....how convenient, no Packer game conflict.

FYI- I'm 3 for 3 in turning Maybe's into Yes
SDDo 01
LHR Do 02
DUS Do 03

Itin looks great.website is an award winner!

Nice website Alan!

This is so tempting... And my calender has no items for this weekend so far...

Please put me + wife down for maybes. I have blocked the weekend in my calender already...

Maybe we will not participate in all events, but at least the dinners and the tour are for sure.

A first glimpse at the fares? Interesting mix: Germanwings STR-BCN direct 128� p.P., LH STR-BCN direct ca. 350� p.P., the DUS-BCN flight that is advertised for starting from 79� is at 1200�. But the best offer comes from KLM: 1890� p.P. for their award winning eco cabin...

Golly, one little mention in TalkMail and people come scampering out of the woodwork. Awesome! The moderator of my primary program's forum is on the list...I'm going to have to be on my best behaviour.

I updated the list in the first post and am doing the web site as we speak. http://www.sitgeslive.com/BCN

FYI, I spoke with the chef of Bestiari last night. He's planning something special. Confidential to fredmartens: there will be foie.

I'm already drooling. That unbelievable Bestiari shaved chilled pate. Truly unfair to be culinarily teased this far out when I've already had it and know how completely exquisite it is, melting blissfully on the tip of one's tongue. Jesus. Sodding rotten tactic if I do say so myself.

Now, how do we get Missy on this little ol' junket? And, in order to further facilitate the trans-atlantic originated rumour of being a wine snob, do I need pack a few bottles of take-along quaffage from the cellar? Or will AW be here for SeaDoo to personally select some of the official "Do" bottles himself from the naturally sub-terranean cooled depths of cellar Chez Alfredo? May I suggest a 1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia, 1992 Heitz Martha's Vineyard or perhaps some Quintessa or Rubicon for the journey? The mind reels...

I feel nothing but sorrow for the mere heathen that will choose not to partake in this Do...those on the proverbial "fence", if you've nothing planned short of anticipated rapture or armageddon, I cannot highly recommend this all too brief enough trip. For those who have not been, Barcelona is a city to fall in love with along with her people. A treat and feast not only for the eyes but palate as well; a host unequalled in graciousnes and attention to detail.

Mmh... Alan, this sounds soooo good! And LX still has cheap flights to BCN for the weekend in question. Very tempting! Please consider me a maybe while I try to clear my schedule.Now that would make me feel a lot less special, wouldn't it? But then again it might have an impact on your choice of after-dinner venues...

Woo hoo! Oli's coming! Don't worry, my friend, you'll always be special no matter where the venue happens to be. Especially if you show up in that cute little blue one-piece we saw you in last year.

I'll add you to the list right now, along with Blair, who informs me that there are only 8 rooms left at the bargain price. And I'm getting my request in early this time: please bring blue goo from the Swissotel!

Hotel reservation made

Fingers crossed on airfare

6 rooms left, as there were 7 left before I made my reservation! Still having to figure out the transportation & logistics thing...

ditto the two above posts

BTW, 110 EUR via Hotels.com at the hotel now:

http://bookings.hotels.com/hotels/ho...ce=&country=ES

For anyone staying at the NH Calderon interested in a simple and affordable option for ground transport from BCN (El Prat), may I suggest the following: the Aerobus A1 route will take you from the baggage claim level in front of any of the BCN terminals directly to Plaza Catalunya in 4 stops. A rudimentary bus route map can be found here: http://www.emt-amb.com/links/lineas/tcc/aero.htm

The bus runs every 15 minutes with en route stops at Plaza Espana, Av. Gran via de Corts Catalanes, Plaza Universitat and then Plaza Catalunya. When you get off the bus, you will be on the east side of Plaza Catalunya; to get to the NH Calderon, walk up that very street (Passeig de Gracia, heading north, with the one-way traffic flow), crossing Gran via de les Corts Catalanes (a major divided east-west boulevard); the NH Calderon will be at the end of next block on the southeast corner of Rambla Catalunya and Carrer de la Diputacio. The Aerobus fare is 3euro30 one way, 5euro65 return. A taxi will run in the neighborhood of 25 euros each way.

More info on ground transport and links:
http://www.kasbah.com/vitalstats/get...arcelona_1.htm

http://www.tmb.net/en_US/home.jsp

Hope this helps - sorry about the verbose nature of the directions, I just assume if you haven't been there, & you're like me, you like your directions on the detailed side. SeeYa, good find on that 110 euro rate, I got that snagged today...another 38 euros to party with!

nvrmind.

jan_az, you are confirmed! Let's hope you can find a flight I'll update the Web site with today's joinees later tonight.

Thanks for the tip on the hotel SeeYa, that's a difference of 40EUR for the weekend and just about enough to buy a round of drinks!

And finally, Fred. Good info. Those buses are nice - big and comfortable, your luggage goes underneath (just like Greyhound!). The instructions to arrive at the hotel from the bus stop take longer to read than it does to get there.

One quick note on flights: BCN is served by a bunch of LCCs so if you can't get an award or cheap flight directly here then LON (EasyJet), CDG (Vueling.com), BRU (Vueling.com), and AMS (BasiqAir) are all good options, as is MAD (with the UX or IB shuttle).

I've got a feeling this is going to be a great weekend.

Alan, any thoughts on Spanair?

They're a *A carrier, and operate around 40 shuttle flights BCN-MAD each day. But they are not low-cost. It's going to be like booking UA or something.