During the conference, the NIKHEF reception can be reached at +31 (0)20 592 2000. The conference reception desk can be reached at +31 (0)20 592 6016 (or 6017).
Excellent, entertaining and very practical guide to Amsterdam! You will among others learn about Dutch peculiarities, habits, weather, money, as well as about Amsterdam restaurants cultural outings in an entertaining manner.
Nothing is less predictable than the weather in the Netherlands. In particular in April it can vary from mild snow to a sunny pre-summer 20 oC. The average expected temperature in April is about 9 oC. Bring an umbrella if you do not like rain.
Like many other European countries, also the Netherlands adopted as of 1-January-2002 the Euro, €, as its standard currency. Money can be exchanged in many places: e.g. at Schiphol airport, at banks, at the numerous specialized exchange offices downtown Amsterdam and at most major railway stations. Credit cards are accepted in most places. However, if you intend to pay your conference fee only upon arrival in Amsterdam you will have to pay cash!
Entry to the country is
granted to all foreigners taking part in congresses organized in the Netherlands,
regardless of their nationality. Participants must, of course, meet the normal
requirements, i.e. they must possess valid travel documents and sufficient means
of support. Participants requiring a visa for entry to the Netherlands are strongly
advised to make their application in their home countries long before the intended
date of travel. Visa application procedures are easier when the acknowledgment
of registration is included.
A
list of countries for which delegates require a visa.
Details
on Visa for short stay in the Netherlands.
The UvA Conference Office will send Letters of Invitation only to registered participants upon request. It should be understood that this Letter is only to help participants to raise travel funds or to obtain a visa and is not a commitment on the part of the organizers to provide any financial support. Applications for a letter of Invitation should be received by the UvA Conference Office before 1 March 2003. As the Dutch embassies in foreign countries only accept original letters and faxes, the UvA Conference Office will NOT be able to send you a letter of invitation by e-mail. Please take this into consideration. Applications received after 1 March 2003 will not be dealt with. Refunds cannot be made because of visa applications not being granted.
| UvA
Conference Office Liesbeth Otte Email: congres@uva.nl Tel. +31 (0)20 525 4791 Fax: +31 (0)20 525 4799 P.O. Box 19268 1000 GG Amsterdam The Netherlands |
Amsterdam and its surroundings offer a multitude of tourist attractions (and traps) including a few famous museums like the "Rijksmuseum" and the "Van Gogh" museum. In April the tulip fields near Hillegom and Lisse ("De Keukenhof") are really worthwhile ; the windmills of "De Zaanse Schans"; and the obligatory channel boat tour.
You can easily explore these outings on your own or you can get it all organized for you by one of the trip offices located down-town Amsterdam. For more information click here.
See the Amsterdam Internet Guide or click here for an excellent ranking in many corners of Amsterdam.
In your conference bag you will find a public transport ticket. It is valid for four consecutive days on all public transport within Amsterdam (not to Schiphol Airport). You must validate it the first day you use (e.g. within the tram or bus).
Public transport in Amsterdam is carried out by trams, buses, express-trams, metro (subway) and trains. Within the city limits, these modes of transportation have an identical fare-system, and transits can be made without a problem. Amsterdam airport, Schiphol, is not within the city limits, and normal train tickets are required for travel to and from Schiphol.
In trams, tickets can be
bought from the driver (likewise in buses), the conductor in the rear of the
tram, or a machine in the middle of the tram, depending on the type of tram.
However, it is considerably cheaper to buy a "strippenkaart" from
a tobacconist, in a post office or railway station, or at the GVB office in
front of the Centraal Station, beforehand, for about € 7 for 15 strips.
On most trams you stamp these yourself in the yellow machines in the tram: each
journey uses one strip plus a strip for every zone you travel in. If you stay
within the city center, which is one zone, leave one strip blank and stamp the
second:
If you travel over a zone border, such as from the city center to NIKHEF, you
are traveling in two zones, so leave two strips blank and stamp the third. A
ticket is valid for one hour, regardless of the number of transits, and children
below four years old travel for free. Several people can travel on one strippenkaart,
just stamp it for the first person and again for the second, and so on.
On some trams there is a conductor: you get on at the back of the tram and the conductor stamps your ticket for you. You should hail a tram to indicate you want to get on. Press the button near the door to open it, if the tram has a conductor you must use the rear door to get on. The tram from Amsterdam center to NIKHEF, number 9, normally has a conductor.
In express trams, metro and trains no tickets can be purchased, and travelers must ensure they are in the possession of a valid ticket (i.e. a "strippenkaart" with a valid stamp). These can be bought from vending machines or counters in the station, make sure you stamp them in the yellow machines.
Public transport runs until just after midnight. After that there is an hourly service of night buses.