• General information
• Discover Rotterdam
• Travel to Rotterdam and World Trade Center
• Hotelbookings

General Information

Netherlands
The Netherlands is a densely populated, multicultural country in Western Europe, full of friendly people who mostly like to be as normal as possible.

• All around the world the name 'Holland' is much better known than 'The Netherlands'.
• The language in The Netherlands is Dutch and the western part of The Netherlands is called Holland.
• Water and The Netherlands are inextricably bound together. Without the dunes, dykes and High-Tec flood barriers, two-thirds of The Netherlands would frequently be flooded.
• To keep Dutch heads above water in the Low Countries, consultation and teamwork are essential. This consultative approach to reaching a consensus became a general lifestyle in The Netherlands: 'the polder-model'.
• The Dutch are seen as informal and approach­able, as accessible as their flat homeland; one of the characteristics of Dutch society is its strongly egalitarian and liberal character.
• The Netherlands is a paradise for those who love historic cities (17th & 18th century), flow­ers and windmills.
• The Netherlands is famous for its painters Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals Van Gogh and many more.
• The Netherlands is famous for its drainage systems, land reclamation, water barriers, bridge building and water management.
• The Netherlands is also a trendsetter in modern architecture and in well-known Dutch design.

Banks and Currency Exchange
In The Netherlands the currency is the Euro (€). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the Airport as well as at the private exchange offices throughout the city. Local banks, where Traveller's cheques can be cashed, serve between 9:00 and 17:00 hrs. All major credit cards (such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are accepted in most of the restaurants, shops etc.

Electricity
The voltage in the Netherlands is 220 volts (50 Hz AC). The selected hotels have a 220-volt outlet for shavers, but travelers are advised to bring a power converter and an adapter for two-prong, round plugs with side grounding contacts.

Money
The currency is the euro, which is abbreviated as € and EUR. Larger shops and businesses generally accept all major credit cards.

Telephone System
To call a number in The Netherlands from abroad, dial your international dialling code, followed by 31 [country code for The Netherlands], then the area code [omit the first zero] and the local number. Some important area codes: Rotterdam [0]10, The Hague and Scheveningen [0]70, Amsterdam [0]20, Utrecht [0]30. 

Time
The Netherlands is 1 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the summer. This is the same time as in Western Europe and parts of Central Continental Europe.

Tipping
Value-added tax and service charges are included in hotel, restaurant, shopping bills and taxi fares. Tips for extra service are always appreciated but not necessary. It is customary to give taxi drivers and waiters a tip of about 10 per cent. A lavatory attendant is usually tipped € 0.10 or
€ 0.20.

Visa Requirements
All participants must have a valid passport in order to enter The Netherlands. Citizens of some countries may need to obtain a visa before arrival. For further information please contact the nearest Dutch Embassy or Consulate to check visa regulations. A letter of invitation can be obtained via the 'congress secretariat.

Weather
The weather in the Netherlands in September/October  is usually mild/cold with temperatures ranging between 12°C and 17°C. You are advised to bring a raincoat and/or umbrella.

Discover Rotterdam

Welcome to Rotterdam! The only true metropolis in the Netherlands is an exciting city, with everything to be discovered from new architecture, festivals, art and culture to shopping and nightlife.

Architecture city on the water
Rotterdam is known nationally and internationally as a city of architecture. The imposing skyline can be seen from afar, with characteristic landmarks such as the Erasmus Bridge and the Montevideo. The special Show Cube provides an opportunity to view the famous Cube Houses from inside. The Maas River, which flows through the middle of the city, is an attraction in itself. Discover Europe’s largest port with a Spido tour boat, or take the water taxi for a quick trip to Hotel New York.

Fun for everyone
Rotterdam Zoo with its spectacular crocodile river and the newly opened polar bear enclosure is one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands. The 185-metre Euromast, with its unparalleled view, also draws many visitors. In the summer season, true daredevils can even abseil down with ropes, provided there isn’t too much wind. Plaswijck Park is to be recommended for the whole family, with a large playground, and children’s driving park and zoo.

Rotterdam is also a must for art and culture. It is the city of large art institutions such as the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, Kunsthal Rotterdam, the Netherlands Photo Museum and the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi). Places as de Doelen, the Rotterdamse Schouwburg and the Luxor Theater are leading in outstanding theatre, music and dance.

Shopping 7 days per week
Rotterdam is a Mecca for shopaholics, with a wide diversity of shopping areas. Feast your eyes in one of the chic shops in Van Oldenbarneveltstraat or visit the hip boutiques on Nieuwe Binnenweg, Witte de Withstraat and Pannekoekstraat. Even on Sunday, fanatical shoppers are welcome in Rotterdam: the shops in the centre are open 7 days per week.

Dining Out
Rotterdam is a wonderful place for food no matter what your budget. From simple workers' eateries and sidewalk cafes to posh culinary palaces with waiters.

Always something to do
Rotterdam is the festival city of the Netherlands, with both small and large-scale events. From the International Film Festival Rotterdam to the World Port Days, there is always something to do in Rotterdam. For Rotterdam the theme of 2009 will be the youth, under the name Your World, with a wide variety of festivals and events.

Rotterdam is a lively metropolis all year round with countless cafes and restaurants representing every cuisine in the world. In the evenings and nights you can hang loose in hip clubs and trendy discotheques, such as the sustainable dance club Watt, which opened in 2008.

Like to know more about Rotterdam? For information and the current events calendar please visit www.rotterdam.info. 

Travel to Rotterdam and World Trade Center

The congress center is on walking distance (10 - 15 minutes) of the  central railway station and is easy to reach via Rotterdam Airport, Schiphol Airport, only forty minutes away, or using the high-speed rail link from Brussels, London or Paris.
Download information Travel to WTC by public transport and car or plan your traintrip in The Netherlands via the journey planner.

Public transport from Rotterdam Central Railway Station
Metro: Take the metro, get off at the second station, 'Beurs' and take exit 'Beursplein'.
Tram: Take tram 8, 20, 23 or 25. Get off on Coolsingel, at the ABN-AMRO Bank.

Public transport from Spijkenisse or Schiedam
Metro: Take the metro and get off at station 'Beurs'.

The 'OV-chipkaart' is the new way of paying for public transport in Rotterdam. You can credit the balance on the card in euros after which you may travel anywhere you wish. Alternatively, you can credit the card with a travel product such as a single ticket or a season ticket.

There are three sorts of tickets:

• A personal OV-chipkaart. You can order these from this website. Alternatively, you can also obtain a personal OV-chipkaart from one the participating OV-companies.
• An anonymous OV-chipkaart. You can purchase these at the Sales & Information points or from ticket machines located at the station.
• A 'throw-away' chipkaart. These are also available from the ticket machines at stations.

More information is available on the RET public transport website or read the brochure.