SSSR Annual Conference – Amsterdam, June 27-30, 2004.

 

Location, hotels, travel, etc.

 

Venue

De Rode Hoed
Keizersgracht 102
1015 CV Amsterdam

 

The venue is along one of the downtown canals (‘gracht’) of Amsterdam. The Rode Hoed (Red Hat) is a former clandestine church of the Remonstrants, build in 1630, replacing a workshop of a hatmaker. The church was clandestine because the protestant state church declared in 1618 churches of other groups than protestant illegal, except when they were hidden in a house, warehouse, etc. It has been used as a church until 1957, then it served as an Academy of Music (Sweelinck Conservatorium) untill 1988. Since then is a center for cultural events, concerts, and conferences. It has one large conference (church) room, and two smaller ones.

Note. The Rode Hoed is only for the conference program. Drinks during breaks and a simple lunch are included in registration (but no breakfast or early morning coffee). For hotel accommodation it is advised to make a reservation as soon as possible (see below).

 

Location

The Rode Hoed is located near the center of the city (see left map below), between Central Station and the Westermarkt, near the Anne Frankhuis (Prinsengracht 263) and the Jordaan (at the left top of the right map).

               

The Jordaan is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Amsterdam. Originally a working-class area, the neighborhood has gone steadily up market since the 1980's. It now is a lovely area to walk, with quiet canals, and tiny streets, and many unusual shops. You'll find a lot of the best restaurants and most interesting bars there too.

For a closer look of the location of the Rode Hoed, and /or the location of your hotel you can use www.viamichelin.com and type the location (see above) in the section Maps of Europe. Or go to www.amsterdamhotspots.nl/mapb1.html, it is in the b1 section of the map and near the final-t of Keizersgracht.This site is also useful for findings restaurants, etc.

 

Public transportation to the Rode Hoed

Use eg. tramlines 1, 2 or 5 to the nearest tramstop at the Nieuwe Zijdsvoorburgwal.  The stop is called Nieuwe Zijds Kolk (if you arrive eg from the Leidseplein area, it is 1 after the Dam, and 2 before Central Station). From there it is a 5 minute walk: find the alley Lijnbaansteeg, cross the Singel, walk along the Blauwburgwal, cross the Herengracht, walk through the Herenstraat, and you arrive at the Keizersgracht. Cross the bridge and turn left for about 50 meters.

 

Hotels

Participants have to make reservations as soon as possible, because Amsterdam during summer is generally crowded with tourists, and because at the same time there is another very big conference planned with thousands of participants. Most of the larger 3-5 star hotels are therefore already fully booked.

Below a list of hotels is presented that are reserved and/or have special prices for SSSR participants and the ones with a star (+) are located within 400 meters from the conference site.

 

AMS offer*: The first hotel is on walking distance (400 m), as is the second (20 min.); the other 3 are somewhat further away, but you can use e.g. the tram. Hotel prices are in Euro’s, excluding city tax 5%. For reservations call AMS Hotel Group: +31 20 683 1811 or mail to reservations@ams.nl. Mention the letters SSSR as a code, your preference for the hotel, your name and creditcard number.

      Name of hotel              # rooms   single double   breakfast    address

      AMS Museum Hotel            20          95      115            12      PC Hooftstraat 2

      AMS Hotel Terdam              20        105      119            15      Tesselschadestraat 23

      AMS Hotel Atlas                  10          95      115            12      Van Eeghenstraat 64

      AMS Hotel Hofpark             30        105      119            15      Koninginneweg 34

*Note: AMS City Centre Hotel has a new owner and changed its name / contact phone number.
 It now is:  Ramada Amsterdam City Centre Hotel,  phone: +31 20 422 0011

      +                                          30        115      129            15      Nieuwe Zijds Voorburgwal 50

 

Hotel Smit ***                         25          95      135           incl      P.C. Hooftstraat 26

phone +3120 671 4785; near Musea/Leidseplein, about 26 min walk to conference site;
no special rate, they only reserved 25 rooms for SSSR until 1 March; www.hotelsmit.com

 

Cheap Hostels (no mentioning of SSSR)

+  Bob’s Youth Hostel        Nwe Zijds Voorburgwal 92      €20-80     www.bobsyouthhostel.nl

+  International Budget        Leidsegracht 76/1                     €30-90     www.hostelplanet.com/hostels

+  Flying Pig Downtown      Nieuwendijk 100                      €20-30     www.flyingpig.nl

 

Further searching when the hotels listed above are booked

As mentioned, many large 3-5 star hotels are already fully booked, so search for smaller one, less in the center, and or less quality (and price).  Of course, a travel agent may be of help in finding lodging. If you want to look for your own hotel, you may use the internet. On the site of www.amsterdam.nl (click English in the second column of the red top bar), then to Tourism: accommodation and you’ll find many hotel organizations. You may also search at www.amsterdam-hotels-travel.com   www.amsterdam.webtourist.net , www.hotels-online.info, www.bookings.nl , www.amsterdamhotelcentral.com, www.expedia.nl

 

Registration is closed

The conference venue was rented for about 200-250 participants, i.e. a number of people estimated on basis of recent TripleSR conferences. However, many more than expected have responded – we’ll have almost 300 presentations. Therefore, registration is closed now.

