Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Was it stroopwafels, the delicious Dutch treat of syrup sandwiched by thin waffles, that I wanted to consume great quantities of in Amsterdam, or cocaine? One of those hadn’t even had a sniff of interest from...
Category: Travel
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Emirates adds SAF on flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Sustainable aviation fuel provider Neste will deliver more than 2 million gallons of blended SAF to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport throughout the course of 2024 for Emirates flights from the Netherlands hub. The carrier’s deal with Neste, first announced in 2023, was officially ‘activated’ this month and will provide a total of 700,000 gallons of neat...
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What are the rules on taking kids out of school for a holiday?
The UK will increase its fine for taking kids out of school this summer. ADVERTISEMENT Tempted to take your kids on holiday during term time to avoid high-season rates? The controversial trend has been growing along with the cost of living crisis. But parents in the UK will soon face increased fines for taking their children...
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The Netherlands’ biggest tulip garden has just reopened – with seven million blooms
Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly into flowers, it’s difficult not to be taken aback by the sheer, dazzling scale of Keukenhof. The Netherlands’ largest and most famous flower festival is pure tulip mania: its displays contain hundreds of varieties of the bulbs, with a whopping seven million blooms overall. Keukenhof’s 2024 edition kicked...
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British tourist warning as popular destination launches tourist tax
Many countries and cities around the globe have a tourist tax where tourists pay a small fee to visit. Tourist taxes take many formats and while some may just be a flat fee, others vary based on the style and price of a person’s accommodation. British tourists who book a package holiday or cruise may...
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The pretty little city on the Eurostar that’s at its most beautiful in April
Those planning a city escape next month should look no further, as Amsterdam is the perfect destination in April. One of the reasons why the charming capital city of the Netherlands should be considered for a brief break is its distance from the UK. The city is only a train ride away, with several Eurostar...
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Experience The Netherlands’ Spring Splendour At Keukenhof’s Magical Tulip Gardens
Keukenhof | Image Credit: @visitkeukenhof/Instagram Cradled near the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, Keukenhof rings in spring with its vast tulip gardens boasting a whopping seven million flowers, predominantly tulip bulbs. Based in Lisse, this floral exhibition celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, with each bloom meticulously tended to by one of Keukenhof’s 40 skilled gardeners....
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Amsterdam stag party bookings soar despite efforts to stop them
Amsterdam has had enough of stag parties. A new quiz launched by city officials asks tourists what they plan to do on their visit. Tourists who answer by saying they plan to “drink in the street” or stay out until 5am are told the city might not be for them. However, the Dutch city’s new...
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Tulip lover? Europe’s most beautiful garden Keukenhof opens today
The beautiful spring garden is one of the Netherlands’ premier tourist attractions – but be quick as it’s only open for eight weeks a year. ADVERTISEMENT If springtime flowers fill you with joy, there is one place in Europe which is an absolute must: Keukenhof. Close to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, you’ll find vast...
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Amsterdam has launched yet another campaign to keep rowdy tourists away
Amsterdam – it’s the land of tulips, cycling, and… asking visitors to stay away, apparently. Yep, the Dutch capital has just announced yet another ploy to try and deter difficult tourists from visiting the city, now that previous campaigns seem to have wavered in their impact. Shall we have a recap of how the city...
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Amsterdam accused of ‘lazy stereotyping’ in latest campaign against British visitors
Booth adds: “No one planning on coming to the city for a stag do will care that such activities are ‘forbidden’, much less will spend time doing an online quiz to find that out. Surely, there are better ways to dissuade problem visitors than this?” Catherine Marie, an expert on tourism brand strategy at The...
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Tourist claims Europe’s top holiday destinations are ‘too crowded’ to enjoy
A tourist has taken to Reddit to express their shock at the tourist crowds in some of Europe’s top holiday destinations. Reddit user ‘Addicted_2_tacos’ said they visited Europe in October, travelling to a mix of cities, towns and rural areas. They said: “I was astounded at how crowded some cities were! I even overheard someone...