During the scientific program accompanying persons can take part in organized excursions and visits. They may also participate in the social program.The registration fee for accompanying persons includes all the special excursions and the complete social program, including meals.

Tuesday evening. Reception and Museum Visit.

Accompanying persons may participate in the reception and museum visit. This will be an occasion to meet the organizers of the Program for Accompanying Persons and to make arrangements for the next day.

Wednesday morning. The world famous Beguinage.

-Museum of Decorative Arts. Old Flemish objects (furniture, sculptures, tapestries etc…) on exhibition in a 15C mansion ("Gruuthuse") with a beautiful interior.

-Almshouse "Rooms Convent". An almshouse was a shelter for poor and old people and consisted of rows of small modest brick houses.

-Beguinage and Minnewater (Lake of Love). The Beguinage of Bruges was founded in 1245. It is one of the best kept in Flanders and is located in idyllic surroundings.

Light Lunch in a local restaurant.

Wednesday Afternoon. Select: Beer or Lace.

-Visit of the local brewery "Straffe Hendrik". Occasion for beer tasting.

-Lace Shopping.

Wednesday Evening. Dinner at Tanner's Square.

(The accompanying persons will not participate in the Town Hall reception. They will go directly to Tanner's Square where they will receive a welcome drink.). Dinner at Tanner's Square with all participants.

Thursday morning. Authentic Bruges.

Guided visit of the English Convent, De Potterie and of Hof Bladelin.   Historically interesting places outside the beaten tracks of the day tourists.

Lunch in a remarkable setting the "Oud Handbogenhof".

Thursday Afternoon. Join other participants to take part in "Discover Bruges".

Thursday Evening. Highlight of the social program: The Symposium Concert.

Friday morning. Visit of Damme.

Boat trip to Damme, via the canal built by Napoleon. A fruitless attempt to connect Bruges again with the sea, it is now an idyllic stretch of water. Damme is a charming little town that served as Bruges outer harbor in the 14th century. It is the hometown of one of the earliest Flemish writers, Jacob van Maerlant (13th century) and of Eulenspiegel, the hero of a picaresque novel of a character living in conflict with its distant rulers. Guided visit to Damme.

Lunch in restaurant "Den Heerd" in Damme.

Return by boat to Bruges.

Friday afternoon. Visit of St.Anna Quarter.

-Lace Center. Institution dedicated to the preservation of the art of bobbin lacemaking.

-Church of Jerusalem. Built by a rich merchant and with a plan inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visited by the merchant on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Curious tower.

-Folklore Museum. Traditions of the region evoked in charming almshouses.

Conclusion. Refreshment in the oldest café of Bruges "Vlissinghe".

Friday Evening. Banquet.