practical guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONFERENCE VENUE..................................................................................................................... 3
WELCOME DESK ............................................................................................................................ 3
TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM THE AIRPORT ................................................................................... 4
TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY .................................................................................................... 5
HOTEL AMENITIES ........................................................................................................................ 6
HOTEL RESTAURANTS & BARS....................................................................................................... 7
FOOD, DRINKS & GOING OUT IN MADRID ..................................................................................... 8
MADRID HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................................................................................10
Museums & Monuments ............................................................................................................11
Attractions ................................................................................................................................12
Activities ...................................................................................................................................12
MADRID SHOPPING ......................................................................................................................13
GIRP MOBILE APPLICATION .........................................................................................................13
OTHER REMARKS .........................................................................................................................14
BASIC SPANISH............................................................................................................................15
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CONFERENCE VENUE
The Westin Palace
Known for its hospitality since 1912, the iconic “Palace” hotel is conveniently located in the centre of
Madrid, at the heart of the “Triangle of Art”. Within walking distance of the city’s most prestigious
museums - Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia Museums, among others – Las Letras neighbourhood is also
the place to enjoy gastronomy, leisure and shopping in Madrid.
The Westin Palace houses several restaurants and bars that will attend any of your culinary needs and
preferences. The hotel also offers a Beauty Parlour and Fitness Centre, perched on the top floor of the
hotel with stimulating views across Madrid.
Easily accessible, the hotel is located a mere 20 minutes from Madrid-Barajas Airport by car.
Plaza de las Cortes, 7
28014 Madrid
Spain
Tel: +34 913 60 80 00
Fax: +34 913 607 774
E-mail: [email protected]
WELCOME DESK
The GIRP welcome desk will be located in the lobby of the Westin Palace from Saturday to Tuesday.
Should you require additional assistance, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to address them
to our staff at the welcome desk.
Participants are kindly requested to register at the welcome desk to obtain their personal badge and
conference bag.
OPENING HOURS:
 27 May 2017,
 28 May 2017,
 29 May 2017,
 30 May 2017,
from
from
from
from
12:00
10:00
08:00
08:00
to
to
to
to
18:00
18:00
18:30
13:15
Payment
Payment of the participation fee to the GIRP Annual Meeting & Conference must be settled prior to the
conference. For any questions regarding the payment procedure or the relevant documentation, please
contact the GIRP office at [email protected].
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TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
Taxis
Taking a taxi from Madrid-Barajas airport is by far the most convenient and fastest way to get from the
airport to the hotel or the city centre.
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MADRID TAXI
Taxis in Madrid are white with a red diagonal stripe. They can be found
outside of all 4 terminals at Madrid-Barajas airport. The flat fee from
the airport to the city centre of Madrid is 30€ (day & night). Journeys
are usually paid for in cash although more and more taxis accept credit
cards. Taxis in Madrid can fit up to 4 people with 3 pieces of luggage.
The journey from Madrid-Barajas Airport to The Westin Palace takes about 20 minutes.

PRE-BOOK A TAXI
To avoid facing possible communication issues, you can also pre-book a trained, Englishspeaking taxi driver to pick you up at the airport.
Use this link to pre-book a taxi:
https://www.welcomepickups.com/madrid/airport-transfer-book/
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AIRPORT PICK UP
GIRP agreed on a favourable price with Grand Class for taxi pickups between 25 and 31 May
2017. A trip from the airport ordered with the code ‘GIRP’ costs €65 (VAT not included).
There is a 20% supplementary fee for transfers between 21:00 and 07:00.
Taxis have to be booked at least 48h in advance.
Order a Grand Class airport pick up:
o
o
o
Telephone: +34916821560, referencing ‘GIRP’
E-mail: [email protected], referencing ‘GIRP’
Online: www.grandclass.es, referencing ‘GIRP’ as the Promotional Code.
NOTE! For online bookings, only VISA or MASTER CARD are accepted. To pay with
AMEX, book your airport pick up by phone or E-mail.
