Machine Translation and Morphologically-rich Languages Research Workshop of the Israel Science Foundation University of Haifa, Israel, 23-27 January, 2011

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Program

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Venue

The Workshop will take place at the University of Haifa in Haifa, Israel. Sessions will be held at the Ofer Observatory, 30th floor of Eshkol Tower. See campus map and directions.

Travel information

Haifa does not have international flight connections; book a flight to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (TLV). The airport has extensive ground transportation options, including a direct train to Haifa via Tel Aviv, coaches, shuttle (shared) taxis, rental cars and taxis. There are several ATMs and bank branches at the airport, open 24 hours a day; make sure to either change or withdraw local currency (New Israeli Shekel, commonly known as shekel, ILS).

Israel's flag carrier is El Al, with flights to several destinations throughout Europe, North America, Asia and South Africa. Most major European airlines fly to Israel, including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, Alitalia, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Malev, Czech Airlines, KLM, Iberia, SN Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and more. They usually operate one or two daily flights to their European hubs. North-American carriers offering direct flights to TLV include Continental, Delta, US Airways and Air Canada. In addition, several charter and low-cost airlines fly to Israel from Europe.

The best way to travel from/to the airport is by train: trains run twice an hour during the day, once an hour during the night, and take about 1:15 hours from Ben Gurion airport to Haifa Hof HaCarmel station. Check the schedules on-line. The fare is about EUR 7 / USD 10 one way, a little less when buying a return ticket. Buy your ticket before boarding the train and keep it since you will need it when you leave the station. Alternatively, shuttles (shared taxis) leave regularly from the airport to Haifa and will drop you off at your destination. No pre-booking is needed, and the cost is about EUR 15 / USD 20. Shuttles depart when they are full.

Public transportation in Israel practically halts during the weekend, which is defined as Friday early afternoon to Saturday night. This includes trains and inter-city coaches, but not the local buses in Haifa, which run with reduced frequency; nor shuttle taxis from and to the airport.

See also here.

Accommodation

The conference hotel is Crowne Plaza Haifa. A block of rooms has been allocated for the Workshop, and the favorable daily rates are USD 145 (deluxe room), USD 175 (Crowne room, includes lounge access as well as use of the business center) single occupancy, on a bed and breakfast basis. Rates include all taxes (Israeli citizens must add VAT). Double occupancy is possible for additional USD 30 per night. Please note that wifi is available for an extra charge of USD 15 per day (but several cafes around offer free wifi).

To benefit from these rates, please send an e-mail to business@hiil.co.il, indicating your arrival and departure dates and the desired room. Please specify MTML 2011 in your e-mail.

As a less expensive alternative, consider Dan Gardens Haifa, just across the street from the Crowne Plaza. USD 80 for a single, USD 95 for a double. To benefit from these rates, you must make your reservation via the University of Haifa. Please send me an e-mail with your check-in and check-out dates and the desired type of room (single/double). I will later need a credit card number to secure the reservation; you will pay the hotel directly upon check-out. Rates are on a bed and breakfast basis, including all taxes. Israeli citizens must add VAT.

From the hotel to the University: It's a 40-minute bus ride in heavy traffic, 25 minutes during most of the day. Route 37 stops in front of the hotel (50 meters down the road) and goes directly to the University. Get off just as you've passed the Eshkol Tower (can't be missed). Fare is 6.20 shekel, pay the driver, drivers carry (reasonable) change.

Alternatively, shared taxis (vans) with "37" signs on their front run regularly along this route. Fare is 6 shekel, pay the driver, ask to get off at the University Tower and experience one of Israel's unique forms of public transportation. (To get the idea, see here or here.)

Map of the Carmel Center area. Directions: from the hotel to the University

Visa information

Citizens of many countries, including most EU countries and the US, do not need a visa for a short visit. Check the list of countries. Citizens of other countries are advised to check with the nearest Israeli consulate.

All visitors must have a return ticket and a passport valid for at least six months.

Weather

Haifa enjoys moderate mediterranean weather, but January is considered winter here. Expect temperatures between 10-18 centigrade (50-65 fahrenheit) with a good chance of rain showers (but some sunny spells as well). Make sure to have an umbrella and a light rain jacket.