Monday, March 16, 2009

Information about Barcelona Airport

Barcelona International Airport

Also known as ´El Prat´, Barcelona International Airport is situated only 10km from the centre of the city, and serves the whole of Catalonia.With over 32 million passengers passing through BIA each year, the airport is currently undergoing huge expansion, with the construction of a new south terminal. This will allow the airport to handle up to 55 million travellers a year.
Spain´s second busiest airport, after Madrid´s Barajas International, the BIA also operates the world´s busiest shuttle route between Madrid and Barcelona, with 971 flights per week.Mainly serving domestic and European destinations, flights to and from South America, North America and Asia are also available through several major airlines.

Contact Barcelona Airport on 0034 932 983838 or 0034 932 983349.

How to get there

The airport is accessible by Renfe commuter train on the R10 line, which runs from Estació de França, with a major stop at Sants train station providing transfer to the Barcelona Metro system. The TMB public bus on line 46 runs every 25 minutes from Plaça Espanya. A scheduled private bus line (Aerobús) from Plaça Catalunya, stops at Sants and Plaça d'Espanya. Taxi stops are available at each terminal. The C-32B highway connects the airport to a main traffic interchange between Barcelona's Ronda de Dalt beltway and major highways.

As part of the major expansion, a new train station will be built nearby, connecting the airport to the Spanish AVE network, and to both Line 2 and Line 9 of the Barcelona Metro.

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With the centre of Barcelona only 10km from the airport, one of the most economical ways of getting around during your stay, particularly if you want to travel to different areas, is by hiring a car. Prices are very competitive, and free courtesy buses take passengers directly from the arrivals hall to the car hire garages, and deliver you back at the airport on your return. Special offers and deals are always available, and often include no insurance excess payable and no charge for a second driver.

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Airport Parking

With over 12,500 parking spaces, BIA boasts some of the most secure and well connected car-parks in Spain. 2,300 spaces are located in the building connected to terminal C by an air bridge, and 2,600 can be found opposite terminal A. All entrances provide access to the entire parking area, with controlled exits and entrances plus public information points.Luggage trolleys are available from the stands located in the centre of the parking area, and in the terminal buildings. Payment must be made at the pay machines before returning to your car.

The cost of public car-parking is as follows:

Up to 30 minutes 0,60 euros
More than 30 minutes 1,50 euros
Two hours plus 3,00 euros
Three hours plus 4,50 euros
Four hours plus 6,00 euros
Five hours plus 7,50 euros
Six hours plus 9,00 euros
Seven hours plus 10,50 euros
Eight hours plus 12,00 euros
Nine hours plus 13,50 euros
Maximum daily rate up to four days 15,00 euros
Maximum daily rate up to five days 12,00 euros
Ticket loss 75,00 euros

Bus Service

A frequent Aerobus (A1) service runs from outside terminals A, B and C to Plaza Catalunya in the centre of the city.The bus leaves Barcelona Airport-Plaza Catalunya, Monday to Friday from 6am-midnight, every 12-13 minutes, and runs from Plaza Catalunya to the airport from 5.30am and 11.15pm. Weekends and bank holidays, the service runs from the airport between 6.30am and midnight, and from Plaza

Catalunya-BIA from 6am-11.15pm.
Contact: Tel: 93 415 6020.
Cost: €3.45.

Service 105 & 106
Similar services also run from outside Terminal B, to El Prat and the Plaza de España, every 30 minutes.
Cost: €1.05.

Rapid Bus

The Rapid Bus service travels to different destinations including Girona, Tarragona, Lleida and Figueres, and leaves from outside Terminal B.BIA-Girona departs:
8.00am,
8.30am,
1.30pm,
1.45pm,
2.15pm and 9pm.

BIA-Tarragona-Reus:
8am,
12.30pm,
5pm and 9pm.

BIA-Lleida:

9.30am and 6.30pm.
Journey times to Girona: 1h35m,
Figueres, 2h15m,
Tarragona, 1h,
Reus, 1h30m and Lleida, 2h.

Taxi ServiceThe central taxi service is situated at the exit of terminals A, B and C.Prices in Euros to the most popular areas of Barcelona, on weekdays, including an airport supplement are:BIA-Plaza Catalunya-
15.50 BIA-Plaza España-
12.90 BIA-Sagrada Familia-
19.00 BIA-Sant Cugat del Vallés- €25.00

These prices increase during weekends and bank holidays, and a suitcase supplement of 90 cents is also added.Contact: 0034 93 235 151.


Train Service

The fast and efficient train service, the Linea Mataró, runs between the main Renfe Station in the city and the airport every 30 minutes. Trains leave the airport from 6.13am to 11.40pm, and from the central station to BIA from 5.43am-22.16pm.Journeys from BIA take 17 minutes to Sants, 23 to Plaza Catalunya, 26 to the Arc de Triomf and 30 to Clot-Aragó.Contact: (from Spain): 902 240202.Price: €2.20

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10 best beaches in Costa del Sol to take the kids

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1..Situated above the coastline at Nerja, the Balcon de Europa (the Balcony of Europe) is a high viewing point overlooking the stunning Mediterranean Sea and the coastline below. Small beaches and coves are plentiful around Nerja, and you will find many less crowded beaches here than on the further west on the Costa del Sol. Best beaches include La Calahonda to the west of the Balcon de Europa, La Caletilla, which is a small beach, ideal for fishing and diving and El Chorrillo, which is a cove with large rocks, giving sunbathers the feeling of privacy and tranquility. Beach bars line these beaches serving the best in Andalucian cuisine and fresh seafood.

2.. Also in Nerja, at the eastern end of the Costa del Sol, is the famous Cala de Maro Beach. At Cala de Maro, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Costa del Sol beaches, and enjoy the relative tranquility of this beautiful area. Made up of a group of small coves and beaches, most parts of Cala de Maro can be easily reached by hire car. Some of the more private and quiet beaches at Cala de Maro, however can only be accessed on foot.Getting there: Cala de Maro is situated close to Nerja on the Costa del Sol.

3..Situated at Sotogrande, Cadiz, El Cucurucho Beach attracts visitors from all over Europe. Offering a range of water sports, El Cucurucho is popular with tourists and locals alike, and you will find some superb beach restaurants closeby, selling fresh fish and seafood to tempt even the most discerning diners. Sotogrande is a high class resort offering visitors polo fields, the Costa del Sol´s most famous golf club at Valderrama and amazing restaurants and nightlife. El Cucurucho Beach is 3,800 metres long and has been awarded the European Blue Flag for service and cleanliness.

4..La Carihuela is a quaint old fishing village close to Torremolinos at the western end of the Costa del Sol. La Carihuela beach stretches all the way to Benalmadena Marina, and is one of the best beaches in the area. Over 2km long, and offering all sorts of water sports facilities, La Carihuela attracts visitors from all over southern Spain. Also boasting great beach bars and superb Andalucian cuisine close by. La Carihuela stretches for just over 2km, and has various facilities and water sports for visitors to enjoy. Browse around the local shops and enjoy a paella or mixed fried fish dish in one of the excellent restaurants. The beach is clean and sandy, and is ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

How to get there : La Carihuela can be found on the western side of Torremolinos.

5..La Malagueta Beach is the main beach in Malaga, and offers a host of water sports including windsurfing, water skiing, and paragliding. Over 1,200 metres long, La Malagueta is made up of volcanic sand and is safe for swimming. Awarded a European blue flag for service and cleanliness, La Malagueta attracts visitors from all over the south of Spain.
How to get there : La Malagueta is situated in the city of Malaga on the east side of the Costa del Sol.

6..Situated in Benalmadena-Costa, Malapesquera is the most popular beach in Benalmadena-Costa. Over 700 metres in length, Malapesquera boasts a seafront promenade which runs along the front of the beach with shops, bars and superb fish restaurants serving local specialities. Also home to The Nautical Club where you can hire boats, take sailing lessons or enjoy a drink or a meal in the bar/restaurant.

7..Playazo Beach is the largest beach in Nerja on the east end of the Costa del Sol. Over 2km long, Playazo Beach is sandy and flat, and is a paradise for sunseekers. If you prefer a quiet time on the beach, Playazo Beach is for you. It never gets as busy as its neighbouring beaches, as there are few bars and restaurants close by. The perfect beach for relaxing and topping up your tan. Showers and a children´s play area are situated next to Playazo Beach.

8..The Puente Romano Beach is perfect for holidaymakers looking for a bit of luxury while they soak up the rays. Situated on the famous golden mile between Marbella and Puerto Banus, you will find some of the area´s most exclusive restaurants and hotels next to the beach in this up market part of town. Only 120 metres long, The Puente Romano Beach gets busy in summer. Fine white sand and clear water, plus a sunbed and shade service always available.

How to get there : Situated at the western end of Marbella, on the Golden Mile that connects Marbella town and Puerto Banus.

9..Torreguadiaro Beach is situated near the upmarket resort of Sotogrande and forms part of the Costa del Sol. Long and sandy, Torreguadiaro Beach is 2,300 metres long and was formed by volcanic sand and pebbles. Awarded the European blue flag for service and maintenance, Torreguadiaro Beach attracts holidaymakers from all over the Costa del Sol. Close to the famous Sotogrande Marina with all of its superb restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

How to get there : Situated near the tourist resort of Sotogrande.

10..Puerto Cabopino Beach is situated just 7km east of Marbella. This long, sandy beach is one of the best on the Costa del Sol and borders Puerto Cabopino Marina with some excellent restaurants, bars and boats. Sunbed and sunshade service plus two excellent beach bars serving snacks, fresh fish, sangria and a range of tapas and tasty treats. Sheltered from strong currents by two rocky outcrops at either end, Cabopino Beach is perfect for kids and adults alike.

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Things2dospain.co.uk is a website about the best attractions in Spain. If you are looking for great places to go, places to eat, discos, nightclubs, beaches, music festivals, events, places of interest, family fun days out, local ferias or even boutique hotels, you will find the information on things2do.

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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sizzling Sunday Salsa

As the temperatures soar along the Costa, the best way to spend a day off is at one of the many beach bars dotted along the coast. If you want to try something different with some sexy salsa thrown in, the Rancho Cubano, beachside close to Pinomar, Marbella, is one of the top places to go on a Sunday. We went to celebrate a friend´s birthday last Sunday, and had a great time - well, we had a great time apart from the dire food on offer. The mojitos are fabulous, and at €5 a throw, are well priced for this part of the coast. To get in the mood, the drinks were flowing, and the platters of fresh fruit kept us all refreshed well into the evening (in fact the platters of fresh fruit would probably be your safest bet where the food is concerned), or eat before you go. The roast chicken was as hard as a table top, the chips were greasy and the mixed salad, well - do you really want to know? Put it this way, if you are not averse to slug type creatures, by all means order it. There enough said about the food. But being a birthday party our priorities were very much the music and mojitos, and both were superb. The live band play from around 5pm and once everyone has finished eating, the tables are cleared for dancing. There is something strangely sensual about tanned bodies in beachwear salsa dancing while the waves lap the shore behind the restaurant. The music was loud and the dancing was great fun. Even for those of us who are not natural dancers, you can´t resist joining in. Lasting for several hours, there is something distinctly sexy about sipping mojitos on the beach with a salsa band playing nearby. To get there (best to park on the approach road down to the beach and walk), from Calahonda, direction Marbella, exit the road at the English International College, and take first turn right through a very old and antequated tunnel - pip your horn a few times before entering. When you drive up the slope turn first right and first left. Then right down to the beach and the Ranchon Cubano is about 200 metres to the left of this.

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Friday, May 30, 2008

A great day out in La Cala de Mijas

Having lived here a long time, sometimes I don´t see the wood for the trees, and completely ignore some of the lively resorts on the doorstep. La Cala de Mijas is one of these, and offers far more than meets the eye. I have a friend staying from the UK and as we didn´t want to drive far yesterday and I live in Mijas-Golf we ventured down the back road to La Cala. We decided to spend a few hours on the beach before lunch (yes Hurricane Bertha did blow up as soon as we hired the sunbeds) but hey, it all added to the fun. So as we lay in a sandstorm soaking up the rays, covered in sand and sun oil, we decided to hot-foot it to ´Food to Go´ just on the corner by the tower. We ordered some delicious baguettes with swedish prawns and dill mayonnaise, cheddar ploughmans and a couple of cold drinks and crisps and, with typical British grit, headed back to the beach. After erecting a makeshift wind barrier, we managed to eat our lunch in relative comfort, although the sand made it a bit gritty in parts. After a quick paddle (had to be done as my friend said you can´t go to the seaside and not have a paddle), we decided to head for home before the gathering storm clouds broke. Ok ok so maybe it did resemble Skegness on a good day, but La Cala, when the sun is out is one of the best little resorts on the coast. Honest!

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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The best beach bar in Marbella

To anyone who has read my recent blogs, it may seem that all I do is eat and drink all day, but as I have had a friend over from the UK this week, we have over indulged slightly on the old vino and chiringuitos (well that´s my excuse anyway). So yesterday as a special treat we took ourselves off to the Beach House at Elviria which is my all time favourite beach bar. The food is the best I have tasted in Marbella in any restaurant, and the setting is unbeatable. Situated right on the beach, we sat just inside the canopy and, although the wind was whipping the sea into a frenzy, the view was stunning. The Beach House isn´t cheap but it does provide great quality for money as all of the food is cooked from fresh and this is not a restaurant where you will hear microwaves pinging in the kitchen. We ordered three starters to share including caesar salad with chargrilled chicken - served in a parmesan lattice nest. Jumbo prawns in tempura batter with a ginger salad and a superb niçoise salad with fresh tuna steak, poached egg and potato salad. It was fantastic. Attention to detail is amazing at The Beach House, and they even serve fresh lime juice with the gin and tonics. Open for lunch and dinner and all afternoon for lighter bites, this is a great place for a family day out or a romantic meal.

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