VIPIMAGE 2013

LOCATION

Host City
The Conference will be held at Madeira Island, in Funchal, the capital of the archipelago located in the south coast of the island, in a bay washed by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by green mountains and deeps valleys.
Madeira and Porto Santo and the uninhabited Selvagens and Desertas Islands make up the Madeira Archipelago, which was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418. The archipelago is in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1.000 km from Europe. It’s only a 90- minute flight from Lisbon.
Madeira has an area of 741 km2, and is 57 km in length and 22 km in width. Thanks to their excellent geographical location and mountainous relief, these islands have surprisingly balmy weather, with moderate humidity and pleasant average temperatures of 23ºC in the summer and 17ºC in the winter. The sea temperature is also very mild, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, averaging 22ºC in the summer and 18ºC in the winter.

What to do in Madeira

“Levadas” Walking Tours
Madeira provides fantastic hiking tours, called “levadas”, taking you to some of the most spectacular and beautiful sceneries of the Island.

Regular Bus
Tours If walking is not what you are looking for, you can find bus tours leaving Funchal every day to all over in the island. Information can be found at the hotel reception.
Madeira accessibilities, with a very good and modern road network, can take you everywhere without losing too much time. Even the ancient roads are well kept, and, in some cases, used, mainly, by tourists.

“Dolce Fare Niente”
If relaxation is what you are looking for, there’s no better place than Madeira to do it. Some of the Hotels are equipped with Spas where it’s possible to relax and do nothing else then lying by the pool and rest.

Boat Trips
There are regular and chartered boat trips in the Island, either in a 1500 man-o-war replica of “Santa Maria de Colombo” , one of the boats of Christopher Columbus ‘ fleet, or in a modern sail catamaran.
For all fishing enthusiasts, big game fishing might probably be the best way of spending a day in Madeira.

Golf
The Island of Madeira offers to their visitors two golf courses, one of 18 holes , and another with 27, and there’s a third one being built. In the smaller Island of Porto Santo, a 18 hole golf course just opened in October last year.

Dolphin/Wales Watching
This is a very nice way to meet this fantastic creatures, and, of course, to make a fantastic boat ride. Or even to Swim with Dolphins.

Scuba Diving
The archipelago waters are full of sea life, so the experience of diving in these lively waters would be unforgettable. There are private companies organizing expeditions, and diving classes are available in some hotels.

Trip to Porto Santo
Also called as a Mini Cruise, this trip is performed on a very modern ferry boat working daily and connecting Funchal (Madeira’s capital) to the smaller Island of Porto Santo. It’s a two hour and twenty minutes boat ride, where it is possible to appreciate the two islands from seaside. In Porto Santo there is a fantastic 9 km white sandy beach, restaurants and different tours.

Cable Cars
In Funchal, and in other locations of the Island, there are cable car rides providing spectacular views of Madeira.

Sightseeing
There are numerous historical sites, monuments, different Museums, to visit and to enjoy. And the “Must “of the Island, is its Nature, that surrounds you everywhere.

Toboggan Ride
This typical regional way of transportation as become, one of the most well-known images of Madeira.
Since the early days of tourism in the Island, until nowadays, this kind of entertainment is still well appreciated by all our visitors.

Visits to Madeira Wine Lodges
Being in Madeira and not visiting a Madeira wine lodge, it’s like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope.
These lodges, store inside, the precious and exquisite liquid that is the Madeira Wine. Of course tasting is included in the visits.

Natural Pools
In the Northern Coast, natural pools are easy to find, being fantastic places, where visitors can take a relaxing bath on the Atlantic Ocean.

Gardens
The Island itself is a “floating garden “, as it is known all over the World. Exuberant manmade gardens are open to be visited. That’s the case of the Botanical Garden, Quinta Magnólia, Monte Palace Gardens, and many others.

Museums
Different Museums and exhibitions can be found in Funchal, and some other cities of the Island. For full and complete information, please see a Madeira Guide, or ask at your Hotel reception, or Tourism Information Offices.

Nightlife entertainment
Bars and discotheques, located in the Hotels and in the city centre, or, in the hotel area, are places where you can have fun having a drink, or dancing all night long.

Casino
The casino provides all traditional casino entertainment, allowing you to dine in one of the two restaurants, to see a show, to play slot machines or traditional casino games.

Sports
The fantastic waves and wind conditions in Madeira got the archipelago in the route of surfers, and windsurfers. Some surfing magazines elected the waves of Madeira as the best waves in Europe for surfing and windsurfing.
Sailing conditions are almost perfect, thanks to modern marinas built around the Island.
Paragliding, rock climbing, Cycling, canyoning, “levada“walking, canoeing, parasailing, and many other sports, are available in Madeira.


