Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport

The Organization is preparing a transfer connection between the airport and the hotels that will be based on the information received, regarding the flights.
(see Agência Abreu Hotel Reservation Form)

Official Conference Travel Agency

The official travel agency for ICCCM2005 can help with your trip to Algarve and reservation of accommodation. The contact is:

ABREU TRAVEL
c/o Ana Vale
Av. da República 124, 8000-079 Faro, Portugal
Phone: + 351 289 870 913 Fax: + 351 289 870 990
E-mail: avale.faro@abreu.pt

Access

The city of Tavira is situated in the south of Portugal, in Algarve and is at the hub of an extensive communications network. It is directly accessible by air from major cities around Europe. Excellent transport links are also provided by express rail services from Portuguese major cities and by trunk roads.

For more information please visit the Hotel Vila Galé site

Useful Information

Time zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

Weather: The weather in Algarve in April is usually very pleasant with many sunshine days and with an average temperature over 20º centigrade. However, rain may occur. More information on the weather can be found at the Portuguese Institute of Meteorology (http://www.meteo.pt/)

Power supply: 220 Volts, 60 Hertz, 2 pin plugs

Telephone country code: 351

Currency: Euro (€) (100 cents); 1 Euro = ± 1.2 USD.

Local taxes: all fees are inclusive of local taxes. All participants are liable to pay VAT regardless of whether they are based in Portugal or not and this amount should not be deducted from the fee under any circumstances. VAT is currently leveled at 19% in Portugal (except in restaurants, where it is 12%). Stores that offer tax-free shopping facilities carry a sign to this effect.

Banks and currency exchange: Opening hours are from 08:30 to 15:00, Monday through Friday. Some banks may have longer hours. Most hotels will also exchange currency for guests. There are automatic teller machines (ATM), usually located in connection with a bank branch, which accept a variety of international credit cards. The accepted cards are indicated on the ATM. There is one ATM at the Congress Centre near the Secretariat.

Credit cards and traveller's cheques: Major credit cards are widely accepted by most hotels, restaurants and shops. Traveller's cheques may be refused in some places and it is best therefore to exchange these at a bank.

Passport/Visa requirements: Delegates are strongly advised to determine their individual requirements with respect to entering Portugal well in advance of travel date. As Portugal is part of the Schengen zone ( Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands), participants from these countries do not need a passport to enter Portugal but just an ID card. Letters of invitation are available on request.

Customs: For information on Customs regulations, please consult the nearest Portugal embassy or consulate.

Health requirements: All visitors are advised to check that they have complied with all requirements both for entry into Portugal and their return journey.

Liability and insurance: The Organising Committee will not assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal accidents, sickness, theft or property damage during the conference or any other period of time spent in Portugal. Delegates and accompanying persons are strongly recommended to arrange for their personal travel and health insurances prior to travelling.

Shopping hours: Most shops are open from 09:00/09:30 to 19:00/19:30, Monday through Friday. A few department stores and supermarkets have longer opening hours and are also open on Saturday and Monday mornings.

Babysitting and daycare facilities: No babysitting or daycare services will be provided by the organizers during the conference period. Hotels may provide such services. Participants requiring this service are advised to make enquiries prior to confirming their hotel reservations.

Tipping: It is customary to tip about 10% in restaurants, taxis, hairdressers, etc . Many hotel and restaurant bills include a service charge, but in restaurants it is polite to leave a few extra coins on the table.

Emergency number: 112 for medical and police assistance.