Most travelers will do anything they can to avoid waiting around in airports for hours. Here's a different approach: embrace that long layover and turn it into a memorable mini-vacation. Given enough time, you can escape the confines of the airport and glimpse a few of the wonders of Europe. Here are a few ideas for the best layover excursions in Amsterdam, London, and Paris.

First, a few tips for layover excursions: Figure out your layover itinerary before you depart for your trip, and focus on a few key sights or experiences instead of trying to see everything in four hours. Be conservative when calculating the time it will take to travel to your destination and return to the airport. Build in extra time in case you get lost, miss your train or run into delays in security. While you're sightseeing, avoid any place with long lines and any attraction you can't leave in a hurry (such as the Eiffel Tower or an Amsterdam canal boat). And if possible, leave your luggage in a locker at the airport.

Layover in Amsterdam: where to go?

Stuck in Schiphol? You're luckier than you think. Many travelers consider the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to be one of the best for layovers. You can see works by Dutch Masters in the tiny airport branch of the Rijksmuseum, do some duty-free shopping, gamble in the casino, get a massage and sample Dutch delicacies such as sweet stroopwafel or raw herring.

But if you have a layover in Amsterdam of five hours or more, that's enough time to get a taste of this beautiful canal-crossed city. Grab a train bound for Amsterdam CS (that's the city's central train station) and in about 20 minutes, you'll be in the heart of the city. The Royal Palace, Oude Kerk (the city's oldest church) and the infamous red light district are all within walking distance.

Layover in London: where to go?

If you're facing a long layover in Heathrow Airport, it's easy to escape and explore a few of London's famous attractions. Hop on the Piccadilly Line and in about 45 minutes you'll arrive at Leicester Square. From there, you can walk to catch a glimpse of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. Art lovers can sample the Tate Modern, National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.

No layover in London is complete without a visit to a pub. Try the Salisbury for Victorian elegance or the Cross Keys, which is known for its collection of odd bric-a-brac.

Layover in Paris: where to go?

Some travelers warn that sightseeing during a layover in Paris is risky, because it's easy to catch the wrong train on your way back, and rail delays are frequent. If you have enough time to spare, take the RER B (blue) train from Charles De Gaulle airport to St. Michel. It's about a 40-minute journey. You can get off there to see the stunning cathedral of Notre Dame, or transfer to the yellow line and disembark at Champ Des Mars to visit the Eiffel Tower. Attempting to visit the Louvre isn't advised unless you have abundant time to spend.

Instead of seeing the city, you might be better off tasting it. The charming neighborhood of St. Michel offers countless cafes and bakeries. Try Patisserie Bon (literally, "good pastry") or splurge on a sublime lunch at Alain Ducasse's Benoit.

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