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Although not the official capital of the Netherlands (a role held by Den Haag) Amsterdam's cosmopolitan blend of European charm and North American style makes it the country's cultural and economic center. Art connoisseurs can view paintings by renowned artists like Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt and van Rijn in the city's several museums, while shoppers can peruse Amsterdam's numerous shops and its diamond, antiques and clothing markets. Amsterdam's picturesque canals, green spaces and flower gardens make it an attractive city to traverse on foot or by bicycle, while its small size makes such transport methods practical alternatives to driving. The city's rich nightlife scene provides diverse offerings covering all types of music, theater and dance. Amsterdam, originally a fisher's village, today is vitally active in the international trading, financial services, banking and tourism industries. Its Schiphol Airport, one of the busiest in the world, is also ranked as one of the best.
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| August 29, 2008 | | | UTC/GMT is 23:26
+0100 UTC
The Netherlands is in the Central European Time, which is Greenwich Mean Time plus one. The Netherlands observes Daylight Savings Time from April to October. |
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- Formal dress is often expected.
- Formal titles (Mr, Doctor, Professor) should be used when addressing Dutch.
- Appointments should be made and kept with punctuality.
- Business cards are part of professional etiquette; they should be offered at the start of the meeting.
- The Dutch do not like to engage in small talk before a meeting, preferring to get directly to the matter at hand.
- Third-party introductions are used.
- As the Dutch like to separate professional and private lives, after-hours socializing should not be expected.
- When invited to someone's home, flowers or another hostess gift is appropriate.
- Flaunting of wealth in appearance, behavior or conversation should be avoided.
- If you are the recipient of a gift, it should be unwrapped and the giver thanked promptly.
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Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry De Ruyterkd 5 - 1000 CW Amsterdam - The Netherlands; Tel.: +31 20 531 4000 American Chamber of Commerce Bezuidenhoutsewg 181, The Hague ; Tel:+ 31 70 347 8292Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce Oxford House, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 328L; Tel.: +37 20 421-7040 Dutch Brazilian Chamber of Commerce Postbus 10, Gravenhage; Tel.: +31 70 344-1589 Dutch French Chamber of Commerce Wibautstraat 129 -NL 1091 Tél : +31 20 562 82 00 Dutch German Chamber of Commerce Nassaupln 30 Gravenhage Tel +31 70 311 41 14 Italian Chamber of Commerce De Ruyterkade 5 ; Tel:+ 31 20 751 3363 Japanese Chamber of Commerce Strawinskylaan 935, World Trade Center b-9; Tel.: +31 20 662-1457 Korea Trade Center (KOTRA) Strawinskylaan 767; Tel.: +31 20 673-0555 International Chamber of Commerce Netherlands Bezuidenhoutseweg 12, The Hague; Tel.: +31 70 383-6646
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Brazil Reimersbeek 2 ; Tel:+ 31 20 301 5611 China (People's Republic of) W Lodewykln 10, The Hague; +31 70 306 50 60 Czech Republic Paleisstraat 4, The Hague; Tel.: +31 70 346-9712 France Vyzelgr 2 ; Tel: +31 20 530 69 69 Japan Tobias Asserlaan 2, Den Haag, The Hague; Tel.: +31 70 346-9544 Germany Grt Hertoginneln 18-20 Gravenhage Tel +31 70 342 06 00 Italy Vyzelstr 79 Tel +31 20 550 2050 Korea (Republic of) Verl Tolwg 8, Gravenhage ; Tel:+ 31 70 358 6076 Mexico Postbus 2 ; Tel: +31 20 301 55 45 The U.K. L Voorhout 10 Gravenhage Tel +31 70 427 04 27 The U.S. Museumplein 19, 1071 DJ; Tel.: +31 20-575 5309
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Most large hotels also have business centers that offer many of the same services that independent centers provide. Regus Atlas Complex, Africa Building, Hoogoorddreef 9; Tel.: +31 20 312-0400 Amsterdam Atrium Strawinskyln 3001; Tel.: +31 20 540 02 00 Euro Business Center Keizersgr 62-64 ; Tel:+ 31 20 520 7500 Office Plus Business Centre Zekeringstr 17 ; Tel:+ 31 20 570 8900 World Trade Center Amsterdam Strawinskylaan 1; Tel.: ++31 20 575 20 44
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Amsterdam RAI International Exhibition and Congress Center Tel.: +31 20 549-1212 Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Center Leidsekd 97; Tel:+ 31 20 556 3000
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Amstelveens Vertaalburo Ouderkerkerln 50; Tel.: +31 20 645-6610, Congrestolken Goyenkd 11; Tel.: +31 20 625-2535 Amtec Translations Panamakd 198 ; Tel: +31 20 689 48 37
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Komeet fietskoerier Tel.: +31 020 689-1864 UPS Tel.: +31 800 099-1300 DHL Tel.: +31 800 0552 Direct Express Couriers Viveportenstr 54 ; Tel: +31 20 667 49 05 TNT Tel.: +31 800 1234
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All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels also offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including: Internet Café Martelaarsgracht 11 ; Tel: +31 20 627 10 56 ; www.internetcafe.nl Internet Freeworld Café Nieuwendk 30 ; Tel:+ 31 20 620 0902
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Citizens of Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. do not need a visa for a stay up to 3 months. Citizens of the Peoplequot;s Republic of China must apply for a visa. For travelers originating from outside Europe, duty-free allowances are 400 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 500g of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content exceeding 22 proof by volume or 2 liter of spirits or liquors with an alcohol content not exceeding 22 proof by volume or 2 liter of sparkling liquor; 2 liter of any other wine, and ; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette. However, there are now no limits imposed on tobaccos and alcohol from one EU country to another.