Registration fee includes refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks, and a simple lunch. Advanced registration is $150 for members ($200 for nonmembers), with reduced fees for students ($110-130). On site registration will only be possible in Euro’s (€’s).

 

Canal cruise on Sunday 27 th, and Tuesday 29 th

On Sunday and Tuesday,  a one hour canal cruise through the famous and beautiful canals of Amsterdam, e.g. see the gables, elegant merchant’s mansions and houseboats. The boat leaves at 17.30 and ends at the conference venue.

Costs (15 €) includes one drink on board and a English speaking guide.

 

Reception City Hall, Monday, June 28 th,  18.00-19.00

During a one hour reception you’ll be welcomed by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Amsterdam (drinks are free of charge, but SSSR badge and invitation card are needed for entrance). The invitation card, a walking route map (35 minutes) or information on public transportation will be provided during registration.

 

Conference dinner. Wednesday, June 30

Conference dinner starts at 19.30 hrs in Kelderhof, Prinsengracht 494. Costs (35 €) include a three course dinner and two glasses of wine, with life music. A maximum of 160 participants can be accommodated.

 

Transport to/from the Airport Schiphol

Schiphol airport is not far from Amsterdam centre. There are trains day and night, six times an hour through the day, and hourly in the dead of night; trains take about 15 minutes. Mind you to pick the train to Central Station (not Amsterdam-Zuid / WTC). A single journey costs about €3.50. A taxi to/from the airport will cost about  €25 and takes about 10 minutes- go to the official taxi rank, and don’t accept ‘personal’ offers in the arrival hall of Schiphol.

Public transportation in Amsterdam

In this city you are better off not using a car as it has superb public transport facilities. Buy yourself a detailed map at the VVV Tourist Office. If you don't fancy exploring by foot, the city's tram and bus services are efficient and reasonably priced.

 

Trams

Trams are frequent, fast and dependable. You can buy single tickets from bus, tram and metro drivers but its best to buy tickets (`strippenkaart') in advance. These tickets are stamped on boarding and you are charged per zone (Amsterdam is made up of five zones). All tickets can be bought at public transport offices, post offices, train stations and tobacconists.  On most trams you stamp these yourself in the yellow machines in the tram. On some trams there is a conductor: you get on at the back of the tram and the conductor stamps your ticket for you. Once stamped, a ticket is valid for an hour, regardless of how often you change tram or bus.There is a free map of all tram and bus routes in Amsterdam available from tourist offices and at the Central Station. Trams operate until just after midnight (from Central Station at 12.15).

 

 

Taxis in Amsterdam are normally taken from a taxi rank, as opposed to hailing them on the street. They are normally fairly easy to get although like most cities, they seem harder to find when it's raining, particularly on Friday & Saturday nights. They tend to be more expensive lasts years, so first ask for a price. A 10% tip is usual, though not obligatory.

 

Bicycles

Bikes are also a great way to get around. Locals use bikes as their main means of transport and bikes generally have right of way, before anything else…even you.

 

Walking

Central Amsterdam is very small and walking is pleasurable, giving the best chance to appreciate the Amsterdam architecture. Beware of walking on bike paths, which are distinguished by their reddish colour. Cyclists show no mercy. Also take care when crossing roads, even at a green pedestrian light. Cyclists consider themselves pedestrians in Amsterdam, and so tend to ignore traffic lights. Note that in true European style, streets may change name along their length.

 

Things to avoid

Tramriding without a Strippenkaart. A strip of tickets for the trams is available from most newsagents and is cheaper than getting a ticket from the conductor. Travelling without any ticket at all will cost you a considerable fine if you get caught.

Beware of bike lanes Walking or standing on these lanes is a high risk activity. In this city, the bike is king and it drives locals mad to have pedestrians strolling on the bike lanes. They travel fast and furious, so when you hear the dring dring from a cyclist's bell, get out of the way - quickly.

Avoid the following areas at night

At night the side streets around Nieuwendijk, the Southern end of Zeedijk, the streets off it and the Damrak are not reckoned to be safe, so be careful.

 

 

Further information

SSSR, the Program Committee nor Program Coordinator is able to answer any other question about where to stay, to go, to be or not to be, etc. Therefore:

for further information see  www.amsterdam.nl (click English in the second column of the red top bar) to find more about exhibitions, museums, restaurants, etc. or to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam