Give in to the exhilarating rhythm of Flamenco music and dance, the fervence of a bullfight, rewarding savor of fine food and wine, the gratifying feeling of lying on a magnificent beach flooded with sunshine and much, much more. At the forefront of European history, culture and trade for centuries, Spain uniquely combines the dynamism of rapidly growing cities like Barcelona and the restfulness of luxurious countryside resorts. Thank to its fast paced development throughout the last 25 years, Spain can now boast of a solid tourism infrastructure perfectly mixed with the Mediterranean way of life. Each various regions differ so much from one another that every visit to Spain is a unique and delightful eye opening experience.
Spain is deliciously different! Whether you are looking for sun, sea and sand, or whether you're after a more cultural setting, Spain has something for every taste.
Top Reasons to Meet in Barcelona...
Ranked among top destinations. Barcelona is host to 24 million visitors per year and a popular destination for business related events.
- According to ICCA rankings, Barcelona is the 2nd most popular association meeting destination maintaining its position among the 5 top destinations over the last 10 years.
- The European Cities Monitor, an annual survey by real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield, Barcelona is the fourth leading city in Europe to locate a business, up one position from the previous year.
- UIA Top Twenty meeting cities for 2009 ranks Barcelona on 10th position
- Conference & Incentive Travel (C&IT) readers voted for Barcelona as a 2nd best worldwide meetings destination
- Meetings & Incentive Travel annual awards offerd the 2nd position to the Barcelona Convention Bureau in the category of international CBs.
- Convenience. Barcelona is a compact city, not too big and not too small. Easy accessibility makes it simple for visitors to explore the rich diversity of cultural, recreational and commercial venues around town. It is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city with 14 million overnights in 2010.
- Mediterranean and Climate. Barcelona has the dynamic and open personality so typical of cities by the sea. As the only major European metropolis within three miles of the beach, it is the perfect place to relax, stroll and enjoy its surroundings. Barcelona enjoys a mild and pleasant climate year-round, making it possible to organize outdoor events in the spring, summer and fall.
- Historic and Cultural. Barcelona's history dates back more than 2,000 years and reminders of its glorious past still remain throughout this colorful city. Barcelona brings out the best in arts and culture with an array of productions, performances, festivals and exhibits spanning the worlds of opera, dance, theater and the visual arts.
- Gourmet. Barcelona is leading gastronomy to a new level. As a true destination for dining Barcelona boasts exceptional variety in its gastronomy and its restaurants have been recognized by the Michelin Guide with 20 stars.
- Pioneering. The Catalonia region has been the cradle of great personalities from every pioneering European art movement: Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Gaudí... They are just some extraordinary examples of the Catalans' desire for renewal and creativity, a quality which is a constant feature of present-day artists, architects and designers.
- Accessible. Barcelona has excellent air links, particularly with the majority of Spanish and European cities. The Barcelona International Airport is located 20 minutes from the city center. Terminal one has been designed as an international hub and service centre. Non-stop flights from New York, Miami, Atlanta and Philadelphia provide convenience for groups departing from the United States. Barcelona's port is the top cruise port in Europe and the 4th worldwide. The high-speed train connects Barcelona and Madrid in 2.5 hours, and Barcelona and Andalucía (which includes Córdoba, Sevilla and Málaga) in 5.5 hours
- Well-equipped. Barcelona offers a variety of facilities to organize meetings, large or small. A wide range of historical and one-of-a-kind venues are ideal for your banquets, cocktails, exhibitions and product presentations. Our diverse portfolio of hotels offering up to 70,000 beds, ensures an array of accommodations for your attendees.
- Stylish. Barcelona has a wide range of amenities for congresses, large or small-scale meetings, receptions and banquets. Architecture of the past and present enables us to offer a matchless range of venues. Known for its world-class hospitality, Barcelona provides the perfect backdrop for all occasions with a talented travel and tourism community ready to create the most appropriate atmosphere to match your company's identity, ideas, interests, objectives and audience. In Barcelona, the possibilities are endless.
