Relevant and Helpful Information:

Important Phone numbers:

Police (non-emergency issues) : 0900-8844
Fire department : 112
Ambulance : 112
General Emergency number : 112

Taxi

•Taxi Centrale Amsterdam (TCA)
Phone: (020) 777 77 77
•Personal chauffeur (Richard Cramer)
Phone: 0031 (0)6 511 55 060

Special Taxi

•Watertaxi (taxi by boat)
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 535 63 63
Website: www.water-taxi.nl
•Wieler/fiets taxi (taxi by bicycle)
Dam
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 672 11 49
•Motortaxi (taxi by motorbike)
Phone: 0900 333 55 55

Public Transport

Amsterdam offers the following ways of public transport: bus, tram, metro and ferries.
Public transportation is well organized. The center has a dense tram network, which will pretty much
get you anywhere. Trams are a place to keep a hand on your money since especially during the tourist
season they attract pickpockets. Another good way to take in the sights is to rent a bike. You could also
take the Canal Bus which allows you to explore the city while sampling some great canal views at the same time.
Amsterdam has a metroline as well, running North-South through the city, but with only a few stops in the center
this has limited value for visitors.

The tickets used in public transport are called 'strippenkaart'. They can be bought in advance at the
post office or tobacco shops, or in the tram itself (slightly more expensive). You first determine through how
much 'zones' your trip will take you, using the map on display at every tram/bus stop. You then want to stamp the
strippenkaart the number of zones you're travelling through PLUS one. Usually a tram ride in Amsterdam center is
within 1 zone, so that means 2 'strips' have to be stamped. You either stamp the card yourself [metro and some trams],
or have it stamped by the bus driver or tram conductor. Several people can travel on the same card, as long as the
correct number of strips is stamped. Your stamp is valid for one hour, so you can transfer to other busses and trams as
long as you stay within the zones you originally stamped for.

(Pre-paid strip tickets are significantly cheaper than buying your ticket on the tram or bus!)

Cars - Driving

Cars are driven on the right-hand side of the road. Newcomers may find driving in town a little disconcerting because of
the many cyclists who often ignore traffic lights, make unexpected turns and must be passed at close range. Right-of-way
is that of the vehicle entering from the right unless the vehicle is coming out of a driveway. Roads posted with orange diamonds
do not have to yield the right-of-way. The speed limit in cities is 30 miles (50 km) per hour and on highways 60 miles (100 km)
or 75 miles (120 km) per hour. Tourists are allowed to drive in the Netherlands on a valid state license, preferably in combination
with an International Driver's License. In the US this may be obtained through AAA.

Cars - Parking

Amsterdam's historic center wasn't build for the modern means of transportation and as a result has become quite congested
over the years. Due to the municipal policy to ban cars from city center it is difficult nowadays to reach the center by car,
and even more difficult to find a parking space. Don't even think of parking your car in an illegal spot (even for 5 minutes with
your warning lights flashing) and don't forget to buy a parking ticket or you're sure to get a wheelclamp! Getting the parking
police to remove a wheelclamp is a lengthy and very costly affair.

Amsterdam Traffic Hazards

Just like in any other busy city traffic in Amsterdam can be hectic. There is a hazard that needs to be pointed out to first time
visitors though: bicycles! Though cycling around town seems a friendly and relaxed way of transportation, cyclists are unforgiving
when it comes to pedestrians standing in their way. When you hear a bicycle bell behind you, STEP ASIDE FAST! To be on the
safe side, remember that most of the time trams and taxis are in a hurry as well. Especially trams have a long braking distance,
and during recent years there have been quite a few accidents involving tourists. The tram's warning sound is that of a bell ringing
urgently; again, if you hear that sound, GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Airport

Schiphol Airport is located about 15km, approximately 9.3 miles, from the city center. It can easily be reached by train (20 minutes from
Central Station at €4 or taxi (about €45 depending on time of travel). For general inquiries you can call Schiphol Airport at +31 20 601 91 11.

