Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Tips & ideas / Book reviews / Amsterdam Spiral Guide: review & giveaway

Amsterdam Spiral Guide: review & giveaway

February 16, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 113 Comments

Prinsengracht Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Prinsengracht Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

I’m planning a trip to Amsterdam this year and so was happy to accept Marco Polo’s invitation to review their new guide to the Dutch capital. The Marco Polo Spiral Guide to Amsterdam is one of a brand new series of travel books published this month.

Marco Polo Spiral Guides

The new books have a spiral binding which makes it easy to open the pages out fully. There are Spiral Guides for Amsterdam, Andalucia, Barcelona, Budapest, Ireland, London, Malta, New York, Paris, Rome, Tuscany and Venice published this month with guides to Florence, Florida, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Marrakesh, Sicily, Tenerife and Thailand to follow in May.

The books have plasticised covers to protect them and they’re just the right size to fit into a handbag. They’re divided into distinct sections such as ‘Magazine’ which has articles about the destination, ‘Finding your feet’ which has practical information, and ‘Walks’ which provides walking routes to follow. The important sights are organised geographically and there are detailed maps and suggested itineraries for a ‘Perfect Day’ in each area. I really like the specially highlighted ‘insider tips’ from locals which pepper the books. At the back of each book is a detailed street atlas showing the sights, hotels and restaurants mentioned. Inside the back cover is plastic wallet containing a pull-out map of the destination.

Canal boat tour, Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Canal boat tour, Amsterdam. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Amsterdam

I went to Amsterdam with my ten year-old son a couple of years ago and we had a great time: his highlights were the Amsterdam Arena Tour, the canal boat tour and the pancakes, while mine were the Anne Frank Museum and the street markets. I’m looking forward to going back to the city this year with friends.

Marco Polo Amsterdam Spiral Guide

The first thing which I look at in the Amsterdam Spiral Guide is the Top 10 list of sights not to be missed in the city. I think that we covered half of them on our last trip including the Canal Tours which top the list. We avoided number 6 on the list though – I was keen to keep away from the Red Light District and so I made sure that I knew where it was. I’d love to go to number 4 on the list next time – the Van Gogh Museum.

The magazine section of the guide has some fascinating articles. I particularly like the feature about Jewish Amsterdam which explains how the city was a place of refuge for Jewish people as far back as the sixteenth century.

The ‘Finding your feet’ section is packed with useful tips some of which I already knew about – such as the excellent i amsterdam City Card which covers public transport and admission to the major museums – and some of which I was unaware – such as the free ferries from behind Central Station.

The sights are grouped into four sections: Medieval Amsterdam, Canal Ring – West, Museum Quarter and Canal Ring – East. Each of these sections starts helpfully with ‘Getting Your Bearings’ then gives a suggested ‘Perfect Day’ itinerary for that area followed by information for individual sights. At the end of each section are suggestions for where to eat, drink, shop and go out. I particularly like the ‘Perfect Day’ itineraries and would definitely use them to help me to plan my time in the city. Another great feature is the ‘Insider Tip’ label which pops up throughout the book. It signals some quirky and unusual things to do such as the Kinderkookcafé where children can prepare and decorate their own food.

The guide is well-written (as you’d expect with authors such as Simon Calder on the writing team) and thorough. It’s practical, easy to navigate and interesting to read and I’ll definitely be taking it with me when I go to Amsterdam.

Marco Polo Amsterdam Spiral Guide. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Marco Polo Amsterdam Spiral Guide. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Giveaway

Marco Polo have 10 Spiral Guides to give away to Mums do travel readers. If you’d like a chance to win a Marco Polo Spiral Guide then follow the instructions below: good luck!

How to enter

  1. Type the name of the book which you’d like (Amsterdam, Andalucia, Barcelona, Budapest, Ireland, London, Malta, New York, Paris, Rome, Tuscany, Venice, Florence, Florida, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Marrakesh, Sicily, Tenerife or Thailand) in the comments section below.
  2. Enter your details via the Rafflecopter widget below.

That’s it! Rafflecopter will choose 10 winners at random and Marco Polo will send each winner the guide of their choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and Marco Polo sent me Spiral Guides to Amsterdam, London and Tuscany for review purposes.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Book reviews, Competitions, Reviews
Tags: Amsterdam Spiral Guide, guide books, Marco Polo Spiral Guides

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Lyndsey Beckford says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:27 pm

    New York please 🙂

    Reply
  2. Barbara Handley says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    London.

    Reply
  3. James Donovan says

    March 15, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    I would like the Andalucia book, i have family that live in Spain

    Reply
  4. Clare S says

    March 15, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Vienna – for when I visit my son

    Reply
  5. Andrea Shaw says

    March 15, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    Barcelona please

    Reply
  6. Jill fairbank says

    March 15, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Cape Verde guide please

    Reply
  7. Victoria B says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    Budapest

    Reply
  8. Julie Taylor says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    Florence 🙂

    Reply
  9. Sarah Owen says

    March 15, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    Venice please x

    Reply
  10. Alisa Moore says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Venice

    Reply
  11. samantha bolter says

    March 15, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Paris would be great x

    Reply
  12. Amanda Norwood says

    March 15, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    London please

    Reply
  13. Hayley Todd says

    March 15, 2015 at 11:56 am

    I would love the Paris guide please x

    Reply
  14. Gill Williams says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Tenerife

    Reply
  15. Susan McFarlane says

    March 15, 2015 at 1:39 am

    Would love to read the Amsterdam guide.

