Handbook for Conference Organizers
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It’s not a city, it’s a tribute to life. DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN 01.The Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea 02.Gastronomy with Michelin stars 03.Cultural landmark in Europe 04.A friendly, comfortable 05.Congress venue 06.Quality destination and accessible city The iconic handrail of San Sebastian offers a view over the magnificent bay of La Concha. At the end of the 19th century, the royal court and high society aristocrats made bathing in the sea here fashionable, giving rise to an elegant and distinguished city which became known as the Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea. With its three beaches, three mountains and the island of Santa Clara – to which the bravest dare to swim – this jewel receives international recognition and visitors from all over the world every year. Best beach in Europe and 6th best in the world TripAdvisor - Traveller’s Choice (2018) 5th Best European Tourist Destination European Best Destinations (2017) Best European Destination Expert’s Choice - TripExpert (2018) 01 The Pearl of the Cantabrian Sea DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN San Sebastian offers gastronomy to satisfy the most varied tastes: from the most exclu- sive gastronomic societies to the most rough-and-ready looking bars; from traditional Basque cuisine to the most modern. All of them offer recipes of the highest quality, since they use local and seasonal products obtained from traditional markets or directly from producers. And let’s not forget the pinnacle of haute cuisine in miniature: the “pintxo”. This has evolved considerably since its creation, with the adding of colour, the enhancing of fla- vour and adaptation to the most unexpected formats. City with the most Michelin stars per m² in the world: 17 stars (2018) Best Gastronomic Destination in the world - Caterwings, UK (2017) Best International Gastronomic Destination - SAVEUR Culinary Travel Awards (2014) Best Restaurants and Best Gastronomy - SAVEUR Culinary Travel Awards (2013) 02 Gastronomy with Michelin stars DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN San Sebastian breathes culture, knows culture and promotes culture. Its cultural heartbeat resonates throughout Europe after its nomination as European Capital of Culture 2016. The city hosts renowned international film, theatre and music festivals that fill it with life, colour and foreign influences during the four seasons of the year. In addition, the sound of Europe’s oldest language, Euskara (the Basque language), in its streets is proof that San Sebastian preserves and fosters its own local culture. San Sebastian International Film Festival since 1952 Jazzaldia International Jazz Festival since 1965 European Capital of Culture in 2016 Basque Culture Thousands of years old and unique 03 Cultural landmark in Europe DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN Perched by the sea, San Sebastian is home to 186,000 people who stroll through, savour and live out their daily lives in its tidy streets. Its urban development has led to the current city centre characterised by a regular network of straight streets and wide avenues. Its manageable size, its beautiful walks, its extensive network of cycle paths, and public services among the best in Europe make this city a comfortable destination where travelling is always thought of as a pleasant stroll. More than 30km from cycle paths that connect the entire city Dbus Public Transport Network At the cutting edge of technological advances on a global level A promenade of 6km A city open to the sea 04 A friendly, comfortable and accessible city DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN San Sebastian has the most advanced scientific, technological and medical centres that bring together internationally renowned professionals. Their know-how and experience is the driving force behind the attracting of important congresses that find in the city an ideal place for the exchange of knowledge. From a convent that is also a historical-artistic monument to a royal palace with gardens overlooking La Concha bay or a congress palace by the sea, San Sebastian offers the best venues for events. Member of international and national networks in the MICE sector: International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Meeting Professionals International (MPI) European Cities Marketing (ECM) Spain Convention Bureau (SCB) 05 Congress venue DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN Preferred destination of international congresses in Spain International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) The city continues to preserve its essence, its personality, its tranquillity and its safety; it is still the same San Sebastian it always has been. However, this characteristic authenticity has not prevented the city from evolving towards a more sustainable and more cutting-edge destination. The quality that the city offers in all its services means that every year San Sebastian receives the best evaluation as a destination for congresses in the