Barcelona:
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Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of the major Mediterranean cities and the second largest city in Spain. There are many reasons which explain why it has attracted visitors from all over the world for many years. There are many ’Barcelonas’ to be explored: the old town with Roman walls, the gothic district with palaces and churches from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the well structured Eixample district, the heart of Modernism, and the new Olympic Barcelona.
The Conference Venue is located in the Montjuic mountain (Jewish mountain) that has been, throughout its history, the protagonist of many events, some glorious and victorious, others less so. As a result, this emblematic mountain offers the visitor many different facets, including history, culture, leisure and sport.
In Montjuic you will find several monuments and museums as the Magic Fountain, situated just a few meters from the congress center, this fountain offers a fantastic water, sound and color spectacle; to the rhythm of different melodies, the water adopts different shapes and colors. It works at night in the summer. However, the most outstanding construction and still today an important tourist attraction is the Poble Espanyol (Spanish village), an area which evokes some of the most important monuments of Spain, such as for example the towers of Ávila. Moreover, the offer of restaurants and entertainment makes it an ideal place for dinner or drinks at night.
Another important monument is the Palau Nacional (National Palace) the emblematic building of the 1929 International Exhibition, is the home of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya – MNAC – (National Museum of Art of Catalonia), the museum embraces all the arts (sculpture, painting, objets d'art, drawing, engraving, posters, photography and coinage) and has the task of explaining the general history of Catalan art from the Romanesque period to the mid-twentieth century
The historical symbol and oldest monument (end of the 17th century) is the Castell de Montjuïc (Castle), from where there are beautiful views of the city. The castle has been, in part, a symbol of oppression oven the centuries, as it was used to torture and execute the leaders of the Setmana Tràgica in 1909 and Lluís Companys, president of the Generalitat de Catalunya in 1940, among others.
More recent are the Joan Miró Foundation, from 1975, containing a permanent collection by this great Catalan artist and other temporary exhibitions.
The last transformation of Montjuïc was for the Olympic Games in 1992, with the stadium, the swimming pools, the Palau Sant Jordi (Saint Jordi Palace) and other facilities (Anella Olímpica). The Estadi Olímpic (Olympic Stadium) de Montjuïc, although inaugurated in 1929, was completely restored (only the façade remained). There you can also see the Galería Olímpica, where you can relive the Games.
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Travel to Barcelona:
You can get to Barcelona by many means of transport. Here is some information about the options available to help you decide which type of transportation suits you best.
By plane
Barcelona´s Airport, El Prat, is located just 12 kilometers outside the city. Many European and domestic airlines operate flights from the El Prat airport, which has also become an important hub for low-cost carriers in recent years.
By train
Barcelona has direct railway links with a number of cities, including Paris, Zurich and Milan, and the high-speed trains run to Madrid, and southern and eastern Spain. The city´s major railway station is Estació de Sants. Most trains departing and arriving in Barcelona stop there.
By car
The motorway and road network will take you anywhere in the city. It is worth bearing in mind that the traffic can be heavy at the main entry points of the city during rush hours.
Barcelona is located 150 km from La Jonquera, the French border. The French motorway network connects to the AP-7, N-II and C-32 Barcelona motorways. You can enter the city via the ring roads or the Avinguda Meridiana which leads to the centre. From the south, if you're entering from the rest of Spain, join the AP-2 motorway and enter the city via the Avinguda Diagonal.
By bus
The Barcelona Nord bus station handles most of the city´s national and international connections. Buses also depart from Estació de Sants Railway Station and other areas of the city.
Banks:
Official opening hours of banks in Spain are from 8.30 to 14.00 from Monday to Friday, closed in the afternoon. It is possible to change foreign currency into Euros in the main city hotels.
Climate:
Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, sunny winters, warm summers and relatively low rainfall. The average temperatures in September are 20/23ºC minimum and 28/30ºC maximum. Our sunny summer days are ideal for strolling along the shop lined promenades or sitting out on a restaurant or café terrace.
Credit Cards, Currency and Exchange:
All major international credit cards are accepted. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged in Spain at banks and foreign exchange offices. Cash-point machines accepting major international credit card and charge cards are available at most banks. The Spanish currency is the Euro.
Electrical power:
A 2-pin round adapter is necessary for electrical appliances. The electric current used is 220 volts/50hz.
Entering Spain:
Visitors from other European Union member countries may enter Spain using either a passport or their national identity document. Visitors from other countries must have a valid passport and a visa if required. Inquiries regarding visas can be directed to Spanish diplomatic representatives abroad. On request, the Congress Secretariat will be pleased to send letter of invitation to individual scientists. Invitations of this kind are intended to assist potential delegates to raise their travel funds or obtain visas. They do not imply any commitment or responsibility on behalf of the Congress to provide financial support. Delegates requesting a letter of invitation must pay through bank transfer, no credit card payment will be accepted.
Insurance:
Delegates are advised to arrange health and accident insurance prior to travelling to the Congress. The Congress Organisers will not assume any responsibility for accidents, losses or damages, as well as for delays or modifications in the programme, caused by unforeseen circumstances. No claims for indemnification from the organisers shall arise for contractors or participants in case of cancellation, for any reason, of the entire Congress.
Public Transport and Car Rental:
Barcelona has a good, comprehensive public transport network, with special ten-trip and one, two or three-day tickets valid on bus, metro and local trains. Taxis are abundant. Free parking is very limited in the city centre and car parks are expensive, so car rental is only recommended to use outside the city.
For additional information, please visit the web page: http://www.tmb.cat/en_US/home.jsp
Shopping:
Normal trading hours are Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 13.00 and 16.30 to 20.00; however, in the city centre of Barcelona and shopping malls, many shops stay open all day from 10.00 to 21.00.
Tipping:
Service is generally included in restaurant bills. Tips, however, are given to shop appreciation of a good meal or special service.
VAT:
There is a variable value added tax (VAT) of 8% to 18% applied to most items and services but in most prices you see will include it. When it is not included, this should be clearly indicated.
