Netherlands: Budget Travel Guide

Amsterdam: City’s new tourist tax aimed unfairly at budget travelers

There’s perplexing news for budget travelers heading to Amsterdam. In an effort to cut down on stag parties and budget travelers, Amsterdam is planning a higher tourist tax that would take effect in 2018 on travelers that stay at hotels and hostels in the city center. By targeting accommodations in central neighborhoods, Amsterdam hopes to » Read more

A budget guide to Utrecht, Netherlands

A student town with a healthy dose of canals, cafes and character, Utrecht offers a look into life in Holland that’s laid-back and breezy. And at just 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train, it makes a great day trip or overnight getaway! The city is very walkable, so don’t stress about spending money on transport » Read more

Haarlem is like the little sibling of Amsterdam: very similar in look, but smaller in size and population. It’s where couples from the big city come to settle down, and musicians come for the community vibe. It also makes an excellent destination for budget travelers. It has historic streets galore, impressive Gothic architecture, and plenty » Read more

In terms of architecture and scale, Rotterdam feels almost surgically sewn together. This impression reflects the city’s experience of the twentieth century. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, Rotterdam is an architecturally new city, with boxy hypermodern buildings and expansive, well-designed public spaces. It is also a real port city, raw and enriched by » Read more