• Hotels.com US recommends reading Elliott Blog to know how to find great summer travel deals.

• LDN shares a link to a Time Out article on lidos, ponds and outdoor swimming pools in London, UK.

• TallinnCity invites you to attend the ongoing  “To Breathe as One” song and dance festival in Tallinn, Estonia.

• Visit Holland likes the evening light display at Madurodam miniature city, The  Hague, Netherlands.

• James Dunford Wood shares great holiday ideas including a trip along Japan’s Golden Route from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Photo of Madudrodam miniature park in La Hague by Daveness 98

You know the Euromast and Erasmus will not catch their eye. So, what are five fun places to take your toddler when you visit Rotterdam?

1. Ballorig

Perhaps you are not looking for sightseeing location. Rather, you want a cozy little playground where your little ones can run, scream and play with other little ones? After all, you’ve seen all the quiet grown-up sights and now it’s time for a bit of fun and games for the kids. Well, that’s where Ballorig comes in.

Ballorig is an indoor play area designed for kids up to 12 years. It seems like just the kind of colorful playground that attracts the little ones – extra little space to run about in their own little carefree manner, a ballpark to jump about in and of course, let’s not forget the fun slides. Do keep in mind that Ballorig Rotterdam is probably smaller than the ones in other areas but it is still a great spot for kids to dash about and release the bundles of extra energy.

You could join them in the play area or if you are simply hoping to unwind, there is a small cafe where parents can sit back and relax while kids have their fun.

Address: Ballorig Rotterdam Ommoord , Ommoordsehof 3, 3056 JR Rotterdam

2.& 3. The great outdoors: Het Park and Kralingse Bos

Those of you who wish to soak up a bit of sun while taking in the natural surrounds, these two choices are the ones for you. After all, a casual stroll in a lush green park followed by a delicious lunch is a great way to sum up a lazy Saturday with the kids.

First, there is Het Park (i.e. The Park). This is a beautiful little park located right next to the Euromast. Stretching out to over 6 hectares of land, this place boasts delightful little ponds, meandering pathways and towering trees. And it will be quite a treat for nature lovers when they see the ducks and geese splashing about in the pond. Don’t be surprised if one or more ducks walk up to you expectantly and wait patiently for some bread crumbs.

Address: Calandstraat 41, 3016 Rotterdam

Then there is Kralingse Bos. This expansive forest area is less urban than Het Park but worth a visit for those who love every bit of nature’s wonders. It is said to be around 200 hectares so a trip to this spot is a day trip all in itself. Boasting a wonderful mix of trees, grassy area and lake, this place is definitely worth the visit. Other noteworthy attractions within this place includes the deer park, smaller windmill, restaurants and of course, the pancake house. The pancake house is a quaint little eatery that has a warm, homely feel to it. And of course, here you get to try out every type of pancake imaginable! Do note, the place can be chilly in winter season and thus, the ideal time period to check it out is the spring/summer months.

Address: Langepad 71, 3062 Rotterdam

4. Blijdorp Zoo

This is another must for the little ones – the Blijdorp Zoo or DierGaarde Blijdorp. It’s one of those magical instances that will bring out that look of wonder on your little one’s face. Well, Blijdorp is one of the oldest Dutch zoos and it offers plenty of nature’s wild and wonderful creatures. From colorful little insects to towering giraffes, this place has plenty of fun for everyone. It is quite an impressive zoo indeed, with a variety of animals from all corners of the earth (e.g. tigers, polar bears, penguins, gorillas and so much more).

Returning visitors take note; looks like the stork has recently visited the elephant family. That’s right, the zoo is happily celebrating the birth of a new baby elephant who has since been named Tonya.

Address:
Rotterdam Zoo/Diergaarde Blijdorp,
Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JE Rotterdam

5. Maritime Museum

Being a port city, is it any wonder that this museum has much to offer the eager traveler? For one thing, it is a fascinating treasure trove of information about the Dutch past. Now add to that, fun little educational segments that describe the way of life in the good old sea-faring days. Most of the attractions will appeal to young ones between 4 – 12 years of age.

There are two noteworthy sections for traveling families. One is Professor Plons, a colorful interactive segment that aims to teach the little ones about life at sea. Here, they will catch a glimpse of the past as they learn the inner workings of ships. The second one is Museum Ship Buffel. This is a more in-depth look at daily life on a ship where kids and adults alike will take a peek at the steam engine and work out the little cogs and wheels that ensure everything is in ship-shape. Other interesting spots here include the prison, the laundry and of course, the ‘long room’.

Address: Leuvehaven 1, 3011EA, Rotterdam centre

Photo of children at Blijdorp Zoo, Rotterdam, by Biepmiep

In such instances, most of us will ending up asking that vital question – Should we drop by the UK ? After all, we are already here and it’s just across the Channel, we tell ourselves.

