Page 443 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  441

TNT has closed many of
the larger post offices and
opened many smaller
concerns inside shopping
malls and shops.

Sending Mail
Most TNT postboxes have
two slots. The right slot is
for local mail (post codes
are given above the slot),
the left one is for other
destinations. A sign on the
Internet access at OBA (Amsterdam Public Library) box indicates when the mail
is collected (a red sign means
Internet in English about cultural 5pm or 6pm, a blue board
Faster than a letter and events in the city, plus useful means 7pm). There is no
cheaper than a phone call, information on things like Saturday mail collection.
sending and receiving email doctors and dentists. It also Postcards and letters
has never been easier or has information for expats weighing less than 20 g
more convenient. As most living in the city. Time Out (1 oz) cost €0.73 (or one
people in the Netherlands Amsterdam is a monthly “Nederland 1” stamp) to
have either ADSL or a cable listings magazine, also in send to destinations within
connection at home, the English, aimed at tourists the Netherlands; those
number of internet cafés has and available from newsagents sent to European destinations
decreased. Also, more and in the city centre of the capital. cost €1.25, or one
more hotels offer Wi-Fi for Apart from comprehensive “International 1” stamp;
guests with laptops, and listings about what’s on, it also these new “standard” stamps
while this is not always free, offers reviews and features. are widely available in small
rates for internet use have shops, for example those
fallen dramatically over the Postal Services selling postcards. For heavier
last decade. It is better to letters or to post to other
check before using Wi-Fi to Post offices in the Netherlands parts of the world, visit a
avoid ending up paying a can be recognized by the TNT post office – but be prepared
heavy bill. logo. In addition to buying for queues. Most post offices
However, in most tourist stamps, sending telegrams are open from 9am to 5pm
areas you’ll still find plenty of and sending mail, you can also weekdays; some also open
places to read and send email. change money and traveller’s on Saturdays until 1pm.
Most are bars, cafés and coffee cheques, make phone calls Postcards and letters
(smoking) shops, offering PCs and send faxes. Larger post weighing less than 20 g
with internet services. offices also have photocopy (1 oz) to destinations within
Opening hours vary, but cafés services and sell stationery. Europe are sent by priority
are often open late into the Smaller municipalities some- mail. For other international
night. Not all offer headsets, so times have only a sub post mail which you want to
using Skype or other VoIPs to office (in a supermarket, for send priority, pay extra for
make cheap phone calls is not example), providing basic a priority sticker at the post
always possible. services. There are no longer office. Important documents
A recent development is post offices in most villages. may be sent by insured or
modern and trendy coffee registered mail. Urgent
bar franchises, like Coffee mail can be sent by TNT’s
Company and Bagel and Slot for all other Slot for courier service.
Beans, offering Wi-Fi for destinations
customers who bring their local destinations DIRECTORY
laptop. You either buy minutes
or go online for a limited TNT
time for each beverage you Tel 0800-1234 (customer
order, using the code on your service for domestic and
receipt to gain access. international deliveries).
Visitors to Amsterdam will ∑tnt.com/express/nl_nl/
find www.iamsterdam.com site/home.html
worth a look. Financed by
Amsterdam city council, it
offers listings and reviews Dutch TNT postbox

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