Social Activities

The complete social programme which is included in the registration fee includes the following events:

  • Sunday evening: Welcome reception at Hotel Zuiderduin
  • Tuesday afternoon: LABeach run. Don’t forget to bring your running gear!
  • Wednesday afternoon: Excursions & recreational activities
  • Wednesday evening: Congress Dinner. Dinner will be organised for all participants. A party with live music follows the dinner.

We offer a variety of excursions on 30th August 2023 in Amsterdam, but you are of course free to spend the afternoon either in Amsterdam or in Egmond aan Zee. Please indicate your choice in the registration form. 

All excursions require a minumum of 20 participants to take place, all tours are in English.

 

Excursion 1: Amsterdam Ancient City walking tour

The almshouses of the Begijnhof, the university buildings and book market of Oudemanhuispoort, the Spinhuis (a former correctional house for women), the Schuttersgalerij (civic guards gallery) or the Schreierstoren (part of Amsterdam’s medieval city walls): which sights your guided tour of the ancient city center will feature is a surprise. It all depends on the route your guide will take you on. But one thing for sure, we combine sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: history, modern life, culture, art, fun facts and personal stories for a unique Insider’s perspective on life in Amsterdam.

Excursion 2: Amsterdam Rijksmuseum & 1h canal tour

Your visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without exploring the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum. Have a close encounter with the famous paintings by Dutch masters such as Vincent van Gogh’s Self-portrait, The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. In the gallery of honor you find all the Dutch masters of the Golden Age side by side. After visiting the museum you can catch your breath on a canal tour. Arguably the best way to see Amsterdam is from the water, so sit back, relax and admire the view of the historic canal houses during a 1 hour canal tour.

Excursion 3: Amsterdam Micropia

Micropia is the only museum of its kind, displaying the invisible world of micro-organisms. Its mission? To show the interconnectivity of the natural world with the most powerful, most successful and, at the same time, smallest organisms. Microbiology can help solve global problems, from water purification to developing new ways to cure infectious diseases. It can produce energy, food and bio-plastics. You will learn about current issues and on the effect microbes have on man and nature and the possibilities they offer us. One thing is sure: after visiting Micropia, you will never see yourself, or the world, in the same way again.

Excursion 4: Free afternoon Amsterdam

Explore Amsterdam at your own pace. Whether you visit one of the renowned museums, ride a bicycle through the Vondelpark or go on a shopping spree, it’s all up to you.

Excursion 5: Free afternoon Egmond aan Zee

Let your hair down by the seaside. Take a stroll along the beach, explore the sandy dunes, climb the lighthouse Van Speijk and enjoy an ice cream, or a cocktail in one of the beach pavilions.

The Symposium is organised under the auspices of the Royal Netherlands Society for Microbiology (KNVM) and sponsored by FrielandCampina, IFF, BaseClear Chr. Hansen, DSM, Nestlé, Arla, Danone and LABIB