It could be a concerted effort to nab two birds with one stone. It is more likely due to sulking friends/family in the UK who will be terribly hurt if we didn’t come by.

And so there is the question – What are the different ways to travel from Amsterdam (or any major city in Netherlands) to the UK?

Good news is, there are four ways to reach the UK via Netherlands (through Amsterdam or Rotterdam). And they are train, coach, good old airplane flights and of course, the much talked about ferry ride.

How to get to U.K. from Netherlands  by train

If you get jittery on airplanes or feel a tad seasick on boats, having the train ride option will be a welcome surprise.

So what’s this useful train trip all about? If you check the Hispeed website (yep, the site is in Dutch and English), you will see the handy option of reaching London from Amsterdam. The trip itself is close to 6 hours and excepting one train switchover in Belgium, the whole ride offers to be a relaxing uneventful trip.

It’s a two part trip: first half involves the Intercity train from Amsterdam to Brussels; the second half requires taking the Eurostar from Brussels to the center of London right down to St Pancras station.

Do note that Amsterdam is not the only Dutch city that can take you to Brussels. Apparently you can take the Intercity from Amsterdam, Schiphol, The Hague HS, Rotterdam, Dordrecht or Roosendaal. This way you can hop over to the station closest to you.

It seems like a return fare for one person can cost Euro 99 if you opt for certain type of fare (2nd class, super saver, etc. etc.).

How to get to U.K. from Netherlands  by coach

Then there is coach. This is another handy option for those who get a tad woozy on flights.

Eurolines seem to the popular option when traveling by coach. It’s good to note that these buses travel all over Europe, offering trips to nations across the Channel (Great Britain) or to the far flung East European countries (Ukraine) as well as to the ones across the Mediterranean Sea (Morocco).

There are several stops for Great Britain itself (all of which are located either in Canterbury, London or Dover). While prices differ according to date and type of fare (e.g. Flexible or Cheap), the starting price, on average, for one person seems to be between Euro 65 – 80.

These are all non-smoking coaches, most of which allow you to bring your own food and drink. And no need to fret about getting restless on the journey; apparently there will be multiple stops whereby you can walk around to stretch your legs or buy a refreshing cup of coffee.

How to get to U.K. from Netherlands  by air

Enough about travel by land, what if you prefer flying?

Good news about flights is that a number of airlines travel between Amsterdam and Great Britain. KLM, British Airways and BMI are just some of the options.

If you check any of the popular booking sites, you can find a number of flight options. Hence flights won’t be covered in great detail. While prices vary, it does seem like return tickets for one person can start out at Euro 125.

How to get to U.K. from Netherlands  by ferry

Admittedly, this is one of the most popular means of traveling between Great Britain and Netherlands. In this case, it must be the festive atmosphere and jovial social mingling that adds to the appeal of the ferry.

There seems to be several options available for the happy seafarers. Firstly, you can choose the ferry from Rotterdam to the port of Hull in East Yorkshire. It’s an overnight trip boasting good food and onboard entertainment and thus looks to be interesting just for the ferry ride itself. The starting price (per person and applying to those traveling by foot) is Euro 69.

Then there is the Hoek Van Holland to Harwich option. This ferry ride offers days trips as well as overnight trips. It starts out at Pounds 75 for day trips but do keep in mind this price does include payment for cabin.

For those of you who would rather stick to Northern Holland for the duration of the trip, there’s always the Amsterdam (IJmuiden)-Newcastle option. Ferry services of DFDS offer trips between Netherlands and Great Britain. Ijmuiden is a port located outside Amsterdam.

To get there, travelers can catch the train to Driehuis or jump on the DFDS Seaways shuttle from the Central Railway Station in Amsterdam to Felison Terminal in Ijmuiden. Those catching the train might want to double check the bus routes from this site. The Driehuis station is a bit of a distance from the ferry and getting there might involve two buses and a bit of walking. Since the site is in Dutch, here’s a bit of heads up. Van means from; for this bit, click treinstation (train station) and type Driehuis as station name. Naar means to; I choose the postcode for DFDS Seaways which was 1975 AG. Vertrek means departure so keep that checked. When you choose geef reisadvies, you will be given a breakdown of how to get to Ijmuiden from Driehuis. Be sure to check the route from Google Maps so as to have a good idea of where you are headed.

After choosing cabins and meals for both trips (to and from Newcastle), you might end up with close to Pounds 220 per person for the return trip.

And there you have it. Four different ways to get to U.K. from the Netherlands.

Photo of Amsterdam Central Station by jelleprins

 Don’t get me wrong; the food is great, the people are always friendly and Rotterdam, Netherlands, is well known for its laid-back vibe. But if you don’t have the time to sit back and relax, you might want to try some of these delicious street foods.

