Being on a team of one real graphic designer and about six of us who like to pretend that we are, one of the STA marketing team’s regular pastimes is perusing sites like Ads of the World and Smashing Magazine to keep up on the latest design trends.

Low and behold, Ads of the World posted a few pieces this morning of one of our favorite places to stay in Amsterdam – the Hans Brinker.

Source: Ads of the World

I am traveling with my family to the Netherlands and France at the end of May to show them around two of Europe’s most popular cities – Amsterdam and Paris.

After a stopover in New York City to show my parents around the Big Apple, we are flying to Amsterdam which is one of my favorite cities in Europe.

Looking out on the canal in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

While everyone loves the shock factor of the Red Light District and the coffee houses, there is so much more that Amsterdam has to offer. Of course they have great museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, but they also have the Heineken Experience for beer lovers like me. Although it can be quiet somber, everyone should go to the Anne Frank House at least once.

To get ourselves oriented with the city’s layout and canals – as well as a special view of Amsterdam’s beautiful architecture – I have booked us one of our Canal Cruises that we will take as soon as we arrive. I am still debating if I can make it through the Red Light District Tour with my parents without blushing too many times.  I still have a few weeks to decide…

Eurail

To get around the Netherlands and France, we got a Benelux France rail pass. While most multi-country passes count every country individually, BElgium, the NEtherlands, and LUXemburg only count as one country known as “Benelux”. Three countries for the price as one, which is going to allow us to stop for a look in Brussels on our way to Paris!

Paris

I am really excited about seeing Paris with my family.

Sure we will see amazing sights, but I am more excited about the French food. I come from a family that loves all things culinary and we look for any excuse to dine on fantastic food.

Why wait for Thanksgiving when you can have an Arbor Day turkey we say, but I digress… France has some of the best food I have ever eaten, and some of the best restaurants to eat it in.  We will do our best to eat as much as we can, and wash it down with delicious wine.

When not stuffing our faces with some of the world’s best grub, we are definitely going to check out the amazing sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coeur, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. STA offers a two-day “hop-on-hop-off” bus tour that we are going to use get us around the city.

Next year… Japan.

Amsterdam Photo Credit: fazen on Flickr

Eiffel Tower Photo Credit: Anirudh Koul on Flickr

After we asked you guys to name your cheap summer travel destinations, we asked for your favorite “must-see” things or places in Europe.

We had an overwhelmingly 130 responses and – after much deliberation – we are pleased to present the top 30 “must-see” spots in Europe according to our readers. Make sure to click on the linked text to see a picture of the suggestion on Flickr.

The Monasteries of the Meteora, Greece (Suggested by Kyanne)

The Sacre-Coeur, Paris, France (Suggested by Monica)

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy (Suggested by Jenna)

Interlaken, Switzerland (Suggested by Caitlin S.)

Grant Museum of Zoology, London, UK (Suggested by Harriet Baskas)

Marienplatz, Munich, Germany (Suggested by Kara)

The British Lawnmower Museum Didn't Make the Cut

Belem, Lisbon, Portugal (Suggested by Oscar)

Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy (Suggested by Giovanna Palatucci)

The Narva Gate, St. Petersburg, Russia (Suggested by Chris)

Worm’s Head, Swansea, Wales (Suggested by Renee O.)

La  Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain (Suggested by Cara Z.)

Bruges, Belgium (Suggested by Hannah Kim)

Saint Melo, near Rennes, France (Suggested by Graeme)

Dubrovnik, Croatia (Suggested by Emily Osvold)

The Keukenhof, near Lisse, Netherlands (Suggested by Marisa)

Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain (Suggested by Jenn Vargas)

Grandhotel Pupp, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (Suggested by Lauren)

All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, United Kingdom (Suggested by Ng Sook Zhen)

However, the Sacre-Coeur did

Isle of Skye, Scotland (Suggested by Cassie S-C)

Sainte Chappelle, Paris, France (Suggested by Jamie)

Dunnottar Castle, near Aberdeenshire, Scotland (Suggested by Brianna C.)

