1

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

to Amsterdam

to all participants to the Fifth Symposium, COST A 34,

which will take place at the

International Institute of Social History (IISH)

Cruquiusweg 31

1019 AT Amsterdam

The Netherlands

4-7 March 2009

The IISH is very happy to welcome you as a participant. To make your staying here nice and comfortable, we made these travel-instructions.

The IISH is located at the eastside of the city, with good public transportation from the city centre. Bus 43 runs frequently from Central Station with a stop just beside the building.

A map of the location of the IISH is available on: This also contains a route-description.

1. TRANSPORTATION

There are many low cost possibilities to fly directly to Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS) from main European cities.To search low cost flights you can visit:

Or

From Schiphol airport, you can easily reachthe centre of the city. We recommend you to take the train, as the trains run from the station below the airport:

By Train:

Train tickets for domestic travel are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at SchipholPlaza. Tickets (for domestic and international travel) are also available from the ticket offices, which are situated also near the platforms. Staff at the ticket offices will also be able to provide you with train departure information. Usually the trains to Amsterdam Central Station run every 15 minutes from platform 1 or 2.

In the machines you can also buy the “strippencards” that you need for transportation by buses, trams, metros in Amsterdam. They are also for sale in various Magazinesshops like AKO and Bruna.

Traintickets to Amsterdam Central Station are 3.90 euro.

To see more information about trains:

By Taxi: From SchipholAirportyou can also take a taxi to the centre of the city. The approximate cost is about 40 euro. It takes around 20-30 minutes. Please, have into account that, following COST rules, a taxi trip is reimbursed only in the case of no available public transport or if it is cheaper than public transport. Therefore, this may be interesting if you share the trip with colleagues.

2. ACCOMMODATION

According to COST rules, the participants are responsible for their choice for travel and hotel reservation and payments.Please, take into account that Amsterdam is one of the greatest tourist cities in the world and it is usually difficult to find lodging, and more difficult to find lodging at a reasonable price in all seasons.

Be aware that, according to financial COST rules, only participants presenting proper invoices for travel and hotel will be eligible for reimbursement (within usual financial limits).

As the local Committee has already done some group reservations in convenient places, we recommend that you take opportunity of staying in one of them with which the IISH has negotiated special room rates for this Symposium.

You can easily make reservations in the hotels mentioned below, by sending an e-mail to the local organizer Astrid Verburg () with copy to the COST Action A34 Secretariat (). Please use the form attached to state reservation details.

Please, be aware that there is established a deadline to make reservations. After the 23th February we cannot ensure there will be rooms available.

  1. The Bridge Hotel

Situated in one of the cosiest and most romantic spots of Amsterdam. The Bridge Hotel offers that perfect combination of the buzz of being in the city center, yet on a quiet location overlooking the Amstel river.

Address:

The Bridge Hotel
Amstel 107-111
1018 EM Amsterdam

Phone: +31 20 6237068
Fax: +31 20 6241565

The nearest METRO stations are Waterlooplein and Weesperplein, see the route description on the website of the hotel.

Fares:

120 euro a night, including breakfast and taxes

To go from the hotel to the IISH.

When you leave the hotel take a left, and another left on the Sarphatistraat. Walk till you reach the tramstop. Take tram number 10 and descend at the Van Eesterenlaan. The tram goes straight on, but you turn right and walk down the Van Eesterenlaan until you see the big building of the IISH on your left hand. It is about 500 meters walking.

  1. Rho hotel

The 3-star Rho hotel opened its doors in April 1989. The building was formerly used by an old Amsterdam gold trading company. The beautiful reception and lobby were once a theater, built in 1908 in Art-Deco style. The RHO HOTEL is located in the heart of the old city in a quiet side street, a few steps from the historic DAM square, the central square of Amsterdam

Address:

Nes 05-23

1012 KC Amsterdam

Phone: +31 20 6207371

Fax: +31 20 620 7826

The nearest METRO station is Central Station, the nearest tramstop is Dam Square, see the route description on the website of the hotel.

Fares:

95 euro a night, including breakfast and taxes

To go from the hotel to the IISH

Go back to the Central Station and take bus 43 at the busstation just in front of the Station where the citybuses leave. The fare takes about 10-15 minutes and you descend on the stop named Cruquiusweg. The building is just in front of you.

We wish you a very pleasant and interesting staying in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, 26 January 2009