ERSA - European Regional Science Association

List of Accompanying Persons' Tours

Richard KELLY — 2013-05-16T16:31:37Z

1/ Walking tour of Palermo downtown

Date: Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Time: 9,00-12,00
Duration: 3 hours
Price: €25
Price includes: English speaking guide, headset, bottled water

The tour starts from the Pretorian square and the “Quattro canti” of Palermo (“Four corners”). This area is the ancient heart of Palermo and it was the scene of several important historical events. Here, you will admire the recently refurbished Pretorian fountain, called by locals the fountain of “shame” because of the nudity of its statues. Facing the square there are also two jewels of Arabian and Medieval architecture: the churches of San Cataldo and Martorana. Beside the Pretorian square, the view of the Quattro canti is amazing.

The sculptures on the facades of the four buildings illustrate the Four Seasons, the most important Spanish kings and the patron saints of city's old quarters.

After a ten-minute walk through via Maqueda, the guests will arrive at Ballarò, one of the biggest street markets of Palermo. You will explore the enormous variety of sights and sounds there, really like an Arabian “souk”. The vendors bark every day, strictly in Sicilian dialect, about their food for anybody who will listen. Chicory, herbs, artichokes, tarocchi (blood oranges), cuttlefishes, swordfishs, prawns, gutted goats, lambs, breads and cheeses are nearly always present.

Crossing the narrow streets of the historical center the tour will end at the Cathedral, a great and impressive mixture of Norman-Arabian and Baroque style.

Recommended: some sun protection and a hat are advisable.

2/ Walking tour of the Royal Palace and Palatine chapel

Date: Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Time: 15,00-18,00 (tbc)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: €30
Price includes: English speaking guide, headset, admissions, bottled water

When visiting Palermo, it is a must to visit the Palazzo dei Normanni and Palatin Chapel. The mosaics of the chapel are breathtaking and worth to visit! A wonderful Orthodox iconography and a painted Arabic ceiling characterize the internal of the chapel. The golden mosaics are stunning for their perfection of colours and shapes and represent trees, beasts, secular and religious scenes.

The Royal palace today is the seat of Sicilian Government. In the Medieval age, the Sicilian Parliament was established in this magnificent palace (1130 BC.). According to most historians it can be considered the old Parliament of Europe. After the visit, on the way back, you can visit the Cathedral or have time for shopping in Vittorio Emanuele street, which is full of handicrafts and typical local food shops.

Recommended: some sun protection and a hat are advisable.

3/ The breath taking Monreale Cathedral and the lush Botanical gardens of Palermo

Date: Thursday, 29 August 2013
Time: 9,00-17,00
Duration: 8 hours
Price: €108
Price includes: English speaking guide, transportation, admissions, lunch, bottled water

The town of Monreale, from the Latin "Mons Regalis" (literally 'Royal Mountain'), is located about three hundred metres above sea level, overlooking the "Conca d'Oro," (golden shell) the valley beyond Palermo.

The Duomo (cathedral) and its cloister are set in the historical centre and represent the largest concentration of Norman, Arab and Byzantine art in the same place. Marvellous mosaics cover the cathedral walls. The Benedectine cloister consists of 228 columns (paired, with four on each corner), some inlayed with Byzantine-style mosaic work, each supporting an ornately carved capital. The idea of building Monreale Abbey was the idea of King William II "the Good," grandson of Roger II. He reigned until the 1180 and the first aim of his government was always the peace and dialogue between East and West civilizations, both present in Sicily during that age.

After a delightful lunch in local agriturismo surrounded by the stunning sicilian countryside, the tour will proceed on returning to Palermo.

There will be time to visit the beautiful botanical gardens. Thanks to the variety of specimens and the monumental nature of the plants, the Botanical Garden looks like an actual living museum. The garden and the buildings date back to 1789, they were created from a project by the French architect Dufourny. This experimental center, established in 1795 by the University, was the historical nucleus for several international academic Botanical studies. During the hottest hours of the day, the garden is one of the best place of Palermo to relax and perk up.

