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Budapest, one of the most beautiful historical capitals in Europe, is situated on the banks of the Danube. The city actually consists of three cities: Óbuda, the oldest section, with Celtic and Roman ruins, Buda in hills on the western bank, famous for its historic Castle Hill and beautiful residential area, and bustling Pest with its shopping, government and commercial districts on the flat plain of the east bank. United in 1873, Budapest is renowned as the location of one of the most beautiful World Heritage sites.

Only Budapest can say of itself that it has Europe's largest Parliament, largest functioning synagogue and the continent's first underground railway. The architectural beauty with its monuments from neo-classic through baroque to eclectic art nouveau is prevalent in the city. Budapest is also world famous for its artistic abundance of concerts, operas, recitals, galas, exhibitions and spa baths.

The city has one of Europe`s largest bath complexes, in fact there is no other capital city in the world with almost 100 thermal springs and 12 medicinal baths within its boundaries, where 19 million gallons of thermal water rise to the surface each day. The atmosphere of Roman bathing culture may be felt in its light, spacious pool halls, while Greek bathing culture is reflected in the tub baths, but traces of Nordic traditions may also be found in the heat chambers, saunas and dipping pools.

The warm hospitality of people, excellent food and wine, reliable and frequent public transportation, vivid cultural life, rich museums attract millions of visitors every year. Visitor-friendly visa policy, value-for-the-price services and goods, and pleasant climate make Hungary one of the most popular meeting venues world-wide.

The most interesting places (The Castle District, The Royal Palace, The Inner City, The Parliament Building, The Gellért Hill, The Danube Bank of Buda, The Margaret Island, Hősök Tere - Hero's sqare, The City Park, Famous Avenues and Boulevards) , are presented with pictures and short descriptions, at:

The Conference will take place at the Danubius Hotel Gellért Budapest (1111 Budapest, Szent Gellért tér 1.) Gellért Hotel Budapest is one of the nicest example of the Art Nouveau style, elegant and spacious palace-hotels. It offers all the comfort and possibilities of a city hotel and a spa-hotel in one building.

The hotel is located in a picturesque environment at the foot of Gellért Hill, on the bank of the Danube, is ideally situated for both business and leisure travellers. This impressive location is within walking distance to Budapest's most fashionable shopping and business area with one of the most beautiful sights in Budapest, the Liberty Bridge.

Most participants will arrive at the Budapest Ferihegy Airport. The simplest manner of transportation to any place in Budapest is via minibuses. This door-to-door Airport Minibus Service (tel: (0)1 296 8555) is reasonably priced (approx. EUR 9-10) and is much more reliable than taxis. The Airport Minibus desk in the Arrivals hall sells tickets and takes reservations.

You may take Bus #96 from the Airport to Kőbánya-Kispest (terminal of Bus #96). From Kőbánya-Kispest METRO Line 3 (blue) takes you to the downtown of Budapest.

Tickets are available at METRO stations, news-stands or major bus/tram termini and must be validated inside
the vehicles or at the entrance to the METRO. Please keep your ticket with you by the end of the rout/exit (Metro).

Főtaxi	06-80-222-2222 (free green number) or 222-2222, 20-9222-222, 30-9222-222, 70-9222-222
City Taxi	211-1111, 20-9211-111, 30-9211-111, 70-2111-111
Rádiótaxi	377-7777, 20- 9777-777, 30-9777-777
Tele5 Taxi	355-5555, 20- 935-5555
6x6 Taxi	266-6666, 466-6666
Volántaxi	433-3322, 20- 933-33-22, 30-933-33-22
Taxi 2000	200-0000, 30-2000-000
Buda-Taxi	233-3333, 06 20- 9333-333
Est Taxi	244-4444

Visitors from European countries (except Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Moldova, Russia and Turkey) are not required visas. Participants from a few overseas countries will need a visa (please check beforehand).

The Organizers of the Conference do not provide insurance and do not take responsibility for any loss, accident or illness that might occur during the Conference or in the course of travel to or from the meeting site. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the participants to check their coverage with their insurance provider.

The unit of currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), denoted as “Ft” by the Hungarians. International credit cards (AmEx, EC/MC, Visa) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are available at the Airport and all over the city. (1 EUR is approx. 275 HUF)

Hungary is in the temperate zone, weather in June is usually nice with evenings being cooler. Daily temperature ranges from 18oC to 23oC and the relative humidity is below 50%.