Formation and evolution of planetary systems and habitable planets
Molėtai, 21 - 30 August 2015

Access to the summer school & Accommodation
For accommodation during the summer school and access to the sites, please check our Venue and Access webpages for information. For accommodation outside the summer school there are several cheap alternatives. Especially in Vilnius there are good youth hostels. Information and booking available at different websites, e. g. here. Early booking is highly recommended!

Allergies
Since the summer school takes place in late summer, pollen allergies might be less of be a problem during the event. For up-to-date information check this website.

Banks
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 08:30-16:30. Please note that there is no cash machine close to the observatory. There is a DNB branch with an ATM in Molėtai, namely at Vilniaus gatve 47, 33102 Molėtai. It opens Mon - Thu 08:30 - 16:30 and Friday 08.00 - 15:30.

Climate
The climate of the Lithuania can be described as typical European continental influenced climate with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. Thunderstorms with heavy rainfalls do occur in summer.

In August the daily average minimum temperature is 13 degrees (Celsius), whereas the average daily maximum is a 24 degrees centigrade. Average rainfall is 74 mm in this month, normally 12 rainy days are recorded in August (hopefully none under the summer school).

The days of the Nordic Twilight are over, but days are still long.

Clothing & Equipment
Clothing should be adapted to the Lithuanian weather (see "Climate" above). Rain showers and thunderstorms can take place, so it is wise to bring rain gear.

Surely, no dress code exists at the Summer school.

Criminality
Generally, the level of criminality is not too high in Lithuania (horror stories from tourists are taken with a bit of a pinch of salt), but one should, nevertheless, be prudent: Pickpockets do operate in Lithuania, especially during the summer at crowded places. Cheating tourists is also not too common, although rip-offs by taxi drivers have been reported. DO NOT leave valuables in your car, car burglaries are a problem, especially near tourist places. Areas where dubious "gentlemen's clubs" are prevalent should also be avoided. Furthermore, the area around the railway station in Vilnius is not the best one to walk around a lot at night. Also, sites where a lot of drunk people gather are better avoided.

Customs
Lithuania is part of the EU. Infos about customs can be found here.

For importing prescription medicines a formal doctor's note may be requested by the customs officials. Also importing food from non EU-countries is discouraged and could lead to hassle.

Driving in Lithuania
Driving in Lithuania can be challenging. In rural areas, many unpaved roads still exist. Seat belts are mandatory and the use of mobile phones during driving is prohibited. Always take an insurance for your rented car. Drink-driving is an absolute "must not". If you are caught with alcohol in your blood driving a car you can immediately lose your license. A heavy fine or a prison sentence will also be imposed. Always use dipped lights under the day when driving.

Petrol stations usually open from 08:00 to 20:00, but can be open round the clock in Vilnius and near main motorways.

Finding a parking space can be tough in Vilnius. You are better off parking on the outskirts where you are more likely to find a space. To park within the city costs around EUR 1,-, to park just outside will cost you less. The machines for tickets do not give change, so make sure you have exact change ready when trying to park your car.

Electricity
Lithuania uses 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz frequency (like continental Europe). Also plugs are continental safety plugs (like those used in France and Germany). Never attempt to connect any electrical device not explicitly specified by the manufacturers for 220 V AC to Lithuanian sockets!

Emergency
The general emergency phone number in Lithuania is 112. The European emergency number 112 is not the only emergency number in Lithuania. Alongside 112, the following emergency numbers are available: 01 for the fire brigade, 02 for the police and 03 for the ambulance. 112 calls are answered on average within 6 seconds.The 112 operator should be able detect the location of the caller within about 2 seconds

Food
Lithuanian cuisine features the products suited to its cool and moist northern climate: barley, potatoes, rye, beets, greens, and mushrooms are locally grown, and dairy products are one of its specialties. It has much in common with other Eastern European and Jewish cuisines. Thus there are similar Lithuanian and Polish versions of dumplings (pierogi or koldunai), doughnuts (paczki or spurgos), and crepes (blini or blynai). German traditions also influenced Lithuanian cuisine, introducing pork and potato dishes, such as potato pudding (kugelis) and potato sausages (vedarai), as well as the baroque tree cake known as �akotis. The most exotic of all the influences is Eastern (Karaite) cuisine, and the dishes kibinai and ceburekai are popular in Lithuania. The popular �Torte Napoleon� was introduced during Napoleon's passage through Lithuania in the 19th century.

Cepelinai, potato dumplings stuffed with meat, curd cheese or mushrooms, is the most famous national dish. Other national foods include dark rye bread, cold beet soup (�altibar�ciai), and kugelis (a baked potato pudding), smoked sausage and vedarai (cooked potatoes and sausage stuffed into pig intestines).

Locally brewed beer (alus), vodka (degtine), and kvass (gira) are popular drinks in Lithuania. Lithuania is also a place where you may taste the unique snacks with beer such as: garlic bread, peas with ribs, smoked cheese, smoked pig ears and plums with various fillings.

Every region in Lithuania has preserved its original traditional dishes.

Health issues
For European visitors who fall ill or have an accident, free or reduced-cost treatment is available in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. Healthcare might not include all the things you would expect to get free of charge from your own health service. This means you may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.

