We Asked the Locals

By Dominique Lamberton

From sleeping in a glass igloo to embarking on a family treasure hunt in the Louvre, three experts share how to have one-of-a-kind European experiences.

Go Beyond Tulips and Windmills in the Netherlands

René Buyink, a.k.a. the Dutchman, reveals how meeting locals can take your holidays in Holland to the next level.

The Netherlands is known for tulips, windmills and Vincent van Gogh — how can visitors go deeper than that?

We love for our guests to learn the stories behind the Netherlands’ famous icons by meeting passionate locals and experts. This might include getting to know a local tulip grower in her family-run greenhouse, going behind the scenes at a chalk windmill to find an amazing collection of pigments and watercolor paints, seeing a historic village through the eyes of a local or meeting up with a former police officer and touring Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

What might surprise arts and culture lovers about the country?

The Netherlands offers the largest number of museums per square kilometer in the world, from the Old Masters of the Dutch Golden Age to cuttingedge contemporary design. Besides the major museums, such as the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in The Hague, we help people discover the smaller museums, such as the Museum of the Canals, private 17th-century merchant homes and modern art and architecture movements, such as CoBrA and De Stijl.

If travelers only have a few days in the Netherlands, what should they be sure to do?

A cruise on the canals is always a highlight and is a great way to discover and enjoy the city of Amsterdam. Even more memorable is a progressive dinner cruise on board a classic saloon boat, enjoying cocktails and a lovely dinner — the captain stops at different canal-side restaurants to collect each course.

René Buyink

The Dutchman

After running a large destination management company (DMC) for 25 years, Buyink followed his passion for personalization and collaboration with travel advisors to found the Dutchman. The boutique DMC provides tailor-made programs for travelers in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Yes, You Can Do Europe with Kids

Stanislas de Montenay, head of sales and partnerships for Family Twist, on making Europe fun for everyone.

Which European destination would you recommend to a family with small children? And one with older kids and teens?

Barcelona is an excellent choice for families with young children. The city offers beautiful beaches and parks, and the universe of Antoni Gaudí with the magical Sagrada Família or Park Güell will fascinate them. For older kids, I recommend Rome: The city’s rich history, archeological sites and art make it an ideal destination for teens. Exploring the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican Museums and Galleries is both educational and intriguing, and it’s easy to combine with two days in Florence or a more relaxed extended stay in Tuscany.

How do you make Europe’s less kid-friendly attractions, like art galleries and historic sites, exciting for the younger set?

Many museums will host a scavenger hunt or an observation game, and a traditional walking tour can turn into an orientation or escape game for teenagers. Our family-friendly guides are experts at making history and art come alive with interactive storytelling and age-appropriate explanations. We also offer interactive workshops, enabling children to create art, cook like a local or try other activities linked to the specific destination’s culture.

What experiences are especially loved by kids?

One is Treasure Hunt at the Louvre: In Paris, we turn a visit to the Louvre into an exciting treasure hunt, where kids follow clues and learn about art history while searching for hidden treasure. Another is Row Like a Gondolier: It’s a way to experience the art of Venetian gondoliering while supporting a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation. After learning the rowing techniques, families embark on a journey through the small canals of Venice, including a visit to a secret gondola museum and squero (gondola boatyard).

Stanislas de Montenay

Family Twist

Six years ago, de Montenay met Magali Déchelette, the founder of Family Twist, and joined the luxury tour company that designs private family holidays in Europe. Today, he organizes its sales strategy, contracts hotel partners and connects with travel advisors.

Seek the Northern Lights in Scandinavia

Claudio P. Nielsen, vice-president of Delta of Scandinavia, shares must-see landscapes and the best spot to witness the aurora borealis.

Of all the amazing places to visit in the Nordic and Baltic countries, what’s your favorite destination?

I’m a big fan of the Arctic region: Where people see cold, darkness and tough conditions, I see cool experiences, northern lights and unique landscapes that vary from country to country. In Norway, you see mighty mountain ridges that rise from the sea; in Finland, you have huge forests covered in snow; Iceland combines the elements of ice and fire thanks to glaciers and volcanoes; and Greenland seems to belong to a different planet entirely.

Are there any experiences unique to the region that visitors won’t find anywhere else?

The most popular is staying in a glass igloo in Lapland while watching the northern lights or sleeping in an ice room at Icehotel in Sweden. Another favorite is a gastronomic cycling tour in Copenhagen, where guests bike through the city with a chef who serves a three-course meal along the way.

Where is the absolute best place to see the northern lights?

Probably Tromsø, Norway, because of its position — this town is located at 69°N, which is right in the center of the northern lights’ oval, meaning the chances of seeing aurora, even on days with low activity, is high. The northern lights are probably the most addictive experience you can ever have — if you see them, you want to see them again and again, and if you don’t see them, you want to come back and hope for better luck!

Claudio P. Nielsen

Delta of Scandinavia

Nielsen has worked in travel since 2004, after completing an education in sustainable tourism. In 2016, he joined Delta of Scandinavia, an incoming DMC that operates in Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Svalbard, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia.