1. Venue
The 12th Summer School on Condensed Matter Research will be organized at the premises of the Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz (in the upper Engadin valley). The Lyceum Alpinum is a boarding and day school; the PSI Summer School is hosted there as guest.
The Lyceum is located at the north-eastern end of the village about 200 m above the main road. The access road departs from the main road close to a little chapel (see attached map). From the Zuoz train station the Lyceum may be reached by a 15 minutes walk uphill. However, a car transport for the luggage will be organized for those, who are arriving by train (see also www.zuoz.ch).
2. Travel information
From your home destination to Zuoz
Distances from Zuoz to some well-known towns in Switzerland:
| Zurich | 183 km | Zurich airport | 190 km |
| Basel | 268 km | Geneva | 460 km |
| Berne | 309 km | Lugano | 197 km |
By plane
It is most convenient to use the international airport Zurich. After arrival you take the train to Zurich HB (Main Railway Station). The ride takes 10 minutes, and the trains run about every 20 minutes. For train connections from Zurich HB to Zuoz see here.
If you use the international airport Basel, take the airport bus to the railway station Basel SBB. The ride takes 15 minutes, and the busses run about every 30 minutes. For train connections from Basel SBB to Zuoz see www.sbb.ch)
By train (see also www.sbb.ch)
By car
Zuoz can be reached from any point in Switzerland by using the extended motorway system. You have the choice between the following routes:
• Zurich - Chur - Thusis - Tiefencastel - "Julier pass" - Silvaplana - St Moritz - Zuoz
• Zurich - Landquart -Davos - "Flüela pass" - Susch - Zernez - Zuoz
• Zurich - Chur - Thusis - Tiefencastel - Bergün - "Albula pass" - La Punt - Zuoz
3. Car park
If you arrive by car, please use the area in front of the main entrance of the Lyceum only for unloading the car. For parking use the marked parking place which is unfortunately not free of charge!!! (5 SFR for the first day, 2 SFR every following day).
4. Check-in and Check-out
The lectures will start on Sunday, August 18th at 09:00 and will finish on Friday, August 23th. Further please note that there will be no access to the Lyceum premises before 16:00 on Saturday, August 17.
Arrival: Participants are expected to arrive on Saturday late afternoon, August 17th. Registration at the Lyceum Alpinum, main building (see special signs leading you to the registration place) will be open from 16:00 - 23:00 (you are not expected to arrive any later than 22:45 - thanks for your understanding. A light dinner will be served from 18:00 – 19:30 in the dining hall in the main building.
Registration on Sunday morning, August 18, will continue as of 08:30 for those of you arriving prior to the 1st lecture.
Departure: On Friday, August 23, you are kindly requested to check-out from your rooms by 10:00. A store room for your luggage will be available until you will be leaving. Departure starts after a light lunch at approx. 13:00.
5. Housing
All participants will be accommodated (full board) at the Lyceum Alpinum. We will try to avoid room sharing, this depends on the number of participants. As explained above, the Institut Montana is a boarding school; you should not expect luxurious rooms. Please be aware that there will be no keys available to lock the rooms. There are enough communal bathrooms on each floor of the various buildings in which we will be accommodated.
Please bring along the following items (not available at the Lyceum Alpinum):
· Shower gel/soap
· Hair dryer, razor etc.
· Adapter for Swiss plug sockets
6. Address
Lyceum Alpinum
Secretariat of Summer School on Condensed Matter Research
Renate Bercher
7524 Zuoz
Switzerland
Phone +41-81-851-3090
Fax +41-81-851-3091
The secretary's office (Renate Bercher) is located in te “Grosses Haus” (please follow the signs) and will be open during lecture times.
7. Posters
Your poster should not exceed the A0 format, portrait orientation. Pins to hang your poster will be available.
8. Meals
In case you require a special diet, please let us know. Meals are served at the following hours:
Breakfast: from 08:00 to 08.45 a.m.
Lunch: 12.15 p.m.
Dinner: 19:15 p.m.
There is the possibility to order lunch boxes in case you don’t wish to have lunch at the Institut. Your lunch box shall be ordered one day in advance, latest after breakfast of the day in question. A list to order will be available every day in front of the dining hall.
Coffee and tea will be served free of charge in front of the lecture hall during the times indicated on the program. Wine, beer, juice and mineral water can be bought on your own expenses during the main meals.
9. Free afternoons
Between 12:15 p.m. and 16:00 p.m. there will be no lectures and you will have lots of possibilities to spend a great time. You may enjoy the great nature surrounding the Lyceum for some jogging, biking, hiking or playing soccer or tennis on the courts of the Lyceum.
10. Clothing
Zuoz is at 1.700 m above sea level. It is recommended to bring along some warm clothes too (warm jacket, jeans and pullover, good shoes). It can get cold (especially in the evening hours)! However, please do not forget sun protection, sun glasses and a hat.
11. Excursion
On Wednesday, August 21st, we will offer excursions for the participants.
Presently the following excursions are envisaged:
Excursion to the National Park
There is a guided tour in the National Park offering a wonderful landscape and a lot of chances for animal watching. The tour is not too strenuous and therefore ideal for everybody. Special hiking shoes are not necessary however good gym shoes are recommended.
An English speaking guide leads this tour. The bus for this tour will leave at 6.30 a.m.in Zuoz down at the gate to the Lyceum Alpinum close to the little chapel.
River Rafting
Costs: approx. 100.-- CHF (Rafting) + 42.-- CHF (train) (21.-- CHF half price abo)
The tour starts at 9.30 h a.m. in Scuol-Tarasp (station). The SWISSRAFT guide (http://www.swissraft.ch/de/index.html), who will accompany you on the trip, will pick you up. Included in the price: Instruction by the guide boat and equipment, transportation of your clothes from the start to the finish.
The tour will start at Zuoz station at 8.15 a.m. by train (or in case of availability of private cars by car at the same time). The ride to Scuol takes approx. one hour.
The conference secretary will organise the tickets on Monday, August 19. Please pick up and pay for your tour ticket (approx. 100,00 CHF) at the secretary’s office on Monday after the last morning session. Without this ticket you cannot take part in the tour.
Since we were obliged to make definite reservations, it is necessary that you stick to your decision to take part in this tour after the ticket is bought. If you have to cancel your reservation for any reason, please try to find another person to take your place. Otherwise we are afraid that you will have to pay anyway.
Mountain hike for experienced hikers
Details will follow later
Depending on the tour the costs will be between 10 and 20 CHF.
12. Smoking
Please be aware that smoking is strictly forbidden on the entire premises of the Lyceum Alpinum. 2 dedicated “smoking areas” are available – watch out for the corresponding signs. We strongly advise to take this into account; there will be a fine in case of violation – thanks for your understanding.