Recommended: some sun protection and a hat are advisable.

4/ A Taste of Palermo, culinary walking tour

Date: Friday, 30 August 2013
Time: 9,00-12,00
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 55€
Price includes: English speaking guide, tasting, tasting of local products, bottled water

The real star of this tour is the food, or even better, the Sicilian food! The relation between the food and the locals is something peculiar. There is always a reason for Sicilians to find time for tasting or eating, because those moments are considered socially important and of course because the Sicilian recipes and ingredients are delightful! We do not reveal all the details of the itinerary. The guests will be accompanied by our guide and they will follow their senses…Through the most important street markets of Palermo, the itinerary will show the most colourful part of Palermo and it will wonder them with some stops for food and local wine tasting. Buon appetito!

Recommended: bring sun protection cream and a hat

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FROM THE EIB INSTITUTE

Richard KELLY — 2013-05-10T11:41:10Z

The Social Innovation Tournament established by the EIB Institute in 2012 is the flagship initiative of its Social Programme.

The Tournament seeks to promote the generation of innovative ideas and identify/reward opportunities promising substantial societal benefits or demonstrating best practices with tangible, scalable outcomes.

It targets the creation of social value in relation to the fight against social exclusion. It thus covers projects in a wide range of fields, from education and health care to natural or urban environment, through new technologies, new systems, and new processes.

Improvements in these fields are critical to business success, and social innovation could have a substantial social impact. With the introduction of a Special Category Prize in 2013, additional emphasis will be given to urban and natural environment.

For details on the 2013 edition please click here! The Tournament applications must be submitted no later than 15 May 2013 (date of postmark and email).

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK - Institute 100 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer L-2950 Luxembourg Tel: +352 4379 75000 http://www.institute.eib.org/

ERSA Congress 2013

Richard KELLY — 2013-05-10T09:49:42Z

Registration is now open!

For extensive details on registration, please click here.

To benefit from advantageous Members' rates, please make sure your RSAI membership is valid: RSAI Member Search Engine

To become a member, please contact one of the ERSA sections' representatives if you come from Europe, otherwise check on RSAI website

How to register?

Axelle Depireux — 2013-05-07T10:34:10Z

Two ways to register

You have an access key
Please note: A personal hyperlink to register has been sent by email to all Congress Area users.
Otherwise: Go to the Congress Participant Area and enter your personal access key. Then, Click on the "Register" button on the upper toolbar to have access to the Registration Form.
Please also note: a successful registration implies the email receipt of a registration confirmation and that the "Register" button does not appear anymore on your platform when you log in again.

You don't have an access key
Please click here. Once registered, you will receive an email of confirmation.

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Richard KELLY — 2013-05-07T10:33:43Z

ERSA Annual Congress is open to all RSAI Members, as well as non-members.

To benefit from advantageous Members' rates, please make sure that your membership subscription has been settled by the time you register. You can double check your membership with the RSAI Members search engine.

Should you not be a member yet
We kindly invite you to learn more on RSAI benefits and how to join us. Should you come from Europe, please contact one of ERSA sections' representatives to process your Membership.
RSAI Membership has a value

Registration & payment

To be included in the Congress programme (for presenting authors), registration & payment must be made by June 21, 2013 at the latest. For (On-site) registrations, as of August 27, a supplement charge of 25€ will be added to the current registration fee.

Registration is only assured upon receipt of registration fees.

The Congress registration fees are applicable to all participants, except invited Keynote Speakers, LOC and ERSA Special Guests, and accredited Press Representatives.

Included in the Congress Participant registration fee:

Access to all Congress sessions
Access to the networking area (including coffee break area in the Exhibition and Poster zones)
Access to the Smart Room (with computers and internet connection)
WIFI connection during the Congress period
Congress materials (incl. Congress book and list of participants) upon confirmation of your registration
Lunches and coffee breaks as indicated in the programme
Welcome Reception, Get-Together Party and Gala Dinner (limited number applied)
USB key - gathering all Congress presentations permitted by the presenting authors

Payments are to be made in EURO. It can be made by credit card or by bank transfer. We recommend payment by credit card.

For payments by bank transfer:

If you want to pay your fees before receiving the debit note, please find below all the necessary details to make you payment:

Account holder: ERSA AISBL

ERSA Address: ERSA, CORE/UCL Voie du Roman Pays 34, B-1348 Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium)

Enterprise Number: 0479 442 591

Bank details: BNP Paribas Fortis, Place de l'Université 6, 1348 Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium)

IBAN: BE 16 0015 4158 9674

BIC: (Bank Identify Code): GEBABEBB

As a reference for your payment, please indicate in the communication: ERSA 2013 + ID number

If the payment is made by bank transfer just before the Congress, please send a proof of payment to info@ersa.org.
If "no proof" has been sent by email before hand, a proof via a letter of guarantee will be required on the spot.
Registered participants whose payment is not complete will not be allowed to attend the event.

In order to benefit from the Early Registration fee, the registration and the payment have to be made by May 31, 2013.

If the payment or proof of payment is not received by ERSA one week after the deadline, a new invoice with the standard fee will be issued and sent to the participant.

Please note: Bank charges have to be supported by the participant.

• Invoice / Receipt

As soon as your registration is received, you will be issued with an invoice (debit note).

A confirmation of your payment (receipt) will also be sent out after receipt of the invoiced registration fees.

Please note: If your organisation requires its VAT number on the invoice, please make sure you have filled in the "VAT field" while registering online.

Please note that ERSA is not subject to VAT.

• Payment Liability

Liability for payment of Congress fees arise at the time of registration. Where payment is not received prior to the start of the event, the registration will be cancelled notwithstanding the fact that the liability of full payment still exists.

• Accompanying persons must be registered via the Congress participant registration form. For organisational reasons, only one accompanying person per participant is allowed.

Accompanying persons cannot be fellow employees. A registration fee is also due for accompanying persons.

If a separate invoice for the accompanying person is requested please send a message to info@ersa.org.

Included in the Accompanying Person's registration fee:

Access to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Congress
Access to the networking area (including the Exhibition)
Lunches and coffee breaks as indicated in the programme
Welcome reception and Gala dinner

Substitution and cancellation

• Substitution

If you cannot attend the Congress we are happy to accept a substitute colleague at any time, provided notice is given in writing to info@ersa.org

• Cancellation

If you have to cancel entirely we can offer you a refund of 50% (less applicable bank charges) provided that your cancellation is received in writing until June 30, 2013.

After June 30, 2013, 20% of the paid registration fees will be refunded.

We regret to inform you that "no refunds" can be made after the deadline of the 23 July, 2013 (GMT + 1).

Please note: All refunds will be made two weeks after the Congress at the latest.

Miscellaneous information

• VISA

Participants who wish to receive an Invitation Letter for their VISA applications are required to first pay their participation fee.

Should the registered participant not be granted his/her VISA, the participation fee will be reimbursed (not including bank costs) providing a written proof from your embassy or consulate.

ERSA will grant visa invitation letter up to four (4) weeks prior to the Congress date. Within four (4) weeks from the Congress date visa invitation letter cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that all costs relative to the sending (if by courier) of those documents are to be supported by the participant.

• Congress language

All Congress sessions will be held in English.

All parts of the programme stated in the Registration form are subject to compulsory registration.
ERSA and the Local Organising Committee of Palermo, reserve the right to make amendments to the programme or any related activity at its discretion.

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Axelle Depireux — 2013-05-07T10:33:10Z

STANDARD FEES

Applicable for RSAI members & Non members

RSAI fee is applicable if you are a member of RSAI (and) one of its Super Regional Organisations (ERSA, PRSCO, NARSC).