- Reliable. The Catalans and our local staff members are a hard-working, conscientious people. Throughout history, they have demonstrated the ability to arrange major events with precision, creativity and efficiency.
- Sport, Music and Shopping. Since the Olympic Games in 1992 Barcelona is the host city of many Sports events. Yearly it hosts the F1 Grand Prix, an ATP Tennis Tournament and football matches with the most famous city football Club, the Barça. The Barça Museum is one of the most visited in town.
Top Music Festivals: Primavera Sound Music Festival, Sonar Music Festival
Shopping: Enjoy the Barcelona Shopping Line, 3 miles retail thoroughfare with 35,000 shops where you will find every item imaginable.
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Top Reasons to Meet in Madrid...
- Madrid is the city that truly never sleeps. It has a distinct European flavour. Designer names from across the continent fill boutiques, big-name chefs whip up tasting menus at see-and-be-seen restaurants, and glamorous hotels dot the skyline. Tradition remains in the tapas bar and in the warmth of Madrileños, who are as proud of their royal family, their cuisine and their art, as they are generous. They want you to love Madrid too.
- Transportation
Barajas International Airport welcomes all international flights arriving in Madrid. It is located in the northeast, 12 kilometres away from the capital. Madrid Barajas Airport, from which over 100 airline companies from various countries operate, has the highest level of air traffic in Spain and is among the top five in Europe. With over 15,600 taxis in Madrid, finding a free one on any of the city's main thoroughfares is rarely difficult. The underground (Metro) is the fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around in Madrid. The city has a vast metropolitan network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe, and covers almost all the points in the capital and many of the neighbouring cities.
- Accommodations
There is a huge range of accommodation in Madrid (851 establishments offering 76,289 hotel beds) and it is increasing at an ever faster rate. The quality of accommodations in Madrid has received national and international recognition. In recent years some of the world's most prestigious architects and designers have been creating unique places in which to relax.
- There's no bad time to visit Madrid.
Given that there's always something going on, Madrid is a top destination throughout the year.
- Food & Drink
In this city, gastronomy is culture, leisure and business. There is a vast range of culinary variety on offer: in Madrid you can find everything, from traditional homemade dishes to the most innovative and creative cuisine. We are lucky enough to enjoy international food from all over the globe, made with the best raw ingredients, and the stoves of the city offer some of the most surprising dishes of modern cuisine.
- Museums & Arts Centres
Madrid is one of the greatest cultural hubs in the world. In this city you can find a wide range of the city's museums such as Prado (one of the TOP 5 in the world), Thyssen – Bornemisza or Reina Sofia. Discover the myriad of cultural centres including art galleries, auditoriums and theatres.
- Shopping
You can find just about everything in Madrid. People have come to the city in search of the sophisticated, the unique or even the eccentric. Variety is the essence of shopping in the city: from the elegance and flair of the shops in the Salamanca district to the hip, alternative clothing of Fuencarral Street. Madrid transcends fashion; its style cannot be defined. It is said that the city is the sum of all trends, an amazing, living collage.
- Madrid's legendary nightlife
The nightlife in Madrid is unique - there is nothing like it anywhere in the world. There are always places where you can go out and find something for everybody. This includes the most minimalist chill out bars, to the most enticing clubs, Goth bars, interesting dives, the wildest afterhours clubs and nostalgic dancehalls.
- Sports
Madrid is actively involved in sports. Whether you want to enjoy a major sports event or play a particular sport, you will find an enormous variety of possibilities in the city: golf, tennis, football, racecourse, etc.
- Accessible Madrid
Madrid has eliminated barriers and made the city accessible to everyone. There are activities specially organized for people with disabilities (museum for blind people, the Art walk for people with disabilities, etc.), and it is also possible to look for the hotel that best suits your specific needs.
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