Public Transport
The most convenient way of public transportation from the Madrid-Barajas airport to the city centre is
the bus. There is a 24/7 express bus, which takes 50 minutes. The bus is yellow and can be found
outside terminals 1, 2 and 4. If you are arriving at terminal T3, there is a free airport shuttle connecting
all terminals. You should catch this shuttle, or walk to terminal T2. Tickets cost 5€ per person and can
be purchased on the bus. Buses only accept cash. From the bus stop at Plaza de Cibeles, it takes a
6- minute walk on the Paseo del Prado to arrive at the Westin Palace hotel.
Car Rental
There are six car rental companies in Madrid Barajas airport: Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise, Goldcar
and Hertz. All car rental offices are located at the arrivals area of terminals T1 and T4.
MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/transportation/car-rental-madrid-airport.htm
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TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY
Taxis

HAIL A TAXI
Available taxis have a green LIBRE sign in the windshield and a green light on top. The fare number
of either 1, 2 or 3 will be shown next to this light. To hail a taxi, all you need to do is raise your
hand. There are more than 15,600 taxis in Madrid, so it is usually not difficult to find one available
in the city’s main thoroughfares.
There are also several taxi ranks around the city, indicated by a blue sign with a white letter ‘T’. At
railway and bus stations and at the airport, taxis must be taken from the corresponding ranks.
Throughout the rest of the city, they can easily be stopped in the street. Journeys are usually
paid for in cash.
TAXI FARES:
Transport station supplement: €3.00
Charge for setting the meter going: €2.40
Per kilometer: Fare 1: €1.05 / Fare 2: €1.20 / Fare 3: €1.25

CALL A TAXI
If you prefer ordering a taxi by phone, there are several trust-worthy companies operating taxi
radios. You should be aware that these companies generally start the taxi meter from the point
where the taxi driver is when they receive your call.
Radio-Taxi Asociación Gremial: +34 91 447 3232 / +34 91 447 5180
Radio-Taxi Independiente: +34 91 405 5500 / +34 91 405 1213
Radio Taxi de Madrid: +34 91 547 8200
Tele-taxi: +34 91 371 2131 / +34 90 250 1130

UBER & CABIFY
For the faithful Uber-users among us, note that Uber is also available in Madrid. No need to
make a phone call or schedule a pick-up and with 24/7 availability.
DOWNLOAD THE UBER APP:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab
IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368?mt=8
There is also a possibility to order a taxi with Cabify, an ‘Uber-like’ taxi service specifically for
Madrid. You can order a car very easily by using the Cabify app and a private driver will pick
you up within minutes, wherever you are.
DOWNLOAD THE CABIFY APP:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cabify.rider
IOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cabify-enjoy-the-ride/id476087442?mt=8
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Public Transport

METRO
Madrid has an excellent public transportation system with a well-developed metro-network. The
metro in Madrid is a very fast and easy means of transportation. During the day, you won’t have
to wait more than 5 minutes for a train and the air-conditioned carriages are very spacious. The
metro rides from 06:00 to 02:00.
You can buy metro tickets at the ticket office or at the automatic ticket machine. A single
ticket costs only €1.50, the Metrobús 10-Journey Ticket costs €12.50.
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

TOURIST TRAVEL PASS (Abono Turístico)
With the Tourist Travel Pass you can easily use public transportation in Madrid without worrying
about buying a ticket every time. This pass permits unlimited travel on all forms of public
transport in Madrid.
The pass is valid for 1 (€8.40), 2 (€14.20), 3 (€18.40), 5 (€26.80) or 7 (€35.40) consecutive
days. The Tourist Travel Pass can be purchased at all stations on the network of Metro.
MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.metromadrid.es/en/viaja_en_metro/Tarifasybilletes/abonos/contenido02.html
HOTEL AMENITIES
Wellness and Beauty Parlour
The Westin Palace offers a wellness and beauty service that relies on the professionals of R’difusión to
bring relaxation to your body and mind. R’difusión provides facial treatments, massages and
manicures/pedicures. There is also a hairdresser and make-up artist.