REDUCED FEES

For the 3 below categories, 2 fees are applicable ( whether you are a member of RSAI or NON member):

1) The participant must not yet have reached the age of 33 years on 1 September 2013.
2) The Summer School 2013 participants
3) Participants from lower income countries: Africa and Latin America countries, Albania, Asia countries (excluding Japan, Korea and Israel),Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine.

ON-SITE FEES Please note: for on-site registrations as of the 27th August 2013, a supplement charge of 25€ will be added to the current registration fee.

ACCOMPANYING PERSON FEE

The Accompanying person(s) fee is intended for persons who want to accompany a participant to the congress, but who will NOT be participating in the scientific programme (sessions, round tables, etc...). They are welcome to attend the Opening Session as well as the Closing Session. They are also welcome all social events organised during the Congress.

PROsumer.NET Final Event

Richard KELLY — 2013-05-07T08:56:13Z

Major European Consumer Goods Innovation Showcase

We have the pleasure to inform you that the PROsumer.NET project, supporting the European Consumer Goods Research Initiative, will showcase its final results at a large-scale public conference on 27-28 May in Brussels.

The conference aims at informing high-level policy makers and wider public about the PROsumer.NET results; presenting and discussing future public support policies and programmes for the consumer goods industries; announcing project follow-up actions to further build the European Consumer Goods Research Initiative; showcasing real life examples of disruptive business innovations from the different consumer goods sectors

The Conference agenda and registration form are available on Prosumer.NET website: http://prosumernet.eu/

Please note: Online Booking will be available soon.

Axelle Depireux — 2013-05-06T10:05:01Z

Terms and conditions

Optional tours and Post-Congress Tours will be arranged exclusively for the Delegates and Accompanying persons at the ERSA 2013 Congress.
A minimum number of 25 participants per tour is requested
The booking deadline is July 30, 2013
Please inform the Congress Organizers of any amendments or cancellations in writing by e-mail.
For Cancellations made until July 30, 2013: full refund less a handling fee of 15 EUR
For Cancellations from August 1, 2013: no refund
The appropriate refunds will be made after the Congress
All tours will leave from and return to the Conference Venue.
Sicily Events reserves the right to cancel the tour for which a minimum number of participants have not registered. In this case another tour will be offered or a refund will be paid after the Congress.

In collaboration with

Please note:Online booking will be available soon

Axelle Depireux — 2013-05-06T09:57:33Z

List of Post-Congress Tours

1/ Ancient Archeological sites of Selinunte and Segesta and blue waters of Scopello

Date: Saturday August 31, 2013
Time: 08.30-17.30
Duration: 9 hours
Price: 108 €
Price includes: English speaking guide, transportation, admissions, lunch, bottled water

Selinunte is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean area. After 1,5 hour drive from Palermo, we will reach the southwest coast of Sicily, where Selinunte has lain for over 2,000 years. This ancient town had dominated this part of Sicily until the Carthaginians attacked it and destroyed the village. The acropolis of Selinunte overlooks a large bay surrounded by sandy beaches and pine forests. After the visit, the guests will go to the Segesta valley, where a typical Sicilian lunch will be served in a local Agriturismo. It is a unique opportunity to taste the incredible diversity of savors and aromas that Sicily can offer. Homemade sausage, pasta, caponata and fresh ricotta cheese are among the specialties. The tour will continue with the visit of the archaeological site of Segesta. One of the most perfectly preserved Greek temples to survive from antiquity stands there in majestic solitude, on a hill surrounded by a deep valley. The guests will also admire the impressive amphitheatre, built under Roman domination. After a 40 minute drive, we will arrive at Scopello, famous for the “faraglioni”, the high rocks immersed in the water dominating its beautiful bay like two Cyclopes. A visit here includes time at the beach and the possibility to dive into the chrystal clear waters. Facing the gulf, you can still admire the remains of the Tonnara di Scopello, a tuna farm (tonnara), built more than two centuries ago

Recommended: bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection cream and a hat

2/ The medieval town of Erice, the spectacular sight of the salt pans and Mozia island

Date:Saturday, 31 August 2013
Time: 08.30-16.30
Duration: 8 hours
Price: €108
Price includes: English speaking guide, transportation, boat tour, lunch, bottled water

Located 751m above sea level, Erice is one of the oldest Sicilan towns; a memorable site overlooking a green valley.

