Details of the 2013 Meeting

THE NORTH AMERICAN CLINICAL DERMATOLOGIC SOCIETY
Presents resents resents
the
54th Annual Meeting
SPAIN AN D PORTUGAL
APRIL 24 - MAY 05, 2013
OFFICIAL MEETING DAILY ITINERARY
TUESDAY, APR 23 Depart US for Barcelona, Spain
WEDNESDAY,APR 24 BARCELONA
After clearing customs and immigration you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. At 7:00PM the NACDS will host a Welcome Hospitality Reception. Dinner on your own this evening.
HOTEL EL PALACE 3 NIGHTS
( Formerly the Ritz)
THURSDAY, APR 25 BARCELONA
8:00AM – 12NOON Physicians meet at the hotel. Spouses are at leisure this morning. We suggest a quick lunch before departing the hotel at 1:00PM for Barcelona sightseeing. Today’s excursion begins with the incomparable panorama of the city of Barcelona and it’s harbor from the hill of the Montjuic, which is also the site of most of the stadia for the immensely successful 1992 Olympic games. Then on to “Pueblo Espanol” village, created for the 1929 Exhibition, with examples of buildings , streets and squares from all over Spain. A great place to spend a little time strolling and perhaps do a little shopping. Next we explore Barcelona’s greatest architectural genius, Antoni Gaudi, past the wave fronted “Pedrera” apartment building and the Casa Batillo. We proceed back down to the city to view the spectacular basilica of the Sagrada Familia, still under construction. With the interior almost finished, it is quite simply one of the most amazing places of worship in the world. This evening we depart the hotel at 630PM for the Presidents Cocktail reception and dinner at the “CAN TRAVI NOU” country house restaurant.
FRIDAY, APR 26 BARCELONA
8:45AM - 12NOON Physicians depart by bus to University of Barcelona for a scientific meeting. Spouses are at leisure.
OPTION # 1 – PM This walking tour begins by exploring the heart of the “Gothic Quarter”, the Boqueria Market, to view the most extraordinary display of every imaginable kind of foodstuffs in all of Europe. The tour continues through narrow streets to Placa Sant Jaume, seat of government and then on to Born district and the Carrer Montcada, lined with medieval palaces. We end with a visit to the Picasso Museum, displaying works from his earliest childhood .
OPTION #2-EVENING Enjoy an evening of Spanish Culture, a special Flamenco Show and dinner.
SATURDAY, APR 27 BARCELONA/BILBAO/SAN SEBASTIAN
Early AM departure by air from Barcelona to Bilbao where in the historic “Siete Calles district we will be enjoying some special treats, starting with lunch in a traditional Basque “Asador”, this will be followed by a visit to the Guggenheim Museum, created by Frank Gehry, with permanent display’s of huge works by Richard Serra and Jeff Koons. The road then leads us through the green Basque countryside to San Sebastian. We meet at 630PM for Hospitality hour at the hotel. Dinner on your own this evening.
HOTEL “MARIA CHRISTINA “ 4 NIGHTS
SUNDAY, APR 28 SAN SEBASTIAN
8:00AM – 12NOON, Physicians meeting at the hotel. Spouses at leisure AM
OPTION # 3- PM- SAINT JEAN DE LUZ, BIARRITZ AND BAYONNE
A short drive across the border to France brings us to the delightful little fishing port of Saint Jean de Luz, once an important whaling base, now a delightful resort town. On the main street stands the church where King Louis XIV was married. Continuing to Biarritz, famous above all for it’s surfing beaches and the elegant Hotel de Palais, once a royal palace. Then on to Bayonne, capital of the French Pays Basque. Situated astride two rivers, Bayonne is an outstanding
example of conservation and restoration . The streets are lined by half timbered houses typical of the region. After lunch we visit the exceptional Basque Museum, the best of its kind in either France or Spain, displaying all aspects of the traditions and culture of the Basque people. Dinner on your own this evening.
MONDAY, APR. 29 SAN SEBASTIAN
OPTION # 4- FULL DAY TOUR TO RIOJA COUNTRY INCLUDING LUNCH
Some of the finest vineyards in the renowned Rioja wine region, lies within the Basque Country, in the district of the Rioja Alavesa. Driving first to Vitoria, political capital of the Basque Region, the road then crosses the beautiful hill country over the pass of Herrera. After a visit to the enchanting hilltop town of LaGuardia, we continue to the village of Briones and the remarkable Dinastia Vivanco wine museum, where we will enjoy lunch, followed by a tour of the museum.This afternoon we continue to the village of Elciego and the spectacular winery of the Marquis de Riscal famed for not only its wines but also the unique hotel created by Frank Gehry. We will enjoy a wine tasting in the Bodega before continuing on our journey.
OPTION # 5 – FULL DAY TOUR, SAN SEBASTIAN AND GETARIA
San Sebastian is famed primarily for its setting, its beaches and its gastronomy. Its most renowned artistic son was the 20th century sculptor Eduardo Chillida, whose works are to be found in museums all over the world, including the United States. His home and the state surrounding it were converted during his lifetime into the beautiful Chillida Leku sculpture park. It is now closed to the public, but this tour will include a private visit. At the end of La Concha Bay we view another work of art by Chillida, the “Comb of the Winds”, set on the rocks below the cliffs. From here the road leads up to the top of the Monte Igeldo, for superb views over the city and the mountains. We continue on to the delightful fishing village of Getaria, a wonderful place to linger for a superb seafood lunch by the port and then visit the extraordinary museum, dedicated to the clothes of the mythical couturier Cristobal Balenciaga, the prince of Paris fashion in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Dinner on your own this evening.
TUESDAY, APR. 30 SAN SEBASTIAN
800AM – 1130AM – Physicians meeting
1130AM-1:00PM – Board meeting. Spouses at leisure AM
OPTION # 6- PM PAMPLONA AND FOOTHILLS OF THE PYRANEES
In less than an hour the dramatically beautiful motorway brings you to Pamplona, capital of the region of Navarre and today the city with the highest GDP in Spain. It is also historically important and a key stop on the Pilgrim Road to Santiago de Compostela. Pamplona is of course also famed the world over for the mad week every July, when the entire town is given over to the fiestas of San Fermin, where the bulls are run every morning through the streets. From here the road leads North into the foothills of the Pyranees, Continuing through the beautiful mountain country we cross into France near the picture book village of Ainhoa before continuing to the unspoiled little village of Sare, a perfect place to stop for a coffee and to sample the delicious local gateau basque .
Late afternoon return in to Spain and San Sebastian
OPTION # 7 – MICHELIN STAR DINING SAN SEBASTIAN
The philosophy of father and daughter chefs Juan Mari and Elena have earned them numerous awards. Restaurant ARZAK specializes in good honest Spanish food, raised to new heights. Among their awards, 3 Michelin stars, plus, they rated number 8 in ”The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” awards, Best Female Chef and numerous other International awards.The menu offered this evening is “Degustacion” including wine from the region.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 01
SAN SEBASTIAN / BILBAO / LISBON / PORTO
Early morning transfer to Bilbao airport for our flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival we continue first to the district of Belen to visit
the mighty Jerominos Monastery, burial place of the navigator Vasco da Gama. We proceed through the heart of Lisbon to the hill of the Alfama, the oldest part of the city, little changed in its lay-out since Moorish times. High above the labyrinth of little streets is the Castle of Saint George, with spectacular views of the city and the Tagus Estuary. Back down in the city we enter the “Baixo”, the miraculously unspoiled heart of Lisbon as it was rebuilt in the late 18th century after the catastrophic earthquake of 1755. A wonderful place to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere of the old shops. Then it will be time for lunch in a traditional restaurant, after which we start our journey to Porto.
630PM Hospitality hour at the hotel. Dinner on your own this evening.
HOTEL “THE YEATMAN” 4 NIGHTS
THURSDAY, MAY 02 PORTO
8:00AM - 10:00AM - Scientific presentations
10:00AM-11:00AM – Annual members meeting
11:00AM – 12 NOON-Review of 2012 and preview of 2014. AM spouses are at leisure.
OPTION # 8 – PM SIGHTSEEING IN PORTO
The city is divided in two by the river Douro and the south bank, where the town of Vila Nova de Gaia is located. The historic centre climbs up from the “Cais” (the old quayside) to the hill which is crowned by the severe Gothic cathedral. Strolling along the quayside the visit will include the remarkable neo Moorish former stock exchange, the cathedral and the 19th century landmarks like the splendid Lello bookshop and the fin de siècle Café Majestic. No visit is complete until you have visited one of the port wine lodges, where since the 18th century, port has been created
(originally by English shippers), from wines brought down river from the Douro valley.
FRIDAY, MAY 03 PORTO
845AM – 12NOON – Physicians depart for scientific meeting at the University of Porto. AM Spouses are at leisure. This afternoon you are free to explore this beautiful area further, or maybe indulge in the world famous “CAULALIE VINOTHERAPIE SPA” this afternoon. This evening we depart the hotel at 630PM for the “Factoria Inglesa”, where we attend the 54th ANNUAL RECEPTION AND BANQUET.
SATURDAY, MAY 04 PORTO
OPTION # 9- FULL DAY EXCURSION TO “THE DOURO VALLEY”
The landscape that greets us outside of Porto is green and picturesque, with tiny villages clinging to the hillsides. However the area important to production of wine starts when you reach Peso de Regua, after which the valley sides becomes covered with vines, which will produce the wine for making the fine port. We will enjoy lunch in one of these fine vineyards. After lunch we proceed to the village of Pinhao, about 20KM further up the river we board a private cruise on the Douro, in a “Rabelo”. These traditional boats in olden times transported the casks of new wine down to the lodges in Porto. Meet for “Farewell Cocktails“ at 630pm in DICKS bar. Dinner on your own this evening
SUNDAY, MAY 05 TRANSFERS TO THE AIRPORT/ OR POST TRIP TRANSFERS.