OPENING HOURS: From Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00
LANGUAGES: Spanish, English and German
MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS:
Telephone: Extension 7616 (inside the hotel) & (+34) 914 292 508 (outside the hotel)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.rdifusion.es
Fitness Studio
Open 24 hours a day, the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio aims to energize both body and mind.
Perched on the top floor of the hotel with stimulating views across Madrid, the health and fitness facility
offers plenty of potential for toning and powering up at your own pace.
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Fitness equipment: weights, mats and bands
Stationary bikes and treadmills
Changing rooms for men and women with Westin Heavenly Shower and sauna
Physiotherapy and beauty treatments available
Open air deck to relax with a fresh drink
Other options to keep fit are jogging in Madrid (Recommended running route)
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New Balance fitness gear lending service
To help you pack light and stay fit at the same time, the Westin Palace offers a fitness
gear lending service. For only €5.00 you can rent New Balance clothing and shoes and
maintain your workout routine wherever you go, without having to worry about packing
sneakers and fitness clothing.
HOTEL RESTAURANTS & BARS
The restaurants and bars of the Westin Palace have been in the centre of the cultural and leisure scene
of the city for a century. From the impressive dome of La Rotonda restaurant, with its famous Sunday
Opera & Brunch, to the 1912 Museo English style bar, through the spaces dedicated to high-Asian
cuisine, Asia Gallery and Green T Sushi Bar, the Westin Palace will attend any of your culinary needs
and preferences.
La Rotonda Restaurant
La Rotonda is the perfect place for guests to refuel. Beneath the magnificent stained glass dome, elegant
table settings are flooded with natural light during the day and illuminated by the soft glow of wall lamps
and candles after night falls.
Energize your morning thanks to the extensive breakfast buffet which features a wide range of fresh
seafood and traditional dishes from around the globe and experience the spectacular Sunday Opera &
Brunch which is famous among the locals.
OPENING HOURS:
 Breakfast: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 to 11:00
 Lunch & Dinner: Monday to Saturday from 13:00 to 23:30
 Sunday Opera & Brunch: 13:30 to 15:30
 Sunday Dinner: 18:00 to 23:30
RESERVE A TABLE:
Online or by phone
Tel: +34 913 607 667
E-mail: [email protected]
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.larotondapalace.com/en/
Asia Gallery
A mouth-watering range of Cantonese delights awaits discovery in Asia Gallery, the hotel’s hauteChinese dining venue with an exotically decorated interior. There are ten varieties of the traditional
southern Chinese delicacy ‘dim sum’, sautéed lobster with Szechuan pepper, duck breast with plum
sauce, the favourite Pekin duck and three exciting degustation menus. As soon as you enter the
restaurant its atmospheric decor immediately catches the eye. The entrance hall is furnished with
oriental pieces and a statuesque Buddha.
OPENING HOURS:
Open daily from 13:30 to 16:30 and 20:30 to 24:00
RESERVE A TABLE:
Tel: +34 913 600 049
E-mail: [email protected]
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.asiagallerymadrid.com/en/
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1912 Museo Bar
With its animated crowd of locals and guests, the hotel’s vibrant 1912 Museo Bar is the perfect place to
relax. Once a favourite watering hole of Ernest Hemingway - a fan of its excellent cocktails - and
Salvador Dalí, the buzzy bar maintains a happening profile.
The 1912 Museo Bar is the meeting point for Madrid locals and visitors, who are seeking to taste a
delicious cocktail, gin tonic, coffee or an aperitif in a calm and exclusive atmosphere.
OPENING HOURS:
Open daily from 11:30 to 02:00
Green T Sushi Bar
Green T is a small and cosy Sushi Bar where guests can enjoy Japanese live cooking and some Spanish
"Tapas". It is also a perfect place for cocktail lovers offering a wide selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices.
The decor of the room blends antique oriental furniture with some unique Spanish vintage that creates
a very pleasant atmosphere to unwind and relax.
