1. Venue
The 11th Summer School on Condensed Matter Research will be organized again at the premises of the Institut Montana Zugerberg, in Zug (in the greater Zurich area) and is located on the idyllic Zugerberg overlooking the city of Zug and the lake of Zug. The Institut Montana Zugerberg is a boarding and day school; we (our Summer School) are there as guests.
Zug is the capital of the Canton Zug which is a German speaking Canton of the Swiss Confederation. The Canton of Zug is located in the centre of Switzerland and is the smallest of the full cantons in Switzerland. Further it is made up of 11 communities: it covers an area of 238 sq. km and has a population of over 100'000 people. The seasons present themselves as varied as the landscape: see nature reawakening with every step of your walk in spring: enjoy the clear air and wonderful views on mountain hikes in summer and autumn. Even if heights are not for you, in Zug you have nature on your doorstep: the numerous moraine and moorland regions are just two examples. There is much to discover in this beautiful and pleasant piece of countryside.
2. Travel information
a) From your home destination to Zug
Distances from Zug to some of the more well-known towns in Switzerland
Zurich 30 km Zurich International Airport 47 km
Basel 22 km Geneva 302 km
Berne 138 km Lugano 177 km
By plane
Zug can be reached from Zurich International Airport in 45 minutes by one of the 70 daily direct trains. Train connections may be found here.
By train (see also www.sbb.ch)
25'000 people pass daily through Zug railway station. The new, modern station was opened on 28 November 2003 and combines customer-friendly accesses to platforms and trains, a modern travel centre and a number of shops selling a variety of articles. Zug railway station is also starting point for various public transport facilities. Ten regional bus routes bring you quickly and safely to your destination in Zug town or in the neighbouring communes.
By car
After arriving to the city center of Zug: Drive to the "Kolinplatz", turn left and follow the "Aegeristrasse" and turn right at the signs to the "Zugerberg". Entry GPS: Zug, Schönfels 5. There is a limited number of parking lots available on the premises of the Institut Montana. Preferably you travel by public transportation to Zug.
b) From Zug to the Institut Montana Zugerberg
From Zug railway station, take the bus no. 11 (direction "Schönegg"); at the station Schönegg change to the cable car to the "Zugerberg". After arriving at the station Zugerberg, you have reached the Institut Montana Zugerberg. Please see the 2 corresponding time tables (bus schedule trainstation - Schönegg and cablecar schedule). The cablecar goes up and down at the same time.
View Bus_schedule_Schönegg_trainstation
View Bus_schedule_trainstation_Schönegg
View Cablecar_schedule
3. Check-in and Check-out to/from the Institut Montana Zugerberg
The lectures will start on Sunday, August 12th at 09:00 and will finish on Friday, August 17th. Further please note that there will be no access to the Institut Montana Zugerberg premises before 16:00 on Saturday, August 11.
Arrival: Participants are expected to arrive on Saturday late afternoon, August 11th. Registration at the Institut Montana Zugerberg, main building (see special signs leading you to the “blue room”) will start from 16:00 - 22:00 (you are not expected to arrive any later than 22:00 - thanks for your understanding. A light dinner will be served from 18:00 – 19:30 in the dining hall in the main building. There will be sandwiches available for those arriving later than 19:00.
Registration on Sunday morning, August 12, will continue as of 08:30 for those of you arriving prior to the 1st lecture.
Departure: On Friday, August 17, 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.
4. Housing
All participants will be accommodated (full board) at the Institut Montana. There will be double-rooms; room-sharing is therefore required. 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 Institut Montana):
· Towels
· Shower gel/soap
· Hair dryer, razoretc
· Adapter for Swiss plug sockets
5. Address
Institut Montana Zugerberg
Zugerberg
6300 Zug
Switzerland
Phone +41 41 729 1177
Fax +41 41 729 1178
6. Secretariat
The secretary's office (Renate Bercher) is located in the “Felsenegg” building (at the opposite side from the lecture hall) 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
Lunch: 12.15
Dinner: 19:15
Since the meals will be served at the tables (no self-service), please come on time to the dining hall - many thanks!
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 until dinner time. 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 12:00 noon and 16:00 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 Institut for some jogging, biking, hiking or playing soccer or tennis on the courts of the Institut. Or you may take the cable car bringing you all the way down to the city of Zug to have a swim in the lake of Zug, to enjoy an ice cream in one of the coffee shops or have a stroll through the old town.
10. Clothing
The weather in Switzerland might get a bit coldish even during summer. It is recommended to bring along some warm clothes too (warm jacket, jeans and pullover, good shoes). However, please do not forget the swim suits (the lake of Zug is within reach), sun protection, sun glasses and a hat.
11. Excursion
On Wednesday, August 15th, we will offer excursions for the participants (more details to be followed).
Presently the following excursions are envisaged:
a) 09:00 - 12:00: Visit of the "Höllgrotten"
Visit of the “Höllgrotten” in Baar (near Zug) – please see also the link http://www.hoellgrotten.ch/index.html (only in German). The “Höllgrotten” is a stalactite cave which is located in a beautiful and pictorial valley. It has been discovered at the end of the 19th century. We get there by bus, walk for approx. 45 minutes to reach the cave and will then have a guided tour inside the cave. Since the temperature in there will be approx. 10 C it is recommended to bring a jacket or a pullover as well as to wear good shoes (will be wet at some places). At approx. 13:00 we will be back in Zug – rest of the afternoon free for you to enjoy until lectures start again at 16:00.
b) 07:00 – 15:00: Hiking in the nearby mountains
Hiking tour in the nearby mountains of Central Switzerland. Duration 4 – 6 hours - not a walk but a hiking tour for those who feel fit. More details to this hiking tour will be available soon.
12. Smoking
Please be aware that smoking is strictly forbidden on the entire premises of the Institut Montana Zugerberg. 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.
