Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [14]
UK 38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP 020/ 7590 3200, www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk.
US 4200 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 1-877/388 2443, www.netherlands-embassy.org.
Travel essentials | Entry requirements |
Embassies and consulates in the Netherlands
Australia Carnegielaan 4, 2517 KH The Hague 070/310 8200, www.netherlands.embassy.gov.au.
Canada Sophialaan 7, 2514 JP The Hague 070/311 1600, www.canada.nl.
Ireland Dr Kuijperstraat 9, 2514 BA The Hague 070/363 0993, www.irishembassy.nl.
New Zealand Eisenhowerlaan 77, 2517 KK The Hague 070/346 9324, www.nzembassy.com.
South Africa Wassenaarseweg 40, 2596 CJ The Hague 070/392 4501, www.zuidafrika.nl.
UK Lange Voorhout 10, 2514 ED The Hague 070/427 0427, www.britain.nl; Consulate-General: Koningslaan 44, PO Box 75488, 1070 AL Amsterdam 020/676 4343.
US Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague 070/310 2209, www.usemb.nl; Consulate General: Museumplein 19, 1071 DJ Amsterdam 020/575 5309.
Travel essentials |
Gay and lesbian travellers
Amsterdam is one of the top gay destinations in Europe: attitudes are tolerant, bars are excellent and plentiful, and support groups and facilities are unequalled. The national organization for gay men and women, COC (www.coc.nl), dates from the 1940s and is actively involved in gaining equal rights for gays and lesbians, as well as informing society’s perceptions of homosexuality. The national HQ is in Amsterdam, at Rozenstraat 8 (Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm; 020/623 4596); it can offer help, advice and information on events around the city.
For more help and advice contact Amsterdam’s Gay and Lesbian Switchboard on 020/623 6565. Gay legislation in the Netherlands is streets ahead of the rest of the world; same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex partners were legalized in 2001, and within six months over two thousand couples had tied the knot. The age of consent is 16.
Consider timing your visit to coincide with Amsterdam Pride (www.amsterdamgaypride.nl) on the first weekend in August, Queen’s Day (not solely a gay event) on April 30 or Leather Pride (www.leatherpride.nl) in late October and November. For more information on gay festivals and events, as well as gay accommodation and nightlife, see "Gay and lesbian Amsterdam".
Travel essentials |
Health
As a member of the European Union, the Netherlands has free reciprocal health agreements with other member states. EU citizens are entitled to free treatment within the Netherlands’ public healthcare system on production of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you can obtain by picking up a form at the post office, calling 0845 606 2030, or applying online at www.dh.gov.uk; allow up to 21 days for delivery. The EHIC is free of charge and valid for at least three years, and it basically entitles you to the same treatment as an insured person in the Netherlands. Australians are able to receive treatment through a reciprocal arrangement with Medicare (check with your local office for details).
In an emergency phone 112. If you’re reliant on free treatment within the EU health scheme, try to make this clear to the ambulance staff, and, if you’re whisked off to hospital, to the medic you subsequently encounter. If possible, it’s a good idea to hand over a photocopy of your EHIC on arrival at the hospital to ensure your status is clearly understood. As for describing symptoms, you can be pretty sure that someone will speak English. Without an EHIC you won’t be turned away from a hospital, but you will have to pay for any treatment you receive and should therefore get an official receipt, a necessary preamble to the long-winded process of trying to get at least some of the money back.
You can get the address of an English-speaking doctor from your local pharmacy, tourist office or hotel. If you’re entitled to free treatment under EU health agreements, double-check that the doctor is both working within, and regarding you as a patient of, the public health care system. Bear in mind, though, that even within the