Information on Luxembourg Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a landlocked country in Western Europe. It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north, Germany to the east, and France to the south. It comprises two principal regions: the Oesling in the north as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland ("good country") in the south. Luxembourg has a population of 524,853 (as of October 2012) and an area of 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi), making it one of the smallest sovereign nations in Europe. As a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch, it is headed by a grand duke and is the world's only remaining grand duchy. Luxembourg is a developed country, with an advanced economy and the world's second highest GDP (PPP) per capita (after Qatar), according to the World Bank. Its central location has historically made it of great strategic importance to numerous powers, dating back to its founding as a Roman fortress, its hosting of a vital Frankish castle during the Early Middle Ages, and its role as a bastion for the Spanish Road between 16th and 17th centuries. Luxembourg is a member of the European Union, NATO, OECD, the United Nations, and Benelux, reflecting its political consensus in favour of economic, political, and military integration. The city of Luxembourg, which is the capital and largest city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU. On 18 October 2012, Luxembourg was elected to a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time in its history. The country will serve on the Security Council from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2014. Reflecting its geographic position, Luxembourg's culture is a fusion of Tourist Office Romanic and Germanic Europe, borrowing customs from each. Accordingly, Luxembourg is a trilingual country: Luxembourgish, French and German are official languages. Although a secular state, Luxembourg is predominantly LCTO Roman Catholic. VisitLuxembourg Arriving in Luxembourg Luxembourg airport is about 10 minutes from city centre (7 km). In order to get there, you may use the bus (2 EUR): Bus timetables Bus 16 (Eurobus to Kirchberg, City-Centre and Train Station): every 10 minutes Bus 9 (to City-Centre and Train Station): every 15 minutes or the taxi (25-45 EUR depending on the time) Taxis: Webaxi.lu: book your taxi online (or call +352 27515) to book a taxi online, you will need to register with web taxi (follow instructions on their web page). This way they can text you or email you confirmation of your booking. Please refer to these pages for addresses of hotels, the Chamber of Commerce and/or the venue for the Gala dinner (Cercle Cite) ; University of Luxembourg Founded in 2003, the University of Luxembourg is the first and only university of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Multilingual, international and research-oriented, it is also a modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Three faculties, two interdisciplinary centres • The Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) • The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) • The Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) • The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) • The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) Studies • 11 bachelor degrees, 30 master degrees and doctoral studies based on the Bologna Accords • Other qualifications and continuing education • Bachelor students have to spend one semester abroad • Multilingualism: generally bilingual programmes (French/English – French/German), some are trilingual and some are taught entirely in English • Academic staff originates from 25 different countries • Students originate from 100 different countries Research • 5 high-priority research areas • 12 research units • 6 endowed chairs • 3 doctoral schools How to reach the University: http://wwwen.uni.lu/contact/campus_limpertsberg 2 ; Conference venue: Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg The Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de Commerce) is a public institution which brings together all businesses, apart from those in the agriculture and crafts sectors, which have their own professional chambers. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, all natural persons, commercial companies and branches of foreign businesses located in Luxembourg, which carry out a commercial, financial or manufacturing activity, must become affiliated to the Chamber of Commerce. The conference rooms can be found on the lower floor, down the escalator or elevator. How to get to the Chamber of Commerce (Google map) Bus lines 12 and 13 (or 7, 18, 25) 7 rue Alcide de Gasperi L-1615 Luxembourg +352 42 39 39 1 Gala dinner venue: Cercle Cité With the new architectural ensemble of the Cercle-Cité, the City of Luxembourg provides the local community and visitors with a vibrant multifunctional infrastructure in the heart of the capital. Combining the recently refurbished Cercle municipal (a former town hall) with a modern socio-cultural centre built on the site of the former Ciné-Cité cinema, this unique venue on Place d’Armes offers a wide range of activities. How to get to Cercle-Cité (Google map) 2 rue Genistre L-1623 Luxembourg +352 47 96 51 33 3 ; Map and Hotel information A selection of venues for all tastes Agreed special rates (use reference “RENT 2014” when booking, or “71012” for Melia) 4 ; Hotel Parc Belle-Vue & Hotel Parc Plaza 3 km walk to Chamber of Commerce – (or bus 7, on at “Rheinsheim”, off at “Jean Monnet”) The hotels Parc Plaza and Parc Belle-Vue are located in green and quiet surroundings and within a few minutes walk from the business quarters, shopping areas and sights of the town centre. Five large, well-lit and friendly conference and meeting rooms form a real business and event centre which is perfectly equipped for [email protected] meetings, workshops, receptions and staged [email protected] performances. +352 45 61 411 The largest conference room can hold close Deadline for reservations: 29/09/2014 to 400 people. Hotel Melia 1 km walk to Chamber of Commerce – (or bus 13, on at “Philharmonie-Mudam”, off at “Léon Hengen”) Open since June 2009, Melia Luxembourg is a contemporary 4-star hotel of the Sol Melia group. Its location is quite unique: the hotel is situated on the Kirchberg, next to the Philharmonie and the MUDAM, directly opposite Luxembourg’s new conference and congress centre and only a few steps away to [email protected] the city centre. +352 27 33 32 06 The hotel features 161 spacious rooms, two Deadline for reservations: 06/10/2014 trendy restaurants with terrace and bar and a fitness centre. All three conference and meeting rooms are modern and well-equipped with the latest technological material. The meeting facilities can hold up to 150 delegates. The restaurant areas can be transformed to organize receptions up to 300 participants. Attractive conference packages are available on request. 5 ; Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg 400 m walk to Chamber of Commerce Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg is a 4-star hotel located on the Kirchberg plateau, close to the institutions of the European Union. It features 260 spacious rooms, renovated in 2009, a bar and restaurant, as well as 10 rooms for meetings and seminars, whereof the largest can welcome up to 300 people. This hotel is ideally suited for business or [email protected] leisure trips in Luxembourg. Only 10 minutes +352 42 98 481 from Findel airport and close to the historic city Deadline for reservations: 06/10/2014 centre, the hotel also provides a private parking are (charges fees). Sofitel Luxembourg Europe 350 m walk to Chamber of Commerce Located on the Kirchberg plateau, only two steps away from the Luxembourg city centre, Sofitel Luxembourg Europe stands among prominent European institutions and business offices. Host your professional or social events in our 8 meeting and banquet rooms, and allow our dedicated staff to attend to all the details, from audio and visual support to the catering for themed breaks and meals. Energizing natural light in every room, plus classically refined décor. The spacious atrium is a spectacular choice for large-scale events. [email protected] Enjoy an array of enjoyable venues where +352 43 77 61 guests can get together for drinks or dine in Deadline for reservations: 06/10/2014 style. Each location boasts its own distinctive menu and décor, offering unrivalled service. 109 magnificent guest rooms & suites, offering a breathtaking view and providing a private haven to rest and relax. After an invigorating day, relax in our gym centre which offers state-of-the-art equipment. Inspired by you, staged by us ! 6 ; Youth Hostel Luxembourg 2.6 km to Chamber of Commerce – (walk to Fondation Pescatore, then bus 300 ) The Youth Hostel is suitable for individuals, groups, families and disabled guests. It has 240 beds in rooms from 4 to 6 beds each. Most rooms are equipped with en suite sanitary facilities. A common room with internet access as well as an equipped conference room and several meeting rooms are at the client’s disposal. A storeroom for bicycles and a parking area for coaches are available. [email protected] Our team will do its best to satisfy the guests +352 26 27 66 650 and offers full board (lunch, dinner, packed PLEASE NOTE THAT THE YOUTH HOSTEL DOES NOT ACCEPT ADVANCE BOOKINGS SO WE HAVE BEEN lunch). Luxembourgish specialties and vegetarian UNABLE TO SECURE SPECIAL RATES. CALL YOUTH meals are available on request. HOSTEL DIRECTLY FOR RATES The whole day snacks and drinks are served (Please also note that there is a limited number of rooms). at the cafeteria and on the terrace with a view at the old town. During the summer, barbecue parties can be organized for groups on request.