Please note: all tours will start and end at Plaça Espanya (next to the Venecian towers – Avda. Maria Cristina -).

The panoramic visit includes the main monuments and sites of the city. Please take note that all are outside visits.

This outdoor panoramic visit includes the main monuments and sites of the city.

The "Barri Gotic" (Gothic District) is in the centre of Barcelona, where the Roman-walled settlement first originated. It is here we'll see the main public buildings including the Town Hall, the Catalan Government Palace and, of course, the Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece built between 1298 and 1454.

Passeig de Gracia could be considered the Champs Elysees of Barcelona. It is the main street of the Eixample district, a shopping and financial centre. It is here in a section of Passeig de Gracia where we'll visit the “Discord Block”, so-called as it includes three works of the best architects of Modernism: the CASA LLEÓ MORERA, CASA AMATLLER and finally, the CASA BATLLO, designed and built by the most famous modernist architect Antoni Gaudi from 1904 to 1906.

The "Sagrada Familia" (Holy Family) temple is the great unfinished work of Antoni Gaudi and has become a monumental symbol of the city of Barcelona recognised around the world. Building started in 1882 and continues today under the guidance of the sculptor Subirach.

"Montjuic" mountain (Jewish mountain) has played an important role in the history of Barcelona. As a result this emblematic mountain offers visitors a broad insight into the city’s past, as well as offering some beautiful parks and spectacular views of the city and port area. The last transformation of Montjuic was for the Olympic Games in 1992 when the Olympic Ring was designed.

Duration: 4 hours
Cost: € 26.50 per person (including guide)
Dates and times: Sunday 19 September; Monday 20 September; Tuesday 21 September, 09:30-13:30

Antoni Gaudí is perhaps the most famous modernist architect in the world. Born in 1852, he was an attentive observer of nature and felt attracted to its forms, colours and geometry. This sightseeing tour will encompass outdoor visits to the main houses of Gaudi: Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.

We will then go on to visit the inside ofboth Güell Park and the Sagrada Família.

Güell Park was buolt during  1900 - 1914. The project was a dream come true for both the Catalan businessman Eusebi Guell and for Gaudí, the revolutionary architect who, based on the English model of city-gardens, proposed the transformation of a large rocky estate in the north part of the city into a residential area.

The Sagrada  Família was originally a private initiative of the Spiritual Association devoted to St. Joseph. Work began in 1882 under the direction of Francesc de Paula Villar, whose intention was to give the work a neogothic style, in the fashion of the time. However, due to differences between the architect and the municipality, he gave up the project and Gaudi stepped in to replace him.

Duration: 4 hours
Cost: € 40 per person (including guide and admission fee)
Dates and times: Sunday 19 September; Monday 20 September; Tuesday 21 September, 09:30-13:30

The  walk will begin with a visit to the Barri Gotic (Gothis District) the centre of Barcelona, where the city originated- and where the main public buildings are located, including Barcelona Cathedral. Constuctionof the Cathedral  began in 1298 during the rule of James II of Aragon and was completed in 1454; The current façade is the 19th century. It is one of the masterpieces of Spanish gothic architecture and a special mention has to be made to the cloister.

La Rambla is the best known landmark of Barcelona. Meandering down from Catalunya Square to the Columbus statue, and filled with flower sellers, artists and stalls of all kinds, it the place in which everyone comes together, both tourists and locals. We will visit the colourful and photogenic Boquería Market  the largest and most traditional food market in Spain. The walk will then continue to the Canaletas fountain; legend has it that if you drink water from this fountain you will one day return to Barcelona.

The visit ends at Catalunya Square. Built in 1927 and with a surface area of 50,000 square meters, the square’s fountains and the gardens are outstanding. It is a meeting point par excellence and heart of the city.

Duration: 4 hours
Cost: € 29.50 per person (including guide)
Dates and times: Monday 20 September; Tuesday 21 September, Wednesday 22 September, 09:30-13:30

We will drive approximately 45 minutes to the Penedés wine region, home of "Cava"the  Catalan sparkling white wine produced using the same process as French Champagne. Codorniu are the the biggest wine cellars in the world, covering 30 km and set out on five levels. Built by the architect Josep Maria Puig i Cadafalch, a genius of the modernist style, they were declared a national monument of historical and artistic interest by King Juan Carlos I. Focusing on the production of Cava, the tour through the cellars will include a ride on an electric train through the kilometre-long ancient cellars.

Afterwards the tour will continue on to Mount Montserrat, said to be Wagner’s inspiration for the setting of the opera Parsifal. The Monastery, dating from the middle of the 19th century - Napoleon's army destroyed the old monastery in 1815 - hosts a community of some 80 monks who follow the 6th century Benedict rule.

The Basilica was built in the 16th century and between 1900 and 1901 the original plateresque façade was replaced by the present one. The church interior was restored after the destruction by Napoleon's army and hosts the image of Our Lady of Montserrat, popularly known as La Moreneta (dark woman) due to the dark colour of this lovely 12th century Romanesque carving. In 1881 she was crowned and declared the Patron Saint of Catalonia. According to local legend, the image was found in 880 in the Santa Cova (holy cave) which can be reached by the funicular railway.

Duration: 8 hours
Cost: € 118 (including bus ride, guide, lunch, admission fee)
Dates and times: Monday 20 September; Wednesday 22 September; 09:00-17:00

Grona is located 100 km -north of Barcelona.  It is divided in two by the river Onyar, which cuts through the heart of the city. On the right bank of the river, above a hill, stands the old city, which was formally enclosed within the city walls and extended across the flat area of the riverbank. The modern city rises on the left bank of the river, and spreads across to the old Mercadal neighbourhood. The Cathedral (11th - 18th centuries) combines different styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The cloister, a masterpiece of Catalan Romanesque art was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and has been totally preserved. It was part of the previous Cathedral, of which only the old belfry remains above the cloister. This bell tower, known as the "Tower of Charlemagne", dates from the 11th century and is currently the buttress of the gothic nave. The nave measures 22,98 metres in width and is said to be the widest in the world.

Figueras  is located in the rural region of Alt Ampurdá and is internationally known for being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. Here we will visit the old municipal theatre,which was converted by this eccentric artist into his Theatre-Museum. Opened in 1974, the Dalí Theatre-Museum was built upon the remains of the former Figureaes Theatre. It contains the broadest range of works spanning the artistic career of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), from his earliest artistic experiences through to his surrealist creations and finally to the works of the last years of his life.

Duration: 10 hours
Cost: € 136 (including bus ride, guide, lunch, admission fee)
Dates and times: Tuesday 21 September; 08:30-17:30

Thursday 23 September

The tour will depart in the morning from Barcelona and arrive early afternoon in Madrid.

The afternoon of the first day features a panoramic tour that includes the 18th-century Royal Palace, the city centre with historic Plaza Mayor, the Descalzas Reales monastery, and many other churches and buildings. We will continue on to the shady Castellana Boulevard, the Plaza de Cibeles (an elegant fountain surrounded by palaces and overlooked by the Puerta de Alcalá gateway). We will also pass by the Prado Museum and the Retiro Park before returning to the hotel
In the evening, we will treat you to local culinary specialities in a typical restaurant or you can enjoy your hotel restaurant.

Friday 24 September

In this morning we will visit what used to be the Royal Palace till Alfonso XIII (grandfather of King Juan Carlos I). Now it is only used for official receptions. After this visit we will have the opportunity to visit the Prado Museum. Alongside the Louvre and the Hermitage, it is considered one of the best art museums in the world, with its vast collection of Spanish, Flemish, and other European paintings.
The rest of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy the city.

Saturday 25 September

Transfer to the airport of Madrid will be provided.

Duration: 2 days
Cost: to be confirmed, (incl. transportation from Barcelona to Madrid, local travel guide, admission fees, accommodation in a 4* star hotel, 1 evening meal, transfer to the airport of Madrid)
Dates and times: Thursday 23 September to Saturday 25 September

REMARKS

• Full payment in advance is required.
• All tours are based on a minimum number of 25 participants. Tours will be cancelled if the minimum number is not reached. Full refunds will be available for tours which do not take place. 
• Prices might be subject to change for exceptional reasons beyond the control of Viajes Iberia Congresos
• All prices include present VAT (November 2009) and the services mentioned only.
• Confirmation will be sent to you on receipt of your payment. 
• Your vouchers and receipt will be given to you at the Tours Desk at the Congress venue.
• Cancellations of tours are to be made in writing to Viajes Iberia. 
• Tours cancelled after 13 August 2010 cannot be refunded. 
• No refund will be possible for included services not taken. 
• Lost or unused tickets cannot be refunde 

ERS 2010 c/o Viajes Iberia Congresos
Edificio Orizonia
C/Pallars 193, 2ª Planta
ES - 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Tel: +34 93 510 1005
Fax: +34 93 510 1009

Accommodation
E-mail : ers2010hotel@viajesiberia.com

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E-mail : ers2010tours@viajesiberia.com