Official Social Programme

Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception

At 21:00 a bus departure is scheduled to all official ISTH 2007 Congress Hotels.

Saturday 7 July 2007, 18:30, at the Congress Centre
Included in the registration fee
(Sponsored by the Republic and Canton of Geneva)

President’s Dinner

At 19:00 a bus departure is scheduled from the Hotel Crowne Plaza to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices. At 23:00 a bus departure is scheduled back to the Hotel Crowne Plaza.

(only upon invitation)
Sunday 8 July 2007, 19:30, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices

All Congress Party

Tuesday 10 July 2007, 19:00, Hall 2 at the Congress Centre
Reservation fee of CHF 75 (first come, first served)

Accompanying Persons’ Programme

All excursions depart from and return to the Congress Centre.
Excursions will take place only if a minimum of 20 participants is met.
The Geneva Lake Cruise is included in the registration fee for Accompanying Persons.

Excursions

The Geneva Lake Cruise
8 July & 12 July 2007  14:00 to 16:00  Duration: 2 hours

Relax and enjoy all the scenic beauty of Lake Geneva. You will see the unique private estates of famous people, the United Nation, European headquarters, Embassies and small villages by the shares of the lake.
You can also appreciate the calm clear water, which has attracted visitors for many generations. This is a unique way to discover the architectural diversity and richness of the lakeside. A full commentary will be provided and a soft drink will be served on board.
“Bon vent” as the captain would say!
CHF 77.– including transportation in deluxe coach, professional guide, ticket for the boat trip and a soft drink.

City Tour of Geneva
8 July, 10 July & 12 July 2007  09:00 to 12:00  Duration: 3 hours

Nobody should leave Geneva without seeing its monuments and historical sites. We will take you to the most important ones in three hours, including the symbol of the city, the famous “water jet”; this impressive 140m (460ft) high lake water fountain, the first of its kind, was completed in 1891.
The flower clock in the English garden is another symbol of Geneva, known all over the world. The monument of Duke of Brunswick, who left his entire fortune to the City of Geneva, is located right on the opposite side of Lake Geneva.
The historical Old Town will be visited on foot to discover its carefully preserved charm. The Cathedral Saint-Pierre constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries dominates the Old Town. Right next to it is the Auditorium, where Jean Calvin taught. Calvin arrived in 1536 in Geneva. A leading figure of the protestant Reformation, he deeply influenced religion, ethics and social life in the western world. The oldest privately constructed building is the Maison Tavel, now transformed into a museum of old Geneva. With its parks and gardens, its monuments and museums, Geneva is today truly international and cosmopolitan, not only in population but also in its whole atmosphere.
CHF 52.– including transportation in deluxe coach and professional guide.

City Tour of Geneva and Visit the Red Cross Museum
9 July 2007  09:00 to 15:00  Duration: 6 hours

In the morning we will take you to the most important sites of Geneva, including the symbol of the city, the famous “water jet”; this impressive 460ft (140m) high lake water fountain, the first of its kind, was completed in 1891. The flower clock in the English garden is another symbol of Geneva, known all over the world. The monument of Duke of Brunswick, who left his entire fortune to the City of Geneva, is located right on the opposite side of Lake Geneva.
The historical Old Town will be visited on foot to discover its carefully preserved charm. The Cathedral Saint-Pierre constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries dominates the Old Town. Right next to it is the Auditorium, where Jean Calvin taught. Calvin arrived in 1536 in Geneva. A leading figure of the Protestant Reformation, he deeply influenced religion, ethics and social life in the western world. The oldest privately constructed building is the Maison Tavel, now transformed into a museum of old Geneva. Lunch will be served in one of the many restaurants near the Old Town, before discovering the birthplace and headquarters of the Red Cross, founded by Henry Dunant in 1863. Experience the legendary past of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and its past and present humanitarian activities.
CHF 152.– including transportation in deluxe coach, professional guide, 3-course lunch (with 2dl of Swiss wine, 1 mineral water and 1 coffee), official tour guide of the Red Cross Museum and entrance fee.

Chocolate Factory
09 July 2007  14:00 to 18:00  Duration: 4 hours
10 July 2007  09:00 to 13:00  Duration: 4 hours
10 July 2007  14:00 to 18:00  Duration: 4 hours

Transfer by coach (approx. 20 minutes drive) along Lake Geneva, through the Lavaux and La Côte vineyards will bring you to the picturesque village of Prangins, where a tight cluster of houses hides one of the region’s best kept secrets: Master Rapp’s Chocolate School. Enjoy an interactive and zany introduction to the history and origins of chocolate. Master Rapp will let you into his secrets on how to produce this delicious substance. You will leave Prangins delighted, taking with you your own Swiss chocolates and a diploma from the chocolate school.
CHF 80.– including assistance, deluxe coach, professional guide and chocolate initiation.

