During the three days of the conference, there is a comprehensive partners' social programme. Accompanying persons can register for this social programme online as part of Delegate/Presenter Registration.

Accompanying Persons cannot participate in the conference scientific programme either as a co-author, presenter or delegate.

The cost for Accompanying Persons Programme is €175, which includes the 3 full day tours outlined below as well as participation at the Networking Cocktail Reception on Thursday 26 October.

The visit will start where everything began, in the oldest area of Barcelona: the Barri Gotic. Over 1 1/2 hours we will have the opportunity to discover some of the most impressive medieval buildings in the Gothic area.

We will then head to the Barceloneta, which was once an old fisherman's village and is now most famous for being part of the 'seaside' area of Barcelona and one of the most popular 'Barrios'. Here we will have time for coffee while we enjoy the views over the blue Mediterranean.

After coffee, those people 'brave' enough can take the cable car to Montjuïc, the mountain dominating the city, which also hosts the old castle. The cable car offers spectacular views of the Port and the city. The coach will be on hand to transport those not wanting to ride the cable car to Montjuïc. From here we will go for lunch (around 2:30pm) in the 'Poble Sec' area at a farmhouse style restaurant that specialises in delicious Catalan cuisine.

After lunch, we will drive up 'Las Ramblas', perhaps the most famous street in Barcelona, before heading to Passeig de Gracia, where we will discover the modernist part of the city passing by the Pedrera and Casa Batllo. Here you will learn more about the history of the 'Eixample' district, the neighbourhood that symbolizes the golden age of Catalunya. We will also stop at the Sagrada Familia and at the Hospital de Santes Creus, a jewel of the modernist era forgotten by most visitors.

We will finish the day in Park Guell, the beautiful relaxing 'garden-city' imagined by Gaudi. It's a great way to have a final overview over the city and remind you of all the places you have visited during the day.

The costs associated with coffee, lunch and the cable car to Montjuic are not included.

Capture the heart of Catalonia on this trail to the iconic Montserrat and enjoy the sparkle in the rural wine cellars of one of the local wine makers. The day starts with a 4-hour visit to Montserrat to explore the monastic centre of Catalonia, home to the famous black virgin & la Escolania (boys choir). There is also time to explore the magnificent natural park & mountains with spectacular views over the plains of Catalonia. Following lunch (not included), the group will be transported along country roads to visit one of the regional wine makers, providing a chance to see how the wine is produced and sample a bottle or two.

Accompanying Persons are welcome to attend the Networking Reception in the Hotel Princesa Sofia, Plaza Pio XII, Barcelona on Thursday 26 October from 6pm. It is necessary to confirm participation at this reception as part of the Accompanying Person Registration.

We journey to the Costa Brava and visit the colourful Roman city of Girona, a melting pot of different cultures.

Explore the winding medieval streets of the Jewish quarter, the Arab baths and the grandeur of its Romanesque Cathedral. After 2 hours here, we head to the medieval village of Pals for lunch (not included). Afterwards, we follow the coastal route to admire the breath-taking seaviews, cliffs and coves of Costa Brava and Calella de Palafrugell, where we will stop briefly. We will then head back to Barcelona early so we can stop at Roca Village, a purpose built shopping-village, designed in traditional Spanish village style. This is very popular, with many top brands selling the latest fashions at discounted prices.