The ancient town was built by the Elimi and the Phoenicians and was enclosed within strong defensible bastions and walls. Today the town looks like an authentic labyrinth of little cobbled streets and passages wide enough to accommodate one person at a time. Mount Eryx also served as a reference point for sailors, who, in time, adopted Venus as their protector.

The streets are free of cars. There are many bars, restaurants and small boutique shops. Plus the view from the medieval hilltop is magnificent!

After the guided walking, there will be a transfer to the coast for lunch at a sea promenade restaurant. We will visit the amazing “Saline” (salt-pans) and windmills of Trapani and Marsala. Today, this area is a natural reserve and the guests can reach the small island Mozia by a short boat tour and enjoy the view of the Egadie islands.

Mozia is located right in front of the coastline. It is rich with the colors and perfumes of Mediterranean vegetation and is home to the ruins of ancient fortresses, towers and necropolises.

Recommended: bring a towel, a swimsuit, some sun protection and a hat.

3/ The Valley of the Temples, Agrigento and Mediterranean beach

Date:Saturday 31 August 2013
Time: 08.30-17.00
Duration: 8,5 hours
Price: €108
Price includes: English speaking guide, transportation, admission, lunch, bottled water

The famous UNESCO world heritage site known as the Valley of the Temples is one of Sicily's main attractions. Located on a plateau overlooking Sicily's southern coast, it is a 2-hour drive from Palermo. Agrigento was founded around 582 BC. The complex of temples and old city walls remaining from the ancient city of Akragas has been listed as a Unesco world heritage site since 1998. The great temples of Hera, Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles, Olympian Zeus, Castor, Pollux and Hephaistos can be found along a long rocky escarpment, as well as necropoli, houses, streets and everything else one would expect to find in an ancient city. A number of telamons (large segmented stone columns in the form of human figures) have been preserved from the Temple of Concord.

After the visit, lunch will be served in a panoramic restaurant located in the same valley.

On the way back, a large sandy beach not far from Agrigento will surprise the guests. It is located in the middle of a beautiful naturalistic atmosphere where the guests can restore themselves, swim or simply enjoy a Sicilian granite in one of the many kiosks in the area.

Recommended: bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection cream and a hat.

4/ The Mosaics of the Roman Villa del Casale and the fishermen's town of Cefalù

Date: Saturday 31 August 2013
Time: 8.30 -17.00
Duration: 8,5 hours
Price: €108
Price includes: English speaking guide, transportation, admission, lunch, bottled water

Piazza Armerina is about a 2-hour drive from Palermo and is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site, thanks to the famous Villa Romana del Casale dating back to the 4th century. The villa contains some of the finest examples of Roman mosaics created by African craftsmen by request of the wealthy Roman classes, in particular senators and quaestors.

Villa del Casale is a vivid example of a luxury Roman villa and its decorative mosaics are exceptional for their artistic quality and invention as well as for their current preservation.

After a lunch break in a local restaurant, we will proceed to Cefalù, a beautiful village on the way to Palermo.

The town of Cefalù is serenely placed between a natural bay and the rocky granite mass of “La Rocca”. During the summer, Cefalù becomes really animated and offers several attractions to its visitors, starting from the Medieval streets and the unique Norman cathedral at the heart of the town to a stunning sandy beach. Cefalù was built during the reign of the Norman King, Roger II.

Construction of the Cathedral began in 1131 and is an exquisite example of what has been termed "Sicilian Romanesque". The splendid golden mosaics of Christ Pantocrator above the altar can be compared to the Palatine Chapel in Palermo and the Duomo in Monreale.

Recommended: bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection cream and a hat.

