AIRPORT
Lisbon has a modern airport that is close to the centre of the city (7 km north).
Lisbon International Airport - Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas
1800 Lisboa
Telephone: +351 21 841 35 00 / 841 37 00
Fax: +351 21 841 36 75

ACCESS TO HOTELS FROM THE AIRPORT
Participants may use either a bus or a taxi.
Buses from the airport to the city are every 20 minutes (07.00 - 21.00).
The usual taxi fare from the Airport to the City Centre is approx. 10/15 €.

BANKING
Bank services are available at the Airport, throughout the city and there are several close to the conference venue. Banks are open from 08.30 to 15.00 with no lunchtime closing. The city is well supplied with cash dispensers, which take most major credit cards.

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING
Lisbon has a moderate Atlantic climate. There are no great variations in temperature. The weather in May is usually pleasant (average 20 to 22º C). Light clothing is suitable with somewhat warmer clothing for the evening. Showers are not unknown in May.

COLLECTION OF CONGRESS MATERIALS
Congress materials are available at the Pre-Registration Desk in the Registration Hall of the Lisbon Congress Centre from 9.00 o’clock May 15 2004. Before this date and time, all desks will be closed and materials will not be given out. There will be no exception. Please bear in mind that in order to give you your materials, we must see a personal identification picture document (Passport, ID card or Driving Licence). Unfortunately, we cannot accept any other person collecting your materials on your behalf, even if they have written permission. Please also note that we do not accept name changes.

CREDIT CARDS
International credit cards are accepted in cash dispensers, hotels, restaurants and most shops, as well as car rental agencies. The most common credit cards are VISA, EuroCard, MasterCard and American Express.

CURRENCY
Portugal's currency is the Euro.
Conversion rates: 1€ = USD 1,19 (at 27/11/2003)

ELECTRICITY
In Portugal, electricity is supplied at 220V/50Hz AC and power sockets are of the 2 pin round type.

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Ambulance, Emergency, Fire Dept. and Police: 112

FACILITIES AT THE CONGRESS CENTRE
Currency exchange facilities, cash dispenser, post office, left luggage, bars, restaurants and parking will be available at Lisbon Congress Centre. Business centre for photocopies, faxes and message centre.

HOTELS
Hotels can be booked through the local agency:
Mundiconvenius
Rua do Embaixador, 13 - 2º
1300-215 Lisboa
Telephone: +351 21 364 94 98
Fax: +351 21 364 95 23
Ms. Luisa Teixeira E-mail: luisa_teixeira@mundiconvenius.pt
Ms. Saudade Leitao E-mail: saudade_leitao@mundiconvenius.pt
Ms. Monica Freire E-mail: monica_freire@mundiconvenius.pt
You will find the complete list of Hotels, the Lisbon city map and the Hotel & Tours Reservation form on this website.

INSURANCE / LIABILITY
Participation in this Conference implies that persons/participants agree that the organizers do not assume any liability whatsoever. Upon registration, the participant accepts this proviso.

ITALIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH
The appointed agency in charge of collecting the requests to participate in the 41st ERA-EDTA Congress in Lisbon, to be presented to the Italian Ministry of Health, is Adria Congrex, Via Alessandro Tiarini 22, 40129 Bologna, Italy, phone: +39-051-7457070, fax: +39-051-7457071, E-mail: p.zavalloni@adriacongrex.it, Website: http://www.adriacongrex.it
Deadline for sending the requests: March 05, 2004.

LANGUAGE OF THE CONGRESS
The official language of the Congress is English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

MEALS

Pastéis de Belém

The food in Portugal is very good and deserves its worldwide reputation. Prices could vary between 25€ (modest, traditional restaurant) to 100€ (luxury restaurant).

PARKING FACILITIES IN LISBON
Pay and Park parking meters are in operation in most parts of the city. Parking zones are indicated by special P - signs. In these zones payment for parking is obligatory. There are many underground car-parks also.

POST OFFICE
Services are available at the Hotels or at post offices. The working hours are 09.00 - 18.00.

SHOPPING

Shopping in Lisbon

Opening times for shops is 09.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday. Most of the shops are open on Saturday mornings. Several shopping centres are open from 10.00 to midnight, seven days a week.

TIME DIFFERENCES
Portugal has Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

TIPPING
This is customary in restaurants and taxis. Tipping up to 10% of the bill is acceptable.

TOURS FOR ACCOMPANYING PERSONS
The organisers welcome the registered accompanying persons to a city tour (included in the registration fee), details of which will be announced at a later stage.

TRANSPORT
In addition to the public transport, congress delegates can take advantage of special buses arranged by the organisers.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS TO PORTUGAL
Nationals of the European Community only require a valid identity card or passport. For most countries outside Europe, a valid passport is enough.
Some countries, however, still require a Visa. Please check with your travel agency or with the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Granting visas may take up to 8 weeks or more. For a formal invitation, contact the Congress President well in advance, in any case no later than March 15, 2004. The purpose of this letter is solely to obtain a Visa to Portugal, no financial support is involved. Formal invitations will not be sent by courier. ERA-EDTA will not be held responsible for visas not granted.

VENUE

Lisbon Congress Centre

The XLI ERA-EDTA Congress will be held at:
Lisbon Congress Centre
Praça das Indústrias, 1300-307 Lisbon - Portugal
Telephone: +351 21 365 20 00
Fax: +351 21 363 94 50
http://ccl.aip.pt/SAPPortal/