Coffeeshops

A 'coffeeshop' can best be described as a café which does not sell alcoholic beverages and in which, under certain circumstances,
soft drugs may be sold. Although the sale of soft drugs is an offense, low priority is given to the prosecution of coffee shop owners,
provided they meet the following conditions:
- no more than five grams per person may be sold in any one transaction
- no hard drugs may be sold
- drugs may not be advertised
- the coffee shop must not cause any nuisance
- no drugs may be sold to persons under the age of 18, nor may minors be admitted on the premises

Policy On Drugs

For the record, trafficking in (importing or exporting), selling, producing and processing either hard or soft drugs are offenses in Holland.
As you will probably be aware though, the Netherlands and especially the Amsterdam authorities carry a liberal policy on 'soft' drugs
(marihuana and hashish). This means that although legally the selling and buying of soft drugs is forbidden, certain 'coffeeshops' are
allowed to sell small quantities and you're allowed to smoke your purchase inside. The current rates lie between €5-€10 per gram. Be
careful though, while smoking can be allowed in certain youth hostels, music venues and bars, it is not considered acceptable behavior
everywhere. As a general rule, if you see other people smoking it should be no problem.

Supermarkets

Albert Heijn:

Damrak 89/ 90 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm, Sunday from 9 am
Elandsgracht 13 A (Jordaan) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Haarlemmerdijk 1 (Jordaan) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Jodenbreestraat 21 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Johannes Verhulststraat 149 (oud-zuid) Open: Monday through Saturday from 8 am till 10 pm
Kinkerstraat 89 (oud-west) Open: Monday through Saturday from 8 am till 9 pm
Koningsplein 4 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Nieuwmarkt 18 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 9 pm, Sunday from 10 am
Overtoom 116/124 (oud-west) Open: Monday through Saturday from 8 am till 10 pm
Reguliersbreestraat 22a (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm, Sunday from 10 am
Stadhouderskade 101 (de Pijp) Open: Monday through Saturday from 8 am till 10 pm
Van Baerlestraat 33a (oud-zuid) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Vijzelstraa 113 t (Leidseplein up to Amstel) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm
Westermarkt 21 (city centre) Open: daily from 8 am till 9 pm, Sunday from 10 am
Westerstraat 79 (Jordaan) Open: daily from 8 am till 10 pm

Markets

• Albert Cuyp: Just a short tram ride south of Centraal Station takes you into one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant districts of Amsterdam.
The market began trading in 1904, and now has over 300 stalls lining both sides of the Albert Cuyp street in the neighbourhood of De Pijp. Stalls sell
everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and spices to clothes, cosmetics and bedding. The prices are among the cheapest in Amsterdam. The market
is open from 9:30am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

• Noordermarkt: On Saturday (9am – 4pm) there is a Farmers Market in the Jordaan on the Noordermarkt. Only fresh organic products, straight from the
farm, are sold here. You can find organic fruits and vegetables, oils, herbs, candles and so on. On Mondays there is a market on the Noordermarkt as well
where you’ll be able to find antiques, fabrics, records and tons of second-hand clothing!

• Waterlooplein: Waterlooplein Flea market is a big outdoor bazaar, best known for its second hand clothing and wide selection of eclectic novelties.
It is traditionally Amsterdam’s oldest and most interesting market. Here you can buy trendy t-shirts, old military uniforms,secondhand books or international
accessories.They’re all for sale at Waterlooplein Flea Market!

Telephones

Phone booths are dotted throughout the city, though the wide use of cell phones means they are not used that much today and the number of them
has decreased. Within Central Station, the telephone company, Telfort has the operational rights over the telephone booths and require Telfort
calling cards. Whereas outside the Central Station KPN public phones are in operation and require KPN telephone cards.

All public telephones in the Netherlands use calling cards, widely available at post offices and tobacco shops. As an alternative you could
go to a 'calling center' which offer competitive rates for overseas calling.

For international calling, dial 00 followed by the country code. If you are going to call for any length of time to a foreign country, pick up a calling card
from one of the 'call centers' scattered aroundtown or from some of the exchange booths. You have to dial a special number, type a PIN code and you
can call for the amount of money that you have bought the card for allows you too. This is very good deal when compared to calling directly.

If you're going to stay for a while in the Netherlands and you are going to use the phone extensively, you might consider buying a cell phone. You can get a pre-paid phone
and just buy however many minutes you want. When you run out of minutes, you can go to any Albert Hein grocery store or the post offices to buy more.
Calling costs are €0.10 to €0.50 a minute depending on which phone company you use.