5/ Taormina and the stunning Etna mountain

Date: Saturday 31 August and 1 September 2013
Time: 8,30-17.30 and 9,00- 18,00
Duration: 2 days
Price: €320
Price includes: Accommodation in agriturismo (1 night in double room), English speaking guide, transportation, lunch, dinner, admissions, bottled water
Single room supplement: 30€

We depart early morning from Palermo for a 3-hour trip to the east coast of Sicily, crossing right through the heart of Sicily. Arriving at the foot of Mt. Etna, we start exploring Europe's largest active volcano Mt. Etna, which is an unforgettable experience. With this excursion, you'll go up to 3000 meters! Once we arrive, the excursion continues with a trip up the side of Etna in cable-cars, followed by a 4x4 bus drive up to about 2900m, using small curvy roads with experienced drivers. You will surely feel and see Mt. Etna active: smoking ground and craters will welcome you to the top.

After an exciting excursion of Mt. Etna and a typical Sicilian lunch, you will enjoy a refreshing late afternoon stop at the Alcantara Gorges for a swim or sunbath. The Alcantara Gorges area was created and carved over the centuries by the flowing river and is a rare natural beauty.

The fertile volcanic earth around the gorges is extremely rich with flora and the landscape is continually changing. In the low lying areas are woods full of oak trees, vineyards, extensive olive trees and other fruit tree orchards. For centuries, the inhabitants of this area have happily taken advantage of the possibilities afforded to them by nature and the volcano.

Dinner and over night will be organized in small groups using some of the typical farm house hotels (agriturismo) of the area.

The day after, the tour continues with a visit to the magical town of Taormina.

Taormina is perched above two sweeping bays of the Mediterranean sea with spectacular views of Mount Etna. There is a lot to do and see! Taormina offers fascinating archaeological monuments, grand Palazzi, a stunning public garden, Byzantine and Norman churches and of course the splendid Greek theatre built in the third century BC with its spectacular views of Mount Etna and the sea beyond (the theatre is still the site of drama and music performances).

Second in size only to the Theatre in Syracuse, the Greek Theater in Taormina is one of the largest ancient theaters in Sicily. Though originally built in the Hellenistic era, it was completely reconstructed by the Romans and used for gladiatorial shows. The theatre is situated at the very top of a hill, leveled, and uses the natural incline of the valley for the "cavea": the auditorium seating.

Recommended: bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection cream and a hat.

Hotel Booking: Terms & Conditions

Richard KELLY — 2013-05-06T09:51:49Z

The Local Organising Committee appointed Landolina Viaggi & Turismo as the official hotel accommodation agent for the ERSA 2013 Congress.

A large number of hotel rooms at very competitive rates in various hotels and of different price categories have been reserved to accommodate ERSA Congress Participants.

Important:
Due to the high demand for accommodation during this period, reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend early booking to ensure availability.
Palermo is a a very complex city that does not ensure a very comfortable use of public transport means. Therefore, Landolina Viaggi & Turismo will provide free shuttles to the Congress venue for all participants who have booked through the agency.

Rates
Rates are in Euros (EUR), per room, per night, and include Breakfast and VAT.

Inquiries
Please address all inquiries, requests for additional information incl. changes or cancellations of room reservation directly to Landolina Viaggi e Turismo

For the extensive information on the list of selected hotels and to make a booking for the ERSA 2013 Congress, please click on

>>>> Accommodation Information & Booking

Group reservations

For group reservations please contact Landolina Viaggi & Turismoby e-mail, Telephone number +39 091 300 529

Payment: Credit card

For payments through the Online Payment System only MasterCard/Eurocard, Visa and Diners Club credit cards are accepted. These payments will be charged in EUR.

Cancellations, changes and refunds

Please inform Landolina Viaggi & Turismo about any amendments or cancellations in writing by by e-mail.

Telephone amendments will not be accepted.

Date of delivery of your written cancellation to Landolina Viaggi & Turismo will be considered as the date of cancellation.
In case of a no show, the room will be kept for the guest until 12 noon of the day following the date of expected arrival; then the room will be released.