    Reply
  16. Karen Hannah says

    March 14, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    My husband really wants to go to Rome, so the accompanying handbook would be awesome 🙂
    Karen Hannah recently posted…Review: Worm World by InterplayMy Profile

    Reply
  17. soneailiami says

    March 14, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Ireland

    Reply
  18. chirag P says

    March 14, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    New York,

    Reply
  19. katie w says

    March 14, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    London Please

    Reply
  20. Helen Garner says

    March 14, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Andalucia

    Reply
  21. Charlotte A says

    March 14, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    Barcelona would be fab.

    Reply
  22. Helen Allan says

    March 14, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    Paris please.

    Reply
  23. Andrew Hindley says

    March 14, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Ireland

    Reply
  24. Sarah Norgrove says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Amsterdam would be lovely, thanks

    Reply
  25. Francesca Tuck says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    Rome

    Reply
  26. Katherine Coldicott says

    March 12, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Thailand please.

    Reply
  27. leanne weir says

    March 12, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    Florida!

    Reply
  28. Solange says

    March 12, 2015 at 6:44 am

    Amsterdam

    Reply
  29. Lauren Old says

    March 11, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    London please

    Reply
  30. Spencer Broadle)y says

    March 11, 2015 at 7:08 am

    Amsterdam 🙂

    Reply
  31. Lisa Wilkinson says

    March 10, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    Barcelona please 🙂

    Reply
  32. EJ Dunn says

    March 9, 2015 at 6:50 am

    Marrakesh as I’m going there in May 🙂

    Reply
  33. Jackie ONeill says

    March 8, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I would love the Ireland guide please as going there for Easter x

    Reply
  34. Laura Asplin says

    March 6, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    New York as we are going in May!

    Reply
  35. Deborah Scott says

    March 6, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    I’d like the Paris Guide If I win please.

    Reply
  36. Minna says

    March 5, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Sicily!

    Reply
  37. Rachael Pilkington says

    March 3, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    Thailand would be awesome!

    Reply
  38. Kasia says

    March 2, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Malta please! <3

    Reply
  39. Lyla says

    March 1, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Amsterdam

    Reply
  40. Amy Rennocks says

    February 28, 2015 at 10:43 pm

    London please 🙂

    Reply
  41. Karen Barrett says

    February 28, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Barcelona please

    Reply
  42. ALISON BARLOW says

    February 26, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    Barcelona for me please 🙂

    Reply
  43. Vicky Rimmington says

    February 26, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    Florida please!

    Reply
  44. Rhi P says

    February 26, 2015 at 11:42 am

    Budapest please… though tough decision as there’s so many places I want to go…

    Reply
  45. So Sun Park says

    February 26, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Hello Gretta! I really enjoyed your guest lecture at LCC few weeks ago 🙂

    I would like to participate this poll — Budapest Please!
    So Sun Park recently posted…Comparing Historical Markets in London VS SeoulMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 26, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thank you So Sun, that’s great to hear and thank you for entering this competition.

      Reply
  46. Anja Christiansen says

    February 26, 2015 at 11:18 am

    The London guide please 🙂

    Reply
  47. Stephanie Whitehouse says

    February 26, 2015 at 9:09 am

    Venice for me please

    Reply
  48. Sonia Vegas says

    February 26, 2015 at 12:12 am

    Amsterdam would be great!

    Reply
  49. Fanny Tran says

    February 25, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Barcelona as I am going in July ! Can’t wait although slightly apprehensive of the heat at the peak of the summer :S.

    Reply
  50. Marycarol says

    February 25, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Amsterdam

    Reply
  51. Jennifer Toal says

    February 25, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    London would be great being a country bumpkin

    Reply
  52. Keiko Taylor says

    February 25, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    Budapest

    Reply
  53. Matthew Sinclair says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    I would love an amsterdam one

    Reply
  54. Becky John says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    London as my current guide is about 15 years old and well thumbed!

    Reply
  55. Claire Kyle says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    Barcelona x

    Reply
  56. israr baig says

    February 25, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    New York, or , Florida,

    Reply
  57. Patricia Fraser says

    February 25, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    New York as i have always wanted to go there.

    Reply
  58. Nicola Baird says

    February 25, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    Venice please
    Nicola Baird recently posted…Do you love your child or partner more?My Profile

    Reply
  59. Wendy Edwards says

    February 25, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Rome 🙂

    Reply
  60. Claire Bellot says

    February 23, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Amsterdam ????

    Reply
  61. Gerri Anne Tennant says

    February 23, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    Budapest would be great as we are visiting for the first time in April.