OPENING HOURS:
 Lunch: 13:00 to 16:00
 Dinner: 20:00 to 24:00
FOOD, DRINKS & GOING OUT IN MADRID
Well known for its delicious tapas and Spanish dishes, Madrid is an excellent city for
food lovers and culinary enthusiasts. Most Spaniards eat lunch, which is their most
important meal of the day, between 13:00 and 16:00. Because of this late lunch, the
Madrileños go out for dinner around 22:00.
The Spanish kitchen is a melting pot of flavours and spices and all
Spanish regions are represented in the Madrilenian cuisine. A typical dish is the cocido madrileño, a traditional stew with chickpeas,
meat and vegetables. Tapas are also very popular in Madrid. You
can order these small, tasty appetizers every hour of the day in one
of the many tapas bars of Madrid, but also on street corners and
market squares. Tapas are usually enjoyed with a glass of wine and
good company.
Madrid offers a wide range of bars, restaurants and clubs. Popular
areas of entertainment are:
FUN FACT
The word ‘tapas’ derives from the
Spanish verb ‘tapar’, which means ‘to
cover’. Because of this meaning, it is
said that tapas originated from the
custom to literally cover a drink with
a piece of bread or ham, to prevent
that any flies would enter the glass.
La Latina and Lavapiés
Recommended for good tapas is La Latina, located in the medieval area of the city. Walk around the
district, taste fine wines and food and enjoy the views of the gorgeous Royal Palace. Lavapiés is the
Madrilenian multicultural neighbourhood, where you can have a taste of a more exotic cuisine.
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Area around Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol, Spanish for Gate of the Sun, is a busy and well-known shopping hub in Madrid. It is the
place to be to do a “Tapeo”, which is a kind of pub crawl where you go from one tapas bar to the next
and which is very popular in Madrid.
In the square of Puerta del Sol you will also find the statue of El Oso y el Madroño or “The Bear and the
Strawberry Tree”. The statue is the symbol of Madrid. Attentive readers might have noticed that it is
also the logo of our Annual Meeting & Conference.
Plaza de Santa Ana (Huertas)
The Plaza de Santa Ana is the place for nightlife in Madrid. This atmospheric square is located in the
Huertas district, with many tapas bars and restaurants. In the nearby Calle Echegaray and Calle del
Príncipe, you can find many bars and clubs.
Special recommendation
Atlantik Corner
Atlantik Corner is a cosy seafood restaurant two streets away from the hotel. The menu expresses the
magic and virtues of all the people belonging to the Atlantic Ocean. They offer mainly Portuguese and
Galician courses, but also some references to the Mexican, Moroccan and Brazilian cuisine.
Atlantik Corner offers a free welcome drink to GIRP participants!
OPENING HOURS:
 Tuesday to Sunday: from 13:30 to 16:00 and from 20:30 to 24:00
 Closed on Mondays
RESERVE A TABLE:
http://atlantikcorner.com/reservation-form
LOCATION:
Calle Ventura de la Vega, 11
28014 Madrid
Alabaster
Alabaster is a high-end restaurant, located very close to the Buen Retiro Park and Puerta de Alcalá.
Alabaster unites tradition and avant-garde in its dishes, with a focus on the absolute quality of the
product. Enjoy a gastronomic adventure in a harmonious and modern design.
OPENING HOURS:
 Monday to Saturday: from 13:30 to 15:30 and from 19:00 to 23:30
 Closed on Sundays
RESERVE A TABLE:
http://www.restaurantealabaster.com/reservas.php
LOCATION:
Montalbán 9
28014 Madrid
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MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Being the capital of Spain, Madrid is a very vibrant city with a colourful history
and many architectural gems. Apart from the lively and cosy streets, Madrid
also offers realms of nature where you can take a breath from the busy city.
Madrid has many famous touristic sights such as the Palacio Real, the Buen
Retiro Park and the Museum Triangle (Prado, Reina Sofia and ThyssenBornemisza Museum). Thanks to the many pedestrian areas in the centre and
the excellent metro-network, you can easily discover the heart of Spain.
TIP
Get a free city map
at the Westin Palace
reception desk.
MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS
Cibeles Fountain
You cannot leave Madrid without having seen the Cibeles Fountain, which pictures the Roman goddess
Cybele on a chariot pulled by lions. The fountain is a landmark and considered a symbol of Madrid. It is
the place where the victories of the Real Madrid Football Club are celebrated.
Golden Triangle of Art
Feel the privilege of being located in the "Golden Triangle of Art" of Madrid, which is made up of the
most renowned museums of the city such as Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums.

MUSEO DEL PRADO
The Museo del Prado, located in the center of Madrid, was founded as a Royal Museum of
Paintings and Sculptures in 1819 under King Ferdinand VII. The Prado features one of the
world’s most famous collections of European art, dating from the 12 th to the early 20th century
and unquestionably the best single collection of Spanish art. The museum displays numerous
works by Francisco de Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, as well as
the magnificent Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez.
OPENING HOURS:
From Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00
Sundays and holidays 10:00 to 19:00
TICKETS: Standard price €15
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.museodelprado.es/en
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MUSEO REINA SOFIA
The Reina Sofia Museum is Spain’s national museum for modern and contemporary art and is
one of the largest in the world. The museum mainly features Spanish artists, such as Pablo
Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, and more. One of the highlights of the collection is
the Guernica masterpiece of Pablo Picasso.
OPENING HOURS (Main venue):
Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00
Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00
Closed on Tuesday
TICKETS: Standard price €8/ Free with accreditation
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
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MUESO THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA
The museum, which was founded in 1988, currently houses the art collection of Baron Hans
Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, acquired by the Spanish government and the private collection
of Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Duccio, Van Eyck, Carpaccio, Lucas Cranach, Dürer, Caravaggio, Rubens, Frans Hals, Van Gogh,
Gauguin, Kirchner, Mondrian, Klee, Hopper, Rauschenberg ... These are just some of the great
masters of art history whose works are on display at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in
Madrid.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday 12:00 to 16:00 (Temporary exhibition closed)
From Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 19:00
TICKETS: Standard price €12
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.museothyssen.org/en
Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Major is one of the central squares of the city and a major tourist attraction in the heart of
the Salamanca district. Plaza Mayor has been the scene of a diverse range of events and local
celebrations since 1577. It is surrounded by traditional shops and cosy cafes and terraces.
Puerta de Alcalá
Next to the Buen Retiro Park, the Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá), is a neo-classical monument located
in the Plaza de la Independencia. The Alcalá gate was part of the walls of King Philip IV and is regarded
as the first modern, post-Roman triumphal arch built in Europe.
Palacio Real
The Palacio Real is the royal palace of Madrid. It is the working palace of the king of Spain Felipe VI.
Built by architect Juvarra in 1734, the Palacio Real is the largest royal palace in the world. It covers an
area of 135.000 m² and counts 3418 rooms. Since 1931, the royal family does not have their main
residence in this palace, but in the more modest Zarzuela palace in the outskirts of Madrid.
Almudena Cathedral of Madrid
The "Santa María la Real de La Almudena" is the cathedral of Madrid and is situated across the Royal
Palace. The construction of the cathedral started in 1883 and was only finished over a hundred years
later in 1993, when it was officially inaugurated by Pope John Paul II. The cathedral is dedicated to
“Virgen de la Almudena”, the medieval icon of Virgin Mary who is also the patron-saint of Madrid.
The name Almudena has Arabic origins: al mudayna means “the castle”. Legend has it that when the
Moors invaded the Fortress of Madrid in the 8th century, citizens hid an image of Virgin Mary in the city
walls. When Madrid was finally reconquered from the Moors in the 15 th century, the city walls crumbled
and the Virgin revealed herself again.
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ATTRACTIONS
Botanical Gardens
Have a relaxing stroll at the Botanical Gardens of Madrid, located in front of the Prado Museum. The
garden was founded on the banks of the Manzanares River in 1755 by King Ferdinand VI of Spain and
later moved to its current location by King Charles III. This green oasis in the city centre contains about
30.000 plants and flowers and 1500 types of trees.
