Hotel and Transportation

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Hotel Information
AED has negotiated with the Hotel Fira Palace, the ICED headquarters hotel, to offer the special room rate of 192,60 € single and 208,65 € double. Additional accommodations, within walking distance, have been secured at the Barcelona Plaza Hotel, 139,10 € single and 155,15 € double, and B-Hotel, 130,54 € single and 164,78 € double. All rates include taxes and a daily breakfast. Reservations must be made by May 8, 2006. To make a reservation, download a reservation form and follow the directions.

The AED 2006 ICED room rate may not be available after May 8, so make your reservations early. Please note that Mizar Travel requires payment for all nights reserved as deposit and will bill your credit card accordingly.

Air Travel Discount Information
Airline reservations can be made through Bannockburn Travel Inc., the preferred agency for AED meetings. When you call, ask for the group department and identify yourself as an AED 2006 International Conference on Eating Disorders participant. Bannockburn Travel charges a processing fee on transactions but provides a discount to all AED attendees. International and Illinois callers phone Bannockburn Travel at 847-948-9111; domestic callers dial 800-227-1908.

Ground Transportation
The Hotel Fira Palace is eight kilometers (15 minutes) from International Airport Barcelona. Host and alternate hotels are accessible by taxi, identifiable by their yellow and black color; by Aerobus, a shuttleservice found on the platform outside the airport terminal; and by train, located on the western part of the airport terminal.

Barcelona Airport Taxi
Expect to pay around 25 € for the journey to the city centre. There will also be an additional surcharge for each bag. Rates are displayed inside the cab. All official Barcelona taxi's are black and yellow and are required to charge only the value on the meter (Plus any surcharge. Surcharges also include a supplement for traveling from the airport; all surcharge rates are displayed in the back of the taxi.)

Aerobus - Airport Express bus service to Barcelona city center from the airport (Tel: 34 906 427 017)
The Aerobus service is a shuttle bus service that links Barcelona airport to the city center. This service runs normally every 15 minutes within its fixed hours of operation. The Aerobus from the airport stops at all 3 terminals. It then proceeds to the city center where it stops at either Plaza Espanya or Plaza de Cataluna. Hotel Fira Palace is a 5 minute walk from Plaza Espanya.
Ticket Price 3.60 € per person.

Airport Train
Situated on the west part of the Airport terminal, the train offers service every 30 minutes to and from Barcelona Airport to the city center. Take the subway or taxi to your hotel. Cost to city center is 2.40 € per person.

Parking (VAT Included)
Hotel Fira Palace Barcelona Plaza HotelB-Hotel
Daily rate ~ 16€ for hotel guest Daily rate ~ 18 € Daily rate ~ 25 €
Daily rate ~ 24 € for non-hotel guest

Rental Car
Avis Rent-A-Car System Inc. is the official car-rental service for the 2006 ICED. Avis agents can provide the best available rates for your car needs during your stay. For reservations, click the Avis logo on the right or call 800-331-1600 and indicate the Avis AED Worldwide Discount number D130925 to receive special pricing.

Directions from Barcelona International A irport to Hotel Fira Palace
From the airport take main road C-31 (Autovía de Castelldefels) until you reach Plaza Espanya. Turn left (Avda Rius i Taulet) until you get to Lleida Street. The hotel is at the corner of Avda Rius i Taulet and Lleida Street.

Directions from Barcelona International A irport to Barcelona Plaza Hotel
From the airport take main road C-31 (Autovía de Castelldefels) until you reach Plaza Espanya. Hotel is located on Plaza Espanya.

Directions from Barcelona International A irport to B-Hotel
From the airport take the main road C-31 (Autovia de Castelldefels) until you reach Plaza Espanya. Keep on going by Gran Via, Left on Entença Street (after Plaza Espanya, it is the first street where you can turn left), take the lateral of Gran Via. On the second corner is B-Hotel.

Visiting Spain
Traveling to Spain is easy. The documents you need vary depending on where you are from.

From the United States
The following documentation will be required for a stay of up to 90 days:

* For a complete list of visa requirements based on nationality, read the information under “From Countries other than the United States”

If you reside in the United States on a One Entry Visa, you will need a visa to re-enter the United States. Contact an U.S. Embassy or Consulate for more information.

From Countries other than the United States
If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: all you need is your identification card, or a valid passport. Minors traveling with their ID card must have a document that shows parental authorization.

If you are from any of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, the Holy See, Uruguay, and Venezuela: all you need is a valid passport to enter Spain, where you can stay for a maximum of 90 days.

If you are from any other country, according to the criteria of the EU you must request a visa at the Spanish Consulate of your country of residence. You will also need a valid passport.

For these cases, the Spanish authorities may ask documents showing where you will stay, confirmation of an organized tour, return air tickets, tourist circuit, or a personal invitation letter. You may also be asked to show proof of having enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Spain.

Because conditions may vary, we recommend that you contact your local Spanish consulate or embassy for more information on these requirements. A list of Spanish consulates and embassies is located at www.spain.info/tourspain.

Customs
Returning to the United States
The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. For a list of allowed items, quantities and exemptions visit www.customs.ustreas.gov.

Returning to Other Countries
Before leaving home, check the customs regulations of your country by contacting the appropriate government department.

Hospital and Medical Services
Spain does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to pay your medical costs before you leave for Barcelona.

Currency

• Spain’s currency is the Euro.
• Foreign currency can be exchanged at all bank offices, open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. Currency exchange shops are available at the airport and in Barcelona. Money can also be exchanged at select hotels and travel agencies.
• Major credit cards are accepted at most Spanish shops and businesses, usually clearly posted at the door of the establishment.
• Travelers' checks, presented with a valid passport, are also accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Taxes
The value added tax, called VAT, (otherwise known as IVA) is 16 percent on all items purchased excluding food items, books and optics, which have a 7 percent VAT tax rate.

Tax Rebates for Individuals
If your country of residence is outside of the European Union, you may request a sales-tax refund for your purchases. There are several companies in Spain that are authorized to process sales-tax (IVA) refunds. You need to request a form for your sales-tax refund where you make your purchase.

Spanish law establishes the minimum purchase for you to be able to get a sales-tax refund at € 90.15. This amount needs to be spent at the same shop, and on the same day, for it to be eligible for a VAT refund.

For more information about the visitors' tax refund, visit www.spain.info/tourspain.

Plan ahead for your trip to Spain!
Barcelona Convention Bureau
www.barcelonaturisme.com