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About Barcelona
- The city during the Congress
The city of Barcelona provides an interesting setting for this conference. Centre of a region of 4.5 million residents, the city is a stimulating laboratory for the study of culture, urbanism and planning history from the eighteenth century to the present-day.
The conference is set against the backdrop of the Universal Forum of Cultures 2004, a major international event being held in Barcelona. (www.barcelona2004.org)
The daytime temperature in the month of July is hot, at an average of about 30 degrees Celsius. July is an ideal time to visit the beaches in Barcelona (La Barceloneta and La Villa Olímpica) or stroll along the streets of Barcelona and visit the Roman walls, the Gothic Quarter, the Boqueria market, the Rambles, Passeo de Grŕcia and the seafront comprising the Old Port, the Olympic Harbour and the Barcelona beach. (www.bcn.es)
Barcelona offers many cultural activities, such as museum visits, exhibitions, theatrical performances and other shows.
- Universal Forum of Cultures
Barcelona is hosting one of Europe's most ambitious events from May 9th to September 26th - The Universal Forum of Cultures 2004 - where world experts meet to debate the key forum topics of sustainable development, cultural diversity and conditions for peace. Organisers are expecting over 7 million visitors, and it promises to be a truly global event. The Besňs area, to the northeast of the city, has been totally re-developed with cutting edge facilities including a convention centre for 15,000 delegates, an auditorium for 3,200 and two luxury hotels, all overlooking the Mediterranean, new beaches and a marina port. (www.barcelona2004.org)
- Meals
In Spain mealtimes are usually later than in the rest of Europe. Here, people usually have lunch between 2 and 3 p.m. and dinner between 9 and 10 p.m. Restaurant lunchtime hours, however, are adapted to the working schedule and lunch is served from 1 to 3.30 p.m. Dinner is served at restaurants between 9 and 11.30 p.m. Additionally, some restaurants are open all day long.
- Shopping
The shops in Barcelona open between 9 and 10 a.m. and most close at lunchtime, that is, about 1.30 p.m. They open again in the afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m. and do not close for the day until 8 or 8.30 p.m. The department stores and hypermarkets do not close for lunch. All retailers, including both small shops and department stores, open on Saturday and close on Sundays, except for a few establishments with special permits.
- V.A.T.
A value-added tax (V.A.T.) of 7 to 16% is applied to all products and services. In most cases, however, it is included in the price. Whenever it is not included, it will be clearly specified.
- Tips
Tips are not obligatory in Spain, although people usually leave them at restaurants as a maximum 10% of the total amount of the bill. Hotel and airport porters will accept tips as well, depending on the luggage.
- Electrical Power
The electric current used is 220 volts/50hz. Those coming from North America with 110v/60hz appliances should be sure to use an appropriate transformer.
- Public transport
Barcelona has an extensive public transport network, with special tickets for tourists that are valid for one day (4,60 €), two days (8,40 €) or three days (11,80 €) on buses, the Metro and local trains. Also available is the T-10 card (6,00 €), which is valid for 10 trips on all forms of public transport for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cards may be purchased at the Metro stations. Single tickets (1,10 €) may be purchased on the metro and buses themselves and they are valid for one ride alone.
In Barcelona one may request taxis by telephone, take them at the authorized taxi stops or call them along the street. Always check that the taximeter is operating. Some taxis also accept credit cards.
- Banks
Banks open from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some banks also open on Saturdays, from 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. A bank is always open at the Sants Railway Station.
- Credit cards, currency and foreign exchange
Most international credit cards are accepted. Foreign currency and traveller's cheques may be exchanged at banks and at most exchange offices. A large percentage of banks have automatic teller machines that accept most international credit and debit cards. The Spanish currency is the euro (€), as in the greater part of the countries of the European Union. The euro is based on the decimal system. One euro is equal to one hundred cents.
- Tourist Information Offices
- Pl. de Catalunya
Plaça de Catalunya, 17 basement
- Pl. de Sant Jaume
Carrer Ciutat, 2 (Barcelona City Hall)
- Sants Railway Station
Plaça dels Paďsos Catalans, s/n
- Airport
Terminals A and B
- Font del Gat - Montjuďc
- Web site of Tourism Information
You can consult the web site of:
- General safety advice for visitors
Barcelona is a safe city and tourists and visitors may walk securely along its streets. As in all big cities, however, some basic precautionary measures should be kept in mind:
- Be careful with your luggage and especially with handbags, cameras and videocameras and mobile phones, particularly at the airport.
- If you are travelling by car and need to leave your luggage in the vehicle, it is better to use carparks with surveillance; never leave objects in clear view.
- When you visit the most popular tourist areas, such as the Rambles or the Gothic Quarter and beaches, be especially careful with handbags and wallets.
- Drinking water
The tap water in Spain is purified, and, therefore suitable for drinking. Most people, however, drink bottled water because it tastes better and is moderately priced.
- Medical care
The Spanish National Health Service may be used by all members of the countries of the European Union bearing Form E111. This form should be obtained at the health service of the visitor's home country before travelling to Spain. It is advisable for participants from countries outside the European Union to take out medical insurance before reaching Spain since they will be charged for access to the national health system.
- Pharmacies
Pharmacies are easily identified by a cross displayed outside the establishments. Medicines that do not require a medical prescription may be purchased directly at the counter. If you need advice, do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist. If you usually take some medicine in particular, it is advisable to bring a sufficient amount with you for your trip. There are duty pharmacies open 24 hours a day in most city districts. Outside all the pharmacies there is a list of the nearest duty pharmacies.
- Visa Information
Citizens of certain other countries must apply for a visa to enter Spain. You can consult the web site of the embassies to know what to do. (www.embajada-online.com)
- Other Types of Accommodation
For the following accommodation you will need to make your own reservation.
If you are interested in the list of the official Congress Hotels go to: General information of the Congress.
- Flight Information
Some flight companies offer cheap flights to Barcelona:
| From: |
To: |
Company: |
| Belgium |
Brussels |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| Brussels |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Denmark |
Copenhaguen |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| France |
Paris Beauvais |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Germany |
Frankfurt Hahn |
Barcelona/Reus |
RyanAir |
| Frankfurt Hahn |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Karlsruhe-Baden |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Köln |
Barcelona/Reus |
Hapag Lloyd Express |
| Greece |
Atenas |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| Ireland |
Dublín |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Italy |
Milano Bergamo |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Rome Ciampino |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Sardinia |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Turin |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Venice Treviso |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| The Netherlands |
Amsterdam |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| Eindhoven |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Portugal |
Faro |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| Sweden |
Gothenburg Landvetter |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| Stockholm Bromma |
Barcelona |
Virgin Express |
| United Kingdom |
Birmingham |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Bournemouth |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| Bristol |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| East Midlands |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| Edinburgh |
Barcelona |
FlyGlobeSpan |
| Glasgow |
Barcelona |
FlyGlobeSpan |
| Liverpool |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| Liverpool |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
| London Gatwick |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| London Luton |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| London Stansted |
Barcelona |
EasyJet |
| London Stansted |
Barcelona/Reus |
RyanAir |
| London Stansted |
Barcelona/Girona |
RyanAir |
Girona airport is 1 hour to Barcelona by bus. It costs 9,00 €.
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