tallinn, Saaremaa, Otepää

2. Enjoy the views at Positano, off the Amalfi Coast

You will not be the only happy couple in Positano. This town is known for its romance, dramatic landscapes and wonderful restaurants and draws lovebirds from far and wide. Grab a table for two at an ocean-side restaurant and enjoy the company and the drop dead gorgeous view.

3. Relax in the Thermal Baths of Budapest

Budapest is often called “the Paris of the East”. If you love history, culture and hot springs, Budapest is your town. Indulge in a day of complete relaxation with your sweetheart at one of Budapest’s thermal baths. The bath houses are brimming with beautiful architecture and serenity, and you might feel like you are swimming in the most beautiful museums on Earth.

Thermal baths to try: Gellert Spa and Bath and Szechenyi Bath and Spa,

The best news? Delta Air Lines nonstop flights from PDX to Amsterdam will land you at the perfect gateway to go beyond and explore.

Photo credit: Coupling, garryknight; Estonia_1548 – Downtown in Old Town, archer10 (Dennis) SLOW; Positano, The Consortium; Budapest Gellert baths 01, Joe Mabel.

But there is only so much information and culture you can glean from walking around with the latest guide book in your hands. Why not learn the lay of the land from a local, an expert? Try taking a walking tour.

The best part about walking tours? Well, aside from seeing all the highlights of a city, complete with interesting stories, tidbits and factoids of every statue, building, and nook and cranny along the way, most of them are FREE! That’s right. F-R-E-E. Of course, the tour guides accept tips at the end of the tour. Most times, you will gladly fork over the 5 Euros they recommend for a job well done and two hours of fantastic tour. Most tour guides are extremely friendly and outrageously entertaining. A few hours on your feet fly by under the wings of these tour guide pros.

If you’re heading to Europe, try New Europe Tours. They offer tours in 14 different cities worldwide, including Amsterdam. To take a walking tour, just meet the group at the designated meeting place found on their website. On their website, you can preview the tours and even meet the guides. Tours run all year round. Free tours around Amsterdam often include sites like the Anne Frank House, the Jewish Quarter, the Red Light District, the Royal Palace and lots more. They take you on lesser known back alleyways and roads and you’ll catch a glimpse of the ‘Widest Bridge’ and the ‘Narrowest House’. You’re in for a treat!

Have you ever taken a walking tour? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!

Photo credits: Anne Frank Huis, Ariaski, Koninklijk Paleis, Amsterdam, Robert Skarth; Amsterdam, dfyoung; Amsterdam: Floating Tulip Shop; jimderda.

Nonstop Delta flights from PDX to AMS run all spring to land you right in the center of tulip country.

Check back next week for our next Photo of the Week!

Thanks to BetsyGH on Flickr for this beautiful photo.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Renting bicycles is one of the best ways to see the city and explore neighboring towns. Don’t be discouraged by the city’s intimidating bike network and fast-paced cyclists. Just do your research and be safe. Here are the top 5 bicycle safety tips when riding a rented rig around Amsterdam.

Stay to the Right: Just like in America, the Dutch use the right side of the road. Since you will likely be a slower rider itching to check out the scenery on your ride, stick to the right side of the bike lane as well. Faster riders will pass you on the left. Never come to a complete stop in traffic. This causes a dangerous obstacle for other bikers, and you will not be popular with other cyclists.

Know the Signs: Bikers abide by road signs as well as special bikers-only signs and signals. Watch out for bike traffic lights, because they don’t always match the lights for automobiles.

Yield: As a general rule of thumb, yield to traffic approaching on the right. For all trams and city vehicles, yield at all times. Watch out for tram tracks on the road as well. Catch your tire in a rut and you’ll likely go flying.

Signal: When turning, always use your hands to signal which direction you’re moving. No need to be technical, just simply point in the direction you are turning to give other bikes and vehicles the heads up.

No Bike Parking Signs: Amsterdam is bikes galore. Hundreds of bikes often line sidewalks and pathways. Look for signs that say Hier geen fietsen plaatsen (“Do not park bikes here”). If you fail to obey these signs, your bike might be a goner.

Follow these rules and be careful. It might be scary at first, but renting bikes is the best way to see the city. Happy biking!

Photo credits: Bicycle for beer at Van Gogh, Quasimagyar, We rode our bikes up to the highest cloud, MarcelGermain; Bicycles, Amsterdam, RGS-IBG Urban Geography Research Group; Amsterdam bikes, web4camguy.

AMS Schiphol Presents: Art of the Ages

Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is one of the greatest attractions the city offers. You don’t even have to leave the airport to get a taste of the masterpieces that you’ll find in the museum. The Rijksmuseum annex boasts free, spinning displays of some of the Netherlands’ most renowned classical artists. The exhibits change throughout the year to enchant you each time you fly. AMS Schiphol is the first airport to have a museum collection inside its walls.

Kick Back, Relax and Crack Open One of 1,200 Books

The new airport library at AMS Schiphol offers travelers the chance to curl up by the fake (yet still mesmerizing) fire, and crack open a book. The library has over 1,200 books, translated into 29 languages. They also have iPads onsite, allowing travelers to download movies and watch them on layovers. Time will fly right by.

Be careful, jet setters, it’s easy to miss your flight when you’re this relaxed! Keep an eye on the time as you explore all that AMS Schiphol has to offer. Did we mention there is also a casino?

Happy travels!

Photo credit: Schiphol, caribb; Airport Library – Schiphol {april 2011}, westher.