	Conference Topics Conference Format Scientific Commitee Invited Lectures Important Dates Publications Instructions Scientific Programme Thematic Sessions Awards Photos Registration Fees Login Area Social Programme Location Accommodation	LOCATION Host City The Conference will be held at Madeira Island, in Funchal, the capital of the archipelago located in the south coast of the island, in a bay washed by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by green mountains and deeps valleys. Madeira and Porto Santo and the uninhabited Selvagens and Desertas Islands make up the Madeira Archipelago, which was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418. The archipelago is in the Atlantic Ocean, 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1.000 km from Europe. It’s only a 90- minute flight from Lisbon. Madeira has an area of 741 km2, and is 57 km in length and 22 km in width. Thanks to their excellent geographical location and mountainous relief, these islands have surprisingly balmy weather, with moderate humidity and pleasant average temperatures of 23ºC in the summer and 17ºC in the winter. The sea temperature is also very mild, thanks to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream, averaging 22ºC in the summer and 18ºC in the winter. What to do in Madeira “Levadas” Walking Tours Madeira provides fantastic hiking tours, called “levadas”, taking you to some of the most spectacular and beautiful sceneries of the Island. Regular Bus Tours If walking is not what you are looking for, you can find bus tours leaving Funchal every day to all over in the island. Information can be found at the hotel reception. Madeira accessibilities, with a very good and modern road network, can take you everywhere without losing too much time. Even the ancient roads are well kept, and, in some cases, used, mainly, by tourists. “Dolce Fare Niente” If relaxation is what you are looking for, there’s no better place than Madeira to do it. Some of the Hotels are equipped with Spas where it’s possible to relax and do nothing else then lying by the pool and rest. Boat Trips There are regular and chartered boat trips in the Island, either in a 1500 man-o-war replica of “Santa Maria de Colombo” , one of the boats of Christopher Columbus ‘ fleet, or in a modern sail catamaran. For all fishing enthusiasts, big game fishing might probably be the best way of spending a day in Madeira. Golf The Island of Madeira offers to their visitors two golf courses, one of 18 holes , and another with 27, and there’s a third one being built. In the smaller Island of Porto Santo, a 18 hole golf course just opened in October last year. Dolphin/Wales Watching This is a very nice way to meet this fantastic creatures, and, of course, to make a fantastic boat ride. Or even to Swim with Dolphins. Scuba Diving The archipelago waters are full of sea life, so the experience of diving in these lively waters would be unforgettable. There are private companies organizing expeditions, and diving classes are available in some hotels. Trip to Porto Santo Also called as a Mini Cruise, this trip is performed on a very modern ferry boat working daily and connecting Funchal (Madeira’s capital) to the smaller Island of Porto Santo. It’s a two hour and twenty minutes boat ride, where it is possible to appreciate the two islands from seaside. In Porto Santo there is a fantastic 9 km white sandy beach, restaurants and different tours. Cable Cars In Funchal, and in other locations of the Island, there are cable car rides providing spectacular views of Madeira. Sightseeing There are numerous historical sites, monuments, different Museums, to visit and to enjoy. And the “Must “of the Island, is its Nature, that surrounds you everywhere. Toboggan Ride This typical regional way of transportation as become, one of the most well-known images of Madeira. Since the early days of tourism in the Island, until nowadays, this kind of entertainment is still well appreciated by all our visitors. Visits to Madeira Wine Lodges Being in Madeira and not visiting a Madeira wine lodge, it’s like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. These lodges, store inside, the precious and exquisite liquid that is the Madeira Wine. Of course tasting is included in the visits. Natural Pools In the Northern Coast, natural pools are easy to find, being fantastic places, where visitors can take a relaxing bath on the Atlantic Ocean. Gardens The Island itself is a “floating garden “, as it is known all over the World. Exuberant manmade gardens are open to be visited. That’s the case of the Botanical Garden, Quinta Magnólia, Monte Palace Gardens, and many others. Museums Different Museums and exhibitions can be found in Funchal, and some other cities of the Island. For full and complete information, please see a Madeira Guide, or ask at your Hotel reception, or Tourism Information Offices. Nightlife entertainment Bars and discotheques, located in the Hotels and in the city centre, or, in the hotel area, are places where you can have fun having a drink, or dancing all night long. Casino The casino provides all traditional casino entertainment, allowing you to dine in one of the two restaurants, to see a show, to play slot machines or traditional casino games. Sports The fantastic waves and wind conditions in Madeira got the archipelago in the route of surfers, and windsurfers. Some surfing magazines elected the waves of Madeira as the best waves in Europe for surfing and windsurfing. Sailing conditions are almost perfect, thanks to modern marinas built around the Island. Paragliding, rock climbing, Cycling, canyoning, “levada“walking, canoeing, parasailing, and many other sports, are available in Madeira.