Why Amsterdam?
Submitted by smofadmin on 5 December, 2010 - 11:56
- Well, it’s the capital of the Netherlands, and as you know it has has a recorded history of only 1000 years, although there is some archeological evidence that visiting Roman soldiers enjoyed the nightlife too much. So no change there.
- It is a major, vibrant, international city, with excellent and affordable restaurants of most every cuisine and many hotels. A city designed to be walked around, but with some of the best public transport if you don't feel like it.
- The city also has many art, tourist and other attractions to keep you informed and amused, depending on how much time you have away from the con, and how much fun you can handle (or afford). These include the Rijksmusem, Hermitage Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Franck House, and for those with very specialized interests - no not what you were thinking! – the museum of bags and purses. Amsterdam is also the ‘Venice of the North’ with its large network of canals.
- The centre of the city has excellent shopping. We recommend the chocolate.
- English is spoken fluently by almost everyone.
- The city, like the rest of the Netherlands, has a ban on smoking in all indoor places. That’s nicotine of course. You could also visit the special licenced smoking places, if you really want.
- Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, has direct connections to numerous North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific cities. Given the volume of traffic there are often good deals to be had on flights. The airport is only 15 minutes from Central Amsterdam by rail from its dedicated station below the main terminals. The train service from the airport runs to Centraal Station, just in front of the Hotel. The service is very convenient, costs less that EUR 4 per trip, and runs 24 hours, (6 times an hour at most times, and hourly between 1-5am.)
- Last, but no means least, we expect that there would be a very big turnout of fans from across Europe who don’t get the US based SMOFcons.