General information

SITE

Thermal Hotel Helia, H-1133 Budapest, Kárpát u. 62-64., Hungary
Phone: (+36-1) 452-5800;
Fax: (+36-1) 452-5801
E-mail: hhelia@mail.matav.hu
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is an economic, financial and cultural centre with two million inhabitants. The city, which is beautifully situated on both sides of the river Danube, has a 2000 year-old history. There are relics from the time of the Roman Empire as well as from the Middle Ages. However, it mainly reflects the atmosphere of the end of the 19th century. There are lots of museums, theatres and concert halls, plenty of restaurants and other places of amusement. Several baths offer the pleasure of medicinal thermal waters of mineral springs. As Budapest is a traffic junction in Eastern Central Europe, it can be easily reached by air, train, car or hydrofoil.

PASSPORT, VISA AND INVITATION LETTERS

All foreign visitors must have a valid passport. The visa policy of Hungary is liberal. For visits shorter than a month, no visa is required for citizens of most European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan and Israel. People coming from Austria, Germany and Italy can visit Hungary with their domestic identity card. Nevertheless, participants are advised to inquire about visa regulations at their travel agency or at the Hungarian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Visa is required for visitors from most states of the former USSR. Those who experience any trouble in getting visa to Hungary should not hesitate to contact the Conference Organizer immediately.
AGREEMENTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY ON ABOLITION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS is available on the internet.
The list of Hungarian missions can be found here.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Participants arriving at either terminals of Budapest International Airport are advised to use the Airport Minibus shuttle service, which takes one to any addresses in Budapest for a fee of 1800 HUF/person (cca. EUR 7). As of now, return tickets for the Airport Minibus can be purchased for 3300 HUF (cca. EUR 13). As an alternative one can use public bus service (line 93 red) which connects both terminals with the underground (metro) line 3 (blue line). Taxis to or from the city cost approximately 4000-4500 HUF (cca. EUR 15-20) for a one way trip. Car rentals are available at the airport. Budapest possesses a reliable and frequent public transportation network, composed of three metro lines (yellow, red and blue), as well as several tram, bus and trolley bus lines. Participants are advised to use public transportation especially because a free weekly pass is included in the registration fee. For participants arriving by car a guarded parking lot is available at Thermal Hotel Helia free of charge.
You are advised to finalize your travel in time. In case of any change, you can find the list of Airlines here.
A searchable map of Budapest is available here.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND BANKING FACILITIES

The Hungarian currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Currency exchange booths are available at the airport terminals, railway stations, travel agencies, banks and various places in the city. Traveller's cheques, and convertible currency may be exchanged at these facilities. Major credit cards are usually accepted in most hotels, restaurants and certain shops in the city. Obtaining cash against credit cards is very easy in Budapest from the "Bankomats" that can be found at almost each bank office, hotel or on the street. Exchange rate for Euro at the time of printing: 1 EUR » 260 HUF
For current exchange rates of major currencies, please click here.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration fees for the Conferences are as follows:
Categories Received
before 1 May		 Received
after 1 May
Participant EUR 250 EUR 280
Accompanying person EUR 80 EUR 90

The standard registration fee covers:

Registration fee for accompanying persons covers

Each participant is asked to wear the badge during all events of the conference.
Speakers and poster presenters are kindly asked for registration before 1 May 2001.

REGISTRATION DESK

Any inquiries about the Conference or social events may be answered by approaching any of the staff of the Conference Office. Participants should register and receive their Conference documents, badges and tickets in this area. The registration desk will be operated at the Conference venue from 8.00 on Monday, 24 September, and from 8.00 during the days of the Conference.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

Payment of registration fee and hotel deposit can be made either by bank transfer to
Diamond Congress Ltd. - ECAM
ERSTE Bank Hungary Rt.
Account number 11644006-04454500-44000000
H-1111 Budapest, Egry József u. 2., Hungary,
or money order, cheques or by major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Eurocard/MasterCard, Diners Club). For more details please refer to the attached Registration Form.
We regret that personal cheques and Eurocheques cannot be accepted.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations for the Conference must be sent in writing to the Conference Organizer. Cancellations received until 31 July 2001 will be a subject to an administrative charge of EUR 50. No refund of registration fees will be available for cancellations received after 31 July 2001. In case of cancellation of hotel reservation the prepaid hotel deposit cannot be refunded.

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

Accommodation has been reserved for Conference participants at some hotels of different categories as listed below. Special demands (e.g. apartments or triple rooms, etc.) will also be met as far as possible. In order to reserve accommodation, please, complete the enclosed Registration & Hotel Reservation Form and return it to the Conference Organizer, not later than 1 May 2001.
Since September is the last part of the high season for tourism, you are asked to arrange your booking as soon as possible. Please, add one night deposit to secure your reservation. Please, note that reservations made after the deadline might not be guaranteed.
Hotel Single room Double room
Thermal Hotel Helia**** (XIII., Kárpát u. 62-64.) conference venue EUR 115 EUR 138
Hotel Liget*** (XIII., Dózsa Gy. út 106.) 10 minutes by public transport EUR 82 EUR 102
Hotel Ibis Volga*** (XIII., Dózsa Gy. út 65.) 10 minutes walk EUR 65 EUR 73
Hostel Marco Polo** (VII., Nyár u. 9.) downtown EUR 46 EUR 60

The prices stated above are per room basis with breakfast in Euro. All hotels of three- and four-star category have rooms with bathroom, telephone, colour-TV, minibar. Hotel Ibis Volga*** can be found in a 10 minute walking distance from Thermal Hotel Helia, but participants can also use trolley bus No. 79 to the venue (2 stops). One night deposit is going to be collected by the Conference Organizer, but the rest, phone calls, consumption from the minibar and any extra services should be paid directly at the hotel.

If you need more information or other accommodation alternatives please contact the Conference Organizer.

SUPPORT SYSTEM

There is a limited support for Object of support: The requests for support will be judged after the second meeting of the International Planning Committee in March 2001.

E-MAIL/INTERNET POSSIBILITIES

E-mail and Internet services will be provided at the Conference. A couple of terminals will be available.

INSURANCE

Participants are strongly advised to make their own insurance arrangements. The organizers cannot accept any liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss or damage to property belonging to participants and accompanying persons, either during or as a result of the Conference.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

31 January 2001 Deadline for the submission of short abstracts
15 March 2001 Notification of acceptance of papers/posters
01 May 2001 Deadline for the submission of extended abstracts
01 May 2001 Final registration