Practical information
Continuing Medical Education
Continuing Medical Education credits will be organized for professionals belonging to the following organizations: Nederlandse Vereniging van Revalidatieartsen (VRA) and the Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie (KNGF).
Delegate cancellation
Notification of cancellation should be made in writing to the Meeting organizers:
UMCG, Wenckebach Institute, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands (attn. Mr. H.F.E.M. Gubbels).
Language
The Meeting language will be English. There will be no simultaneous translation facilities.
Special Requirements
By registration, please advise the Meeting organizers of any special dietary or physical requirements or mail to: paog@umcg.nl.
Cancellation of the Meeting
The organizers reserve the right to cancel the Meeting in case of any unpredictable event.
Insurance
The Meeting cannot accept any liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to delegates, either during, or as a result of the Meeting. Please check the validity of your own personal insurance before travelling.
Internet
Free WIFI is available in the University Medical Center.
Continuing Medical Education credits will be organized for professionals belonging to the following organizations: Nederlandse Vereniging van Revalidatieartsen (VRA) and the Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie (KNGF).
Delegate cancellation
Notification of cancellation should be made in writing to the Meeting organizers:
UMCG, Wenckebach Institute, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands (attn. Mr. H.F.E.M. Gubbels).
Language
The Meeting language will be English. There will be no simultaneous translation facilities.
Special Requirements
By registration, please advise the Meeting organizers of any special dietary or physical requirements or mail to: paog@umcg.nl.
Cancellation of the Meeting
The organizers reserve the right to cancel the Meeting in case of any unpredictable event.
Insurance
The Meeting cannot accept any liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to delegates, either during, or as a result of the Meeting. Please check the validity of your own personal insurance before travelling.
Internet
Free WIFI is available in the University Medical Center.
General information
Currency and Banks
The currency is the EURO. Other currencies can be changed at the banks and hotels. Banking times are 08.00-17.00 every day except Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, shops and at the hotels.
Shopping
Most shops and department stores are open from 09.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday. Saturday from 09.00 to 17.00 hours. Sunday all shops are closed. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Power
Electricity Sockets take 2 pin round plugs. The electrical current in the Netherlands is 220 volts.
Time
The Netherlands is two-hours ahead on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), one-hour ahead Central European Time (CET) and seven-hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time.
Language
Dutch is the predominant language in the Netherlands but English is very popular and is spoken almost everywhere. The congress language is English.
Weather
The climate in The Netherlands is a sea-climate with temperatures in April between
12-18º C. It is helpful to note that there is always a chance of showers, due to variable weather patterns.
Transport
The best way to travel from Airport Schiphol Amsterdam to Groningen is by train.
The NS-train station is located at Schiphol Airport.
For all information see: www.ns.nl.
The currency is the EURO. Other currencies can be changed at the banks and hotels. Banking times are 08.00-17.00 every day except Saturday and Sunday. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, shops and at the hotels.
Shopping
Most shops and department stores are open from 09.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday. Saturday from 09.00 to 17.00 hours. Sunday all shops are closed. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Power
Electricity Sockets take 2 pin round plugs. The electrical current in the Netherlands is 220 volts.
Time
The Netherlands is two-hours ahead on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), one-hour ahead Central European Time (CET) and seven-hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time.
Language
Dutch is the predominant language in the Netherlands but English is very popular and is spoken almost everywhere. The congress language is English.
Weather
The climate in The Netherlands is a sea-climate with temperatures in April between
12-18º C. It is helpful to note that there is always a chance of showers, due to variable weather patterns.
Transport
The best way to travel from Airport Schiphol Amsterdam to Groningen is by train.
The NS-train station is located at Schiphol Airport.
For all information see: www.ns.nl.
Suggestions for social activities
Boat tour through the channels
A tour through the old channels of Groningen is one of the most popular excursions. You are given a unique opportunity to admire the many magnificent patrician houses and the towers of the town with their centuries of history.
