When & where

The “16^th International Workshop on Vascular Malformations” will be held on June 14^th – 17^th 2006 in Milan, in northern Italy, in the Conference Hall of Palazzo Mezzanotte, Piazza degli Affari 6. 

 Click here to access information on how to reach Palazzo Mezzanotte

   

Registration

You can make an on-line registration filling in the REGISTRATION FORM (CLICK HERE).  Registrations are accepted on receipt of the registration fee and the completed application form. The registration process is divided in two parts; first you will be requested to fill in your personal info and on a separate form the registration and payment.

 

Registration fees for the “16^th International Workshop on Vascular Anomalies" are as follows:

 

  

All fees must be paid in Euros either by bank draft or directly from the registration form using a credit card.    Please make the bank draft payable to: 

UniCredit Banca Spa

corso Cavour, Brescia, Italy

account n. 000005436589

in the name of StudioProgress

INTERNATIONAL BANKING CODE  IT  58  W 02008 11221

swift code UNCRITB1P91

 

Cancellation Policy

Registration cancellations should be notified in writing to the Conference Organisers. Cancellations for registrations and/or accommodation received before May 1st 2006 will receive a refund, less 10% administration fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after that date.

Substitute delegates are welcome without penalty, but please advise the Conference Organizers of any name changes.

 

Accommodation

A range of accommodation has been reserved for this conference.   Rooms will be allotted on a “first come first served” policy.

The deadline for Hotel reservations is MARCH 15th. After that date all options will be automatically cancelled by Hotels.

 

Accommodation reservations are not confirmed until credit card details are provided to be passed on to the hotel as guarantee.   Please send the ACCOMODATION FORM (clik here)  with complete credit card details only by fax to the number +39.030.40164.    You pay the balance of your account directly to the hotel.

Deposits paid on hotel reservations that have been cancelled by written notice to the Conference Organizers and received on or before April 1st 2006, will be refunded less 10% administration fee.  Refunds for any cancellation received after April 1st will be at the discretion of the hotel.

 

Accompanying person Social Program 

The program includes the opening ceremony with lyric performance and welcome cocktail (Wednesday afternoon at 18 hours), the gala dinner at the Como Lake on Friday evening (coaches leave at 18,30 hours) and the following activities:

 

Thursday 15th

 

Full day excursion to the Como Lake (cost included in Accompanying Person Fee) “Everything noble, everything evoking love” – that was how Stendhal characterized fork-tongued Lake Como. With his beautiful villas with flower-studded gardens built by rich Milanese during 17^th and 18^th century and his scenic villages on the shore, Como Lake is one of the most scenic spots in north Italy. Como is also well known as the world capital of silk as silk makers join fashion designers of Milan. The full-day tour includes transport to Como, visit of a silk factory and silk outlet shop, ship tour to Bellagio, a charming village on a peninsula, lunch, and visit of villa Carlotta and his gardens with exotic flowers on the shore of the lake. Return to hotels is scheduled at evening.

 

Friday 16^th

 

Morning program (cost included in Accompanying Person Fee):  visit of the city. Despite its modern architecture and industry, Milan is a city of great art. The tour includes the gothic Duomo, among the largest in the world, Santa Maria delle Grazie, a Dominican church of the XV century with the incomparable Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci and the XIV century large Sforza’s castle.

Afternoon program: a tour in the fashion area, with shopping chance. Who wants to save money and prefer art, may visit  the Poldi Pezzoli museum, a truly fabulous collection of antique furnishing, tapestries, frescoes and Lombard wood carving. A remarkable collection of paintings of old masters, like Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini and Filippo Lippi are also visible.

The tour will end in time to prepare for gala dinner. Coaches will leave at 6,30 P.M.

 

Saturday 17^th

 

Morning program: a shopping tour in “outlet” fashion shops: Italian fashion at reasonable prices (main shops in famous fashion area are by far much more expensive). For art lovers three options:

1)      a tour among some beautiful churches of Milan: Sant’ Ambrogio (XII century), Sant’ Eustorgio (XIII century), and San Lorenzo with columns of the roman times

2)      The Civic Modern Art Gallery, sited in a villa from the XVIII century, for a short time the residence of Napoleon. Fine collection of Milanese neoclassic works, Italian Romanticism and artists like Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Modigliani, Gaugin and others

3)      The National Science ant Technique Museum, a large collection with a section dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci  (models and projects), development of rail industry (20 real locomotives), a pharmacy from a convent, antique carriages, astronomy and much more

 

Afternoon program: Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s finest art galleries. Many notable artworks from Gentile Bellini, Andrea Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini (impressive is “La Pietà”), Carpaccio, Rafaello (“wedding of the Madonna”)  and others. One wing is dedicated to modern art with works of Boccioni, Carrà and Morandi.

