Amsterdam (Region)

Customs / Culture
Around Amsterdam you will find the Dutch you meet as typical as most other Dutch in the Netherlands. Riding on bikes, discreet clothing style, always friendly and always ready to tell you a piece of their mind if you give them a reason to. General customs for greeting are the three cheek kiss for friends otherwise a handshake and when parting a simple “dag” or “doei”.

Traditions
It is a dutch tradition, to collect the remains of Christmas trees and pile them up to create a bonfire at new years. In the region of Amsterdam these bonfires can be seen at beaches as well as the great plazas in the city. Although this is actually forbidden, the dutch do it anyway, and the government and police silently allow it with a few security regulations. Additionally to these bonfires, fireworks is brought as well making it a beautiful sight. But beware, you might get hurt if you don’t watch yourself.

Religion
The most recent survey of confessions in Amsterdam concludes that over 60% of Amsterdam’s population claim to have no religion, 17% are Christians (10% catholic) and 14% Muslim (and rapidly growing). There are also other religious groups and sects in Amsterdam. The Bloemgracht accommodates the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica. It has a collection of hermetic and mystical works, second to none in all of Europe.

Airports / Car rental
The Airport for Amsterdam as well as the region is “Amsterdam Airport Schiphol”. It is Europe’s 5th largest airport in terms of passenger transport and Europe’s 3rd largest in terms of freight transport.

At Schiphol airport, there are six international car rental companies, their agencies all have seat at Schiphol Plaza. Hours of business: 6:30am to 11:00pm. You can also rent a car online on www.schiphol.nl/rentacar. (Available in English and Dutch)
If you are taking the train to Amsterdam, there are also car rental options in the city. The major car rental agencies are represented on Overtoom Straat near the Vondelpark.

Public transport
When arriving in the Netherlands by airplane you have an extensive public transport network awaiting you at Schiphol. Whether by bus or by train you are well served here.
If arriving by train you will start from Amsterdam Centraal, from where you can also easily get to the outlying districts and towns of Amsterdam, by either bus or train.

Taxis
In front of Schiphol Plaza there are taxis available around the clock just waiting to take you to your destination.
Schiphol Travel Taxi is a taxi service that picks you up right at the hotel and takes you to the departure halls, 24/7! When using this service in groups, it is cheaper than the normal taxi service. Bear in mind: You have to book this service in advance.

Culinary Specialities
Amsterdamse Ui: It is a onion laid in vinegar and spices. Mixed in with the spices is saffron, it gives the Amsteramse Ui it’s yellow look. It originates from the poor jewish districts of Amsterdam, as it is very cheap to produce and a good way to preserve food. Other vegetables are also known to have been preserved this way.
Stampot: A meal prepared with stomped potatoes and vegetables. Although it is a cheap meal, it is a delicious and hearty meal. It is widespread among the Netherlands and Flanders, whereas in the Amsterdam region the combination of potatoes with Endive is most common.

Lifestyle
The lifestyle in the region of Amsterdam is more or less typically dutch, whereas the multicultural center Amsterdam also shows lifestyles of other cultures and the city as tourist attraction is also imprinted in their lifestyle. For example beer; The dutch have their own beer philosophy, meaning they usually drink and serve beer in half-pint glasses (250ml), there are also other details. As Amsterdam is filled by tourist life, it adjusted itself and now also offers beer in pint glasses.

Sights
The region of Amsterdam has much to offer. You can see the famous Dutch windmills, the flower market, the dunes and the “Dijk” that keep the Netherlands dry, and of course the buffer sea the “Ijselmeer”. Great tourist attractions are bike tours around Amsterdam’s countryside and sailing tours in the Ijselmeer.