Montreux and Chillon Castle
11 July 2007  09:00 to 16:00  Duration: 7 hours


Travel by coach along the scenic highway to Montreux, the pearl of the Swiss Riviera. You will be taken to the medieval castle of Chillon, built in the 13th century on Roman foundations. It was the residence of the Counts of Savoy throughout the Middle Ages. Many prominent figures in history stayed there: emperors, popes, princes etc. Attracted by a historical episode relating Bonivard’s imprisonment in the 16th century, Byron wrote his famous poem «The Prisoner of Chillon». Chillon castle is one of the most recognized historical buildings in Switzerland and one of the most visited in Europe. After the tour, we will bring you to a nice local restaurant for a well deserved lunch. In the afternoon, you will have some free time for shopping or a nice stroll along the lake, on the famous promenade with its thousands of palm trees.
CHF 162.– including assistance, deluxe coach, professional guide, lunch (with 2dl Swiss wine, 1 mineral water and 1 coffee) and entrance fees.

Chamonix and Mont Blanc (France)
12 July 2007  9:00 to 16:00  Duration: 7 hours

Drive by coach along the highway through the Arve Valley to Chamonix. Once you are in Chamonix, you start the trip by cable car to the top of the «Aiguilles du Midi» 3842m (12606 ft) which provides you with an unforgettable panorama of the Alps and Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe 4782m (15720 ft).
If it is really quiet, it is not unusual to catch a glimpse of chamois playing around of the edge of the Bossons glacier. A few marmots and weasels can also be seen from time to time from the Plan de l’Aiguille. Upon arrival take a deep breath of fresh and clean air! After some free time to stroll around the summit and take photos, you will return to the village of Chamonix by cable car. Lunch will be taken in a typical «Savoyard» restaurant in Chamonix, a town with a world-renowned French culinary tradition. After lunch there will be time for browsing and shopping. You will discover the spectacular landscape between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva while the coach takes you back to Geneva. A valid passport (and/or visa) is needed for this excursion.
CHF 205.– person, including assistance, deluxe coach from Geneva to Chamonix, cable car ride to Les Aiguilles du Midi, three course lunch in Chamonix (including beverages - 2 dl of house wine, 1 mineral water and 1 coffee), transfer back to Geneva.

Wine Tasting
9 July 2007  14:00 to 17:00  Duration: 3 hours

Your coach will drive through the beautiful Geneva countryside. Geneva and Vaud cantons are famous for their winegrowers and the variety of wines they produce. You will visit a winegrower and have the opportunity to taste some of the wines.
The wine that Switzerland has to offer is one of the best-kept secrets of this country. All along the shores of Lake Geneva you will find vineyards. Even some very steep areas right by the lake are covered with vines.
You will then stop at a wine cellar, where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the local wines together with some cheese. In the later afternoon return by coach to Geneva.
CHF 92.– including transportation by coach, private guide and wine tasting.

Gstaad and Gruyères
10 July 2007  08:30 to 17:00  Duration: 81/2 hours

Your coach will first drive you to Montreux, where you will board the MOB Panoramic Express train for a 95 minutes voyage through this most pleasant alpine region to Gstaad.
In Gstaad there is some time to feel the jet-set atmosphere made famous by resident celebrities like Julie Andrews, Liz Taylor and Roger Moore. Gstaad was one of the first Swiss Mountain resorts discovered by the international rich and famous who invariably get together for Christmas and other holidays at the worldrenowned Palace Hotel. Continuing by coach all the way to Gruyères, a fortified medieval hill top town and its castle, famous for the fine cheese that bears its name. A single street of late Gothic houses with overhanging roofs, Gruyères is dominated by its prestigious castle: 19 Counts reigned here from the 11th to the 16th century. Only the 13th century dungeon remains of the old castle. In 1593, the living quarters, destroyed by fire, were reconstructed in a comfortable savoyan style. The beautiful Chapel of St-John is also sheltered within the castle’s walls, with stained-glass windows of the 15th century. The castle belongs to and is maintained by the State since 1938. Lunch will be served at a typical Swiss restaurant well known for its Swiss specialities. After lunch, you will have some free time for souvenir shopping and a promenade through the village. Return by coach to Geneva through charming resorts and lovely countryside.
CHF 207.– including assistance, deluxe coach, train ride from Montreux to Gstaad and three course lunch in Gruyères (including beverages - 2dl of house wine, 1 mineral water and 1 coffee).

Lausanne and the Olympic Museum
11 July 2007  09:00 to 13:00  Duration: 4 hours

Enjoy the spectacular view of the shores of Lake Geneva on your 50-minute coach ride to Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee, where you will stop at the Olympic Museum. The Olympic Museum is much more than a Museum. Featuring shows with special effects, it is more attractive than ever, presenting the exciting history of the Olympic Games through legendary objects, mythical images and intense emotions. Visitors will be warmed by the flame of Olympism, hear the shouts of joy from arenas all over the world and discover the advances in technology available to the “gods of the stadium.” The viewer becomes the actor and the athlete, forgetting everything around him as the excitement of the Games takes hold.
CHF 80.– including assistance, deluxe coach from Geneva to Lausanne, entrance fee for the museum, private guide and transfer back from Lausanne to Geneva.