I am very pleased to confirm that the Championships will take place in Sorrento from 19th to 24th March 2001. The Executive Committee of the EBL and I personally are proud to have succeeded, through no small amount of effort, in organising this event in one of the most beautiful and well-known places in the whole world.

The participants and those accompanying them will have the chance to visit the enchanting Sorrentina Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Capri, old Naples and the excavations at Pompeii.

Furthermore, we have managed to organise the Championships at the Sorrento Palace Hotel and have it as the Main Hotel, having arranged prices which are truly exceptional for the quality of the hotel. The Sorrento Palace Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Sorrento; luxurious and comfortable, it overlooks the bay and one can admire the amazing view of Vesuvius directly opposite.

The Sorrento Palace Hotel contains the modern and well-equipped Congress Centre where the Championships will take place. Those staying in the hotel will simply have to take the lift down to the play area. Accommodation and play areas in the same hotel is ideal for convenience and to make the most of one's time. Of course Sorrento offers a wide choice of hotels of different standards.

This year in Sorrento there will be the first experiment in "Bridge for All" with a competition for all those bridge players who are not interested in participating in the Championships but who nevertheless wish to enjoy something lighter and for pleasure. The "Bridge for All" tournaments will take place only in the evening so the participants can easily combine bridge, site seeing and recreation.