Social Programme

Welcome Reception at Bellver Castle (Tuesday 22nd September)

On Tuesday evening all participants will be invited to a Welcome Reception at Bellver Castle. Located on a hill overlooking the city of Palma, the fortress has sweeping views over the bay.

Guided Tour around Palma's Gothic Quarter (Thursday 24th September)

The old quarter, with a medieval layout of narrow winding streets, is the most interesting part of the city for visitors and is where most of Palma's monuments are concentrated. It is in this part of the city where the Majorcan nobility used to live, in homes which were constructed between the 15th and 16th century. Since there was a lot of contact between Italy and Mallorca at this time due to maritime transit and trade, the architecture has Italian influences. Wandering round the old quarter it is possible to admire the paved courtyards of these houses, which are often embellished with plants and have a well at the entrance to collect rainwater.

Half-day trip to Valldemossa and Deià (Friday 25th September)

We will visit these two beautiful villages located on the north-east coast of Majorca, in the mountain range of the Serra de Tramuntana. Valldemossa is one of the most visited and emblematic places on the island. The village and the surrounding landscape provide an extraordinarily beautiful setting, where visitors can wander round the narrow stone streets, which are closed off to traffic. The village dates back to the period of Moorish reign on Mallorca, and the houses here provide a fine example of traditional Majorcan architecture, which is characterised by its sobriety and simplicity. The houses have stone façades and many have an entrance portal with a semi-circular arch. Some stand out due to the fact they have been coated with mortar or lime which is encrusted with small stones. The square of Plaça Pública - the oldest part of Valldemossa - concentrates most of the houses with painted tiles on the projecting roofs of houses; this is a characteristic feature of Majorcan architecture, but it is especially prominent in mountain villages, where its popularity grew from the superstition that it protected the house and its inhabitants from misfortune. Deià is a small, charming village which climbs up a hill, from where visitors can observe how the sky and sea meet on the horizon, providing landscapes full of light and colour that have attracted artists from around the world, with some settling here from the end of the 19th century onwards. Tourism in Deià draws in a select brand of visitors to its hotels, with additional visitors coming to stay in numerous holiday homes. Places worth visiting in Deià are the Parish Church of Deià and the Municipal Cemetery which provide breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains. Amongst the gravestones of the Municipal Cemetery are the names of some of the famous people who have lived in Deià, such as the English writer Robert Graves.

Conference dinner: Friday 25th September, Restaurante Bahía Mediterráneo

The Conference dinner will be held at the Bahía Mediterráneo, a classy restaurant located on the fifth floor of a former Modernist-style hotel in the Passeig Marítim, which runs along the Bay of Palma. The Bahía Mediterráneo specialises in prime quality fish, meat and vegetarian dishes, and is well known for its luxurious decor: marble flooring, imposing pillars and french windows that open onto a spacious balcony. Guests can savour their quality meals while enjoying breathtaking views of the Bay of Palma. A special bus will run from the main hotels to the restaurant and back. After dinner, we will bring the conference events to a grand close with free tickets to the famed disco Tito's, located in the vicinty of the restaurant.

Check map for directions