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Amsterdam    Amsterdam is a small city, and, although the concentric canal system can be initially confusing, finding your bearings is straightforward. The medieval core boasts the best of the city's bustling street life and is home to shops, many bars and restaurants, fanning south from the nineteenth-century Centraal Station, one of Amsterdam's most resonant landmarks and a focal point for urban life. Come summer there's no livelier part of the city, as street performers compete for attention with the trams that converge dangerously from all sides. From here, Damrak storms into the heart of the city, an un enticing avenue lined with overpriced restaurants and bobbing canal boats, and flanked on the left first by the Beurs , designed at the turn of the twentieth century by the leading light of the Dutch modern movement, H.P. Berlage, and then by the enormous De Bijenkorf department store.  Arriving by Plane Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherland's national airport, is situated around 20 km from Amsterdam. Ninety airlines fly to and from Schiphol and have offices at the airport or in Amsterdam. You can reach the city from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in just half an hour by train, taxi or hotel shuttle. Arriving by Train If arriving in Amsterdam by train, it's likely that your journey will terminate at Amsterdam Central Station. From there it is simple to complete your journey with public transport or taxi. If you are travelling from another station in the Netherlands, it's possible that you can choose another Amsterdam train station nearer your accommodation. Arriving by Car Each year, about one million visitors arrive in Amsterdam by car. While the city is very hospitable to drivers, the inner city is quite an enclosed area. Before arriving, it is advisable to learn about the city's motorways, roads and parking options in order to make the most of your trip. It is typically recommended to make use of the parking garages and park & ride facilities outside of the central area. These offer excellent public transport links which enable you to reach your final destination quickly and efficiently. During your stay in Amsterdam, travelling by bike, tram, bus or subway is a relaxing option for wherever you have to go. It is typically recommended to make use of the parking garages and park & ride facilities outside of the central area. These offer excellent public transport links which enable you to reach your final destination quickly and efficiently. During your stay in Amsterdam, travelling by bike, tram, bus or subway is a relaxing option for wherever you have to go. Public Transportation Network Train Trains in the Netherlands are typically used for longer journeys, either to another town or city, or to travel across Amsterdam. For example, a journey from Central Station to Amsterdam Zuid or World Trade Centre will prove more efficient than travelling through the heart of the city. Tram Trams are common in Amsterdam, with routes heading out from the centre in all directions. Trams are ideal for short journeys around the city centre, as well as for travelling to other districts. Most tram journeys are paid by using an OV-chip card which can be used for multiple journeys. These can be bought from the GVB Tickets & Info office or GVB Ticket Vending and add value Machines. Metro Amsterdam's metro runs underneath the centre, from Central Station to the outer districts. This can be a fast and efficient way to travel, though the trains only run over ground away from the centre, so you lose out on the picturesque view. Bus Amsterdam operates a full bus network, which will take you anywhere you have to go. Like trams and metro, the OV Chipkaart can be used to pay for your journey. Ferry Behind Central Station, ferries hustle their way across the River IJ, transporting passengers to various locations in the north of Amsterdam. Some specialist ferries also travel along the river to other districts of the city. Eating Out Amsterdam has many excellent restaurants, cafes and bars to suit every budget and taste - from Michelin star establishments to cheap self-service restaurants. Dutch cuisine is not exactly world renowned - with a menu usually based on meat or fish, potatoes and vegetables - and some additional influences from both Mediterranean and Indonesian cuisine. Other typical Dutch foods include pancakes, split-pea soup, raw herring and Flemish chips with mayonnaise. Shopping Department Stores and Malls Amsterdam has great department stores and shopping malls. They offer unique choice of products with imports from Asia, Latin America and Africa. The best choice is offered by De Bijenkorf (The Bee Hive) located directly at the Dam square. Except for one (Villa Arena), all department stores and shopping malls in Amsterdam are located within a short walking distance from the Dam square. You may compare their actual choice within couple of hours. Shopping in Amsterdam may save you time and effort. If you like your shopping indoors, or if it happens to be raining you can always visit one of the shopping malls in Amsterdam: Magna Plaza (on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, again near the Dam square) or the Kalvertoren (on the Kalverstraat). Markets You may find in Amsterdam lively and different markets, some of them have food and general goods, some are specialized in all kind of things you might be interested in - starting from biological food and antiques, ending on post stamps and art. All markets are located within walking distance from the centre of the city. Check our page about Amsterdam markets for a day of the week they are open, opening hours and a location. Museums and Attractions Amsterdam is renowned as the most important modern and experimental art centre in the North of Europe. This reputation is based primarily upon a large number of remarkable art galleries, because the only important modern art museum in Amsterdam - Het Stedelijk, (The Municipal museum) is since years under rebuilding, and should open only in the end of 2011. Amsterdam art galleries present artists from all over the world, focussed on abstract and experimental art as well as photography. Interesting realistic paintings from so called New Dutch Realism movement, as well as realistic paintings from Italy, Spain, UK and the US are always on offer. Prices often are moderate, starting as low as € 150; - for a small painting or a print, but works of the well-known living artists tend to be more expensive. Plenty of Amsterdam attractions cater to families with kids young and old. The wax figures of celebrities and heroes at Madame Tussauds will make you wonder, "How did they do that?" Or enjoy a terrifically creepy time in the Amsterdam Dungeon. Hands-on science centre NEMO combines education, entertainment and spectacular views of the city from its rooftop (with an urban beach in summer). A life-size replica of 17th century Dutch East India Company ship 'The Amsterdam' is docked just outside. Amsterdam's zoo, Artis, is a year-round favourite for animal-lovers. |
Contacts EACTA 2012
Chairman EACTA 2012Peter M.J. Rosseel
E-mail: Click here
Topics
- I have a team!
- What about safety?
- Guidelines: blessing or evidence ?
- New insights, new ideas
- Anaemia and transfusion: the good, the bad and the ugly
- Coagulation: puzzling factors
- The microcirculation
- Teamwork day: quality and people
- Extracorporal circulation
- Congenital cardiac surgery
- Ultrasound pearls
- Thoracic anaesthesia
- The patient at cardiac risk undergoing vascular surgery
- Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology panel
- Teamwork debate