Tripologist: Where’s the best area to stay in Amsterdam?

We plan to visit Amsterdam in spring. As first-timers, we are unsure about which area to stay, as there seem to be about eight recommended areas.
A. Skippington, Frenchs Forest NSW

For a first visit, accommodation in the city centre, Centrum, is probably going to work best. It’s close to the Dam Square, where the highlights include the Royal Palace, the Hotel Krasnapolsky, the New Church and the old stock exchange building, which now houses concerts and exhibitions. On the downside, you’re right at the centre of the action and it can be crowded and noisy, especially in the evenings. For something quieter and quainter, you might prefer Jordaan, a former working-class district and now one of the city’s cool zones, with lots of galleries, boutiques, cafes and a more relaxed atmosphere than Centrum. You’re still within easy walking distance of some of the city’s major attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.

After arriving in Stockholm we plan to explore the city, then Copenhagen followed by Oslo where we will take the train to Bergen, including the Flam Railway, staying one night in Flam before taking a cruise from Bergen. Is that possible in 10 nights, and is rail the best way to go? Any recommendations for where to stay?
K. Popplewell, Church Point NSW

Stockholm deserves three nights, and then you could take the train to Copenhagen, the journey is just over five hours, according to the excellent German Rail website. Spend another three nights in Copenhagen, it’s well worth it. The next leg, to Oslo, is about eight hours by train so you might fly. City-to-city time is about four hours. Spend two nights in Oslo, then take the train for an overnight stop at Flam which will be the ninth night, then on to Bergen the following day. For more information on train travel in Scandinavia, consult the Man in Seat Sixty-One website.

Accommodation choices depend on your budget and Scandinavia is pricey. If you want accommodation close to the central railway stations, go to booking.com and insert “Copenhagen Central” etc in the search box and you’ll come up with several hotels at various price points. I like the Citizen M Hotel in Copenhagen and in Oslo, Camillas Hus, and Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm.

My 18-year-old son is embarking on a gap year before going to university. He will be based in the UK with trips across Europe. What travel insurance options should we investigate for him?
P. O’Sullivan, Gladesville NSW

If he’s based in the UK, he’d be better off buying his travel insurance there, it’s cheaper. He’ll probably make several trips around Europe and an annual policy is a smart move since he won’t have to worry about getting a new policy for each trip. It’s also far less expensive, just be aware that each trip will probably have cover for a limited number of days.

Given that some teenagers can be lax when it comes to buying travel insurance because they’re bulletproof, street savvy and never do anything dangerous, you might buy his travel insurance as a going-away present. Better safe than sorry later.