Apartment Rentals in Holland

A Dutch Treat

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.

Where to Look

The Netherlands Board of Tourism, www.holland.com/us/tourism.htm, also have information on rentals.

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.