Bonehouse of Sedlec, Kunta Hora, Czech Republic (Suggested by Karina Giraldo)

Chiesa di San Ignazio, Rome, Italy (Suggested by Arielle)

The Gorges of Verdon, Provence region of France (Suggested by Lauren)

Canterbury, England (Suggested by Cherie)

Mount Vesuvius, Naples, Italy (Suggested by Kassie)

Jungfaru, Switzerland (Suggested by Sarah)

The Vasa Museum, Stockholm, Sweden (Suggested by Jordan Brooks)

Nyhavn, Cophenhagen, Denmark (Suggested by Marie Z.)

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland (Suggested by Gloria)

Check out STA Travel’s top 30 recommnedations and see how they compare to our readers.

The Sacre-Coeur Photo Credit: ndrewfgg on Flickr

Another week, another giveaway from your friends at STA.

Whether you are a photog or just a voyeur, everybody goes to Europe to see the sights. From the Louvre in Paris to St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Europe is full of  must-see locations for any traveler.

Our travel experts across the country came up with ten of their favorite must-see places in Europe. After you check out our list, make sure to let us know what your must-see place is in Europe.

On Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m. CDT, we will select one suggestion for a must-see place in Europe at random and that person will receive:

- 1 Round-Trip Ticket to a European destination courtesy of STA and Virgin Atlantic

- 1 Eurail pass

- 1 Busabout pass for hop-on-hop-off travel

So get to reading our list and then leave a comment for your chance to win.

STA Travel’s 10 Must-See Places in Europe

1. Vondelpark in Amsterdam – Imagine Central Park, but with a connected series of ponds and streams and you have one of the most beautiful parks in the world. 10 million visitors flock to this 120 acre park each year to see the park and its open air theater and film museum.

Wouldn't you like to see that in person?

2. Prague Castle in Prague – One of the biggest castles in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, this castle is home to the Czech Crown Jewels. Measuring at 570 meters in length and an average of 130 miles wide, make sure to bring your wide-angle lens.

3. The Colosseum in Rome – Have you ever seen Gladiator? Check out the spot where the real Gladiators fought in brutal battles for their lives. Later in its existence, the Church tried to turn it into a wool factory to provide employment for Rome’s prostitutes.

4. Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – Easily one of the most spectacular buildings in the entire world, Sagrada Familia is a massive Catholic church that has been under construction since 1882. The construction budget for 2009 is 18 million Euros.

5. Alhambra in Granada – The Alhambra was completed towards the end of Muslim rule in Spain, which is evident in the architecture of this beautiful building.  You may recognize Alhambra if you’ve ever read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

6. BMW Museum in Munich – The visually stunning four-cylinder BMW headquarters and adjacent museum is as beautiful outside as the cars are inside.  One of the most recognized car brands in the world, the BMW Museum showcases some of the best offerings ever produced by the manufacturer.

7. Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy – Most people go to Italy for the fine food, beautiful people and beautiful Duomos, but Lake Como is a can’t miss for anyone looking for breathtaking scenery. Make sure to scan the shoreline for some of the most amazing – and probably expensive – Villas you will ever see.

8. Hyde Park in London – While the park itself is great, the real must-see is located on the north-east corner. That location is home to Speakers’ Corner, where free speech reigns. Step on your soapbox and get ready to be heckled, just make sure to avoid profanity to avoid the ire of the police.

9. Paris Plage in Paris - Imagine walking through beautiful Paris seeing the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and then….a beach. Paris Plage, located in central Paris, is an artificial beach on the banks of the Seine River that is attracting tourists and locals who can’t afford to take a vacation.

10. Uffizi in Florence – Home to a statue of the famous hometown poet Dante, the Uffizi is also home to works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Make sure to get your ticket in advance, because the wait can be long during peak season.

Let’s get the suggestions rolling.

Fine Print on Giveaway