Pataat

Chip-lovers will be delighted; Belgians and the Dutch are crazy about pataat (fries)! Do note that in some parts of Belgium they are also called frites. And so, you’re bound to find it everywhere- in the city center, in suburbs and of course, in almost all eateries.

As much I never plan on buying fries when I head out, the sight of people standing around, all relaxed and munching on the strands of long crispy-looking fries is too hard to ignore. Plus, there is always an appetizing aroma from the pataat stalls. And guess what? At a price range of Euro 2 – 3.50 per portion, it really is hard to resist.

An Asian Flavor

Another wonderful street snack are the variety of Indonesian foods out there. Strangely enough, I have come across instances where it, along with other South East Asian snacks, has been classed under Surinamese foods. At least now you know what to look out for. Well, be it in Beurs or in busy suburban spots, you are bound to find a vendor.

The most common food offered by vendors are fried loempias. Think of them as mild to hot flavored spring rolls. And you can get different fillings – vegetarian and chicken.

Turkish Foods

This is another common feature of the Dutch street food scene – Turkish food vendors. Same as the other stalls, you will find them scattered around Beurs and within most suburbs.

Most vendors will offer an assortment of sandwiches and rolls (broodje and shoarmas) and fries (pataat). These are basically round flat breads or rolls stuffed with meat or vegetables and served with fries. They may look small but I must admit a kleine shoarma is surprisingly filling!

Another noteworthy snack is the Turkish pizza. Imagine a wrap filled with lettuce, a variety of vegetables and, if you are up for it, lots of lamb meat and cheese. Don’t worry, there is also the vegetarian version for those who would like to avoid meat.

Summer vs. Winter snacks

And then of course there are yummy seasonal snacks. During the warm sunny days of summer, you will find numerous vendors selling fruits. And by this I don’t mean the buy-and-wrap-in-plastic variety. No, I refer to the delightful variety of fruit goodies out there. This can be generous helpings of juice offered by vendors dotted across the city center. For instance, check out the man cocooned in a Giant Orange vendor contraption close to Donner Selexyz’s in Beurs. Blame it on the gargantuan Orange shape or the vivid colors but I always feel drawn to these vendors.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something to munch on, take heart that most vendors sell fruit salad mixture in a easy-to-eat plastic cup. I may call it a fruit salad but it’s more basic than that – it’s basically neatly cut bits of fresh fruit. What’s the best bit? You can stand around and watch while the guys chop up the fruits and pile them into the cup. While there are many fruit stalls out there, my current favorite is the tiny little one down Lijnbaan.

Fruit’s all good and well for summer but what about winter? Generally, street food at the end of the year have a nice festive feel to it. Of all the delectable hearty snacks out there, the most common one is an Oliebol. Oliebol or Oliebollen are fist-sized balls of fruit-filled dough that are fried and sprinkled over with sugar. Many stalls all over the city will sell Oliebollen and you can usually find them near skating rings. Here’s a headsup – you can never stop at just one oliebol!

Photo of Dutch girl eating an oliebol in Rotterdam, Netherlands, by piterwilson

1. What is the Most Beautiful Greek Island

Planning a summer holiday in Greece? Looking for the country’s sexiest beaches and most charming villages? Read this travel blog post and discover four of the most beautiful Greek islands: the postcard-like island of Santorini, the fascinating island of Ithaca, the idyllic Milos Island and the stunning Paxos Island.

2. Best Bars in Berlin

Traveling to Berlin and looking for great spots where to meet cool people and find the best German beer? Check out our Top 5 Berlin bars including the friendly Hops and Barley sport bar, the cozy Rosa Bar,  the trendy B Flat jazz music bar, the very nice Wuergeengel cocktail bar and the chic Bar Tausend.

3. Top 3 Seafood Restaurants in Rome

Planning a Rome vacation and want to know where to eat the best seafood in Rome? Check out these three Rome restaurants serving Spaghetti con le Vongole and more delicious Italian seafood specialties at a fair price: Da Franco ar Vicoletto (San Lorenzo), La Penna d’Oca (Piazza del Popolo) and La Rosetta (Pantheon).

4. Top 5 Architectural Landmarks in Antwerp, Belgium

Going to Antwerp, Belgium and wondering what to do and see in this charming city? Less popular with tourists than Bruges and Bruxelles, Antwerp has yet some of the most interesting architectural landmarks in Belgium, including the Gothic Cathedral of our Lady, Grote Markt town square,  The Stone castle, the Art Deco Boerentoren skyscraper and Vleeshuis Meat House.

5. Top 7 Things to Do in Eindhoven

Traveling through the Netherlands and planning a visit to Eindhoven? Check out our list of the best things to do and places to see in Eindhoven: The Evolution, Van Abbemuseum, PSV Eindhoven football stadium, Philips first Incandescent Lamp Factory, Eindhoven Art Centre,  Kempenland Museum and the Historic Open-Air Museum.

Photo of windmills in Oia,  Santorini, Greece by Wolfgang Staudt

You might think that all of the world’s tulips come from Holland and that every field is covered from head to toe in them. To some extent you’d be right but don’t be fooled into thinking the little flower has been born and bred in the Netherlands. The only reason they are so famous for these colourful little flowers is because they’re so perfect for growing there.

The tulip originally comes from much further west in Europe and into Asia, around Turkey especially. The Ottoman Empire loved tulips around the 15th Century. Tulip comes from the word ‘tuliban’ which means turban. The flower was brought on a holiday to Holland though during the 16th Century by various diplomats and botanists, one being Carolus Clusius of Leyden, who is credited with having a big hand in the emigration. It quickly took off with botanists, artists and everyone in between. Holland is the perfect home for the flower, as its temperate climate is slightly cool enough and at just the right temperature in the Autumn when the bulbs are planted.

It’s not myth that if you drive around Holland you see fields and fields of tulips as far as the eye can see. The colours are so varied and beautiful it’s like looking at a huge painter’s easel. But what are the best ways to see these wonderful flowers?

By bicycle and barge.  Hop on a barge in Amsterdam to the beautiful village of Hans Brinker then jump onto your bike to cycle to Haarlem.  You take in little towns and villages by barge and bike such as Lisserbroek and then stopping at the flower-park Keukenhof, which is a place you have to see to believe.

Keukenhof is for tulip lovers what Disneyland is for cartoon lovers. It’s one of the most photographed places in the entire world and when you get there and see the thousands upon thousands of tulips in all shapes, sizes but, above all, colour, then you’ll know what I mean. It’s a marvel.

If you want to finish your tulip trail off in style, then you’ll want to head to the Flower auction in Aalsmeer. No prizes for guessing what happens there but plenty of prizes for those who fancy bringing some of the beauty they’ve seen back home with them. At 240 acres in size, Aalsmeer is the largest flower auction in the world.

Despite buzzing with business activities during the week, this city is a wonderful weekend destination for the visitor. Dining, drinking, and shopping possibilities abound in this beautiful city and one of the most preferred methods of touring the city is by hiring a bicycle for the day.

There is much to see and do while visiting Eindhoven and one would think that the city is a sightseer’s paradise. Situated in the southern region of The Netherlands, Eindhoven is located close to the borders of Belgium and Germany, and is readily accessible by air, rail, and road from all parts of the European continent. The following is a list of the recommended places to see while visiting Eindhoven.

1. The Evolution

If you’re a lover of futuristic and modern architecture, you will not want to miss The Evolution. It is currently closed to the public, but there are numerous photogenic opportunities while visiting the site.

2. Van Abbemuseum

The museum features one of the top ten contemporary and modern art collections anywhere in the world. Numerous works by Chagall, Kandinsky, Mondriaan, and Picasso create an impressive collection of some of the better artists that the world has ever seen.

3. PSV Eindhoven Football Stadium

Guided tours of the home stadium of one of the Netherlands most successful football teams are continually available. You can take one of these guided tours of the grounds or you can take in a game during the season.

4. Philips first Incandescent Lamp Factory Of 1891

Here you can experience the historical atmosphere of the first and oldest Philips’ factory building of the 19th century as you engage in one of the guided tours available. Additionally, you will find this facility very entertaining and can actually witness how the carbon filament light bulb was manufactured in 1891.

5. Artificial Light in the Art Centre

Tourists oftentimes visit this establishment for one main reason – the “Kunstlicht in de kunst” – which is a very unique collection of both paintings and sculptures that employ artificial light as its central theme and focal point.

6. Museum Kempenland

The history of art in Eindhoven and the Brabant region are on display en masse at this facility, inclusive of paintings, photography and sculpture. The museum is located inside of a historical church called the Steentjeskerk.

7. Historic Open-air Museum (Historisch Openlucht Museum Eindhoven)

When you visit this site you will truly experience what life was like during both the Iron Age and the Middle Ages as well. Enjoy witnessing the baking of bread, iron forging, and the minting of coins during these periods in history.

Photo of Philips Stadium, Eindhoven by Jos Dielis

However, one of the best experiences you can have is visiting one of the many pubs located in the city. There isn’t a huge student population in The Hague, probably due in part to the city’s natural formality which subdues the nightlife somewhat.

However, make no mistake about it. There is a thriving culture when it comes to the many bars and pubs in The Hague. Here is a list of the top 5 most recommended pubs to visit in the city.

