
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 27, 1994                   TAG: 9403290132
SECTION: TRAVEL                    PAGE: F-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE DETAILS ON AMSTERDAM|

Shopping: Most shops do business Monday through Saturday. On Monday, many establishments are closed for the morning, opening at 11 a.m.. Closing times vary, but most keep doors open to 6 p.m. and on Thursday until 9 p.m.. Here are the locations for the shops mentioned. De Munt, Mint Tower at 12 Muntplein; Prinsengallery, 440 Prinsengracht; Coster's Diamonds, Paulus Potterstraat 2-4.; 't Klompenhuisje, 917 Nieuwe Hoogstraat.

For a more complete listing of shops in Amsterdam, secure a "Shopping in Holland" brochure available through the Netherlands Board of Tourism or at the VVV Tourist Office located across from Centraal Railway Station. The Netherlands Board of Tourism can be contacted at 355 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10017, telephone, 212-370-7367.

Tax refunds: In the Netherlands, purchases are subject to BTW, the Dutch version of the valued added tax. A tax rate of 18.5% is included in the purchase and non-European Community residents who purchase a minimum of 300 NGL ( $150) in one shop on one day are entitled to a refund. Here's how it works. Simply request a tax-free shopping cheque from the merchant upon your payment. When you leave Holland, show your purchase to Dutch customs and have the shopping cheque stamped. Then, take the shopping cheque to a GWK (De Grenswisselkantoren N.V.) cashpoint for a immediate refund. If you're short on time, mail it to them later, and within a few months a credit will be applied to your charge card or a check will be mailed. A GWK cashpoint is located at Schiphol Airport in the railway station opposite the main terminal and is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. GWK's address is P.O. Box 721, 1000 AS, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Getting around: Amsterdam's Centrum is the heart of the city and where you'll find much of the shopping. Because the city is small, walking to most shops is easy.

An excellent alternative is taking the a bus, tram or metro. The key to public transportation is the Nationale Strippenkaart (National Strip Card) that allows easy payment. Maps and cards are available at Centraal Railway Station and aboard buses and trams. Expect to pay about $5.00 for a card with 15 strips.

For the more adventurous, why not do as the Dutch and ride a bicycle? N. Koenders, located at 12 Stationsplein, has a wide selection and will get you wheeling around for about $3.00 a day.

Where to stay: Amsterdam is blessed with many excellent hotels, but for a true Dutch experience try staying in a canal house. Just look for the word "gracht" or "kade" in the address, which signifies streets bordering on one of the many canals. Here's a representative sample. Rembrandt Karena, Herengracht 255, telephone 6221727, approximately $150 for a double room; Prins Hendrik, Prins Hendrikkade 53, telephone 6277931, approximately $80-100 for a double room; De Gouden Kettingh, Keizersgracht 268-272, telephone 6248287, approximately $60-80 for a double room.

by CNB