Dreaming of a holiday full of lazy breakfasts, freshly pressed hotel bed sheets, soaking up some culture and history without a long haul flight? Avonmore Super Milk have a promotion to brighten up your springtime with a choice of a flight to one of eight European destinations: Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Milan, Madrid, Brussels or Frankfurt.
All you have to do is claim 30 tokens from special packs, choose from the list of destinations and pack your bags. To help you decide, here’s our guide to Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam.
Barcelona
Why Barcelona? The bustling Catalan capital is alive with an intoxicating energy and full of incredible architecture, world renowned food and lots of hip hotels and bars - all within walking distance of the beach. There are phenomenal restaurants, the chance to amble outside in the evening heat till the early hours on your own tapas trail and a vibrant buzz that makes it perfect for a short break.
When to go in 2018? Between April and June and in September and October. For music lovers check out Sonar, Primavera and Rock Fest.
What to see? One of Antoni Gaudí's most famous works, La Sagrada Familia, is a fascinatingly beautiful giant Basilica that has been under construction since 1882 and expected to be completed in 2026, the centenary of his death. Make sure to check out his other famous buildings; La Pedrera and Casa Batllo.
Walking around Barcelona is a great way to explore the cityscape or their Metro system has a good value multi-trip ticket to get around for tired feet. The (in)famous La Rambla promenade is usually packed with tourists so instead venture towards the Gothic Quarter, packed with lots of medieval shops and nooks and crannies to while away an evening.
Art lovers will adore the Picasso Museum and the European Museum of Modern Art. If you have little ones, or big ones, the beauty of Barcelona is that you can always head to the beach when the weather is fine.
One of the most memorable experiences that you will have in Barcelona is its food. Late night wanders lead to aged Manchego cheese, lip-smacking gambas, Iberican ham, churros and wash it down with chilled fino – a dry, pale white sherry wine. This is sherry like you have never had it before. For a real treat book in advance for Albert Adrià's Tickets restaurant or endure the queue for the no reservations Tapas 24 - it's definitely worth it.
Amsterdam
Why Amsterdam? The Dutch capital is one of Europe's most architecturally beautiful, laid back and, surprisingly, romantic cities. It is so much more than its infamous coffee shops and is brimming with fantastic restaurants, museums, shopping and attractions. The stunning canals and architecture, coupled with the relaxed atmosphere make it a place you want to return to time and time again.
When to go in 2018? For tulip lovers, a visit towards the end of tulip season in April is ideal, but avoid Queen's Day weekend. Otherwise, between late September to late October is an ideal time to visit when tourism and price levels drop. For food and drink lovers check out Taste of Amsterdam, the Coffee festival or the BierOost beer festival.
What to see? Make sure to visit the Rijksmuseum where the mesmerising Night Watch by Rembrandt is a highlight and outside you can take a fun photo in front of the giant "IAMSTERDAM" sculpture.
The Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank’s house and the Dutch Resistance museum are well worth a visit but make sure to pre-book tickets in advance as there can be three-hour waits at peak season. While in the Museumplein area visit the Conservatorium Hotel for a superb gin and tonic before dinner on Van Baerlestraat. The Conservatorium was once a music school and there is a spectacular installation of violins on the ceiling.
For a great family trip take a canal tour from Rokin in the beautiful wooden boats, avoiding the modern tourist boats. The city’s tram system is excellent and a great way to get around if you aren’t cycling, which is what most locals do.
The Heineken Brewery, Bols and Brouwerij ‘t IJ are perfect excursions for the beer enthusiast. For some, a shopping visit to the picturesque Nine Streets area which is wonderful for small boutiques, skincare and has a great cheese shop, is a perfect choice. Although you will find local treats like cheese, herrings and smoked sausage, Amsterdam is packed full of excellent restaurants from bistros to Michelin-star dining. Noordermarkt (Saturday only) features some popular neighbourhood cafes and restaurants like Winkel, which is a must for their renowned apple pie and coffee.
Paris
Why Paris? You feel the Parisian's unequivocal belief in beauty every time you visit the French capital. It is present in their buildings, paintings, food and fashion houses which they are rightly proud of. The soaring Eiffel Tower, the mammoth Louvre Museum, the cathedral of Notre-Dame are all favourites.
When to go? Paris is special at any time of year. The festivals and sparkling romance of winter, the blossom of spring before it gets too hot or autumn's bounty of restaurant menus.
What to see? Many of Paris's top attractions, like the soaring Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and the wondrous cathedral of Notre Dame with its flying buttresses, are well worth visiting. However, bear in mind that at peak season it is hard to fully savour the view, or the moment, without horrendously long queues or someone blocking the view.
One of the most special things in Paris is to ride the cable car, or brave the steps up the hill to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, for the incredible views of the city. Grab a crepe and ride the carousel at the base of the Sacré-Couer while you are in this glorious area. Also worth a visit is the Centre Pompidou, the Museum of Modern Art and the Army museum where you will see the tomb of Napoleon.
The utterly delightful Musée de l'Orangerie is the permanent home for Claude Monet's breathtaking Water Lillies where they exhibit it as he wished in two consecutive oval rooms. Stop by the Shakespeare and Company bookstore which was opened by American Sylvia Beach, who published her friend James Joyce's Ulysses in 1922.
It is impossible to emphasise the importance of food in Paris – it is a pride, passion and rightly celebrated part of every day life. Enjoy the buttery flakes on your chin from the best croissant you have ever eaten on a stroll by the Seine or try unforgettable haute cuisine in its many, many Michelin-star restaurants.
A great way to experience the top restaurants is their lunch menus which feature classics like escargots, frogs’ legs, sole and duck at great value. If you wish to venture for a day trip, the Palace of Versailles is easily accessible and Euro Disney is a great family day out.
How to claim your flight
There are eight cities in the Super Milk promotion with departures to Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, London, Milan, Frankfurt, Madrid.
To qualify simply collect 30 tokens across participating Super Milk packs (1 litre and 1.75 litre packs) to redeem a free flight.
There is one token on 1 litre packs and two tokens on 1.75 litre packs. The promotion starts on February 12th and ends on March 30th, with all tokens to be received no later than April 9th, 2018. All travel must be taken before December 31st, 2018.
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Claiming your free flight is easy. Here’s how:
- Collect 30 tokens from special promotional packs of Avonmore Super Milk – there's one on 1 litre cartons and two on 1.75 litre cartons.
- Post your 30 tokens plus a stamped addressed envelope to: Super Milk Flights Promotion, PO Box 12544, Dublin 18. Tokens must be received on or before April 9th, 2018.
- Your unique code will be posted back to you.
- Register online at supermilkflights.com with your unique code to redeem your free flight.
For a full list of terms and conditions visit www.avonmore.ie/supermilk
The benefits of Super Milk
A delicious glass of chilled Avonmore Super Milk is packed full of nutrients and goodness to keep your body and bones healthy. Whole and Low Fat Super Milk are both fortified with nutrients for which the Irish population has low intakes. In fact over 70 per cent of Irish adults have inadequate intakes of Vitamin D mainly because we don’t get enough sunshine. Super Milk is fortified with vitamins B, D, E, folic acid and calcium. It is an ideal choice for the whole family.
In just one 250ml glass of Avonmore Super Milk you will benefit from:
- 50 per cent of your recommended intake of Calcium
- 100 per cent of your recommended intake of Vitamin D (a 250ml serving of Super Milk contains 5ug (EU RI) of Vitamin D)
- 40 per cent of your recommended intake of Vitamin B12
- 45 per cent of your recommended intake of Folic acid