Continuing the series of alternative and very informal meetings at this venue, the Cambridge University Theory of Condensed Matter group is organizing a fifth International Workshop to discuss the development and application of the continuum quantum Monte Carlo method in condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry. The conference will take place in a 16th Century monastery in the mediaeval high mountain village of Vallico Sotto (in the Tuscan Apuan Alps near the beautiful Italian city of Lucca).

The normal format for these events involves formal presentations being restricted to the mornings, with the afternoons left free for relaxed discussion and participation in fun activities. For the young and vigorous, we organize mountain walks, caving and other healthy outdoor exercise, whilst the unfit and elderly might enjoy artistic tours, city visits and spa treatments, with all participants reuniting in the evening for excellent Tuscan dinners in local restaurants. The monastery is a unique venue where the community spirit and magnificent location have inspired memorable meetings in the past.

This year's workshop will involve up to 35 people, all accommodated on site. Given the nature of the event most speakers will be specifically invited, but anyone who feels that they have something to contribute and who wishes to attend the event is most welcome to contact the organizers (Mike Towler : mdt26 at cam.ac.uk) for further details. There is no charge either for attendance at the conference or accommodation.

Confirmed speakers
Dario Alfè (University College London, U.K.)
George Booth (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Michel Caffarel (Université Pierre et Marie Curis, Paris, France)
Michele Casula (Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France)
David Ceperley (University of Illinois, U.S.A.)
Raffaella Dimichelis (University of Torino, Italy)
Roberto Dovesi (University of Torino, Italy)
Neil Drummond (Cambridge University)
Ken Esler (University of Illinois, U.S.A.)
Matthew Foulkes (Imperial College, London, U.K.)
Gareth Griffiths (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Nicholas Harrison (Imperial College, London, U.K.)
Bohshiang Jong (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Martin Korth (University of Münster, Germany)
Martin Krupicka (Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava)
Valentina Lacivita (University of Torino, Italy)
Robert Lee (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Pablo Lopez Rios (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Ryo Maezono (JAIST, Japan)
Mariapia Marchi (SISSA, Trieste, Italy)
Alston Misquitta (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Lubos Mitas (University of North Carolina, U.S.A)
Andrew Morris (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Richard Needs (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Norbert Nemec (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Priyanka Seth (Cambridge University, U.K.)
John Trail (JAIST, Japan)
Mike Towler (Cambridge University, U.K.)
Lucas Wagner (University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.)
Ching-Ming Wei (Academia Sinica, Taiwan)
Shiwei Zhang (William and Mary College, U.S.A.)

FURTHER DETAILS AND PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS ACCESSIBLE ON TTI WEB PAGE - CLICK THE 'PUBLIC EVENTS' LINK OR LOOK AT 'EVENT PHOTOS'.