Basque Country. Best Destination in the Basque Country according to the congress delegates Basque Government IBILTUR MICE Committed to tourist quality through the Integral System for Tourism Quality in Destinations (SICTED) since 2008 Quality06 destination DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN The city Donostia/San Sebastian DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN IS A THEATRE FOR THE FIVE SENSES San Sebastian is a place to let your imagination run free; a city that awakens your five senses and is a pleasure for them all. And in San Sebastian none is more important than the sense of taste. For this sense, delights are on offer in the form of pintxos and main dishes, bitter and sweet, tart and salty. This city gets under your skin, and becomes a part of you. Its touch is like a smile. It is intimate and leaves a mark; you feel it in every pore. San Sebastian is so small that you can see it at a single glance, but at the same time it is so varied and new that it is as if it were the first city you saw. It breathes in, it breathes out; it respires and inspires. The whole town is invigorated with the smell of the sea, rain on wet earth. San Sebastian uses a perfume that says much more than words. In San Sebastian music is found in its nature. The city is an orchestra and the sea and the wind are like music in your ears. More info USEFUL INFORMATION PRACTICAL INFO POPULATION 186,000 inhabitants. • San Sebastian is a comfortable city with wide pedestrian streets, cycle paths and urban transport. CURRENCY The official currency is the EURO, the currency commonly used throughout the European • Taxis: only available at indicated taxi stands or by Union. phone: +34 943 40 40 40 / +34 943 46 46 46 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES Basque and Spanish. • Restaurant opening hours: · Lunch: 1:30 pm - 3.30 pm HOLIDAY CALENDAR · Dinner: 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm 1 January New Year’s Day. Tipping is not mandatory. 6 January The Epiphany Day. 20 January San Sebastian Day. • The climate is characterised by being mild and 1 May Labour Day. humid with rain distributed throughout the year. 25 July St James’ Day (Santiago Apóstol). 31 July San Ignacio de Loyola Day. • The average annual temperature of the sea on the 15 August The Assumption Day. coast ranges between 11°C and 20°C. 12 October National Day. 1 November All Saints’ Day. 6 December Day of the Spanish Constitution. 8 December The Immaculate Conception Day. 25 December Christmas Day. AIRPORTS RAILWAY STATIONS SAN SEBASTIAN (EAS) www.aena.es “RENFE” TRAIN STATION www.adif.es This is the closest airport, 20 kilometres from the Located in the heart of the city, connections include city centre. The most frequent connections are with Barcelona in 5 hours 50 minutes and Madrid in 5 Madrid and Barcelona on flights of less than 1 hour. hours 30 minutes. BILBAO (BIO) www.aena.es “EUSKOTREN” TRAIN STATION www. International airport connected to the main euskotren.es European cities. It is 100 km from San Sebastian. San Sebastian also has the Euskotren service, a Direct transfer from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian narrow-gauge railway network that connects the is every hour with the company PESA (www.pesa. city with the High Speed Train (TGV) station in net). Hendaye (France). BIARRITZ (BIQ) www.biarritz.aeroport.fr HENDAYE TRAIN STATION Although it is located in France, this international www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/fraef/hendaye airport is only 45 km from San Sebastian. French High Speed Train Station (TGV) located 20 The bus companies PESA (www.pesa.net) and km from San Sebastian. CONDA (www.conda.es) offer several daily direct Connections with Bordeaux in 2 hours 40 minutes transfer services to San Sebastian. and Paris in 4 hours 40 minutes. London BY ROAD If you intend to visit some of the most important or interesting cities near San Sebastian by car, this is very simple. Below are the distances and duration of the Paris journeys: > Madrid - 437 km. > Barcelona - 560 km. > Bilbao - 100 km. > Santander - 190 km. donostia > Pamplona - 70 km. san sebastian > Vitoria - 92 km. Madrid Barcelona A city of exquisite monuments. DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIAN MEETING AND UNIQUE VENUES KURSAAL CONGRESS CENTRE 01 Innovative infrastructure designed for every type of event in an exceptional setting. PARTE VIEA 17 14 SAN TELMO MUSEUM 02 Convent from the 16th century. IGUELDO Museum of Basque society. 16 THE VICTORIA EUGENIA THEATRE 03 Emblematic building dedicated to thea- REA CMERCIAL tre and dance. It opened in 1912. 06 HOTEL MARÍA CRISTINA 04 Five-star establishment with very close links to the International ANTIGUO Film Festival. 18 TABAKALERA 05 International Centre of Con- temporary Culture since 2015. MIRAMAR PALACE 06 Built in 1893 and for decades a summer holiday residence for the royal family. BASQUE CULINARY CENTER Faculty of Gastronomic Sciences and 07 Centre for Technological Research and innovation in food and gastronomy. GIPUZKOA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK 08 A hub for leading R&D&I companies.