 

At evening the famous Scala Teatre offers a performance (Mozart Ballet). Tickets are available directly trough the Internet at the site www.teatroallascala.org . Enter the site, click on “Box Office” – “buy tickets on line” – “buy on line” – go to the event of the 17/6/2006 (Mozart Ballet) – click on the green button and choose your tickets. You can pay by credit card (the site is sure!). Hotels are on walking distance from the Theatre (about 15 minutes).

 

 

Other Optional Activities

Who has time before the opening ceremony (on Wednesday 14^th) and wanted to see the “Last Supper” of  Leonardo da Vinci should make a reservation, as entrance is limited. Contact Studioprogress about.

 

Thursday evening is free. Some options for dinner (by charge) are available:

-         dinner in the heart of the old Milano the “Navigli” area, in a typical restaurant with live Milanese music (reservation in advance required)

-         dinner in a restaurant in the Brera artist area. See street artists, souvenir merchants and hand readers.

 

Our secretary during the workshop is available for other information about self-organized activities or requests. Our travel agency will be present at some hours during the workshop for post congress tours.

 

Post Congress Tours

A few post congress options have been planned for whoever wants to take advantage of being in Italy for the Symposium and wants to stay on a few days.     Please click here for details of the tours.

Reservations should be sent to the Conference Organizers, StudioProgress, not later than March 15^th 2006.     Full payment is required at that time.    Space on tours will not be reserved without payment.    Places will be allocated strictly in order of  receipt of payment.   A minimum number of people is required to operate each tour.    Bookings will be acknowledged and participants notified of final details.    If minimum numbers are not achieved, alternative arrangements or a complete refund of the published tour price will be made.   Cancellations received before May 1^st 2006 will receive a refund, less 10% administration fee.   No refunds will be made for cancellations received after that date.

Practical Information 

Banks: opening hours are 8,30 – 13,30 and 14,30 – 16 . From Monday to friday. Opening hours may vary between banks. Money exchange is always possible. The great majority of banks have a authomatic money dispenser active 24 hours. Main international credit cards are accepted.

Credit Cards: main credit cards are accepted in the majority of hotels, shops ad restaurants.

Currency: Itay’s currency is the Euro, the European Money in use is the majority of the European States. 1 Euro = 1,20 Us $ . US $ and some other european currencies (like Swiss Franc) may be accepted in the hotels, but they will exchange at an unfavorable rate. Restaurants and other shops generally never accept foreign currency. The best is to exchange your money at the airport or in the banks in the city. Some currencies exchange offices ar also available in the city.

Drugstores: drugstores have a green cross as sign. A open drugstore is available 24 hours in every area. At every drugstore a list of those open is available. Drugs are not sold in common shops.

Electricity: The electricity is 220 volts AC. Electric plug is a south european three branches round plug. Some hotels have adapters for electric shaver to US flat plug and 110 volts, but it’s not always available. If you need electricity bring your own adapter (often available

 at your airport)

Emergencies: (fee calls) police quick intervention: 112,   emergency: 113,  sanitary emergency: 118

Holidays: saturday is a working day for many activities.

Language: the official language of Italy is italian, a Romance tongue derived from Latin. English is mainly spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Numerous dialects are still spoken in the country. Milan has a particular “milanese dialect” that is still spoken, but jounger people prefer to speak Italian. In the “navigli area” of Milan, a ancient popular district build along the Navigli rivers, the dialect is often spoken and songs in dialect can be heard in restaurants and bars.

Liquor laws: Wine with meals has been considered a normal part of family life for hundred of years in Italy. Alcoholic beverages are sold day and night without restrictions.

Lost Property: a report to the nearest police station is required. In your hotel or by any policeman you will get information where the nearest police station are.

Newspapers/Magazines: international press is available in some newspaper kiosks around Duomo Square and in Piazza Scala

Taxes: to non european community citiziens is allowed to shop “tax free”. Ask for a special receipt at the shop when you purchase goods that you should fill out and you will get back the ammonut of the taxes you paid  at the airport when you exit Italy.

Telephone: international calls can be dialed directly from any telephone. Hotel phones often has high rates. Cell phone are largely diffused in Italy (it is the European country with the highest relation of cell phones/person). Cell phone can be rented or you can also purchase a rechargeable card with a personal number, to insert in your phone to call less expensive in Italy.

Time:

Tipping: this coustom is practiced in Italy, although not generally required. Hotels and restaurant may add about 15% service to your bill. For a good service a additional tip (5-10%) can be given.

Weather: weather in june is warm an can be very hot, although showers are possible that refresh the air.

Important Dates

 

Early bird registration                                    February 28^th 2006

Abstract submission  deadline                      January 1^st 2006

Title acceptance                                            February 15^th 2006

Hotel Reservation                                         until March 15^th 2006

Congress Dates                                             June 14^th – 17^th 2006