LFP - Large-Format-Printing
Amsterdam is the Ideal City to Host FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2009
Friday 06. March 2009 - Amsterdam, Northern Europes commercial, tourism and cultural hub, will host the forthcoming FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2009 exhibition (12th - 14th May 2009, RAI Exhibition Centre).
Whilst visitors will have the opportunity to network and see the latest technological innovations at the show, this vibrant city provides an unlimited array of cultural and tourist experiences to suit every visitors taste.
Amsterdams Schiphol Airport operates direct flights to and from more than 260 destinations in 91 countries, making it one of Europes most accessible cities. A key hub for many national airlines, it is also served by a number of low cost European airlines, making it a practical and well-located destination for the business traveller.
Amsterdams RAI Exhibition Centre is one of the largest and busiest exhibition centres in The Netherlands. Located in the business centre of the city, it is easily accessible by numerous transport links, including regular trains from Schiphol Airport, which take only 15 minutes.
The city has an excellent infrastructure with numerous modes of public transport. Amsterdam Centraal, the citys international railway station, offers regular services from all over Europe including Austria, Belarus, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia and Switzerland. Buses, trams, water taxis, and water buses ensure that visitors can easily and economically navigate the city.
Cycling is another transport option in Amsterdam, one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. With around 600,000 bicycles in the capital, hiring a bicycle is a fantastic way to explore the city. Bicycle rentals are readily available at Centraal Station, Leidseplein and Dam Square, with day rates averaging around 8, and some multi-day rates as low as 4. Guided tours are offered by many of the bicycle rental companies, and for those eager to venture out on their own, recommended route maps are available.
“Known as the City of Canals, Amsterdams waterways are its signature and arguably most beautiful feature. A visit to this capital city is not complete without a canal cruise. Whether in an open-top boat or on a self-pedalled “canal bike,” this is the best way to see dozens of spectacular Amsterdam sights, including 17th-century mansions, tree-lined neighbourhoods, houseboats and stunning medieval and modern architecture.”
With 1281 bridges a self-guided walking tour offers hours of picturesque sightseeing and breathtaking photograph opportunities. Explore the funky Jordaan district with its countless boutiques; the famous, square-shaped shopping area known as “Nine Streets” of the Central Canal Ring; Oude Zijde, where many of the city’s oldest buildings stand; or the Eastern Canal Ring and its stately mansions.
A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without a trip to one of Amsterdams 50 museums. The most popular is the Rijksmuseum, the countrys largest national museum, dedicated to arts, crafts and Dutch history. The Van Gogh Museum has over 750 of the Dutch artists paintings and sketches on display, and the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank hid during World War II and wrote her famous diaries, are also key points of interest for many visitors.
Visitors to FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2009, are advised to invest in an I amsterdam card (www.iamsterdam.com). It is a discount card, available for either 24-, 48- or 72-hour intervals and costs between 33 and 53. It offers free access to more than 25 Amsterdam museums and attractions, free use of public transport, includes many coupons for discounts at restaurants and shops, and entitles the bearer to a free canal cruise.
The Heineken Experience (www.heinekenexperience.com) is one Amsterdam experience not to be missed. The brewery which has stood on the site since the 16th century is a very popular attraction. The tour documents the history of Heineken beer and gives a fascinating insight into the brewing process and includes an opportunity for visitors to bottle their own beer.
For an all-round shopping experience, visit the 100-year old Albert Cuyp Market, Amsterdams biggest market that sells everything from fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, to jewellery, bedding and cosmetics. For those with an interest in flowers, visit the famous floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt or visit Keukenhof, the worlds largest flower garden, also known as The Garden of Europe, located near the town, Lisse. The gardens 7 million tulips will be in full bloom during FESPAs Digital event.
After a busy day at the RAI, visitors can choose to wind down at one of the citys 1,400 restaurants and bars. Try a local specialty such as a sweet or savoury Dutch pancake or Amsterdams popular snack, French fries (Vlaamse Frites), served with mayonnaise. Home to a number of Indonesian restaurants, visitors can try Indonesian Rijsttafel, a traditional rice-based meal (and one of Amsterdams culinary specialities) at Sama Sebo (near the Rijksmuseum) or Bojos (on Leidseplein) for a late night option. This cosmopolitan city also offers a wide variety of European cuisine. For great Italian food and an overall entertaining dining experience, try Paste e Basta, where starters are dished up from inside a grand piano and the waiters sing. For exciting nightlife, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are two of the citys most popular areas.
Frazer Chesterman, Exhibitions Director, FESPA comments: “Amsterdam is a vibrant, reasonably-priced and extremely accessible European city. It proved extremely popular, as host to the inaugural Digital show in 2006, so we decided our peripatetic Digital event should return there in 2009. With the RAIs excellent exhibition facilities and a multitude of things to see and do in this exciting and affordable city after the days business dealings at FESPA Digital, we look forward to welcoming the print community back to Amsterdam for an exciting 3 days in May.”