The Renée Review

Summer 2005

Summer Days in Amsterdam, Holland / Netherlands

Encyclopedic Amsterdam

Amsterdam Tourism

Amsterdam Public Transportation

Amsterdam Climate

July daytime highs statistically average 72F with lows of 54F. It can however become warm with temperatures as high as 80F.

July is wet, with an average precipitation of 76mm.

A sweater & raincoat or umbrella.

Layered clothing

Sun Block

Shoes or boots to combat cobblestones and sidewalks.

Mosquito repellent & antihistamine cream for bites.

Calls to the Netherlands: The country code for the Netherlands is 31. Amsterdam’s city code is 20.

Calls from the Netherlands: Dial 00, wait for the tone, and dial the country code, the area/city code and number. (US country code is 1)

Emergency: Ambulance, Fire, Police – 112

US Embassy Amsterdam

Museumplein 19 071

DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Phone (31) 20 575-5309

After Hours Phone (31) 070 310-2499

Fax (31) 20 575-5330

Amsterdam Tourist Info Centers

Tourist Information Office (VVV)

VVV Leidsestraat

Leidseplein 1

1017 PR Amsterdam, Netherlands

Phone (31) 20 201-8800

Fax (31) 20 201-8850

Banking, Currency & Exchange:

The national currency of the Netherlands is called the Euro. The Euro is abbreviated EUR. The smaller unit is called the Euro Cent; 1 Euro = 100 Euro Cents.

One US Dollar is less than one Euro and currently (6/23/05) is a value of 0 .83 Euro Cents.

Foreign currencies can be easily exchanged at ATM’s, banks and exchange offices open round the clock throughout the city. Banks and GWK exchanges offer the best rates. Avoid “Bureau de Change,” as they charge high commissions.

Visas, MasterCard & American Express are accepted in major hotels, restaurants and shops, but ask first.

TAP WATER is CLEAN ! So clean in fact that the Dutch are selling tap water in bottles under the brand name “neau.” What’s the scoop? All proceeds from the bottled tap water go to water projects sponsored by organizations like UNICEF and Plan NL in underdeveloped countries.

Greater Amsterdam has a population of 1,498,205 persons while the city of Amsterdam has a population of 742,209 persons with 173 different nationalities.

Dutch is the national language, however English is spoken and understood so widely here that one might think that “English” is the national language.

Symbolic tipping is customary.

Service is always included in a restaurant bill, however loose change or 1 EUR in a café or bar is good form. For a top restaurant, tip 5% - 10%.

Taxi drivers get 1 to 2 EUR max.

Hotel bell staff gets 1 to 3 EUR.

Bathroom attendants get 25 to 50 Euro cents.

Traditional items are clogs, windmill souvenirs, tulip bulbs, antique maps, antique pewter, porcelain, jewelry & books. Of course – there’s always the big diamond industry with 24 diamond workshops in the city.

In the flea market or outdoor markets, bargaining is perfectly acceptable.

The value added tax (VAT) is called BTW and is in the price of the goods you purchase. It can be as much as 19%. The VAT can be refunded if you purchase more than 137EU or more in one day on goods you’ll be taking out of the country within 3 months.

You must request a “Global Refund Check” when you make your purchases from shops that display a “Tax Free” shopping sign. Look for “Europe Tax-Free Shopping” or “Easy Tax Free.” These shops will have the necessary paperwork, other shops may not.

You’ll be refunded 13.5% to 14% less a commission

The check must be validated at an international refund point found at international airports and harbor terminals.

Before passing through passport control, bring your purchases, receipts & relevant VAT checks for stamping by a customs official

As you leave the country, the refund must be requested at the refund office of one of the ABN-AMRO Banks located in the departure hall 3 of Schiphol Airport or the GWK exchange office at the train station or in Schiphol Plaza Shopping Center. For more information on tax refunds in the Netherlands

These are called toiletten or WC. Heeren marks the men’s room and dames marks the women’s. Make sure to pay the person who sits at the entrance before you sit or you may have a visitor in your stall while doing your business. Place 25 to 50 euro cents on their plate and carry on. Carry your own Kleenex .

Amsterdam is rampant with pickpockets with thousands of reports annually. The prime locations are the Dam, Damrak, Central Station, Schiphol Airport and the Red-Light District. Should you be unfortunate enough to experience trouble, contact ATAS:

ATAS (Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service)
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 104-108
1012 SG Amsterdam
Tel.: (+31) (0)20 625 32 46
ATAS provides a special service to tourists who’ve been robbed.

The city of Amsterdam has 600,000 bicycles & 220,000 trees.

Although biking in Amsterdam may feel like the order of the day, this is not the city to try it in. Bikes do not have the right of way in Amsterdam and bikes are quickly and regularly stolen. Bike rental places typically give clients two locks and will not offer insurance. The other downside is crazy car, bike and tram traffic on slippery, uneven pavement.

Driving in Amsterdam is also chaotic. If you don’t have to, don’t do it.

Do get around town on the Amsterdam trams – a fun and fast way to visit the city.

Amsterdam has 110 glass topped canal and saloon boats, 2,500 house boats, 1,281 bridges and 165 canals.

An Amsterdam canal tour is a must!

Greenpeace International is based in Amsterdam as is the United East India Company (V.O.C.)

Amsterdammers are fun, friendly people with an anything goes spirit of tolerance.

Amsterdam has the reputation of being the sex, drugs & gay capital of the Continent. Homosexuality has been legal here since 1811.

Watch your step – large quantities of dog poop on sidewalks and streets.

Amsterdam means Dam on the Amstel River & Amsterdam is below sea level.

Be ready for heavy smoking everywhere. There are non smoking sections of restaurants & café’s; however these sections are often times not respected. In Amsterdam though, one must be tolerant or try sitting outside.

The Red-Light District, where legal prostitution runs rampant, is fairly safe at night. It becomes dangerous in the early morning hours, but by the time the shops open between 9am & 10am, it becomes safe again.

DO NOT snap photos of the ladies in the windows of the Red-Light District. You’ll likely have your camera destroyed along with parts of your own anatomy.

It is illegal to possess, use or sell drugs hard or soft. Smoking marijuana or hash in coffee shops is allowed only in “authorized” coffee shops which allow transactions of no more than 5 grams. There are 250 authorized houses which bear Jamaican flags, palm trees or shingles with drug inferred names. It is illegal for them to advertise drugs.

Normal Café’s never use the term “coffee shop.”

The police will bust or fine you if you behave obnoxiously or are being a nuisance.

Many Amsterdammers are fed up with the image pot smoking has given their city. Smoking pot or hash in a non authorized establishment could get you arrested. At minimum, you’ll be asked to leave.