I was just thinking back to a few months ago when I helped organize a 3 week study-visit for a group from Carleton College, Minnesota. Through the advice of the study abroad office here in Amsterdam, the students all got rooms at the Apple Inn. On most days I'd go over there, either to guide them around town, or just to hang out and see what the crazy kids were up to.

So naturally I got the inside scoop on the apple Inn.. which I figure I should share with those of you coming to town and looking for a place.

First off, the Apple has wifi for most rooms. If you're like me and the internet is more important than hot water, this matters a whole lot when choosing places to stay. Unfortunately the higher up you go the weaker the signal, so make sure to insist with the front desk that your room must have Wifi and they should be able to accomodate you. Also, the speed is low, so it won't be useful for uploading videos of your trip, but at least you can use text and update your blog.

Beyond that the Apple is located in a very posh area, just south of Vondelpark. This means your neighbors have very high incomes, and they like it quiet at night. It also means youve got lots of hip cafe's and restaurants all over the place, though not directly next door. You can also go play in the park, if you can get by the neverending construction there.

Also the tram passes right by the front door.. and 2 stops up youre at the VanGogh museum or you can ride all the way to Centraal Station.. if you're into looking at trains.

Pricing wise I can't remember the exact numbers.. but it was certainly more than your average flying animal-keep your stuff in a locker- hostel. Most of the other guests were modest couples on vacation, but certainly not wealthy.

Oh and if you like breakfast.. the breakfasts seemed good... so good I hear students started smuggling extra food to their rooms. I don't recommend that part... but you figure that out for yourself.

So there you have it.. an insiders take on the Apple Inn.

Basically I have two categories of visitor, parents or friends. When it comes to the parent category, or anyone above the age of 50 for that matter, I always want them to be extra comfortable, centrally located, and yet.. to be in a quiet neighborhood.

So back when my parents first came to visit me in Amsterdam, I aimed for somewhere far enough away from the red light district, yet close enough to all the beauty the center of town offers. Therefore I put them in the Hotel Rembrandt, located in the lovely and quiet area near the Artis zoo and a stones throw away from the Portuguese-Jewish synogogue. No, it isnt the cheapest, but my parents are at an age where they deserve a small and charming hotel, where they can get a good nights rest, and in fact - they could afford the midrange prices.

But what of that other category, the friends? Well friends don't require much, except maybe excitement and some human contact. And although my couch is decent option, one place Ive often sent my friends is the StayOK Hostel in Vondelpark. While most people talk about the fun hostels located under the red lights, or the flying pigs, my experiences at StayOk have been hilarious, and my friends enjoyed as well. I don't remember every detail, but the place is always jumping. I can remember people everywhere, playing chess against some Brazilians, and chatting up some Swedish ladies while waiting in the lobby for a friend to arrive. I also love the effect of having the hostel right next to vondelpark, yet hidden away from the noise and madness of leidseplein which is just down the road.

There you go... book your rooms early, so your special people can be well housed.

When I faced the realization that the nice accommodation provided by the university would not be around much longer, and I would have to find a place on my own, dread set in. I spent months looking at dodgy apartments, stinky rooms, and dangerous quarters. But eventually – five months later, to be exact – I did find a nice room.

Students for Students was the organization that got me there. For a small membership fee, you can arrange to view any of their online listings of cheap places to live. The website provides you with info such as the area that the room/apartment/house is located in, its size, and other helpful information. Their offices are located at Ceintuurbaan 316. Students for Students is a great place to start in the desperate quest for a place to live in Amsterdam.

A friend of mine told me about a place she's renting with 3 friends for 40 Euros a night each. They are getting a fully furnished apartment with private kitchen, but they also have private rooms at the main location with a toilet/shower from 20 Euros per night. Might be a nice alternative from a hostel or budget hotel. Amsterdam Cribs is smokers' friendly and located downtown near Dam Square.

I recently just got back from taking a trip to Antwerp. I took the train there, which took about two hours and was not the most comfortable, but overall it was just fine. It was pretty cheap, only about 30 euros and Belgium was definately an experience.

The city is incredibly small, you can walk it within maybe an hour max. We stayed at a hostel called the Boomerang and for a first time hostel sleeper, I can say, it was not that bad. My very favorite part of the city was its museum of Flemmish Art. They had an awesome collection and the set up was easy to follow. This museum is not just a whole bunch of art smashed together in a gallery. You can easily follow the progression of Flemmish art and see its tranformation from very flat to very realistic.

If you go to Antwerp you may want to club in a church! They have an old gutted out church turned club with smoke machines and a huge industrial sized fan.

The Flemmish are not as nice as the Dutch. They don't speak as much english and they seem not to like tourists at all, which is funny cause I really saw nothing but tourists. They also enjoy cat-calling, so be aware of that. Other than that, the trip to Antwerp was well worth it.