European Tourist Offices in the US
Tourism is an important part of Europe's economy. Just about every European city has a tourist information office (abbreviated as TI in my books) located downtown and loaded with maps and advice. This is my essential first stop upon arrival in any town. But you don't need to wait until you get to Europe. Each European country has its own official tourism website — a great first stop when you begin researching your trip. Many of these sites are packed with practical information, suggested itineraries, interactive maps, colorful photos, and free downloads of vacation planning kits or brochures. Most also allow you to order printed materials by snail mail. For an extensive listing of tourist boards, see www.towd.com.
In addition, nearly every European country has a national tourist office in the United States with a healthy promotional budget. Switzerland, for instance, figures you'll be doing the Alps, but you've yet to decide if they'll be French, Swiss, or Austrian Alps. They're happy to answer your questions by phone, and send you a free package of promotional materials to put you in a Swiss Alps frame of mind. Ask for specific information to get more than the general packet. If you want to sleep in a castle on the Rhine, river-raft in France, or hut-hop across Slovenia, there's a free brochure for you. Remember to ask for an English-language schedule of upcoming events and for maps of the country and various cities you'll be visiting.
Austrian National Tourist Office: tel. 212/944-6880. Call or use the website to order their free "Austria Kit" with map, regional brochures, and city guides. Additional brochures on sights, hiking, traveling with children, and other topics can be downloaded on their website.
Belgian Tourist Office: tel. 212/758-8130. Call or use the online form to request hotel and city guides; brochures for ABC lovers — antiques, beer, and chocolates; map of Brussels; information on WWI and WWII battlefields; and a list of Jewish sights.
Croatian National Tourist Board : tel. 212-279-8672. Use the website to download brochures, maps, and videos.
Czech Tourism Office: tel. 212/288-0830. Call to order free basic information and a map (additional materials are $4 — prepay by check).
Denmark (see Scandinavia)
Estonian Consulate and Tourist Office: www.visitestonia.com or www.nyc.estemb.org, tel. 212/883-0636. Call to order free country and city brochures and maps, or download a 24-page travel guide.
Finland (see Scandinavia)
French Government Tourist Office: For brochures (on regions, barging, wine country, etc.), order online or call 514/288-1904. One brochure and the France Guide magazine are free; additional brochures are $0.50 each, with a handling fee of $2 per order. Additional brochures can be downloaded from their website (read the options carefully to avoid signing up for promotional emails).
German National Tourist Board : tel. 800-651-7010. Call or use the online form to order free maps, Rhine cruise schedules, castles, biking, and city and regional information.
Great Britain Tourist Office: tel. 800-462-2748. Order up to five free brochures by phone, including England: Your Grand Adventure vacation planner, detailed London planner and city guide with map; regional guides to England, Scotland, and Wales; or a garden-tour map. The website has downloadable video and audio files and an online store with package deals on passes.
Greek National Tourist Organization: tel. 212/421-5777. Download a general how-to booklet, maps of Athens and Greece, or brochures on the islands; or call to order regional brochures or city guides by mail.
Hungarian National Tourist Office: tel. 212/695-1221. Call to request a free information packet with information on Hungary, Budapest, national parks, and events. Some brochures can be downloaded at www.hungary.com.
Tourism Ireland: tel. 800-223-6470. Ireland's two tourist boards, Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, operate a joint website and tourism office. Use their website or call to request a vacation-planning kit with maps and sample itineraries, plus brochures on everything from golfing to cultural events.
Italian Government Tourist Board: Call their brochure hotline at 212/245-4822 to order a free, general Italy guide. The guide can also be ordered or downloaded from the website, along with brochures on food, wine, events, and regional information. For answers to specific questions, call 212/245-5618.
Luxembourg National Tourist Office: tel. 212/935-8888. Call or send an email to info@visitluxembourg.com to order maps, an events calendar, and information on biking, hiking, and B&Bs.
Netherlands Board of Tourism: tel. 212/370-7360. They no longer distribute printed material; all information is now available only on their extensive website.
Norway (see Scandinavia)
Polish National Tourist Office: tel. 201/420-9910. Call to request free information on Warsaw and Kraków, regional brochures, maps, and a promotional DVD.
Portuguese National Tourist Office: tel. 646/723-0200. Website has general info and downloadable brochures, maps, videos, and podcasts.
Scandinavian Tourist Board: tel. 212/885-9700. Call or use the online form to request free general booklets on all the Scandinavian countries, special-interest brochures, and city maps.
Slovenian Tourist Office: Slovenian tel. 011-386-1-560-8823. Use the online form to request up to three free publications such as the Welcome to Slovenia guide, tourist map, regional information, or brochures on hiking, biking, winter travel, and farm stays.
Spain Tourist Office: tel. 212/265-8822. Register your email address on their website to create and print a personalized travel guide.
Sweden (see Scandinavia)
Switzerland Tourism: tel. 877-794-8037. Order or download free brochures, great maps, and hiking material.
Turkish Tourist Office: tel. 212/687-2194. Order or download free regional guides and brochures on cuisine and outdoor activities.
Middle Eastern and North African Tourist Offices
Egyptian Tourist Authority: tel. 877-773-4978. Call to request city and regional maps and brochures.
Israeli Ministry of Tourism: tel. 888-774-7723. Call or use the online form to request the general information packet.
Moroccan National Tourist Office: Moroccan tel. 011-212-3767-4013. Download brochures or create a personalized travel guide.
Updated for 2009. For lots more tips, check out our best-selling Europe Through the Back Door travel skills guidebook.