Where will the Internation Symposium wil take place?

The congress will take place at the Zentralklinik Bad Berka: Scientific sessions at the Kulturhaus “Station 33” and Trade Exhibition at the West Wing of Zentralklinik (directly adjacent to the lecture hall).

There is bus shuttle service between the hotels and the Zentralklinik Bad Berka in the morning and in the evening.

What about the “Business Hours” in Bad Berka and Weimar?

Most banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 1 pm and 2:30 to 4 pm (Thursday to 5:30pm). Money exchanges at airports and border-crossing points are generally open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Exchanges at border railroad stations are kept open for arrivals of all international trains. Most businesses are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. Store hours can vary from town to town, but shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9 or 10 am to 6 or 6:30 pm (Thursday to 8:30 pm). Saturday hours are generally from 9am to 1 or 4 pm.

What about Emergencies?

Throughout Germany the emergency number for police is tel. 110; for fire or to call an ambulance, dial tel. 112.

What about Gasoline (Petrol)?

Gasoline or petrol is widely available throughout Germany, and service stations appear frequently along the autobahns. The least expensive gasoline is at stations marked SB-TANKEN (self-service), but remember that gasoline is much more expensive than in the U.S. Of course, gasoline prices throughout the world, including Germany, are currently changing weekly.

What about Taxes & Tipping

The major tax in Germany is the Mehrwertsteuer (value added tax). The Mehrwertsteuer assesses a levy on each step in the production and delivery of most items available for purchase. It applies to services as well as goods and the standard current rate is 19%. A reduced rate of 7% currently applies to certain products, including food and printed material. Medical and insurance services are generally exempt, as are exports of goods abroad and services rendered abroad.

What about Telephones?

Public phones are available at the entrance hall of the Zentralklinik Bad Berka, both for local and long distance calls. Pay phones operate by using credit cards or coins (€).

During the scientific sessions mobile phones are not allowed.

What about the Time Zone in Germany?

Germany is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).

Like most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is observed in Germany, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour; 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

After the Summer months the time in Germany is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT+1).

What about Tipping?

If a restaurant bill says Bedienung, that means a service charge has already been added, so just round up to the nearest euro. If not, add 10% to 15%. Bellhops get 1 € ($1.60) per bag, as does the doorperson at your hotel, restaurant, or nightclub. Room-cleaning staffs get small tips in Germany, as do concierges who perform some special favors. Tip hairdressers or barbers 5% to 10%.

What about Travelling to Bad Berka?

Bad Berka can be easily reached by air via Frankfurt International Airport.

There is a direct connection by Intercity Express (ICE) train from Frankfurt airport train station to Erfurt/Weimar (2.5 hrs, departure every hour). For online travel booking for your rail journey join www.bahn.de (and select language).

From Weimar it is 15 min by taxi to the Zentralklinik Bad Berka. You can catch a taxi directly in front of the train station (taxi to Bad Berka around 15 €).

Other ICE train connections run from the east (Berlin), north (Hamburg/Kassel), west (Fulda) and south (Munich).

Bad Berka can be reached by car using the A4 highway (exit Nohra/Bad Berka from the west - exit Weimar from the east) or the A71 from south/north (via Erfurt). Parking is available directly near the congress venue.

What about Visas?

All visitors entering Germany must possess valid passports. For citiziens from the European Union Member countries a valid identity card is sufficient.

Please check the current visa requirements with your local German Consulate/Embassy before your depature to Germany.

The organizers can provide participants who wish to attend the conference, but need a travel visa, with a letter of support. To request this letter, please contact:

Prof. Dr. med. Richard P. Baum

Center for Molecular Radiotherapy

Zentralklinik Bad Berka

99437 Bad Berka, Germany

Fon: +49 364 585-2200

Fax: +49 364 585-3515

E-Mail: richard.baum@zentralklinik.de