Schiphol Airport

Dreaming of: Schiphol Airport

Shopping, Souvenirs, ,

After spending a week in Amsterdam – including that touristy classic, a stay on a houseboat – I was actually pleased that bad weather in the U.S.delayed my flight home.

Because that gave me more time to hang out in Schiphol Airport, where I was really temped to buy these (somewhat corny, I know….) souvenirs.

The ginger cake would have been a nice gift for my neighbor (I bought her a tote bag from the Cat Cabinet – shh, don’t tell her..) and those wooden tulips – spotted for sale everywhere in Amsterdam that by the end of week I was tired of them – would have been a long-lasting spot of color in the gray Seattle winter I’ve returned to.

I know… just another reason to go back. Soon.

AMS WOODEN TULIPS

AMS Ginger Cake

Souvenir Sunday at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport

Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs,

Today is Souvenir Sunday  – the day StuckAtTheAirport.com takes  a look at some of the inexpensive, offbeat and/or locally-themed items you might actually want to purchase when you’re stuck at the airport.

This week’s treat comes from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, where I did a bit of cheese tasting at the ‘Say Cheese’ shop and found a cheese grater that doubles as a souvenir windmill.

AMS SAY CHEESE

AMS WINDMILL CHEESE GRATER

Share your finds: if you spot a cool souvenir at an airport that’s inexpensive, a bit quirky and “of” the city or region, please snap a photo and send it along to StuckatTheAirport.com.

If your item is featured on Souvenir Sunday, we’ll send you a fun travel-themed gift.

Travel Tidbits: Free Wi-Fi & More Fees

Air Travel, Airports, Rules, Wi-Fi, , , , ,

There’s good news and bad news for travelers this week.
Alaska Electronics

In Japan, rules have been eased so that airlines may allow passengers to use their personal electronic gadgets from gate to gate.

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi was introduced last week at Amsterdam’s Schiphol.

But as of today Allegiant Air follows the lead of Spirit Airlines in adding a fee to have an agent print out a boarding pass for you.

Here’s a link to my story about that Allegiant fee on USA TODAY, where I’m filling in on the Today in the Sky blog.

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Automatic banner-making machine at Schiphol Airport

Airports, Fun Stuff, , ,

They’ve done it again… Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has rolled out a cool new amenity: an automatic banner-making machine called the BannerXpress.

Now there’s no need to fuss and muss with poster board and magic markers in order to make a sign to welcome home a friend or family member at the airport. Instead, you can just slide your credit card into the banner-making machine and it will do it for you, in a variety of sizes, with a choice of backgrounds and themes and, of course, your neatly printed message.

Schiphol is the first airport to have the machine on-site, but no doubt similar machines will pop up at other airports momentarily.

No underwear at Schiphol’s Victoria’s Secret

Art, Shopping, , ,

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is now home to what may be Europe’s first branch of Victoria’s Secret but, save for the photos on the walls, don’t go there expecting to spot any of the brand’s sexy lingerie.

Even though much of the underwear they’re known for is quite tiny, this small VS shop is only stocking fragrances, make-up and assorted branded accessories.

Washington’s Reagan National Airport branch of Victoria’s Secret is long gone, but if you’re a fan of the brand, you’ll find outlets at these airports:

Mexico City Airport Terminal D
Brazil-Sao Paulo Airport Terminal A
Miami International Airport Terminal D
Carrasco Airport Terminal D
Schipol Airport Amsterdam Terminal 3
JFK Airport Terminal 4
Ezieza Airport Terminal D (Buenos Aires)
Bangkok International Airport
Sydney International Airport
Kuwait Airport

And you’ll find an art installation inspired by the Victoria’s Secret catalog at Port Columbus Gateway to The Arts, an exhibition space at Ohio’s Port Columbus International Airport.