Dear Participants of 8th European Congress of Virology, dear Colleagues: 

Before you come to Gdansk, some local information for you:  

The good updated description of the city can be found at https://guide.trojmiasto.pl/

1. The venue 
   The Baltic Philharmonic is located on the island Ołowianka (Lead Island), separated from the Old City of Gdansk by river Motlawa. It is not really an island - it is connected with the mainland and with Old City by a bridge and a regular road. Another connection is the pedestrian drawbridge which directly leads from Philharmonic to the old city (the story of bridge construction: https://s-trojmiasto.pl/download/1/kladka.pdf ). In the past the island was a rather neglected industrial area, but it has been converted into lively and attractive part of Gdansk, with city marina, many hotels, sailing clubs, bars and restaurants. The Philharmonic building (a converted power plant) is located next to National Maritime Museum and to the historical ship 'Soldek' which is the part of the Museum. If you stroll along the water from the congress venue to the old city, you will see another island (Granary Island, Wyspa Spichrzów), hotels on the opposite bank of the river and many sailing boats. If you cross the river by the footbridge (check the schedule when the bridge is pulled up!) you can also visit the unique Museum of the Second World War.  
   There is no public transportation directly to the Philharmonic. Taxis and private cars can arrive to the venue and there is a large parking lot onsite. The traffic in the old city is partly restricted for private cars. However, most of the hotels and restaurants (also these on the other bank of the river) as well as numerous tourist attractions are in the walking distance from Baltic Philharmonic. The main bridge leads to Long Market and Long Street – the main street of the old city, called the Royal Route. At the end of this street, after crossing the Golden Gate you can reach city trams, fast train station (Gdansk Głowny) buses and the huge modern shopping center Forum.  
2. How to get there and public transportation 
   If you are coming by plane, there is a fast train from the airport to Gdansk, but it does not come to the center of Gdansk, the change is required at the station Gdansk-Wrzeszcz. From this station you can get another train to Gdansk Central (Gdansk Głowny). Public transportation in Tri-city (the name of urban agglomeration formed by Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia) includes several lines of fast trains, trams and buses. If you prefer easier way of travelling, there are several taxi companies (eg Neptun taxi +48 5819686) and of course Uber. 
   For those who like to use the other ways of mobility, you can easily get around the city with an electric scooter. On the streets you will find many scooters ready for rent via the application (Tier, Lime, Dott, Bolt). 
3. If you still have not booked your hotel you may easily find a holiday apartment through “Booking” or similar system. There are hundreds of such apartments in central Gdansk, usually cheaper than hotels and most of them are of very good standard.  
4. Language and money 
   English is as popular in Poland as in all European countries so you can usually easily communicate in shops, restaurants etc. Poland is still using Polish currency (zloty) but you can pay practically everywhere with credit cards, so the cash is seldom needed. 
5. Weather 
   Unpredictable in the first weeks of May, but according to current forecast – we can expect mostly sunny but not warm weather: 12-130 C. So bring a coat or a warmer jacket.  
6. Favourite place of the host 
   The district Oliwa (those who will attend the dinner in Olivia Star will see this district from 34th floor) with beautiful park and cathedral. If you go a bit further from the center of old city, there are some less known parts like Dolne Miasto (the Lower Town), which is still being revitalized. Sopot has a longest wooden pier in Europe and beautiful beach but for those who decide to take some days off in Poland the best beaches are on Sobieszewska Island – about 20 min driving from the center of the city. 
7. Gdansk is a city of amber – don’t forget to buy a souvenir! 

Hotels in the city centre Urban transport