Social Programme
The Social Programme of ESOC 2023 will include the following events:
- Welcome Reception on Sunday, July 9
A Welcome Reception will take place on Sunday after the Opening Ceremony.
- Excursions on Wednesday, July 12
Optional excursions will be organised between 14:00 and 19:00. Please register during the online registration process. Only one excursion per person can be booked, it is not possible to combine different tours. The exact start and ending point of the excursions will be communicated in the week preceding the Symposium.
- Conference Dinner on Wednesday, July 12 - Oude Vismijn
Before the closing of the Symposium, the organisers invite you to attend the banquet, scheduled on Wednesday, July 12 at 19:30 in the beautiful “Oude Vismijn”.
This historic site in the centre of Gent is located at the confluence of the River Lieve and the River Leie. Fish was sold in this historic building from the late Middle Ages until the 1960s. It’s one of Ghent’s oldest markets.
Participation in the banquet is optional, and subject to prior booking at the price of 50€. Please register during the online registration process or via the link "My registration" if you are already registered.
Excursions
- EXCURSION 1: Gentse Gruut : Brewery visit + boat tour (FULLY BOOKED)
Welcome to Gruut, the city brewery of Ghent. Have an amazing day with this formula! A majestic boat tour through the historic city center with a guide followed by a brewery visit with a tasting of 3 special beers.
Price per participant: €31
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting point at 13:30 at the registration desk
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- EXCURSION 2: Walking tour + private boat tour in Bruges (incl. transfert)
Visiting Bruges is to imagine that the boats and carriages do not carry tourists but German or Italian merchants who come to sell spices from the Orient, wines from the Rhine, furs from Russia... In the animation of the quays the cosmopolitan city of the 16th century is evoked: the largest port in the world.
During one day we will live in Bruges like merchants of the Hanseatic League.
After greeting the city representatives in front of the belfry and the town hall, we will walk towards the burghers' lodge, the porter's lodge, the Genoese House...
Return by bus is foreseen around 18h30.
Price per participant: €77, including guides & bus transfers
Duration: 4h30
Meeting point at 14:00 at the registration desk
This excursion requires a minimum participation of 35.
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met.
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- EXCURSION 3: Authentic Ghent - Authentic’s Combo Boat & Walking Tour
This tour combines the best of both worlds! See Ghent from the water and then take a stroll and get lost in the small alleys of the historic city center. Boating and walking, discovering and relaxing, all under the guidance of a fun guide.
Price per participant: €47, including boat tour and guides
Duration: 2h (1h15 walking tour + 45 min private boat trip)
Meeting point at 14:00 at the registration desk
This excursion requires a minimum participation of 15.
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met.
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- EXCURSION 4: Authentic Ghent - Relaxed bicycle tour around Ghent (FULLY BOOKED)
In this bicycle tour we explore as well historical Ghent as urban Ghent. We stop at idyllic, historical spots such as the medieval Bijloke site, the Unesco Begijnhof, the vineyard of the Sint-Pieters Abbey, the Sint-Baafs Abbey. We cycle off the beaten path to the hip and trendy Krook, the university area, street art at Dok Noord and so on. We cycle at a leisurely pace and make short stops along the way .
Price per participant: €35
Duration: 2 hours (5 to 7 kms)
Meeting point at 14:00 at the registration desk
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met.
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- EXCURSION 5: Authentic Ghent - Authentic’s Highlights & Hidden corners tour
This private walking tour is the perfect intro to get to know Ghent.
We alternate well-known highlights such as the iconic Graslei/Korenlei, the Belfry and the Castle of the Counts with lesser-known but very charming, authentic places in the historic heart of the city. Think of the cozy cobblestone alleys in the medieval Patershol, the picturesque Lievekaai or the 'urban legend' Graffitistraatje.
Price per participant: €25
Duration: 1,5h
Meeting point at 14:00 at the registration desk
This excursion requires a minimum participation of 15.
Alternative proposals or free cancellation will be offered in case the required number is not met.
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