The Venue: HOTEL "VILAR RURAL" in CARDONA

The organisation team of GIC2010 in Spain found an idyllic venue for hosting the event, meeting the needs of such conference and offering at the same time a space where we can relax and enjoy nature and beautiful views of the valley of Cardaner, area of Bages, in the geographic centre of Catalonia. Cardona is sitting in the middle of wide spaces filled with forests of the typical Spanish trees "encina" and pines, extensions of cultivated fields, diep valleys and soft mountains.

The Vilar Rural of Cardona is situated in a hill in front of the village of Cardona, in the heart of Catalonia, at 85 km. from Barcelona, at 95 km. from Girona, at 90 km. from Andorra and at 83 km to the border of France.

The hotel complex is designed as a small village around a main square and two streets.

The bedrooms have a contemporary design, with a simple decoration and a very good comfort level, with relaxing views of the surroundings.

Facilities include two swimming pools, one outdoor and one indoor; playgrounds for children (include animals, zone of gardening, activities for children); gardens and areas for enjoying the splendid views the valley Salino and the first slopes of the mountains of the Pyrenees.

The various meeting rooms and gathering outdoor spaces allow enjoying the Conference and the surroundings at the same time.

Click hear to download a file in pdf.

How to arrive by air?

The two nearby international airports where you can arrive are:

• International airport of "El Prat" Barcelona.
  

  1. The easiest way to go to Barcelona City from this airport is by train to the station "Barcelona Sants" (see details clicking here). The train station is connected with the passengers' terminal building across moving belts. However, you will go to Barcelona City by bus (see details clicking here)

     From Barcelona Sants train station, you mush take another train to "Manresa" (see below "By train from Barcelona to Manresa").

     To arrive to the Vilar Rural of Cardona from Manresa you can take a taxi or one of the schedule GIC transport service prearranged by the GIC2010 organisation (see below "GIC Transport Service").

  2. Optionally, you can reach by bus the Village of Cardona from Barcelona City following the indication in the section below "By Bus from Barcelona to Cardona".

     The venue is not so far from the village of Cardona. However, to avoid walking with your luggage the steep slope, we recommend you to take a taxi or one of the schedule GIC transport service prepared by the GIC organisation (see below "GIC Transport Service").

• International airport of Girona, which connects many European cities through low-cost airlines.
  1. The first option from Girona airport is to go to Barcelona City by bus for a cost of 13 euros approx. arriving at the North Bus station of Barcelona and follow the indication explained previously "From Barcelona Sants train station".
  2. The second option if take a bus from Girona airport directly to Manresa (see details here ) and take a taxi or one of the schedule GIC transport service prearranged by the GIC2010 organisation (see below "GIC Transport Service").

By Train from Barcelona to Manresa

From the train station of Barcelona Sants, trains are leaving on weekdays approximately every 30 minutes starting at 6:00 a.m.

On Saturdays and Sundays, trains are leaving approximately every hour staring at 7:30 a.m.

Click to see the english time timetables and prices

By Bus from Barcelona to Cardona

Bus can be taken at the Barcelona North Station

Click to see the english time timetables and prices.

By Car

Spain is accessible by car from many countries in Europe: France, Belgium, UK, north of Italy, Switzerland to name some of them. If you feel like touring in Spain after or before the GIC, this might be a quite valid option, also cheaper if you are travelling several of you together. In either way, you will transit through France.

Find some indications from the main cities around Cardona:

• From Barcelona: Road C-58 until Manresa or Nacional road A-2 (exit 132) until Manresa. Then continue on C-55 until Cardona.
• From Lleida: Road C-25 until Manresa then C-55 until Cardona. An alternative is to take the C-1313, direction La Seu d'Urgell, (exit in Solsona, then C-1410)
• From Girona: Road C-25 until Manresa then C-55 until Cardona.
• From Tarragona: Highway AP-7 Until Martorell; Nacional road A-2 (exit 132) until Manresa. Then continue on C-55 until Cardona.

GIC Transport Service

The information of this section will be uploading a soon as possible, following the request of the participants.

Please contact the Organisation Team if you think that you will need this service.