Affordable Europe: Amsterdam

Affordable accommodation within Amsterdam's tiny and coveted historic center is almost impossible to come by, and even the shortest of taxi rides seems to cost at least 10 euros ($12.40, at $1.24 to the euro). But if you take your cues from the locals who get around on bikes and make do with living on the outskirts, this city can be done on a tight budget.

Where to Eat Cheaply

You get what you pay for when it comes to food in the Netherlands, where most ingredients are imported or grown at fairly high cost in greenhouses. So unless you have a strong affinity for bitterballs — fried meatballs that are the buffalo wings of the Netherlands — you can't avoid spending a fairly substantial amount for decent meals. Fortunately, the intimate and cozy Balthazar's Keuken (Elandsgracht 108; 31-20-420-2114), while considered one of Amsterdam's top restaurants, is also one of the most affordable, serving up a three-course prix-fixe meal at 24.50 euros. A typical menu might start with an assortment of five hot and cold appetizers like wild spinach croquettes or cinnamon crostini with spicy beet root, followed with a choice of a meat or a fish main dish like a bouillabaisse with saffron, fennel and red onions and end with a dessert of espresso mascarpone with prunes poached in sherry. A bottle of house wine is 15 euros.

Lodging for Under 100 Euros

The Lloyd (Oostelijke Handelskade 34; 31-20-561-3636; www.lloydhotel.com), a 1921 building on the water in the Eastern Docklands about 10 minutes east of Central Station, recently transformed into a modern and airy hotel, offers rooms at 80 to 300 euros. While the small 80-euro rooms mean sharing a bathroom and shower down the hall, they are one of the best deals in town. Single rooms for 85 euros a night can be found at the newly opened NL Hotel (Nassaukade 368; 31-20-689-0030; www.nl-hotel.com), just a few minutes' walk from Leidseplein. Decorated by the well-known Dutch designer Edward van Vliet, rooms are small but stylish. Prices for a single go up to 100 euros on weekend nights, and breakfast is 10 euros a person.

Best Deal on a Cultural Event

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt's birth, and to celebrate, the city has organized a whirlwind of exhibits and events. The cheapest way to experience it all is to buy the I Amsterdam Card (www.iamsterdamcard.com), which for 31 euros offers access to the city's most important museums, two boat tours and unrestricted use of the city's efficient public transportation system. It's good for 24 hours after its initial use.

Best Things to Do Free

Vondelpark, the city's largest park, hosts a series of free open-air concerts throughout the summer starting in June (www.openluchttheater.nl ). Also, every Friday at 8 p.m. hundreds of in-line skaters and roller skaters — all experienced visitors are welcome — converge on the park near the Filmmuseum for a night of rolling through the city (www.fridaynightskate.com).

Best Money-Saving Tip

Like-a-Local is a quirky travel company that offers an affordable variety of experiences with Amsterdamers as hosts. That might include living with a local in the emerging De Pijp neighborhood (79 euros a night for a room with its own bathroom) or a four-course dinner cooked by Liedewij and Jolein (27.50 euros a person including wine) in their home. Or there are private boat rides through the canals at night. At 60 euros for two hours, that's an especially good deal when shared among a few friends. (31-20-670-2483; www.like-a-local.com).

(πηγή: www.iht.com, 23/4/2007)