Rent a Bike

Bike City
Bloemgracht 68
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 626 37 21
www.bikecity.nl

MacBike (Central Station)
Stationsplein 12
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 620 09 85

MacBike (Waterlooplein)
Mr. Visserplein 2
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 620 09 85

Rent-a-Bike Amsterdam (near Damsquare)
Damstraat 20-22
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 625 50 29
www.bikes.nl

Boat Rental

Rent a boat Amsterdam
Korte prinsengracht 42
Amsterdam
Phone: +31 (0)6 214 543 26
www.europcar.com

Hertz Autoverhuur
Overtoom 333
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 612 24 41
www.hertz.nl

Avis Autoverhuur
Nassaukade 380
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 683 60 61
www.avis.nl

AutoRent Amcar BV
Jacob Obrechtplein 13
Amsterdam
Phone: (020) 662 42 14
www.autorent-europaservice.nl/amcar-amsterdam

Liquor Laws

From the age of 16 you're legally allowed to buy beer and wine. To buy liquor you must be 18 years old. Alcoholic beverages are for sale at
liquor stores and supermarkets. Supermarkets only sell beer, wine and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol percentage up to 13 percent.
Drinking and driving: it is prohibited to drive if your blood-alcohol ratio is higher than 0.5 promille. This applies to driving a car and
riding a motor bike, scooter, moped or bicycle. Driving under influence is considered a criminal offense; you risk high fines, and your drivers
license may [temporarily] be revoked.

Money

The currency used is the Euro, symbol '€'’. Paying in cash is still common practice, but nowadays plastic is becoming more widely accepted for
anything above €10. Note however that especially restaurants sometimes do not accept credit cards, however high the bill may be! Cash machines can
be found throughout the center, and most of them accept the major credit cards. Also there are a lot of small 'change' offices in the center, which
will happily convert your foreign bills or traveler checks for a small fee of course. Tipping is common in restaurants, bars and when paying for taxi's
but not required. As a general rule tipping between 5 - 10% should be OK.

Residence / Work Permits

If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months, or if you intend to seek employment, you must apply to a Netherlands diplomatic
or consular representative in your country of residence, for a residence permit prior to entering the Netherlands.

If you intend to work in the Netherlands, you will require a work permit. This is issued by the 'Center for Work & Income' (CWI) in the city of your
employment. If you came to the Netherlands as a tourist and wish to change your status to that of a resident, you must apply to the immigration authorities
(Aliens Police at the local police station) for a residence permit.

Studying From Abroad

As you might expect, Amsterdam is rated high by the international student community. The presence of several renowned educational institutions,
the rich cultural environment and the thriving nightlife all combine into an attractive package. The general laid-back atmosphere of the Dutch, and
the fact that Amsterdam is smaller then most major European cities, generally make it easy to feel at home for students from abroad. Institutions which
offer international study programmes:

HvA - Hogeschool van Amsterdam
UvA - Universiteit van Amsterdam

Weather

Due to the influence of the nearby North Sea, Amsterdam has a moderate climate with mild winters, cool summers and a fair bit of rainfall. It can
be a bit windy, especially in spring and autumn. Below is a chart with the long term averages for temperature and precipitation. As you can see,
on the average it doesn't freeze much during winter, but on the other hand it is not that uncommon to have the canals frozen over, a really
picturesque sight. During summer average daily highs are around 68°F / 20°C, and you can expect some rain. Days with temperatures in excess
of 75°F / 24°C are considered hot.

National Holidays

2007

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: 6 April
Easter Sunday: 8 April
Easter Monday: 9 April
Queen’s Day: 30 April
Liberation Day: 5 May
Ascension Day: 17 May
Whit Sunday: 27 May
Whit Monday: 28 May
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

2008

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: 21 March
Easter Sunday: 23 March
Easter Monday: 24 March
Queen’s Day: 30 April
Liberation Day: 5 May
Ascension Day: 1 May
Whit Sunday: 11 May
Whit Monday: 12 May
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

2009

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: 10 April
Easter Sunday: 12 April
Easter Monday: 13 April
Queen’s Day: 30 April
Liberation Day: 5 May
Ascension Day: 21 May
Whit Sunday: 31 May
Whit Monday: 1 June
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

2010

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: 2 April
Easter Sunday: 4 April
Easter Monday: 5 April
Queen’s Day: 30 April
Liberation Day: 5 May
Ascension Day: 13 May
Whit Sunday: 23 May
Whit Monday: 24 May
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

2011

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Good Friday: 22 April
Easter Sunday: 24 April
Easter Monday: 25 April
Queen’s Day: 30 April
Liberation Day: 5 May
Ascension Day: 2 June
Whit Sunday: 12 June
Whit Monday: 13 June
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December