3. I thought of giving youth hostels a try in terms of finding a place to stay - is this a bad idea? Are there any better suggestions?
(Based upon trips not exaclty recently)
Not bad. I know a good YMCA place in Bruxelles.
Isaac's youth hostel in Dublin is fine. Food awful. [
www.isaacs.ie]
The pub 'cross the street might still be alive & kickin'.
Paris hotel: get high standar *** stars and above just a short distance (15 w/ Metro) from central parts (Montparnasse & around?)
Northwards, if ya buy any chance pop up here; camping cottages might
be a wild card: 200-250 SKR for a non-luxurious yet sleepable one.
Still no more than 576-650 for a luxury type.
UK/Ireland: Guest Houses is my preferred accomodation type...
Tea & biscuits, cozy landlady's & often Fawlty Tower-ish...
4. Anything else you think might be useful to think of?
Avoid Red Light District in Amsterdam. Dont take any leak behind CentraalStation, esp.not in the middle of the night.
Rotterdam railway station is a non-safe area.
Nertherlands is best on the countryside or in smalltowns imho.