Vienna, Saturday 29 August - Tuesday 1 September 2009

ESPEN Congress Florence

 

General Information

About Vienna

The capital of Austria, a city with about 2 million inhabitants, is situated at the heart of Europe, and is lying on the banks of the majestic Danube River. The City's ever-changing history has left an indelible mark, manifested in a rich cultural heritage. Vienna's ultimate fascination stems from combining imperial grandeur with cosmopolitan spirit, a composition which emerged after the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Viennese writers, musicians, artists, and scientists have influenced many
aspects of our modern world. Today, it offers old historical palaces and modern shopping centres, traditional hotels, Austrian food and haute cuisine, typical Viennese coffee houses and restaurants, outstanding opera performances, classical concerts and open-air festivals, antique shops and elegant boutiques – all joined in incomparable Viennese harmony.

Click here for further information on tours and excursions

Climate and Clothing

Vienna has a temperate continental climate, with warm, sunny summers and cold winters. The average temperature range in January is between –4°C to 1°C (23 °F and 34°F), while in August/September temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C (60°F and 76°F).

Communication

For international calls to Austria, dial the international code +43 and the correspondent's number (with the 0).
Credit cards / Cash machines Credit cards are widely accepted in Vienna by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations.
The accepted credit cards are indicated by their logos displayed on the exterior facade of the respective business (usually on the entrance door). Cash machines are easily available in most areas, and also inside the Congress Centre. Be prepared to present a picture ID when using a credit card.

Currency

The local currency is the Euro (EUR / E). 1E = 100 cents. Banks and post offices are the most reliable places to change travellers' cheques and generally offer the best rates. Credit cards are widely accepted in Austria and the exchange rate is usually better than for cash or travellers cheques. It is advisable to find out what the commission is before proceeding with the transaction.

Customs

Please mind the following regulations when importing tobacco products from neighbouring countries.
When coming to Austria by car or ship, the ceiling of 25 cigarettes continues to apply. Limited quantities also apply when importing tobacco products from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, or when you arrive by plane from one of the adjoining new states.

Electricity

Austria, like most other European countries, has 220-volt AC, 50Hz current and uses two-pin continental plugs. Visitors from the UK will need an adaptor for electric appliances, whereas North Americans need a transformer in order to use their 110/125V appliances.

Emergency numbers

Call free (only from within Austria):
Fire 122
Police 133
Ambulance 144
Doctor 141
European SOS 112

Language

German is the official language in Austria. French and English are common in hotels and tourist places.

Opening Hours

Most shops are open from 09:00 to 18:00 and till 17:00 on Saturdays in the main cities. In Vienna, many of the shops are open on Sundays.

Public transportation

The public transport system in Vienna is one of the most modern and efficient in the world with 5 underground lines, 32 tram routes, 90 bus routes (including 20 night services). At peak times the underground runs every three minutes on average, trams and buses every three to five minutes.

Safety

Vienna is a safe city to walk around. Assaults are rare. However, common sense must also be used. At night, try to stick to busy areas. As in any city, keep a close eye on your valuables at all times.

Taxis

The concierge of your hotel can call a taxi for you, or you may want to call the following taxi companies:
Tel. 60160, Tel. 40100, Tel. 31300, Tel. 81400.

Time

Austria follows Central European Time (CET) which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). At the time of the conference, summer daylight saving will be in operation which is two hours ahead of GMT.

Tipping

Service is normally included in restaurant, hotel and taxi bills, so any further tip should only be given for good service. It is common, however, to round up the bill.

Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is recommended. Neither the Organising Secretariat nor ESPEN will be held liable for illness, accidents or thefts suffered by Participants or Accompanying Persons during the Congress or their stay in Austria before, during or after the Congress. Participants are strongly recommended to seek insurance coverage for health and accident, lost luggage and trip cancellation.

VAT

The standard V.A.T. rate in Austria is 20%. There is a reduced V.A.T. rate of 10%. The reduced VAT rate applies to tourism services, food and agriculture. Everybody who visits Austria as a tourist and who is not a resident of an EU country is eligible for the VAT reimbursement. Note that value added tax in Austria is almost always included in the price that is indicated in shops. A minimum value of EUR 75 must be purchased to be eligible for V.A.T. refund. More information at www.globalrefund.com

Visas

If you are an EU citizen, you must either present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of your stay in order to enter Austria for tourist visits of up to three months. Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest Austrian diplomatic authority for further information. Should you need a letter of invitation to obtain an Entry Visa, please contact MCI (see page Contacts section). Please note that MCI cannot enter into correspondence with the Austrian authorities on your behalf and any invitation letter does not imply any financial liability on MCI’s part.