1. De Paap Music Cafe/Bar

One of The Hague’s most popular bars. In the early evening, the bar is relatively quiet, but it is still the perfect atmosphere for a drink with family and friends. Additionally, this is the ideal place for a great night out when venturing into The Hague nightlife.

2. Blue Lagoon – Strandrestaurant

A beach-bar and beach-restaurant situated on the promenade of Den Haag. One of the more stylish “pubs” in the city, the Blue Lagoon offers the visitor extremely comfortable surroundings. There is room for roughly 250 people during normal business hours inside the establishment and out on its lovely terrace that gives you some panoramic views of The Hague.

3.  Crazy Pianos

Despite the tacky younger atmosphere of this pub, this American styled bar has a top-quality servicing staff, especially where larger groups are concerned. The atmosphere is similar to Hooters for lack of a better description.

4. Zwarte Ruiter

For excellent service and just all-around fun, this is one of the most recommended stops for all age groups who love the pub atmosphere and the nightlife. And if you like sitting outside, there is a huge terrace that is open in summer and winter alike.

5. Café Restaurant Rootz

One of the best spots to enjoy top-of-the-line Belgium Beers if that is your preference. During the summer months, this pub can be extremely crowded and the service is a little slower than what you would like, but the owners and management want this establishment to offer their patrons a relaxing atmosphere after a busy day sight seeing and touring The Hague.

Photo of beer glasses in The Hague, Netherlands by celesteh

Britain is an island and has some of the highest rates of tourist travel in Europe, but how many of us can remember the last time they got on a ferry? If you were a bit sick-sick you might remember? If it was when The Sun newspaper gave you a ticket for a £1 you might too. But sadly most of us might not recall that fateful trip to Dover. Maybe this is because Dover isn’t the only place to get across the water. So here are some other routes that might tempt you all back to the sea.

• Hull to Rotterdam

Hull hasn’t ever been that famous for helping out tourists. But P&O ferries operate a once a day seven days a week and usually sail from their port straight to the Dutch city of Rotterdam. Boats sail at 21.00 and are an overnight stay, arriving into Rotterdam just after 8.00am. Prices are very reasonable considering the journey length and, for one person and a car, they start at around £70 return.

• Newcastle to Amsterdam

Newcastle was once a thriving port but it now not quite as sea orientated. That isn’t to say it isn’t very well suited for those wanting to travel somewhere a little different in Europe without either hoping Newcastle airport flies there or having to travel some miles to the nearest airport. This one is operated by DFDS Seaways and normally leaves around 17.00pm and arrives into Amsterdam at 9.30am. For 1 adult travelling without a car it’s around £160 return.

• Portsmouth to Bilbao

If you’re thinking of going to sunny Spain for your holidays like the thousands of others in the UK over the summer months, then why not avoid all those thousands of people and hop on a P&O ferry from the Merchant Navy town of Portsmouth and then possibly venturing into the rest of Spain with your car when you get there. Bilbao is well worth a look while you’re there though and the famous Guggenheim museum is one of the best in Europe. Prices for 2 adults and a car start from around £400.

• Pembroke to Rosslare

Wales and Ireland were once much closer neighbours and in the short 3 and a half hour trip across the Irish Sea you’ll see how it once could have been. The Inishmore ferry leaves the south coast Welsh port of Pembroke twice a day and usually arrives into Rosslare in time for either dinner or breakfast depending on the journey. With a car and two passengers prices start from around £100 each way.

Photo of the sea taken from a ferry originally posted by Baston

Check out this painless and affordable guide to getting from Amsterdam Airport Schipol to Rotterdam.

Initial Checklist

First things first. As you already know, a little of cash is essential for this public transport venture. Chances are you already got a bit of Euro tucked away in your wallet. However, in the odd chance that the last minute rush to pack your bags prevented you from getting a bit of foreign currency (after all, you tell yourself, you could always hop over to the nearest exchange point once you are there), be sure to get some cash when you arrive in Schipol.

There are quite a few places where you can either exchange cash, traveler’s cheques or draw money from an ATM. ABN AMRO, one of the European banks, has several offices in the airport, all of which are conveniently located in the passenger area. Working hours seem to range from 8 am to 8 pm – please check the Schipol Airport website for exact locations and opening hours.

Catching the Train

Next bit involves catching the train from Schipol to Rotterdam. Grabbed all of your luggage? It’s time to catch the train. It’s pretty straightforward really. Follow signs from the arrival area to the Schipol Plaza.

First, you have to buy the tickets. Look for the quaint red-and-white checkered box that looks like the novel rocket-ship in Tintin comics packed itself up for the day. The ticket counters are located close to it. On your ticket, be sure to double-check your platform number (Spoor nummer).

