Companions programme

The following schedule is proposed for companions (included in companions fee):

Friday, 29 October
Guided tour of the old centre of Maastricht (9:00-11:00)
The old city of Maastricht consists of a collection of churches, Medieval city walls, remnants of the Roman empire and 17th century streets with beautiful houses. And all this is situated on the same square mile. An ideal surrounding for a short city walk over cobblestone streets, crossing Medieval squares, and partly along the river Meuse. The best way to start a visit.

Lunch and individual city visit (11:00-15:00)
Maastricht is also known for its many exclusive shops and antiques centres, situated among the monuments in the old city centre. Participants of the guided tour will realize that they crossed most of the city already, and it turns out to be quite easy to find one’s way around.

Guided Tour of the Céramique quarter (15:00-17:00)
This modern quarter of Maastricht is situated at the other end of the river, facing the old centre. In the past decades the city managed to create an stylish quarter around the new Bonnefanten museum with a large variety of high quality architecture, mainly by Mediterranean architects. It is an impressive collage of different brownstone buildings, partly along the river, and including elegant cafés. Participants of this guided tour will walk through several parts; for longer distances a coach will be used.

Gala dinner at the Fort St. Pieter (19:30-23:00)

Saturday, 30 October
Lunch (13:00-14:30) at the Rectors' Building.

Guided tour to the Caves in St Pietersberg followed by tea at Bonnefanten Museum. (14:30-17:30).

Post-Conference excursion

The following excursion is open to all participants and companions and is not included in the conference fee.

Sunday 31 October 2004
Day trip to Aachen, Germany (9:00-16:00). Cost: 75 Euros.
The place where Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands meet

Programme: includes a city walk and visit to the Cathedral and the Gothic City Hall. The tour bus will leave the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at 09:00. Expected return time will be 16:00 hours.

The most famous bather of Aachen’s hot springs was undoubtedly Charlemagne, who chose Aachen as his favourite residence thereby making it an intellectual and cultural melting pot. There is a lot to marvel at in Aachen: the cathedral, the first cultural asset of the UNESCO with the most significant treasure chamber north of the Alps; the patriarchal throne of the kingdom, which has seated 32 German Kaisers and Kings; paintings and sculptures in the Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum; modern art in the Ludwig Forum for International Art, a former umbrella factory in “Bauhaus“ Style. Aachen living culture in the Couven-Haus; the Gothic city hall; the Newspaper Museum and last but not least the Computer Museum with its fascinating insights into the development of data processing. www.aachen.de