geoplay

To ensure optimum learning and group dynamics, the number of participants is limited. Accommodation is in select hotels and rural guest houses, and there are also opportunities to sample the traditional culture, including Catalonian cuisine, the region’s wines and various sites of touristic interest.

What is included in the course fee?

• transfers from and to Barcelona by minibus
• transportation in the field by 4WD
• field guide and course material
• field lunches
• cultural visits
• insurance
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• hotel accommodation and dinners are not included, but reservations during course time (Monday to Thursday) are undertaken by Geoplay; approximate cost per personne, EUR 350

Where and when do the field course start?

• the meeting point is the bar-restaurant Cullera de Boix in Barcelona downtown: 24 Ronda de Sant Pere, tel. (34) 932 681 336
• the meeting time is Monday at 14:00h.
• participants may also be picked up at the airport between 14:30 and 15:00h.
• the mobile phone of Lluís Ardèvol is (34) 658 954 650; we kindly ask to the participants to provide us with their mobile phone or a contact phone number in Barcelona
• if you plan to be picked up at the airport please provide us, in addition, with your flight number and arrival time

Where and when do the field course end?

• the field trips end on Friday at the meeting point in Barcelona, around 18:00 or 19:00h, but requirements from those participants who need to reach the airport earlier may be attended (shared taxi)

If accommodation in Barcelona is needed, which hotel is recommended?

• the hotel Urquinaona at the meeting point www.hotelurquinaona.es
other selected special hotels at a walking distance of the meeting point:
• hotel Banys Orientals www.hotelbanysorientals.com
• hotel Ciutat Vella www.hotelciutatvella.com
• hotel Ciutat de Barcelona www.ciutatbarcelona.com
• hotel Gaudí www.hotelgaudi.es

Which hotels are used in the field locations?

• hotel Nerets www.hotelnerets.com
• casa Leonardo www.casaleonardo.net
• ca La Lluïsa del Peretó

Schedule, meals and cultural visits

• daily field work starts at 9:00h and ends around 18:00h
• classroom sessions start at 19:00h
• breakfasts may include coffee or tea, bread with tomato and jam, cheese… (typical Catalonian breakfast)
• lunches start around 13:30h in the field (picnics)
• dinners usually start at 20:30-21:00h in the hotel or in a typical restaurant
• short cultural visits to Romanesque buildings, wineries… are usually realised

Field transportation and group size

• the maximum number of participants per course is 12
• the Geoplay cars are a 5 seats FreeLander and a 8 seats Toyota Land Cruiser. If required, a 9 seats minibus may be used

Weather conditions and clothing

• in June and September temperatures are reasonably warm, therefore adequate light clothing is recommended
• hat, sun glasses and sunscreen lotion are a must
• long pants appear more appropriate through areas with stronger vegetation, though shorts may be worn depending on individual preference
• in the unlikely event of rain or colder weather, a light rain jacket should suffice

Field equipment

• walking and moderate hiking require robust boots with non-slippery soles
• please ensure to always carry a sufficient amount of water with you
• standard field equipment comprises notebook, pencil, colour pencils and hand lens; binoculars are an option
• as rock hammering is not authorised at some of the field locations, hammer is not strictly necessary

Safety

• the transportation vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit
• safety vests and helmets are provided; please use them along road-side cuts and at the base of cliff sections, where time spent must be minimised
• when hiking on loose rocks and scree, please keep a safety distance from other delegates
• do not pick up loose rocks before carefully checking
• watch out for pickpockets in the airport and in Barcelona downtown (Rambles); the field locations are absolutely safe but we recommend you always carry personal documents with you