If you look around whilst in the Plaza, you will see pairs of escalators leading down. Each of them will take you to a different platform so check for the escalator which has your number. Hop onto the right escalator, zoom down and voila, there is your train. That’s right, all the train lines are laid out in all its grandeur in the lower floor.

There you have it. Enjoy the breezy 45 minute train ride to Rotterdam Centraal.

From Centraal to Your Hotel

Now you’re at Centraal Station – what next? Your hotel of choice could be any number of hotels listed on venere.com. So I’m not going to dwell on any particular hotel per say. Rather let me provide a bit of basic information about two of my preferred transport choices from Centraal Station.

The Rotterdam Metro

Quick and easy, the Rotterdam Metro system is an excellent choice for your transportation needs. There are two lines: Erasmuslijn (this is the North to South line) and Calandlijn (this is the East to West line). In Centraal Station, follow the signs to the Metro and buy a ticket for your specific area. Two ways to buy the ticket – ask the helpful man at the counter or use some coinage and purchase from the machines.

Hang on a second – how do we know what area to choose? Well, check out your hotel location on Google Maps and then, zoom in on the map to check out the name of the Metro closest to you. Note, the blue-white ‘M’ on Google Maps indicate Metro lines.

If you are like me and get hopelessly lost, here’s the ‘I know what I am doing’ trick. Check out the names of the stops before and after your stop. While on the Metro, keep an eye on the map (above every door). This way you know when you are close or gone too far. Check out this website for a helpful layout of the whole metro line.

Catching a Tram in Rotterdam

Your next option is checking out the tram line. Follow the signs in Centraal Station and head off towards the tram stops.

Which tram should you catch? RET website provides route planners but unfortunately is currently only available in Dutch. Google Maps can be a helpful indication of the tram routes. Zoom into Google; the icon for the tram is a side-way view of a vehicle with a blob on its roof. Clicking on the icon of the tram will bring up the tram number for that line. Now you can track down which tram(s) will take you to your hotel.

Whilst on the tram, you can purchase your ticket from the conductor at the front. As for the price itself, trams really don’t cost much. Rotterdam is divided into zones and your ticket should be a nifty little amount if you stay within zone 5300. On the other hand, if you hotel is outside zone 5300 (zone 5319 etc.), you will have to pay just a little bit more for the ticket. Check out this Rotterdam map to find out the zones; there’s no price given per say but at least you know to carry a bit of extra if your tram ride zooms through 2-3 zones.

And a side-note when keeping an eye out for your stop – almost all tram stops have a yellow schedule stand next to it, with the name of the stop right at the top. This way you know when it is time to hop off. Of course, you could always ask the conductor give a friendly wave when it’s your stop.

That’s about it – easy, affordable and relatively painless! And you get to admire the idyllic surrounds on your little journey!

Photo of Rotterdam Station at night originally posted by Photocapy

This week Eurocheapo Blog  gives cheap souvenir ideas including a bottle of Pastis from Southeast France, vintage books and art posters from Paris and beer coasters from Prague.

Planning a weekend break in Riga, Latvia?

On Gadling read the review of a very special restaurant in Riga. Featuring medical equipment, test tubes and operating tables, Hospitalis is a hospital-themed restaurant where waitresses are dressed like nurses and play violin.

Measures against soft drug tourism:

Vagabondish reports that two towns in Southwestern Netherlands will be closing down their cannabis cafés. In this way, Rosendaal and Bergen op Zoom intend to stop the massive influx of “drug tourists” from France and Belgium as well as its “negative effect on public order”.

Looking for gay-friendly places in Paris?

On Franceguide.com check out a list of the best gay and gay-friendly restaurants in Paris. All these dining spots offer great French cuisine and many of them are located in the trendy Marais district.

Planning a vacation in Thailand?

On Treehugger read an article on Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple. Located in Khun Han, about 400 miles northeast of Bangkok, this beautiful Buddhist temple is an eco-friendly structure built by monks with green Heineken bottles and brown Chang Beer bottles.

And yet, despite common misconceptions of Rotterdam, Netherlands as the practical plain Jane, a discerning traveler can be delightfully surprised with Rotterdam’s little hidden secrets. Like its wonderfully diverse cuisines.

Take the Kapsalon for instance.

What is a Kapsalon?

Kapsalon is the Rotterdam version of British pub food. It is a Turkish meal, a local variant of the tasty shoarma.

Imagine an aluminum takeaway container with alternate layers containing crispy French fries and generous doses of fried lamb meat. Now, add sambal (thick spicy sauce), garlic mayonnaise, melted cheese and bits of lettuce to the dish. And the you get a Kapsalon, a truly greasy meal indeed.

It comes in two sizes; buy a klein (small) one for around 2.50 Euro and groot (big) for 4 Euro.

