A Dutch Treat

Apartment Rentals in Holland

By Jennifer Colvin

The Netherlands—with an excellent public transportation system and 6,500 miles of cycling paths—is an excellent place to arrange a short-term rental in Europe.

Contact A1 Apartment Services (www.apartmentservices.nl) or Pararius (www.pararius.com) to start your search. Keep in mind that rental agencies charge commissions equal to up to a month’s rent. In addition to apartments, Amsterdam House (www.amsterdamhouse.com) offers short-term houseboat rentals.

A rooming house, with private rooms and shared bathrooms is a good choice if you don’t insist on complete privacy. City Mundo (www.citymundo.com) offers rooms and apartments for short-term rentals—from three to 21 days.

Another option is to rent a holiday bungalow. The ’t Eekhoornnest Bungalow Park near Amersfoort (www.eekhoornnest.nl) and the Caendorp bungalow park near Alkmaar (www.caendorp.nl) are fairly close to train stations.

Where to Look

The Netherlands Board of Tourism (Vlietweg 15, Postbus 458, 2260 MG Leidschendam; info@nbt.nl) and the VVV tourist offices in Amsterdam (Centraal Station Platform Two, Stationsplein 10 or Leidseplein; info@amsterdamtourist.nl) also have information on rentals.

For apartment rentals, the ViaVia classified newspapers are the best resources. The paper’s web site is www.viavia.nl.

If you’re already in The Netherlands, pick up the ViaVia for the regions you’re interested in at any newsstand. You’ll be able to call the listings directly and skip the automated phone system. It’s best to call on Tuesday or Thursday when the publication comes out—apartments go quickly. It doesn’t hurt to scan the ads of the local papers.

If you don’t speak Dutch, don’t worry. Most people in the Netherlands speak English very well and don’t mind speaking it. When you call, politely inquire if the person on the phone speaks English.

Finding a short-term apartment will take a few days of work, but once you’ve found a place, you can settle in and spend the rest of your time enjoying your vacation—truly a Dutch treat.

JENNIFER COLVIN is a freelance writer based in Oakland, CA. At the end of a 6-month, 6,000-kilometer bike trip through Europe, she and her fiancé spent a month living in a sublet apartment in Amsterdam.