EuroMysterium » 2005 Meeting » Local Information
Rotterdam and surroundings
The official hotel for Euromysterium 2005 is located in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel. This is the lowest point of the Netherlands, with an altitude of 6.74 meters below sea level.
In less than 15 minutes you can drive to the dynamic center of Rotterdam for business or pleasure. The historical city of Gouda with its famous city hall, the weigh house and the cheese market is only a 10 minutes drive away.
The hotel is located only one kilometer away from the border of Rotterdam. With its 600 000 inhabitants, Rotterdam is the second largest city of the Netherlands.
The international port of Rotterdam has a lot to offer. It is located along the Nieuwe Waterweg (or "New Waterway") and is the gateway to Europe. It is an important transfer terminal for goods to be shipped to Germany and the rest of Europe. The port of Rotterdam is a very important part of the city and its history.
The maritime museum will give you a good impression of the history of navigation. The havenmuseum (port museum) can be found nearby. The city also contains countless other museums, including museum Boijmans van Beuningen.
Taking a boat tour through the port of Rotterdam will give you an excellent view of the port and the city.
The Euromast will allow you to experience the city at a height of more than 100 meters.
Rotterdam has a lively night life and is an excellent city for shopping. Rotterdam is also a city of great cultural importance. In 2001, Rotterdam was the cultural capital of Europe.
More information about Rotterdam can be found at this Rotterdam tourism site.
The Netherlands and Europe
The local currency is the Euro, but this should come as no surprise. Dollars, pounds, etc. are not accepted anywhere - there are few, if any, exceptions. Of course you can always exchange money at a bank or one of the offices of GWK Travelex, which can be found at the airport and at most large train stations. Credit cards are accepted by most (but not all) restaurants but not by most stores. You can pay electronically almost everywhere but this will probably not work with foreign bank cards. On the bright side, there's always an ATM (cash machine) nearby.
The local language is Dutch, but most people speak English quite reasonably. In general, Dutch people will not become angry or uncooperative when you address them in English, but there are always exceptions...