A little bit of History

It’s understandable if you are confused by the name of this unique dish. After all, every hair salon you come across in Rotterdam is also called a Kapsalon. So, what’s the story behind this?

Well, the story goes that a hairdresser walked down from his work to local Turkish food store in Schiedamseweg. It must have been one of those finicky days when he was not quite sure what he wanted to eat because he ended up asking ‘for a bit of everything, bit of that and this’ in the takeaway container. Creativity induced by hunger pangs and the Kapsalon was born!

Seems like he kept ordering that same dish and soon enough, everyone else wanted the same tantalizing meal. You can see how it came to be named after him – the kapsalon’s lunch eventually came to be known as the Kapsalon.

Now, the Kapsalon can be found in almost all Turkish eateries in Rotterdam.

So when you visit Rotterdam, be sure to try this interesting meal. Better yet, drop by El Aviva on Schiedamseweg, the little Turkish eatery that is believed to be the birthplace of the Kapsalon.

Jean-Philippe Perol, chairman of the European Travel Commission says that the euro exchange rate against the dollar is down this year and is likely to continue to go down. This happy news would make Europe less expensive for Americans. Until then, read our tips on how to travel Europe on a weak dollar.

The Independent lists the top 5 destinations that have improved most in terms of gay-friendliness. Newly gay-friendly destinations include Delhi and Tel Aviv.

Rotterdam opened the first eco self-sustaining dance club. Clubbers at WATT light up the dancefloor with their moves, reports The Guardian.

The New York Times features an article about the hardships of being a flight attendant in today’s unfriendly skies.

The Gadling blog has a fun article with YouTube videos of vintage airline commercials.

In Amsterdam, Netherlands, for example, a canal cruise will get you through all three major canals, a view of the Anne Frank house, and quick glances at the Opera house, the Rijks Museum, and the famous Skinny Bridge. But as tourists, we forget that often, the best kept secrets are in the least expected of places—such as the public library.

The Central Library in Amsterdam, located just east of Central Station is just such a place you can not afford to miss when visiting the city. Recently opened in July 2007, it is the largest public library in Europe and with a budget of 80million euros to build, it will not disappoint you.

You can easily get there by foot from Central Station or you can take the bicycle you rented—the library has 2000 of its own parking spaces for bicycles. Just try not to forget which bike is yours.

With over 10 floors of media at ones disposal, the library does its part to provide the public with books, films, and multimedia material for every possible need and whim. But for you, the city traveler, the library is also an architectural marvel with several museums enclosed in its space. Open and airy with high ceilings and bright lighting, you will feel more like you are in a gallery space than in your public library.

The library also utilizes energy-saving devices such as elevators that slow down when no one is on them, fluorescent lighting throughout, and naturally efficient toilets with self-flushing mechanisms. Even the hand dryers in the restrooms are green and worth wandering down to the lower level just to experience.

There are over 600 Internet connections for Mac and PC lovers alike, all of which is available for public use during all hours of operation. The second level is entirely dedicated to music and film wherein you can listen to tracks off your favorite album before you check it out, lounge in one of their recliners, or just browse through their comprehensive collection of all media in multiple languages, including English.

For children, there is a whole level with bright red plush chairs, low shelves for easy-to-reach ease, and plenty of space to cuddle with mom or dad for a short story time and break from the big city.

And for you, after taking the elevators to each floor and being blown away at the sheer magnitude of such a place, there is a restaurant on the very top floor with sweeping panoramic views of the city. The restaurant is self-serve with a healthy and delicious array of foods from a simple but gourmet salad bar, to a pizza station, pasta station, and a grill where you chose what you would like and they grill it right before you. The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is simple enough to take children while maintaining a very adult flair.

If you’re not toting around the little ones, there is also a bar which serves alcoholic drinks and espresso, as well as light appetizers. You can eat standing right next to the bar, or at any of the bar tables nearby.

The library is open from 10am to 10pm but you’ll want to come to the library in the evening, when the student crowds are low and you’re tired of the circus of being immersed in the city all day. Also because after dining on the top floor, you’ll want to walk out to the balcony to get a view of the city you won’t get anywhere else. You’ll want to take a few pictures so leave room on your camera after a day of sight-seeing.

The Amsterdam library will leave you wishing your city library was as awesome and for most of us, it will be the only time we will ever think, “I should spend more time in a library.” I know it seems like a far fetched thought now, but don’t be surprised when you find yourself wanting to come back to the library on your next visit.

