Barcelona Travel Information

Rates & Accommodation | Getting to Barcelona | Getting Around | About Barcelona

Travel & Hotel Information

Accelerate '08: The Riverbed Performance Summit will be held at the modern, chic Hotel AC Barcelona that sits within 500 metres of the beach in the business district of Barcelona, Spain on the Costa Brava. It's right next door to Barcelona's International Convention Centre and within three-and-a-half kilometres of Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia cathedral, the National Theatre of Catalonia, and Olympic Village. The Maresme Forum metro station is just steps from the hotel and Barcelona Airport (BCN) is 10 km away making it easily accessible by train, subway, or taxi.

Hotel Rates & Accommodation

Occupying a 22-story high-rise building, the Hotel AC Barcelona features breath-taking Mediterranean Sea views.

Decorated in contemporary style in subtle beiges and creams with laminated wood floors, the hotel's 368 air-conditioned guestrooms include wireless Internet access, mini-bars, refrigerators and complimentary bottled water. Bathrooms have bathrobes, slippers and complimentary designer toiletries.

The largest of the hotel's 13 function rooms can hold up to 530 people. Wireless Internet access is available, and there are complimentary high-speed Internet connections in public areas.

Sun loungers and parasols line the wooden decking by the outdoor swimming pool with Mediterranean Sea views and swim-up bar. The spa offers a steam room, sauna, jetted tub and massage services. Water-sports including snorkeling, surfing, water skiing and windsurfing are available nearby.

While Accelerate 2008 attendees must pay their own travel and accommodation expenses, they will receive a special group rate at the AC Barcelona hotel. The rate offered will expire on 2 May, 2008.

Making Reservations

In order to get the Accelerate '08 discounted hotel rate, you must complete and fax back
the reservation form to:

Rooms Policies

Reservations will not be considered confirmed until the hotel has received a valid credit card number. All cancellations received from 30 days to 15 days before the reservation date, will be charged the full amount for the first night. All cancellations within 14 days of arrival, early departures or where delegates do not show at all will be billed in full. All cancellations need to be notified in writing.

Official check-in time is 15.00 hours. The hotel will provide a luggage room for early arrivals.

Official check-out time is 12.00 hours. Request for late check out will be subject to availability.

Getting to Barcelona

Barcelona Airport (a.k.a. El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto) is located 13 kilometres outside Barcelona. Most European airlines, and many international ones, operate flights from its international terminal.

The airport has three terminals. Most international flights operate from Terminal A. Domestic flights and foreign airlines that are part of the Oneworld or Star Alliance, or have commercial agreements with them, operate from Terminal B: these include Iberia, Clickair, Air Europa, Spanair, British Airways and Lufthansa. The Iberia Madrid shuttle service and flights operated by Iberia Regional depart from Terminal C.

Visit www.barcelonaturisme.com or contact your preferred airline carrier directly to see what service they offer to Barcelona.

Getting Around Town

Barcelona Airport is just outside the city and 20 kilometres from the AC Barcelona.

By Train - RENFE

There is a train service between the airport and the city centre (Paseo de Gracia). There is one train every 30 minutes and the travel time is 25 minutes.

From the train station Paseo de Gracia it is easy to connect with the yellow line (line 4) of the metro. The closest station to the AC Barcelona is Maresme-Forum.

For further information, visit: www.renfe.es

By Taxi

The journey to the AC Barcelona from the airport takes about 30 minutes depending on the traffic. Fees change according to the time of the day. There is an additional cost for entry/exit from the airport and for carrying luggage.

Climate & Dress Code

Barcelona's location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea means that it enjoys a warm, welcoming climate and pleasant temperatures all year round. The average temperature in June is 21 degrees Celsius.

For weather forecasts please visit: www.barcelonaturisme.com

The preferred dress code will be business casual.

Currency

The local currency is the Euro.

Electricity

The voltage in Spain is 220 volts. Round European style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 110/120V need a voltage converter and a plug adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs with side grounding contacts.

Language

The official language of Accelerate '08 is English.

Local Time

During the time of Accelerate, Barcelona will be two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Passport & Visa

Participants are advised to make their own arrangements with respect to entering Spain. Individuals requiring an official letter of invitation in order to obtain a visa and authorization to attend Accelerate should direct a request to riverbed@meetingexpectations.com before 1 May, 2008. Please be informed that a letter of invitation will only be issued to registered delegates and when full payment has been received. Allow at least two months handling of your Visa application from the Spanish Embassy/Consulate in your country.

Please visit the following website: www.mae.es/es/Embajadas+y+Consulados/ for a possibility to make a quick search for a Spanish embassy in your country.

Smoking Policy

Accelerate '08 is a non-smoking event. Smoking is not allowed in the conference areas.

About Barcelona

Almost 4.5 million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The city enjoys a prime location, bathed by the sea and has excellent transport links with the rest of Europe. The Mediterranean and Europe are the defining characteristics of Catalonia.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a modern, cosmopolitan city, but has inherited many centuries of history. Its sunny seaside location and the friendly, open nature of its residents are two key reasons why the city is so multi-cultural. It has a valuable architectural and monumental heritage, the most splendid examples of which are its Gothic and modernista buildings. Nine of its buildings have been designated World Heritage Sites. The entire city guarantees a warm, memorable experience when visitors go strolling along its charming streets.

Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers. As a coastal city, it has over four kilometres of urban beaches and large areas of nearby forest. Although it is a large city, it is easy to get around on public transport and on foot. You can reach any point in the city by metro, bus and taxi. So get out there and have an adventure!

Get full details at www.barcelonaturisme.com

	for Accelerate '08, Barcelona, Spain!

Questions? Get answers at accelerate08@riverbed.com