City cruises take place on almost every day of the year except on those days when extreme weather conditions force cancellation. Duration is one hour. Price for adults is € 9,00 (in 2012). http://www.rondvaartbedrijfkool.nl/
A tour through the old channels of Groningen is one of the most popular excursions. You are given a unique opportunity to admire the many magnificent patrician houses and the towers of the town with their centuries of history.
City cruises take place on almost every day of the year except on those days when extreme weather conditions force cancellation. Duration is one hour. Price for adults is € 9,00 (in 2012). http://www.rondvaartbedrijfkool.nl/
Exhibitions
Groninger Museum
The showpiece of Groningen museums is undoubtedly the Groninger Museum; its striking pavilions designed by architects such as Alessandro Mendini and Philippe Starck are opposite to the central railway and bus station. This museum has a sensational brightly coloured interior and wonderful exhibitions, including a permanent collection. Hours of opening: Tuesday through Sunday and holidays from 10 AM – 5 PM, Friday evenings until 10 PM. http://www.groningermuseum.nl
Other museums in Groningen:
The Netherlands Stripmuseum (Comic Strip Museum)
www.stripmuseumgroningen.nl
Grafisch Museum (Graphic Museum)
www.grafischmuseum.nl
Noordelijk Scheepvaart- en Niemeyer Tabaksmuseum
(Nautical amd Tobacco Museum)
www.noordelijkscheepvaartmuseum.nl
Universiteitsmuseum (University Museum)
www.rug.nl/museum
Restaurants and Nightlife
Groningen is a university city which becomes evident in the evenings. The city centre is great fun and crowded each night of the week, providing an excellent and varied choice of restaurants, cafes, theatres, and cinemas. Time flies in Groningen as there are no fixed closing hours.
In particular the Ellebogenbuurt has a high density of attractive restaurants and cafes, where quiet pubs alternate with bustling student pubs. The south side of the Grote Markt houses an enormous complex of linked pubs and discotheques, and there is live music in the centre every evening. Well-known names include De Spieghel (jazz), Café Buckshot (funk), and Café Koster (blues rock).
More touristic information is available at the Touristic Information Office, which is located at the Grote Markt, nearby the Martini Church / Martini Tower.
http://toerisme.groningen.nl/english
The showpiece of Groningen museums is undoubtedly the Groninger Museum; its striking pavilions designed by architects such as Alessandro Mendini and Philippe Starck are opposite to the central railway and bus station. This museum has a sensational brightly coloured interior and wonderful exhibitions, including a permanent collection. Hours of opening: Tuesday through Sunday and holidays from 10 AM – 5 PM, Friday evenings until 10 PM. http://www.groningermuseum.nl
Other museums in Groningen:
The Netherlands Stripmuseum (Comic Strip Museum)
www.stripmuseumgroningen.nl
Grafisch Museum (Graphic Museum)
www.grafischmuseum.nl
Noordelijk Scheepvaart- en Niemeyer Tabaksmuseum
(Nautical amd Tobacco Museum)
www.noordelijkscheepvaartmuseum.nl
Universiteitsmuseum (University Museum)
www.rug.nl/museum
Restaurants and Nightlife
Groningen is a university city which becomes evident in the evenings. The city centre is great fun and crowded each night of the week, providing an excellent and varied choice of restaurants, cafes, theatres, and cinemas. Time flies in Groningen as there are no fixed closing hours.
In particular the Ellebogenbuurt has a high density of attractive restaurants and cafes, where quiet pubs alternate with bustling student pubs. The south side of the Grote Markt houses an enormous complex of linked pubs and discotheques, and there is live music in the centre every evening. Well-known names include De Spieghel (jazz), Café Buckshot (funk), and Café Koster (blues rock).
More touristic information is available at the Touristic Information Office, which is located at the Grote Markt, nearby the Martini Church / Martini Tower.
http://toerisme.groningen.nl/english