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The country code for the Netherlands is 31. The city code for Amsterdam is 020.
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Police, Ambulance, Fire 112
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For calls to other cities within the Netherlands, dial an area code beginning with 0. For international calls from Amsterdam, 00, plus one, plus the area code, plus the local number. Public telephone booths are numerous, and you can place calls from them using coins, credit cards, or telephone cards.
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Royal Dutch Post & Telecom and LIbertel operate GSM digital systems. Royal Dutch Post & Telecom also operates an NMT-450 and NMT-900 analog systems. If you choose to bring your cellular phone into Amsterdam, be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.
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The euro is the official currency. Euro notes are available in denominations of EUR5, EUR10, EUR20, EUR50, EUR100, EUR200, and EUR500, while coins are in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and EUR1 and EUR2. The euro is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, airports, hotels, or other authorized foreign currency exchange dealers. ATMs are available throughout the country. Most businesses accept travelerquot;s checks as well as major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club.
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Tipping is not necessary in the Netherlands, as it is required that a 15 percent tip be included for all services. - Restaurants
If you are satisfied with the service at a restaurant, it is appropriate to throw in an extra euro or two- Taxis
Taxi drivers are usually given a tip of about 10 percent
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The Netherlands is in the Central European Time, which is Greenwich Mean Time plus one. The Netherlands observes Daylight Savings Time from April to October.
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Value-added tax (VAT) is 19% on apparel and luxury goods, and 6% on basic goods. Hotels charge 6% VAT and 5% tourist tax.
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The voltage/current is 220V AC, 50Hz. Electrical plugs have two-prong, round-prong plugs.
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You do not need to rent a car. Walking and bicycling are encouraged over driving. Taxis are both clean and efficient in Amsterdam. You should be able to find taxicab stands outside of major tourist attractions. Otherwise, you can have your hotel phone a cab company. Amsterdam has an extensive and reliable bus and tram network.
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The Netherlands has one of the highest standards of health in the world, and the Dutch maintain the highest levels of sanitation in their hotels, restaurants, and elsewhere. Therefore, no immunizations or vaccinations are needed before entering the country.
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New Year's Day January 1Good Friday Friday before EasterEaster Sunday in mid-March or early AprilEaster Monday Monday after EasterQueenquot;s Day April 30National Liberation Day May 5Ascension Day 40 days after EasterWhitsunday Seventh Sunday after EasterWhitmonday Monday after WhitsundayChristmas December 25Boxing Day December 26
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To sample traditional Dutch fare, the Oud-Holland Restaurant offers hearty meals and Dorrius is a favorite with the business lunch crowd. At Het Tuynhuys the setting is a charming garden, the cuisine is European gourmet and the service is impeccable. For traditional French meat and seafood with Mediterranean flair, Christophe is reputed to be one of Amsterdam's best tables. Belhamel, a trendy and popular restaurant propose French and Italian cuisine. Takens offers the best in French and Italian specialties, while Toscanini's open-style kitchen prepares a changing menu of Southern Italian cuisine.
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Amsterdam has everything the shopper could want, from international fashion boutiques to art and antiques. Local treasures that make great gifts include chocolate, Dutch gin, tulip bulbs, blue Delt china, antique objects and books. Leidsestraat, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendjik are the city's major shopping districts, and for those with an interest in the past the Antiques Market is a must-visit. If jewelry, paintings and sculptures are on the list, the Art Market, open on Sundays, is worth visiting.
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Amsterdam's famous canals can be visited by two routes?the Red Line Rembrandt and the Green Line City on the Water. Both stop at landmarks including the Anne Frank House, Muziektheater/City Hall and Leideseplein. Works by Dutch artists from the 15th to the 19th centuries can be seen at the Rijksmuseum. Highlights include pieces by Van Eyck, Vermeer and Rembrandt. An impressive collection of sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, and video and industrial design dating from 1850 to the present, by Dutch and international artists, can be viewed at the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. The Vincent van Gogh Museum has assembled the largest collection of the Dutch painter's works throughout the world. Amsterdam's world-renowned orchestra gives regular classical music concerts at the Concertgebouw. An intimate, quiet garden is Hortus Botanicus, while the Vondelpark, with its flower gardens, and ponds is suited to a leisurely stroll.
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