Buen Retiro Park
The Buen Retiro Park is one of the largest parks in Madrid. The name of this magnificent former royal
park literally means “Park of the Pleasant Retreat”. Start your running routine in the relaxing green
environment of the Buen Retiro or discover the peaceful lake, rose garden and beautiful sculptures and
monuments.
The Antón Martín Market
In the bohemian district of Huertas, Antón Martín is one of the most traditional markets in the city. Buy
local products from more than 60 stalls and find organic products, clothes, herbs, wine, and regional
specialties at very reasonable prices.
ACTIVITIES
Madrid en Bicicleta
Madrid is the perfect city to discover by bike. With BajaBikes, you can go on a guided tour and see the
most beautiful places of Madrid or you can rent a bike yourself and discover the amazing metropolis at
your own pace. BajaBikes offers guided tours in English, Spanish, Dutch and German.
A regular Highlights Bike Tour costs €25, a Tapas Bike Tour costs €32,50.
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.bajabikes.eu/en/madrid-sightseeing/
Flamenco
Flamenco is the music, song and dance from Spain. Typical for this genre of music are the Arabic
sounds, the exuberant musical embellishments around the theme and the strong rhythms. For €35, you
can enjoy a Flamenco show with a glass of Cava in the extraordinary ‘Torres Bermejas’, a replica of the
Alhambra of Granada.
You can make a reservation on the website, via e-mail or phone.
MORE INFORMATION: http://torresbermejas.com/en/reservas-individuales/
Santiago Bernabéu stadium – Real Madrid
The Informal Dinner on Saturday 27 May will take place at the Puerta 57 restaurant, with a unique view
over the famous football pitch. The "Estadio Santiago Bernabéu" is the football stadium of Real Madrid.
You can watch a game of the famous football team or take a stadium tour through the Bernabéu
stadium. A visit of the stadium costs €18.
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.realmadrid.com/en/santiago-bernabeu-stadium
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MADRID SHOPPING
Apart from the cultural and architectural highlights, Madrid offers many trendy shopping facilities. In
the afternoon, the Madrileños close their shops, restaurants and museums to enjoy their well-deserved
‘siesta’, but in the evening, everything stays open longer.
Chueca & Malasaña
Fuencarral Street, Chueca and Malasaña neighbourhood is ideal for vintage, hipster or designer
shopping. Stroll through this very nice pedestrian area with real Soho style and plenty of restaurants
and bars for a break.
The Golden Mile in the Salamanca District
Calle de Serrano is known as the "Golden Mile" of shops in Madrid because of the unique styling to be
found there. This is your luxury shopping area with exclusive brands as Loewe, Chanel, Gucci, Louis
Vuitton or Tiffany & Co.
The Gran Via
The Gran Via and the Puerta del Sol are home to many large department stores such as El Corte Ingles
and international clothes stores such as Zara, H&M and Mango.
Supermarkets and department stores are usually open all day from 10:00 to 21:00, including Sundays.
Some shops in the city centre stay open until 22:00, while smaller neighbourhood shops generally open
at 10:00, close for the 'siesta' period at 14:00, open again around 17:00 and then close for the day
around 20:30.
GIRP MOBILE APPLICATION
The GIRP Mobile Application is the ultimate digital tool to guide you through the Annual
Meeting & Conference. The app provides up-to-the-minute updates and info on the
event. Sessions, speakers, sponsors, participants, maps and practical information, it can
all be found in the GIRP Event App. Thanks to the interactive features of the GIRP Event
App, you can also post comments or questions and connect with other participants. With
the GIRP Mobile Application, GIRP wants to ensure smooth and swift communication and at the same
time contribute to a more sustainable environment.
Networking
Log in to your account using your Registration Code in order to create, share and exchange your digital
business card.
Schedule
See the full social event and business schedule with session times, descriptions, speakers, room names
and maps. Tap the “Add to Schedule” icon within your favourite sessions to create a personalised
agenda. The agenda can be found in the pull-out tab at the top of the event home screen.