US visitors and those of other countries: Please check with your health insurance company in your home country for information about coverage. Healthcare can get expensive if you are not insured!

Drinking tap water is generally safe in Lithuania. However, you might encounter bacteria your immune system is not used to, which can leads to milder stomach ailments. Very sensitive people might therefore prefer drinking bottled water.

Since we are in the countryside, you are recommended to be vaccinated against tetanus. Also, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is highly recommended, since the whole country is a risk area.

Please note: Some medication which is sold over the counter in other countries might require a prescription or even be illegal. The former includes contraceptives! If you are required to take some drugs with you, bring a written confirmation of your doctor and take the red line at the customs (to avoid problems).

Immigration & Visa requirements
Lithuania is a member of the Schengen agreement which exempts travellers from regular personal border controls between 13 European Union (EU) countries and two European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Norway and Iceland). People living in Great Britain and Ireland are subject to personal border controls upon entry to Lithuania. Border controls can, however be imposed on travellers from all states (this happens sometimes before football matches).

A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Lithuania, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. But also for citizens of those states it is highly recommended to take a passport with them.

Visitors from many countries are exempted from tourist visa requirements. A list of countries whose citizens do not need a visa is found here. If you are citizen of such a state, you should contact the Lithuanian embassy responsible for your country before application to avoid delays. For practical reasons, visas to Lithuania are, in some countries, issued by diplomatic missions from to other countries, depending on the country where the applicant is located. General infos about immigration to Lithuania can be found here.

Internet access
The Observatory has a fast Wifi free of charge to our guests. We will make every effort to provide free Internet access (in absence of technical difficulties) for all participants in all summer school activities. Access can be slow though, especially if 50 people want to get into Facebook during the coffee break.

Language
Lithuanian belongs to the Baltic Languages and is related to Latvian. Some researchers believe it contains many features of Proto-Indo-European now lost in other Indo-European languages. In 1864 the use of Lithuanian in education and publishing and the Latin alphabet was banned by Russian authorities. However, books in Lithuanian were smuggled into Lithuania from Germany until the ban was lifted in 1904. The Lithuanian alphabet has 32 letters and pronounciation is difficult. Further infos about the language with some listenijng examples can be found here.

Laundry facilities
There are two washing machines and all other necessary belongings for self-catering laundry and ironing. So we should manage, but do not expect to have ample possibilities for washing clothes.

Legal issues
Lithuanian law applies for and throughout the summer school.

Meals
Breakfast will be provided at Molėtai Observatory. The same holds for lunches and dinners. On excursions we will eat outside together. Sometimes (weather allowing) we will do barbeques at the observatory.

Please note that we are in a fairly rural area, and the choice of meals is not as extensive than in major cities. This might be problematic you if you have extensive dietary requirements.

Medical help
Medical help is available from Molėtai hospital at Vilniaus g. 78. The registraion office os open from 07:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Please note that the command of English of the health personnel might be a bit lacking, it is good to take a Lithuanian-speaking person with you. There are 2 pharmacies in Molėtai. Camelia on Amatu g. 3B is open at weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays. N vaistine (Vilniaus g. 99) opens from 08:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays and 09:00 to 16:00 on Sundays. There is a first aid-kit at the Observatory.

Money
Since 1 January 2015 Lithuania has the Euro. Cash can be obtained with these cards at ATM machines.

The use of traveller cheques as payments is uncommon.

Cash machines are very abundant in Vilnius.There is a DNB branch with an ATM in Molėtai, namely at Vilniaus gatve 47, 33102 Molėtai.

Nuisances
The common adder is the only venomous snake in Lithuania. Since there are many lakes are located around the mosquitoes can be a problem.Thus it is a good idea to bring some insect repellent.

Opening hours
Shop opening hours differ quite a lot. Banks usually open Monday to Friday 08:30-15:00.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are called Vaistine. There are 2 pharmacies in Molėtai. Camelia on Amatu g. 3B is open at weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 and 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays. sundays and public holidays from 09:30 to 23:30.N vaistine (Vilniaus g. 99) opens from 08:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays and 09:00 to 16:00 on Sundays. There will be a first-aid kit at the Observatory.?

Post and post offices
There is a post office in Molėtai at Vilniaus g. 43. It opens Mondays - Fridays 07:30 - 17:30 and Saturdays 07:30 - 13:30.

Poster session
The poster session will be held on 21 and 22 August 2015. We will inform you about the venue and the poster board dimensions in due course.

Public Holidays
The Only public holidays around the summer school is Assumption day (15 August).

Religion
Catholic influence is very strong in Lithuania. Some Catholic priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime and Lithuania was the only predominantly Catholic Soviet republic. Church holidays are still celebrated intensively.

The traditionaly strong Jewish community was almost wiped out by the Shoah. Today, however thre is a very active Jewish community in Vilnius with 4000 members.

Registration
Information about registration procedures will be communicated to the selected participants.

Shopping
Compared to other European states, Lithuania is still an inexpensive country. The following souvenirs are usually a goood choice:

• Amber jevellery
• Clothes made from linen
• Hand-woven baskets (Lithuanians like to collect berries and mushrooms)
• Berry jams and dried mushrooms (not the magic ones)
• Ceramics and wooden artefacts
• For children: High-quality wooden toys (starting to get expensive though)