Netherlands

Colour and carnival return to the Dutch capital this summer with the arrival of the city's annual Gay Pride weekend.One of the biggest gay and lesbian festivals in the whole of Europe, it takes place from August 1st to 3rd for three days of non-stop partying.The highlight takes place on Saturday afternoon with the world-famous Canal Parade comprising 75 spectacularly decorated boats sailing from 2pm until 6pm through the Prinsengracht and Amstel rivers.Over 350,000 visitors turn up each year to feast their eyes on the procession and dance along to the banging tunes accompanying it.Elsewhere in Amsterdam, Pride weekend is marked with a mixture of concerts, sports and plenty of revelry, including the popular White Party at the Melkweg on Saturday night.Stockholm Pride is held over the same weekend in Sweden and this year hosts Europride too, making it one of the biggest festivals in Scandinavia.

Cinekid Festival 's programme is so special it is being kept under wraps until September 15th, but expect a very good show from this year's professional guests.The venue has just got bigger as the old gas factory or Westrgasfabriek takes over from Leidseplein which hosted Cinekid for ten years.Now there are more clubs, more restaurants and more space for the 35,000 children who come along each year.Cinekid involves feature films, documentaries, short films, animations, TV series, plays, multi-media productions, interactive exhibitions and workshops.Satellite festivals number almost 30 around the Netherlands as small towns set out to mimic this popular city event.Plenty of the affordable accommodation in Amsterdam has deals for children, so why not take them to the main event?Tickets to Cinekid International are €40 (£31.52) which includes entrance to meetings, screenings and seminars.For professionals, Cinekid is touted as the place for anyone and everyone involved in films for children.Cinekid runs from October 19th to 26th with the professional part of the production from October 23rd to 26th.There are prizes for the best films and TV shows and there are new awards for CDs and websites for some of the 200 media productions.

Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in Europe, let alone the world, and I have definitely stayed in a wide range of accommodations during my visits. After trying several types of accommodations in many parts of the city, I have settled on the Hotel Vondel for its location, cleanliness and character. The Hotel Vondel is very near the Vondelpark which not only means the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are a short walk away, it also means that a green urban escape is close at hand. Plus, I can easily walk into the heart of Amsterdam for food and culture. But the selling point for me really is the wonderful interior of the hotel

I started only staying at the Hotel Vondel two years ago mainly because I like the look and feel of the place. The hotel is located along Vondelstraat, a lovely street lined with similar-looking brick townhouses. Inside, however, the Hotel Vondel transforms into a hip, chic boutique hotel. The lobby, restaurant and rooms are all done in a stylish black and white theme that relies on cool fabrics, simple black-framed prints and modern fixtures to remind you that the hotel is very up-to-date European. I enjoy the feel of this hip urban-ness after a day of wandering Amsterdam’s old streets. Most of the rooms are cozy (i.e. small) but include comfortable beds and nice amenities like wall-mounted flatscreen TVs. The breakfast is plentiful and a cocktail in the garden (weather permitting) is a great reason to stop your sightseeing early and come back in the late afternoon.

Some of the very best hotels can also be some of the most unknown believe it or not. The Seven Bridges in Amsterdam is one such hotel. It features a great location, beautiful interiors, friendly service and an overall is a very good hotel. Some even say it’s the most romantic little hotel in all of Amsterdam. 300-years ago, the Seven Bridges was a merchant's house. It is located where Herensgracht and Keizersgracht meet beneath seven small arched bridges.

Are you inspired by interior decorating? You'll find inspiration here. Although there are only eight rooms, they are all styled in their own way with antique bedspreads, wooden floors, exquisite rugs and mirrors as well as "art deco" themed bathrooms. The hotel is a tall, narrow building and has no communal dining room. Rooms range from £70-£200 a night.

If you want to see the city, get away from the touristy places close to the train station and go towards the canals. There, you will see the true character of the city. Stroll around, sample the local fare and pick up a few souvenirs.

Amsterdam - and the Seven Bridges hotel will be remembered for a lifetime.

Amsterdam is a city of canals, coffee shops, historic galleries and museums. Staying in cheap hotels in Amsterdam, such as house boats, can keep costs down. Eating the local pancakes saves money. There are free concerts in the large city park and free entry to many of the attractions. Some of the sights are included in the price of special tourist cards. There are discounts for a lot of the transport too, but much of it is free, and the city is perfect to explore by bicycle, the traditional way to get around in Amsterdam. AccommodationThere are plenty of cheap hotels in Amsterdam to choose from, including top-rated Easy Centre Apartments Amsterdam. You can also stay in a boat on one of the city's many canals cut price. Spend a night in the Houseboat under the Mill, for example. The low season for discount rates starts this month, which also signals the beginning of Amsterdam's cultural season, TransportJet2 and easyJet are among the cheap airlines flying to Amsterdam Schipol Airport. There are trains every ten minutes from the airport. Avoid getting short-changed at the ticket office, which charges for use, by carrying the correct coins for a ticket. Ferries are free between city centre Amsterdam and the north of the city and you can get a great view of the waterfront. Alternatively, bicycles are cheap to hire from €8 (£6.33) each day.Special dealsThe Museumboot ticket incorporates city transport and sights for €14.25 per day. It's a cheaper alternative to the I Amsterdam cards, which cost €33 for 24 hours. However, as well as including transport and entry to museums, the cards also allow visitors to enjoy a roll, coffee and liqueur free. The Van Gogh Museum is a calibre attraction that can by enjoyed free by buying into the deal.Eating outFor budget eating, try the variety of sandwiches on offer at Amsterdam's burgeoning small cafes. If it's something more traditional you're after, try a snack from one of Amsterdam's pancake houses. They are no ... Read More