Activity Feed
Under the Activity Feed, you can join the conversation by posting comments in the Event Feed. Follow
the latest tweets from @GIRPBrussels or about the event (#GIRPAMC) on the Social Wall and get news
and update notifications during the event in the Notifications tab.
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App and Event Info
Want to discover the full possibility of the GIRP App? Or having problems using the App? Find all the
information in the About This App section.
To know more about the event and its practical details, such as Registration Desk Opening Hours, WiFi instructions or Dress Code, go into the Event Info section.
App Questions?
Need help on your account? Contact mobile app support at [email protected] or visit the
GIRP Welcome Desk.
OTHER REMARKS
Language Remark
Despite Madrid being a very touristic city, it is important to note that English is not commonly spoken
by the local population. Therefore, it might be a good suggestion to freshen up those Spanish language
skills. Have a look on the next page, for some basic Spanish sentences.
Spanish Hours
Spanish life beats to the will of the sun. This means that locals stay inside at the hottest time of the day
for a siesta – which literally means “nap” – in the early afternoon. The siesta for shops and businesses
is from approximately 14:00 to 17:00. Bars and restaurants shut down from about 16:00 to 20:00.
Because of the long siesta, Spanish people go out for dinner around 22:00, which is quite late compared
to dinner time in Northern European countries. Yet, as quiet as everything may seem in the afternoon
when everything shuts down, the more alive it will become in the evening.
Currency
The currency used in Spain is the Euro.
Power Plug
In Spain the power sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the
standard frequency is 50 Hz. For our non-European guests, it is recommended to
bring a power plug adapter and possibly also a voltage converter.
Shuttle Bus to Restaurants
The restaurants of the Welcome Dinner and the Gala Dinner are within walking distance from the Westin
Palace. However, for those who prefer, GIRP has foreseen shuttle buses from the hotel.
Madrid Tourist Card
For our cultural enthusiasts who are planning to visit a lot of museums and historic sites in Madrid, it
might be useful to get a Madrid Tourist Card. This card gives you free access to more than 50 museums
and monuments in Madrid, including Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. As a Madrid Tourist
Card holder you can skip the line and avoid queues at many of the essential sites and attractions in
Madrid. The card also includes exclusive discounts at several restaurants and shops. It is important
to note, that the card does not give access to public transportation.
The card activates on first use, not when it is purchased and will be valid for a chosen time period
of 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours. Along with the card you will also receive a free guidebook and map to
help you navigate the city and plan your day.
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PRICES:
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24 hours: €47,00
48 hours: €60,00
72 hours: €67,00
120 hours: €77,00
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.madridcard.com/en/inicio
BASIC SPANISH
 Welcome
 Yes
 No
 Hello
 Good morning
 Good afternoon
 Good evening
 How are you?
 I am fine
 Thank you
 You’re welcome
 Please
 What is your name?
 My name is…
 Nice to meet you
 Good bye
 See you later
 I like…
 I would like…
 Bon appetit
 Good
 Delicious
 Cheers!
 I’m sorry
 Excuse me
 How much does it cost?
 What time is it?
 Where is the restroom?
 I do not understand.
 I do not speak Spanish.
 Do you speak English?
 I don’t know
 Please say that again
 How do you say...?
 Why?
 Where is…?
 Left
 Right
Bienvenido
Si
No
¡Hola!
Buenos días
Buenas tardes
Buenas noches
¿Cómo estás? / ¿Cómo está? / ¿Qué tal?
Estoy bien
Gracias / Muchas graciass
De nada
Por favor
¿Cómo se llama?
Me llamo… / Mi nombre es...
Mucho gusto
¡Adiós!
Hasta luego
Me gusta…
Me gustaría…
¡Buen provecho!
Bueno
delicioso
¡Salud!
Lo siento / Perdon
Perdoneme / Disculpe
¿Cuánto cuesta?
¿Qué hora es?
¿ Dónde están los aseos? / ¿Dónde está el baño?
No comprendo.
No hablo español
¿Habla inglés?
No sé / No lo sé
¿Puede repetirlo, por favor?
¿Cómo se dice...?
¿Por què?
¿Dónde está?
Izquierda
Derecho
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