I am going to Amsterdam for four days in March, after spending the first half in Florence and Milan, and we’re traveling by Megabus overnight both there and back. To save money (notice we chose to take the Megabus to save money…I’m sure it will be a very interesting experience), my friend Floriana and I set out on a mission to find a nice Couchsurfer who will take us in for four days and three nights.
If you’ve never used Couchsurfing before, I highly recommend it. It’s a website that allows travelers to find housing in a different way than booking a hostel. It’s free to join, and you are able to experience a city in the home of a local—and, most
of the time, your host is willing to give you a tour of the city, show off a really amazing restaurant, and take you to the best clubs and bars. And, of course, you make new friends while you’re crashing on someone’s couch in the living room.
This service is free, fun, and way better than trying to sleep through the noise in a student hostel. It’s how I’ll be staying in Milan, and, after that, in Amsterdam. Floriana and I sent off several requests after skimming through the long list of Dutch Couch-
surfers, anxiously waiting at our computer to see if our favorite choices would respond quickly.
Sometimes people respond immediately with «no,» because they are busy or, in one of our cases, because they have had bad experience with girls between the age group of «18-21.» At any rate, you eventually find someone who sends you an excited «yes!»
Though Couchsurfing is pretty fantastic, sometimes staying in a hostel with all of your friends is exactly the experience you’re looking for. Always take into account every option when you’re traveling to make sure your experience is as wonderful as you hope it will be.
Laura Apperson is an English major studying abroad in Paris. Laura, a lover of all things literature, art and culture, will be keeping us up-to-date on her adventures overseas.
Follow Laura @LCatAp
