At the height of the summer, the crowds stay big and the music stays great, but where to begin?

Friday:

Uplifting organic electro dance music by Loonaloop from Australia is at Pakhuis Wilhemina, 10pm, 9€.

Saturday:

The country-trash stylings of Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnie play MaloeMelo, 11pm, €7.50.

Sunday:

The Oi! Minifestival is actually not so mini anymore, as the premier annual dub-step party in Amsterdam. It takes place in Amsterdam North at the Tolhuistuin which is on the Tolhuisweg. It starts at 5pm and will cost €15 for full access.

Monday:

Gogol Bordelo, international music icons, are sold out at Melkweg. But true fans always find a way. 8pm.

The Conscious Hotel brand name has quietly rolled out 2 lovely hotels over the past few years, right in the heart of Amsterdam. Without all the pomp and circumstance that some hotel brands might adopt to get their name out, Conscious has been true to their name, earning rave reviews from clients while not leaving too much of a carbon footprint.

What makes them conscious? Word among former guests is that some items, such as furniture in the room are made from recycled materials. Food is also offered with a great deal of care for health and freshness. And no toxic chemicals are used for cleaning of their rooms. From the outside looking in, these low key hotels are run with a lot of love and attention for the little details.

A glance at their website reveals that rates are not crazy for Amsterdam standards, but that during the high season which is already upon us, it isn't dirt cheap either. Still the owners seem very fun and as previously mentioned, it is nice to see hotels quietly doing things in a unique and sustainable way.

For the third year running on Trippist, I'm proud to announce the current edition of Rotterdam Museum Night. This year it's held on the evening of 5 March 2011. It's the 10th edition, and 46 galleries and museums will participate. To celebrate the 10th anniversary (and the fact that it coincides with the city code for Rotterdam (010) there will be 10 "magnificent initiatives" by Rotterdam artists and performers. Hmmm, sounds interesting.

This year the organizers even offer custom arrangements with a number of hotels in Rotterdam, for those die-hard attendees that want to stay over after the big event has finished. They range from posh to humble - you can see the four options here.

For information on passkeys, transport, and more, please visit the Museum Night website.

An old friend from New Jersey sent me an email a few weeks back to let me know she and her husband were coming to celebrate their honeymoon in Amsterdam. She invited me to come visit the Bed and Breakfast they would be staying at, a place called The Collector.

So naturally when the date finally came I went to see my friends, but I also made sure to have a look around the Collector, to see just want this place was like and if I could recommend it on trippist.

I was greeted and taken around this modest and beautiful house by the owner, Karel, who was more than happy to show me each room and explain the building. The name Collector comes from his many collections that are on display throughout the house - including - in the bedrooms. Besides being clean, bright, and a relaxed atmosphere, the collections of clocks, ice skates,vases, ceramic Dutch houses, etc.; make the Collector B&B feel like a real hidden Amsterdam treasure. While the building itself dates back to 1914, the style of decor is from the 20's, and all facilities are in top working order. Guests also have access to the internet as well a fully functioning kitchen where they can prepare their own food. (I noticed fresh eggs from a chicken that must be nearby!)

Location wise, just a few doors down form the Concertgebouw and Museum Square, the Collector is close enough to everything that you feel far from the action, yet its in an area where you can also take relaxing walks and find peace and quiet not far from your door.

Of course the Collector doesn't have many rooms, so if you're looking for something romantic and special like this, make sure to book well in advance! Tell Karel that Mark from Trippist.com says hello!

File this one under strange but cool places to stay while traveling around the Netherlands; a former East German airplane turned luxury hotel suite.

The "hotel" is called the Vliegtuigsuite or "the plane suite", yet it is anything put plain. Decked out with super smooth and modern features from the bedroom to the bathroom and everything in between, this old flying machine looks like the future on the inside. The only part of the vessel that actually remains original is the cockpit, everything else is set up as a super cool living space.

I have yet to see it in person, but it has come up in conversations and news reports as one of the most creative hotel ideas the country has to offer. Located between Appeldoorn and Deventer, the price per night is listed as €350 for 2 people. Certainly not a cheap sleeping option, but if it is a unique stay that you seek, the Vliegtuigsuite is just what the doctor ordered. And yes, you can bring the kids, but leave your pets at home.