    Reply
  62. Nicole says

    February 23, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    I’d love to win London or Amsterdam!
    Nicole recently posted…Peaceful Parisian MomentsMy Profile

    Reply
  63. Louise Perry Fairweather says

    February 22, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    I would go for Thailand please as we are hoping to go next year
    Louise Perry Fairweather recently posted…Lushice Sorbet and Lime ShortbreadMy Profile

    Reply
  64. iamalighthouse says

    February 21, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    I’d get the Budapest one!!

    Reply
  65. Lisa Parker says

    February 21, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    New York x

    Reply
  66. Connor says

    February 20, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Malta!

    Reply
  67. Maxine Owen says

    February 20, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    New York please! Going there later this year 🙂

    Reply
  68. Fiona says

    February 19, 2015 at 11:56 am

    London

    Reply
  69. Eva Appleby says

    February 19, 2015 at 2:10 am

    London Thank you x

    Reply
  70. Richard Tyler says

    February 19, 2015 at 1:31 am

    New York [Big Apple;]

    Reply
  71. Rachael Barnard says

    February 18, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    New York

    Reply
  72. Becca Staples says

    February 18, 2015 at 9:38 am

    I’d love to win the guide for London x

    Reply
  73. laura stewart says

    February 18, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Paris x

    Reply
  74. karen Howden says

    February 17, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    London

    Reply
  75. Miss Tracy Hanson says

    February 17, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    Amsterdam 🙂

    Reply
  76. David Ellis says

    February 17, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    Amsterdam please!

    Reply
  77. Lance Bellers says

    February 17, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Tuscany

    Reply
  78. Tracey Parker says

    February 17, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    Morocco

    Reply
  79. Sarah Griffiths says

    February 17, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    Budapest

    Reply
  80. Tammy Tudor says

    February 17, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    I’d love the New York Spiral Guide

    Reply
  81. Paul Scotland says

    February 17, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    A London guide please

    Reply
  82. clair downham says

    February 17, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    london please

    Reply
  83. Gillian Holmes says

    February 17, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Paris

    Reply
  84. Sandra Lane says

    February 17, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    New York

    Reply
  85. aaron broad says

    February 17, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    Tenerife

    Reply
  86. Sharon says

    February 17, 2015 at 3:00 pm

    Thanks for your helpful review! Would love for an Amsterdam book please x

    Reply
  87. sal says

    February 17, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    tuscany

    Reply
  88. Jana Harwood says

    February 17, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Would love to win a London guide

    Reply
  89. Cathy (MummyTravels) says

    February 17, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    I’d love Gran Canaria as we’re off there soon (although hopefully Amsterdam later in the year too so I’m making a note of these guides!)
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Family day out: Warwick Castle – unlocked and with a toddlerMy Profile

    Reply
  90. Steve Weaver says

    February 17, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    I’d love to visit Malta, fantastic sights and great history. So it would be the Malta book for me.

    Reply
  91. Pam Smith says

    February 17, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    Greece please

    Reply
  92. Lucy Bishop says

    February 17, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    I’d love to win Thailand for my parents who are going this October for the first time! x

    Reply
  93. Helen G says

    February 17, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Amsterdam, though I have been there three times!

    Reply
  94. elaine dale says

    February 17, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Amsterdam please

    Reply
  95. Keith Hunt says

    February 17, 2015 at 11:45 am

    The Iceland Guide

    Reply
  96. Suzanne says

    February 17, 2015 at 10:38 am

    London would be great, please.

    Reply
  97. Claire Nutman says

    February 17, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Amsterdam x

    Reply
  98. Fiona K says

    February 17, 2015 at 6:52 am

    South of France

    Reply
  99. Michael says

    February 17, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Amsterdam please

    Reply
  100. Jessica Powell says

    February 16, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    The London guide x

    Reply
  101. Karl Borowy says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    London

    Reply
  102. Bob Clark says

    February 16, 2015 at 9:35 pm

    Tuscany

    Reply
  103. laura banks says

    February 16, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Gran Canaria

    Reply
  104. Jo welsh says

    February 16, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    The London guide please

    Reply
  105. cat reynolds says

    February 16, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    Vietnam! :3

    Reply
  106. Jo addison says

    February 16, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    I’d love an Amsterdam book please! Thanks!
    Jo addison recently posted…The National Space Centre with Babies and ToddlersMy Profile

    Reply
  107. Elizabeth (Liz) Briggs says

    February 16, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I would love London please x

    Reply
  108. Tracy Nixon says

    February 16, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Thank you for the lovely post and giveaway! I would love to win the Budapest Spiral Guide please!

    Reply
  109. Felicity Smith says

    February 16, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    Paris

    Reply
  110. The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says

    February 16, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Barcelona for me 🙂 never been but it was a hard choice as I love Amsterdam too
    The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…No Man Is A Failure That Has FriendsMy Profile

    Reply
  111. Christine Lockley says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:53 am

    Fab review, thanks for sharing! Would love to win a London guide.

    Reply
  112. Ashleigh Allan says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:23 am

    Florida!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
    How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
    Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
  • 5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
    5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
  • 60 free things to do in London with a teenager
    60 free things to do in London with a teenager
  • Is your teenager ready to stay at home alone?
    Is your teenager ready to stay at home alone?

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: