FESPA Digital will be the focal point of the wide-format industry, taking place at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via (Barcelona, Spain) on the 21-24 February 2012 where there will be everything you need to Explore the Wider Opportunity in one amazing hall. Visiting this event enables you to discover the latest trends, innovations and opportunities for your business in the global imaging marketplace.
FESPA Digital 2012 will take place in one of Fira de Barcelona’s two exhibition centres, Gran Via, a venue renowned for its technological development and the logistics services it offers to exhibitors. Designed by Toyo Ito, one of the worlds most innovative and influential architects, the 240,000 qm exhibition space is divided into eight halls. FESPA Digital 2012 will take place in one hall giving exhibitors and visitors alike the optimal event experience. At 18,500 qm, the hall is an open and versatile space making it ideal for the FESPA Digital show. Exhibitors have access to spacious conference rooms positioned in the Sales de Conferències area, immediately above the show hall.
Aside from its strong cultural status, Barcelona is also one of Spain’s commercial and industrial centres. Central to these industries are textile, manufacturing and of course, tourism. Barcelona’s airport receives upwards of 30 million passengers each year, a figure which seals its status as one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.
Visitors to Barcelona are served by an excellent transport system. A clean, punctual and air-conditioned Metro serves every corner of the centre, while taxis are happily affordable. The great thing about transport in Barcelona is that you don’t need it. Barcelona is a compact city, and the majority of the visitor attractions are located minutes from each other. Walking is also the perfect way to explore the wide variety of attractions on offer.
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is in the centre of the old town. Stretching from La Rambla (a lively street worth visiting) to Via Laietana, its intricate street plan features a maze of narrow lanes opening out into wide, picturesque squares. FESPA Digital visitors should spend time exploring the buildings here, some of which date from the medieval and even Roman periods.
For most people visiting Barcelona, the first name they will think of is Gaudi. An infamous architect, Gaudi lived and died (after being hit by a tram) in the city, leaving a legacy of eccentric gothic buildings. From Palau Güell, Gaudi’s first structure, to Colonia Güell, an irregular oval church and crypt, his works are unmistakable. If you had to visit just one Gaudi building, a popular choice would be La Sagrada Familia. Construction of the enormous basilica began in 1882, yet by the time of Gaudi’s death, was only a quarter complete. Amazingly, construction continues and the final element of the church will be the construction of the Glory façade.
When the sun shines (the average temperature during February in Barcelona is 13°C), show-goers can breathe some fresh air at one of Gaudi’s free attractions: Parc Güell. Visitors will be immediately struck by the Gaudi dragon fountain adorning the entrance to the park. With its colourful mosaic skin, the dragon and the surrounding park are one of the city’s most popular and recognisable sights.
Sticking with Barcelona’s cultural heritage, the city also celebrates the work of Pablo Picasso, famous for his innovative and revolutionary artistic endeavours. Picasso’s work opened the door for future artists, including Pollock and Kandinsky, to push the boundaries of modern art. The Picasso Museum showcases more than 3,800 in its permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions which take place throughout the year. To discover Picasso’s priceless works, and find out about the various tours on offer visit: www.bcn.cat/museupicasso.
A visit to Spain wouldn’t be the same without tapas, and Barcelona has some of the best in Spain. Cal Pep, located in Ciutat Vella, is one of the best known tapas restaurants in the city, offering a menu comprising over 70 different tapas dishes. Moving away from tapas, local Catalan cuisine can be sampled at Vinya Roel, an atmospheric restaurant offering dishes such as cannellonis (stuffed with pig and with chicken livers), fideus, and black rice with cuttlefish.
With so much on offer, it is well worth purchasing a Barcelona city card from the online www.barcelonaturisme.com store. The card offers you free travel on public transport and the equivalent of +240€ discounts and free offers at museums, cultural venues, restaurants and more. The card can be purchased for two, three, four or five consecutive days and prices range from 24.75€ (two days) rising to 31.50€ (five days).
