Bounce from Amsterdam’s tulip-lined canals to the romantic banks of the Seine on the perfect ticket. Gouda and Brie, windmills and vineyards, Delta Air Lines knows that Holland and France just go together, so why not enjoy them both? Fly into Amsterdam and home from Paris on a single airfare, our fabulous Fare of the Month.
AMSTERDAM
SEE ENDLESS TULIP FIELDS
You’ll know spring has sprung when the Netherlands transforms into splayed blankets of vivid colour. Reds, pinks, yellows, whites, and striking multi-colour petals named after Dutch painter Rembrandt, April into May you won’t have to look hard to spot vast fields of tulips, Holland’s national flower. The Netherlands is the world’s top producer and exporter of tulips. Each spring, flower markets hop with horticulturists and parks and gardens come alive, as do countless fragrant fields in the windmill-dotted countrysides.
Some of the best spots to admire the beauty and to buy your own bulbs (yes, you can bring them home!) is the floating flower market in Amsterdam, by bike or on a guided tour of Noordoostpolder, and in Keukenhof Park in Lisse, where 7 million bulbs are planted annually.
TASTE A FRESH STROOPWAFEL
If you’ve ever had a friend return from Holland with a box of sweet treats, you may have tried them already, as chances are it was stroopwafel. This tasty and addictive wafer cookie, made from two thin layers of baked dough joined by a caramel filling, is the quintessential Dutch souvenir and why you’ll see them all over duty-free shops at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
In Holland, you can even find them at McDonald’s in a Stroopwafel McFlurry but nothing is like getting them warm and fresh with a hot cup of coffee. Near the floating flower market, try Van Wonderen Stroopwafels for their innovative use of fillings (like chocolate and marshmallow) and chunky candy toppings. For a jumbo classic version, hit Lanskroon on Singel canal or the truly authentic Original Stroopwafels, served fresh from a food truck for €1.50.
TOUR THE BEACHES OF ZANDVOORT
Beaches? From Amsterdam? You betcha! With its compact size and well-connected rail system, Holland is easy and worthwhile to explore. If you show up in the warm summer months, head for the picturesque coast where the hearty Dutch brave the frigid temperatures of the North Sea. While a shiver-inducing swim isn’t for everybody, the extra-wide beach is, packing thousands onto the golden sand of Zandvoort. Chill on the beach, people watch or browse the many shops, bars and restaurants that connect the beach and train station.
A quick one hour train ride from central Amsterdam, you’ll know you’re near when you begin your walk uphill. As the country is well below sea level, Zandvoort and the entire coast is one of the few places on earth where you walk uphill to get to the sea.
PARIS
SEE PARIS AT NIGHT
Expert Traveller Tip: “All the iconic landmarks in Paris are beautifully lit until 11 PM, so there is plenty of opportunities to grab some amazing views of the city after dark.” - Omar Guechtal - Flight Centre Westboro
Paris doesn’t take its moniker as the City of Light lightly. La Ville Lumiere shines when the sun goes down inviting visitors out for a stroll. Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Louvre, Eiffel Tower and the glimmering banks of the Seine are all worth a visit after dinner.
Walking tours are a great way to get to know a city and you can’t beat having a local by your side as you explore. Intrepid Travel’s Urban Adventures offers a variety of escorted tours or try one of our Captain’s Pick’s, like a baking class in a Parisian bakery. To add a private sightseeing tour of Paris to your itinerary, speak to one of our Expert Travellers.
TASTE LES MOULES-FRITES
French cooking is a complex art needing years of practice to master, but some dishes are simpler than others, like les moules-frites (or moules et frites). While Belgian in origin, it has become the darling dish of coastal France and it’s easy to see why. Mussels are added to sauteed garlic and shallots in olive oil, then simmered in beer until the shells open. Topped with fresh parsley and served with a side of fries for dipping, it is the ultimate seaside meal and a perfect pairing, although your Chardonnay, Muscadet or crisp Sauvignon Blanc may disagree.
You’ll see mussels and fries plastered on the menus of brasseries throughout France but particularly in the north and northwest, as well as in the beach bistros of French Basque country. Bon Appétit!
TOUR FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
The French Basque country is distinctly different from the rest of France, and even from Spain’s Basque region just across the Pyrenees. While Spain’s celebrated San Sebastien gets much of the acclaim, French Basque cities like Biarritz and Bayonne fly under the radar making you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a hidden gem - and you have.
With its own language and culture dating back to before the Roman Era, Basque country gets more ‘French’ by the sea, and the resort town of Biarritz is a good example. Exploding in the summer months with beachgoers, surfers and tourists (both French and international), Biarritz is ritzy and glamorous offering a perfect alternative to the more well-known French Riviera.
Tailor-Made Holidays with Delta & Partners
Ready to book your multi-city flight? Here’s the plan.
Collectively, Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Alitalia operate the world’s largest trans-Atlantic network with over 250 daily trans-Atlantic flights and seamless connections through hubs in Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. For convenience and a range of flight options, Delta and its partners are the way to go.
Enjoy the hubs as destinations or use them as a stopover to other great cities like Madrid, Nice, London and Edinburgh. Paris and Amsterdam are nice but you can easily pair any of the cities above for the adventure of your dreams.
Book our Fare of the Month and speak to our Expert Travellers about creating your own Tailor-Made Holiday with your choice of flights, hotels and experiences from any gateway across Canada.
