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First ISA Forum of Sociology
Sociological Research and Public Debate
Barcelona, Spain
September 5 - 8, 2008
Practical Information
Getting to Barcelona
There are two airports that serve the Barcelona area, El Prat Airport (closes to the city) and Girona Airport. On most travel sites, you can search fares at both airports.
El Prat Airport - Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona
- By car: Take motorway C-32b in the direction of Barcelona. Take the turn-off marked: "Barcelona - Girona - Lleida - Tarragona - Gran Via - Ciutat Vella". Drive into the city and once on the Gran Vía you will come to an underpass (Plaza España). Take it and then move into the right-hand lane. Drive on to Calle Balmes, and turn right. Drive until the end of Calle Balmes and take Calle Pelayo, driving on the right-hand lane. At the end of Pelayo, you will find Plaza Catalunya, if you turn right you will drive onto La Rambla.
- By train and underground: Take the train, Rodalies C-10, that takes 20 minutes from the airport to Plaza de Sants, get of there, follow the metro line signs and take the L3, direction Canyelles, jump of at Plaza Catalunya. The price is 2,50 euro for the train and the metro ticket, a normal single journey ticket, costs you 1,30 euro.
- By taxi: Take a taxi from the taxi stand at the airport. The price will be approximately 25-30 euro, depending on the traffic and the number of suitcases you have with you.
- By bus: Take the Aerobus (blue) at the airport and get off at the Plaza Catalunya stop, it will take around 25-30 minutes depending on the traffic. The bus leaves every 8-12 minutes and the price is 3,90 euro, one way ticket.
Girona Airport - Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona
- By bus: The bus stops right outside the airport and are arranged to co-incide with arrival and departure of Ryanair flights, this bus will take you to Estacio d'Nord, Barcelonas's main bus Terminal, in Barcelona city centre. From there you can take the metro by the metro station Arc de Triunfo, 5-10 minutes walk from the bus station, to plaza Catalunya. The line is L1 with direction Hospital de Bellvitge. The bus ticket costs 12 euro for a single ticket and 21 euro for a return ticket.
Transportation in Barcelona
Getting around the city centre of Barcelona is easiest on foot, but the city has both busses and a metro. Alternatively, you could take one of the tourist buses that offer on-and-off privileges and will take you around the highlights of the city.
Metro tickets: a single ticket costs 1,30 euro. T10 Transport Ticket costs 7,20 euro and it will give you 10 journeys on the metro in Zone 1, which is the main centre area.
Making your way to the conference venues
The conference is taking place in six different university buildings in the city centre, all within walking distance from each other. See detailed maps.
Registration and ISA membership desk
The registration area will be located in the foyer of the Historical Building of the University from the 4th to the 7th of September. On Monday the 8th the registration will be moved to the Faculty of Philosophy, Geography and History where the Book Exhibition is situated. The ISA Secretariat will be placed next to the registration desks if you have any questions about ISA membership.
| Thursday, September 4 | 16:00-20:00 | in the Historical building |
| Friday, September 5 | 08:00-18:00 | |
| Saturday, September 6 | 08:00-18:00 | |
| Sunday, September 7 | 08:00-18:00 | |
| Monday, September 8 | 08:00-13:00 |
Badges
Each participant will receive a name badge upon registration. For security reasons, all participants are requested to wear or bring their badge during all the conference activities. If a delegate loses her badge a fee of euro 100 will have to be paid in order to get a new badge. Money will be refunded if delegate finds the first badge and show us both.
Grants
If you have been given an ISA grant this will be handed out in the registration area from Saturday 6 September. Please bring a copy of your passport, your boarding pass and a copy of your e-ticket in order to receive the grant.
Lunch/coffee
The Faculty of Philosophy, Geography and History cafeteria will be opened during all ctivity days. They offer a good menu.
Photocopies
The service of photocopies of Faculty of Philosophy, Geography and History will remain opened during the 4 days of the event.
Technical information
All sessions rooms are equipped with a computer and a projector. Please bring your power point presentation on a UCB-memory stick. If you are planning to use overhead-projector, please contact any of the volunteers before your session, as not all rooms have overhead-projector, and it will be subject to availability.
Internet
You will be able to connect to Internet and to use the computers in the computer’s room in Faculty of Philosophy, Geography and History.
Social functions
Welcome reception at Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona from 20:30 on Friday, September 5.
Book Exhibition
The exhibition is located in the Faculty of Philosophy, Geography and History during the duration of the conference. The opening hours are:
| Friday, September 5 | 15:30 - 20:00 |
| Saturday, September 6 | 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Sunday, September 7 | 08:00 - 20:00 |
| Monday, September 8 | 08:00 - 13:00 |
Sightseeing and Tours
Meeting point for all tours is the registration area at the Historicalal University building. Please make sure to be ready in the registration area at given start times below:
| Tour | Date | Start time | End time |
| La Ramblas & Gothic quarter walking tour | 5 |
14.30 |
18.30 |
| Gaudi & Modernism tour | 6 |
10.00 |
14.00 |
| Penedes wineyards | 7 |
10.00 |
15.00 |
There are still places left for the tours. If you wish to buy a ticket please either email isa2008@congrex.com or you can buy the tickets onsite at the registration desk on a first come first serve basis.
Banks and post offices
Opening hours for the banks in the city are Mon - Fri 09:00 - 14:00. All banks are closed during weekends and on public holidays. Cash machines (cajero automático, ATM) are easily available. Money can be changed in any bank, at most travel agencies, major hotels and airports. The Post Office (correos) is open Mon - Fri 09:00 - 14:00, Sat 09:00 - 13:00. Stamps are also available at Tobacconists.
Currency
The official currency is EURO (EUR). For update on exchange rates please visit http://www.oanda.com/
Electricity
The voltage in Spain is 220 volts. Round European style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 10/120V need a voltage converter and a plug adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs with side grounding contacts.
Weather and climate
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 September is 22 degrees Celsius. For weather forecasts please visit:
www.barcelonaturisme.com
Disclaimer
The Organising Committee and Congrex Sweden AB accept no liability for any injuries/losses incurred by participants and/or accompanying persons, nor loss of, or damage to, any luggage and/or personal belongings.
Delegates are advised to take out their own insurance to cover personal possessions, travel and cancellation as the Conference does not cover individuals against cancellation of bookings, theft or damage to belongings.
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International Sociological Association, August 2008 |