Why Spain? » Catalonia

One of Spain's chief financial centres, Catalonia is a byword for innovation and entrepreneurship; and Barcelona, the region's capital and the country's leading MICE destination, is a city in constant transformation. Under a stunning façade, in which Modernist, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture meld to perfection with Gaudi's superlative creations, the city offers the very best in MICE services. Thanks to its superb hotels, excellent road, rail, air and ferry links, the best in congress, convention and tradeshow centres, gourmet restaurants and traditional taverns, nightclubs and bars, opera, concerts, theatres, monuments and museums, Barcelona is one of the world's most complete meetings and event destinations.

Stretching 200km from Port Bou, on the French boarder, to the resort of Blanes, the Costa Brava conceals many jewels. From Cadaques, in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, and Port Lligat, the home of Dali, to the beautiful medieval villages of Pals and Peratallada, from the Greek and Roman remains at Ampurias to the historic centre of Gerona, to say nothing of the coast's marvellous beaches, sandy expanses alternating with hidden coves. This, in addition to the province's splendid convention hotels, congress facilities and golf courses, makes Girona an incomparable meetings and incentive destination.

The province of Lerida, located inland to the west, exemplifies the beauty of rural Catalonia, its fertile valleys and rolling tree'covered hills merging to north with the Pyrenees. Easily accessible thanks to the high-speed train link with Barcelona, Saragossa and Madrid, the capital has modern meetings and event facilities, and some of the best watering places in the country. There are also a number of lovely historic venues in the region, ideal for retreats or board meetings, pre- and post-event activities including a wide range of outdoor activities, above all skiing and winter sports at Baqueira Beret, Boi Taull Resort y Port Aine.

Tarragona not only evokes miles of sandy beaches, charming fishing villages and marinas, but also wine: Priorato, one of the world's smallest and most exclusive designations of origin. Nowadays, many are the wineries in Catalonia's wine growing areas – Penedes (Barcelona y Tarragona), Ampurdan (Gerona), Terra Alta (Tarragona), etc. – that incorporate meetings and event facilities, offering guests cava and wine tasting, as well as innovative haute cuisine, something for which the entire region is famous.

All in all, Catalonia, with its rich historic and cultural heritage, is the region that probably best characterises the Spain's incredible diversity.