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.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Open until January 8, 2012

The holiday shopping in and around Amsterdam is some of the best in Europe. Check out the markets in the City Center on the Albert Cuypstraat where you can find colorful decorations, sparkling lights, many boutique shops and hand-crafted art. For a dazzling Christmas market experience, head to the Rembrandtplein market that boasts plenty of Christmas trees and snowmen. The best part about Christmas markets in Amsterdam? They are open until January 8, 2012, so you can stretch your holiday spirit all the way into the New Year!

Cologne, Germany: Open from November 21 – December 23

Cologne is home to one of the largest cathedral domes in Europe. The cathedral serves as the perfect centerpiece for holiday festivities during the winter. The Christmas markets near the dome (Am Dom) will get you in the spirit, where you can enjoy Christmas goodies and indulge in a cup of holiday heaven, “Glühwein”. With this delicious, hot mulled wine beverage in hand, you can drink outside while catching up with friends and listening to Christmas music.

Brussels, Belgium: Open from November 25 – January 3, 2012

Brussels is postcard perfect and charming during the winter months. While it is widely known for its French-oriented cuisine, the City Center and the Grand Place turn into a world of yuletide merriment with little huts and barns where you can escape the cold weather and enjoy delicious holiday food and drink. Try the Belgian chocolate, gingerbread or French specialties, such as steamed “moules” or even snails combined with a glass of wine and French olives. Bon appetit!

Photo credit: Christmas tree in Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam, slideshow bob; Christmas market in front of the Cologne Cathedral and Christmas market in Place Sainte Catherine, Brussels, Nenyaki.

Nonstop Delta flights from PDX to Amsterdam can take you here in no time this winter.

Photo credits: Canals in Amsterdam, Michele Benericetti; Windmills in the Snow (HDR), Vincent van der Pas; In Grouw, fihu.

Where can you find thousands of bicycles, delicious waffles and tulips as far as the eye can see? That’s right, Amsterdam. The city and its surrounding areas come alive during the wintertime and into the spring with some of Holland’s most famous attractions.

When in Amsterdam, do as the Dutch do. There are countless bike rental opportunities in the city. This is the most scenic (and most fun) way to explore the city and its surrounding areas. Have fun in the city, but don’t forget to explore towns nearby where you can find beautiful bike roads that take you through small, quaint towns equipped with plenty of windmills and photo opportunities.

One of the most iconic aspects of Dutch culture is flowers. Starting in March, visit THE place to see spring blooms: the famous Keukenhof. If you’re visiting Holland in April, don’t miss the Floriade 2012 World Horticultural Expo. This event only comes around once every 10 years, so it’s definitely worth the trip.

Embrace your EuropeanWinterness this week! Enter daily to win an Electra Townie Euro bike, inspired by this glorious city. You will also be entered to win the grand prize: a trip to Europe for two on a nonstop Delta flight to Amsterdam! A new weekly prize inspired by a wonderful wintery European city will be featured each week. Visit Europeanwinterness.com to see what other events are well worth the trip to Europe this winter.

Photo credits: Canal, oarranzli; amsterdam bikes #365 pic of the day, Les Haines; Keukenhof 01, quantz

For the first week, we’re celebrating one fabulous winter destination, Amsterdam! Enter daily from October 14-20 to win a brand new Electra Townie Euro bike.

]]> http://iflynonstop.com/promotions/embrace-your-europeanwinterness/feed/ 13 http://iflynonstop.com/voices/julees-tour-de-europe/ http://iflynonstop.com/voices/julees-tour-de-europe/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:41:50 +0000 Jamie Kerr http://iflynonstop.com/?p=3643 In America, you can hop in a car in Portland and drive three hours and be in Seattle. In Europe, you can hop on a train in Paris and in three hours, you will be immersed in a completely new country with a new language, aesthetic and culture. Take advantage of close proximity while you travel in Europe. Our Cross the Word to Cross the Word contest winner, Julee, did just that. She has just returned from her European adventure. She explored four different countries and even made a stop in London to take a picture with the Queen! Below is her first hand account of every step of her European adventure.

Brussels

After a 10 hour flight, a three-hour wait in the Schipol airport for the train, an hour walk through cobblestone and rain, we finally made it to the first stop in our European adventure: Brussels. After a long day of travels, we were starving. We found a quaint little restaurant in the Grand Place called “Le Roy”, where we had our first hot meal. That evening, we walked the streets of Brussels and found ourselves at the famous Manneken Pis. We made our way around town by the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour, which took us by many remarkable landmarks in Brussels, and a free tour through the Kings Palace. One word: WOW.

Paris

All aboard, we are headed to Paris! We got a cab to our hotel and then, on to sightseeing! The first stop was The Louvre, (just down the street from our hotel!). We saw famous masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and others that I have only seen in textbooks. We walked around the gardens and could see the beautiful Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. We loved the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour in Brussels so much that we decided to try it again in Paris, making our adventures in the City of Lights that much easier.  The hour-and-a-half wait to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower was definitely worth the wait – what a breathtaking view it was! We walked down the Champs-Elysées and did some window-shopping, but didn’t dare to go in the stores. As we were sitting outside Notre Dame at a cafe enjoying authentic Parisian crepes, the bells of the cathedral started ringing. It was remarkable to hear. It was a perfect way to end our tour in Paris.

London

On our first evening in London, we walked through Hyde park, and made our way to the Princess Diana Water Memorial that was given by The Queen. As we were making our way to Kensington Palace it started to pour. We considered turning back, but then we thought better of it…we are Washingtonians! A little rain never hurt anyone, right? We visited The Tower of London and saw the Crown Jewels. It was absolutely amazing. That evening, we took a 30-minute ride on the London Eye. At the top, we could see down inside The House of Parliament. On our last day in London, we mingled with the stars at Madame Tussauds and got our picture with the Queen. After having our picture with the Queen, we couldn’t pass up stopping by Buckingham Palace for our last stop in London.

Amsterdam

Third time’s a charm? Fourth time is a charm for us.  We found our hotel with no problem at all. After settling in, we ventured off to Dam Square. We started our first full day with a tour in the Anne Frank House. Walking through a house that holds so much history was a little eerie, but it was an amazing experience.

In Amsterdam, we had an experience that was not to be forgotten: bike riding. It is a must do for tourists traveling to Amsterdam, but be careful! It’s not for leisurely riders. Biking is a way of life for the Dutch, and the streets are alive with quickly moving crowds of bikes that you must be watchful of.

We hopped on the free ferry to Amsterdam Noord, made a few turns here and there and ended up in the Dutch countryside. It was a very peaceful ride with beautiful scenery.

What better way to spend our last day in Amsterdam than to take a cruise on the canals? We actually took two cruises: one by day and one by night. The evening cruise was my favorite. We had a live tour guide who told us about the history of the canals and the city.

Thank you I Fly Nonstop and Delta Air Lines for this incredible opportunity! I had a blast on my European adventure and am already planning a trip back.