Photos of Amsterdam Public Library originally posted by tacoekkel

1. Delft Cathedral, Netherlands

Save up your energy because there’s only one way to reach the top of this tower: the stairs. Various levels deceive you into thinking the top is finally close at hand, but it is just a break before the staircase narrows and transforms from concrete to wooden planks with a thin splinter-inducing banister whirling you higher and higher. Listen closely for voices coming down before you embark upon the next level, these stairs are one way only. Along the way there are small several small openings onto the gothic-like stone balconies which offer a spectacular view of the treacherous drop into the market space. Very useful for taking a short break, taking some deep breathes, and talking yourself into trying for the top.

2. Tower of Columbus, Barcelona, Spain

Columbus was actually Italian, not Spanish as we are often led to believe. Regardless Barcelona hosts a commemorative structure towering over the harbor encircled by massive black lions reminiscent of Narnia’s Aslan, usually being straddled for a quick photo. For 2 euros a shaky elevator will take you to the top of this sculpture covered obelisk, revealing a 360 degree tour of the city, but the same effect (or better) can be achieved by hiking on solid ground to the top of Parc Guell on a sunny day – for free.

3. Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower, Canada

If news reports over the last thirty years haven’t convinced you of the structure’s reliability, I’m certain a ride to the top of the sixth tallest structure in Montreal will unsettle your stomach. Referred by locals as an expensive eyesore, the Olympic Tower tram that will transport you to the top for a lack luster view of the industrial part of the city. There’s a reason this Big O is referred to as the Big Uh Oh.

4. Toronto CN Tower, Canada

Another Canadian stop along this journey of structures too tall for themselves. It would be nice to take advantage of the complete view of sprawling Toronto, if only humans could battle of the gale force winds along the southern side. Being indoors is nice enough, but the glass floor is more of a scuffed view of the parking lot, and while I was there it was occupied by an East Indian family in full sari lying across it for an endless amount of snap shots. It’s just about 30$ with taxes to get to the top of the World’s Tallest building, and while I heard it was the best, it was merely taller than the rest.

5. St-Mark’s Tower, Venice, Italy

Ok, I can’t pick on Venice’s highest view, it was reasonably priced at 6 euros and on a beautiful clear day you can distinguish all the islands of Venice. It’s also nice to escape the loud construction along the harbor and the crowds of people. The line-up to the elevator can seem rather long, but it moves quickly and this view is well worth the wait.

Ultimately, whether a view from a claimed city’s tallest structure is worth it can come down to the cost, especially in places where the same can be achieved by walking up the same city’s most famous hill. Surely there are more dizzyingly heights from which tourists are invited to peer down from, constructions trying to reach the heavens seem to plague most cities trying make their mark on the architectural world, spotting the cityscapes sometimes at the expense of low-lying architectural marvels.

Photo of Montreal Olympic Stadium Tower originally posted by abdallahh

Take your kids on an easter egg finding expedition on the magical Pampus Island, a tiny fortification island off Almere in the Zuiderzee. A boat with the easter bunny on board will take you and your family from the harbour of Almere (Almere Haven) to the island to look for chocolate eggs that the easter bunny has hidden throughout the island. Meanwhile, you will enjoy the beautiful fortification and nature the island has to offer.

This family trip takes place on 23 and 24 March 2008. You are welcome on board between 11.30 and 12.30 am. Do make reservations, as this is a very popular local easter attraction and seating on the boat is limited. Reservations can be made by phone at +31 36 531 7284 or by email at office@tisset.nl.

2. Feeding lambs and milking goats at the Children’s goat farm

In Amstelveen at Amsterdam Bos, just out of Amsterdam, lies the children’s goat farm Ridammerhoeve. Take your kids to help feed, brush and milk some 150 sweet goats and lambs. The goat farm also features a playground and cheese farm.

The Ridammerhoeve goat farm is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesdays the farm is closed). The address is Nieuwe Meerlaan 4 in Amstelveen. The farm can easily be reached by public transportation. The farm can be reached by phone at +31 (0)20 6455034 or email at info@geitenboerderij.nl.

3. The Pancake Cruise Boat

This three hour family cruise on the Pancake Boat is a real treat and a fun thing to do during the Easter holidays. The all-you-can-eat Pancake Boat on the famous IJ lake, Amsterdam’s waterfront, along Amsterdam Central Station.

You can choose between one-hour or two-and-a-half-hour cruises in the afternoon and evening. Reservations can be made online on the Pancake Boat web site.

4. Keukenhof Tulip Gardens

The world’s largest gardens are located near Haarlem, just outside Amsterdam. Keukenhof is open only March through May and features beautiful displays of the bulb flowers The Netherlands are famous for. Enjoy this colourful family stroll through 70 acres of fields dotted with bulb flowers including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and gladioli.

Keukenhof Gardens are open for Easter! Hours are 8 am to 7.30 pm (entrance until 6 pm). Tickets can be booked online on the Keukenhof web site.

Photo of Easter Egg hunting originally posted by makelessnoise.