Catalonia: practical guide and useful addresses

Identity card

Currency : the euro.
Area code : + 34.
Time difference : none.

How to get there

VUELING, the main airline linking France and Spain, has its hub at Barcelona-El Prat. From Paris Orly and CDG, flights are operated at regular intervals, offering a genuine shuttle service. Vueling also offers direct services from Bastia, Bordeaux, Brest, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Rennes and Toulouse. Tel: 0899 232 400 - Internet: www.vueling.com

AIR FRANCE offers seven daily flights between Paris CDG and Barcelona. Tel.: 0825 892 892 - Internet: www.airfrance.fr

For more information

Tourism in Catalonia
Agencia Catalana de Turismo Passeig de Gràcia, 105 08008 Barcelona - Tel: + 34 934 849 900 Internet: www.act.cat or www.enviedecatalogne.fr

Hotels

Barcelona

Hotel Evenia Rosselo

In a quiet street in the Eixample, the flagship district of Catalan modernism, a stone's throw from the Passeig de Gracia, this four-star hotel has 94 rooms and suites, some of which overlook a public garden. Spacious and comfortable, they offer a modern setting with meticulous attention to detail. The restaurant extends onto a terrace overlooking the garden, and the meeting rooms (for up to 130 people) are decorated in a modernist style. Free parking and WiFi. Carrer del Rosselló, 191 08 036 Barcelona Tel: +34 932 386 355 Email: hba.res@eveniahotels.com Internet: www.rossello-barcelona.eveniahotels.com

Arts Hotels

Overlooking the beaches of Barceloneta and Franck Gehry's giant fish, a glass and metal tower that has become one of Barcelona's landmarks houses this trendy five-star 100% hotel. Several bars and restaurants, including a modern tapas restaurant designed by Sergi Arola, 482 rooms and suites, swimming pool, Six Senses spa. When it comes to meetings, the hotel offers modular spaces for up to 1,000 people, including Arts 41, six exclusive rooms on the 40th and 41st floors. Carrer de la Marina, 19-21 08 005 Barcelona - Tel: + 34 93 2211000 Email: rc.bcnrz.call.center@ritzcarlton.com Internet: www.hotelartsbarcelona.com

El Vendrell

Le Meridien Beach Hotel & Spa

On Sant Salvador beach, this five-star hotel has been converted from the walls of a 1930s hospital. The lobby is housed in what was once the chapel. The generous bars and restaurants open onto terraces overlooking the sea. The 17 suites occupy the historic building, while a recent annex houses the 126 other rooms; a spa-thalasso with 54 cabins and a high-tech convention centre (for up to 200 people) complete the facilities of this design resort. Av. Sanatori, 1 Platja de Sant Salvador, 43 880 El Vendrell Tel: + 34 977 694 200 Email: reservasra@lemeridien.com Internet: www.lemeridien.com/ra

Tarragona Region

Hotel Gran Claustre & Spa

The charming old walled town of Altafulla is home to a four-star boutique hotel that has divided its rooms and suites between a former convent and a modern annex. Old stone and design, patio with swimming pool, small spa, inventive cuisine and meeting rooms for up to 60 people: it's all very chic. Carrer del Cup, 2 43 893 Altafulla - Phone: + 34 977 651 557 Email: reservas@grancclaustre.com Internet: www.granclaustre.com

Mas La Boella

A 12th-century mansion overlooks a 'finca' of olive groves and vineyards, with 13 designer rooms, a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine and various meeting rooms (for up to 600 people). Bonus: a visit to the mill where the olives are turned into oil, including a tasting session. Autovia Reus-Tarragona T-11, km 12 43 110 La Canonja - Phone: + 34 977 77 15 15 Email: reservas@laboella.com Internet: www.laboella.com

Termes Montbrio

On the edge of the pretty village of Montbrio del Camp, a wonderful botanical garden is the setting for this four-star spa resort. Its origins date back to the end of the 19th century; the spa and the original building, which now houses the gourmet restaurant, feature modernist architecture. Other recent buildings house the 215 rooms and suites, the main restaurant, a convention centre (up to 900 p.) and a thermo-ludic centre. Nou, 38 - 43 340 Monbrio Del Camp - Phone: + 34 977 814 000 - Email : hoteltermes@RocBlancHotels.com Internet : www.rocblanchotels.com

Terres de l'Ebre

Hotel Villa Retiro

In Xerta, the house of an "Indio", as the Catalans who left to seek their fortune in Latin America are known in these parts, has been transformed into a charming hotel, the first five-star hotel in Terres de l'Ebre. Designed by a disciple of Gaudi, it houses nine rooms decorated in a historic-glamour style. It also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and several meeting rooms (for up to 500 people), including a banqueting hall. Carrer del Camí dels Molins, 2, 43 592 Xerta - Tel: + 34 977 473 003 Email: reservas@hotelvillaretiro.com Internet: www.hotelvillaretiro.com