That is the question you need to answer in order to win free bike rental during your stay in a hostel in Amsterdam. Hostelbookers teamed up with the Bicycle Hotel and are running a competition where 2 people can win free bike hire. Details on the contest can be found here. Good luck!

Did we mention it is 30 Days of Biking month?

When I first heard about the street that Swissôtel is located on, Damrak, I figured it would be a bad option because that is the main thoroughfare leading directly to Central Station. As someone who prefers the out-of-the-way type hotels, being located practically on Dam Square with all the people, trams, and hoopla, did not sound comfortable.

Then I went there to see family members who were spending a weekend in Amsterdam, and over the course of three days I walked around, chatted with the friendly staff, and got the feel for this busy hotel.

Like all Swissôtels, there are a number of things you can count on: efficiency, 24 hour service, functional though small rooms, and cleanliness. In the case of Amsterdam's Swissôtel you get all of this, plus a very advantageous location if you want to see the different parts of the city while doing it mostly on foot or public transport. If you've ever fretted about getting from the train station to the place you're staying when you arrive in a new city, staying here eliminates that concern.

That said, everything is quite small. Facilities are not quite and functional and shiny as they probably were 10 years ago. And since it is so small and centrally located, there's not much in terms of extras and it is never not busy.

So if you seek reliable, convenient, comfortable, and predictable, Swissôtel should be on your short list.

I'm a fan of the Lloyd Hotel, the spacious and unique hotel housed in a former migrant hotel in the Eastern Dock area of Amsterdam. Why? Because it has history, character, and every room is extremely different, which includes cost! Useful for all levels of traveler, even those of us who don't have much money but seek something interesting.

So perhaps because I like them, or perhaps because they are a major creative force in this city, I was very interested in the news that the owners of the Lloyd Hotel (Otto Nan and Suzanne Oxenaar) are going to be opening another hotel in the center of the city.

It will be called the Exchange Hotel and it will be housed in a historical building ride on the main street of Amsterdam, the Damrak. Like its sister-hotel, the Exchange will feature rooms from 1 star to 5 stars, each to be designed in its own unique style. A total of 63 rooms in total, it is hard to imagine that this place will not be fun to visit and stay at.

According to their press release, the Exchange Hotel will be ready next year and will feature an all-day breakfast spot called Stock, as well as a shop that will feature items you cannot find anywhere else.... which brings up all kinds of visions in my head.

Stay tuned.

Leiden has its share of hotels, but finding a charming new establishment just minutes from the train station is a rare event. That's what happened this weekend: While walking back from the Saturday market, I spotted the Rembrandt Hotel, a smart, modern oasis in the middle of an otherwise hectic street.

I hopped online when I got home and checked out their website. Indeed, the rooms are brand new and very chic, and the hotel even has executive rooms on the top floor, complete with balconies. They have a fabulous looking restaurant and serve breakfast each morning.

I also checked out TripAdvisor - and there's already one review. If you're planning to visit Leiden, I recommend looking at this hotel. Located at the Nieuwe Beestenmarkt 10, it's very close to central station and even closer to shopping and museums.

Every wondered what it would be like to sleep in a crane, a lighthouse or an old airplane? Hotelsuites has converted such structures into luxury hotel rooms.

My personal favorite is the airplane suite (see here for pictures of the interior). For a mere € 350 per night (including breakfast!), you can sleep in a 40-meter long converted aircraft - an Ilyushin 18 built in 1960. The interior is designed for two guests and contains a whirlpool, separate shower, infrared sauna, mini-bar, 3 flat screen TV's, a blu-ray DVD player, kitchenette with combi-microwave, coffee and tea making facilities, free wireless internet, air conditioning, etc. Wow.

The airplane suite is located at De Zanden 61b, in Teuge, The Netherlands, which is located close to Deventer, Apeldoorn and Zutphen. Book if you're interested but be aware: Reservations canceled within less than 30 days of your planned stay will be charged. And no smoking in the airplane, please.