SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Tours available will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We kindly ask you to make your reservation in advance. All tours will start and end at the Brussels EXPO Exhibition and Convention Centre or at a meeting point in the city centre of Brussels.

Panoramic Tour of Brussels

Monday, 8 December 2008: 14.00–18.00h
Price per person: € 55

This tour gives an impressive view of Brussels’ major sights such as the Palace of Justice, the Royal Palace at the Park, the EU district,Cinquantaire Park, Sablon Place with its Cathedral over to the North district of Brussels and on to the Royal Palace in Laken. Guests can marvel at the beautiful park of 1.500 hectare with a Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion. Not to forget the landmark of the Atomium, the last surviving monument of the 1958 World Exposition held in Brussels. Please register here.

For registered accompanying persons this tour is included and necessary to reserve prior to the congress.

Gourmet Walk

Tuesday, 9 December 2008: 14.00–18.00h
Price per person: € 50

The Belgians are famous for their preference for finer things, especially when it comes to food.Today you can still find this spirit in charming restaurants, attractive by its scenery and choice of dishes. We invite you to discover the Brussels way of live and love for good food during a walk in the historical and gastronomic heart of the city. You will be introduced to Belgian specialties such as speculoos,mussels, chocolates or beer and take you through famous places like the Grand’Place. Please register here.

Curves and Bubbles, Cartoon and Art Nouveau in Brussels

Wednesday, 10 December 2008: 09.00–13.00h
Price per person: € 45

Enjoy a dynamic experience walking tour which touches the artistic soul of the city. It starts at the Comic Strip Museum of Brussels and will include a magnificent art nouveau building by Victor Horta, the most famous Art Nouveau architect of Belgium as well as the giant wall paintings of the Belgian Comic strip figures like Tin Tin, Bob and Bobette, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke and many others. Also other art nouveau buildings will be pointed out during the walk. Please register here.

Tour to Bruges

Wednesday, 10 December 2008: 09.00–18.00h
Price per person: € 115 including 2 course menu

Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and was prompted UNESCO in 2000 to include the entire historical city centre on the World Heritage list. The city is a maze of winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals giving you the impression of being in Medieval Times. The wealth of museums is a striking image of this city’s stirring history. The tour starts with a guided walking tour of Bruges in the morning and include major sites such as the Church of the Lady, built in 13th – 15th century with a 122 m high tower and an art collection which can boast about the marble statue of Michelangelo; the Basilica of the Holy Blood will follow, which combines a chapel of gothic and roman style; Belfry and Halls, the city’s most remarkable monument (13th – 16th century) with a 80 m high tower; City Hall, one of the oldest gothic city halls in the low countries, built between 1376 and 1420.The tour will end with a visit of the Hans Memling (1430-1494, master of Flemish painting) Museum in the Old St Johns’ Hospital. After lunch (included) you will have free time to explore the city on your own. Please register here.