Host City – Barcelona and the Congress Venue

Barcelona is a Mediterranean city that mixes the local tradition with the latest cultural tendencies that come from different places across the world. It is a city open to every innovation and is welcoming, plural and diverse. Barcelona deserves to be visited with great care. The traveller should not miss places like the Gothic Quarter, the Ramblas and the Modernist Route, to name just a few of Barcelona attractions.

The Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) is located in a new area developed on the shoreline around the river Besòs, on a beautiful site taken from the sea. It offers first class facilities for all those attending the Congress, and is very well located, with accommodation, restaurants and metro station within walking distance.

Language
In Barcelona, the official languages are Catalan and Castilian. As a tourist and cosmopolitan city, personnel in hotels, restaurants and cultural centres are able to attend to you in other languages, particularly in English.

Banks and Currency
The country’s currency is the Euro (€). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at hotels, airports, main railway station, banks and saving banks. Banks are open from 8.15 to 14.00 Monday to Friday.

Eating out
Barcelona’s multicultural population is reflected in the wide variety of excellent restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine from around the world. Spanish and Catalan specialities are recommended, including the traditional Paella, Fideuà (noodles), Pa amb Tomàquet (bread with tomato), Botifarra amb Seques (Catalan sausage and beans) and Escalivada (baked mixed vegetables), to name just a few of the local dishes.

Electricity
The electrical supply in Spain is 220 / 240 volts, 50 Hz. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers.

Public Transport
Various modes of transport operate throughout Barcelona. An extensive bus, train and subway network enables visitors to enjoy many areas of the city in a fast, economic and safe way. The Aerobus (Blue Bus) and the Regional Train (RENFE) link are available from Barcelona Airport to various points throughout Barcelona.

Shopping
Shops in Barcelona open from Monday Saturday between 9.00 and 10.00 in the morning, and generally close for lunch at 1.30 or 2.00. They open again in the afternoon between 4.00 and 5.00 and remain open until 8.00 or 8.30 in the evening. Shopping centres and larger establishments do not close at midday.

Travel and Health Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.

Liability
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Congress Organiser does not accept responsibility for loss of monies incurred by delay.

Taxes
A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 7% or 16% applies to all consumer goods and is included in retail prices.

Time
Local Barcelona Time during January is Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour.

Visas
Some travellers may require a visa for enter in Spain. Please check this with your airline, travel agent or nearest Spanish Consulate.