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IETF 108 - Madrid, Spain, July 25 - 31, 2020

Meeting Venue

The IETF 108 Meeting Venue is the Meliá Castilla Hotel ​https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/melia-castilla/index.htm.

The Meliá Castilla is very well located next to the Paseo de la Castellana, one of the key arteries of Madrid, walking distance to the Bernabéu Real Madrid football stadium and right in the middle of the culinary Golden Mile of Madrid.

It offers easy access to the airport, train stations, exhibition centers, museums and main touristic attractions.

If you're coming to the IETF with your family, the hotel offers special services for your kids and even allow small dogs (up to 8 Kg.).

Meliá Hotels is one of the top-10 worldwide hotel chains, offering their own Loyalty Program "Meliá Rewards" ​https://www.melia.com/en/meliarewards/elprograma/home.htm.

Airport Information

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is operated by AENA, being the bigger one in Spain, 5th in Europe and 14th in the world. It has 4 main terminals, which distribute the flights among different airline alliances.

The bigger and most modern terminal, the T4, concentrates all the flights from OneWorld? and has a Satellite terminal (T4S), for all the non-Schengen flights.

The official AENA website with all the airport information is ​http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/index.html.

An alternative non-official website is available at ​https://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/eng/.

IBERIA Airlines

Iberia Airlines is the preferred airline for IETF 108, offering discount on flights to Madrid.

Complete information is available at ​https://ietf.org/how/meetings/108/preferred-airline/.

Airport and Madrid Transportation

Depending on what terminal you're landing, there are several transport options to reach the venue

There are different bus lines, metro and train. Google Maps offers very good information of all the choices.

Of course, you can take a taxi, or Uber. In those cases, it should not take more than 15 minutes, and around 20 Euros.

If you prefer public transport, Cuzco and Plaza de Castilla metro stations are at 5 and 10 minutes walking distance to the hotel, respectively.

The Public Transport Consortium web site offers all the relevant information ​https://www.crtm.es/?lang=en.

It offers maps and real-time apps/alerts at ​https://www.crtm.es/muevete-por-madrid.aspx?lang=en.

You can get the information of different tickets and fares at ​https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas.aspx?lang=en.

Language

The official language of Spain is Spanish, together with other autonomic languages in some specific regions:

  • Catalonian (in Catalonia and Balearic Islands)
  • Valencian (in Valencia)
  • Galician (Galicia)
  • Basque (Basque Country and Navarra)

Self-tour - Not to miss while in Madrid

Museums

Getting Around (to and from the Meeting Venue)

Suggested Smart Phone Apps:

Exercise

Running Trails:

Hiking:

Events

ATMs & Money Conversion

Self-Service Laundry

Electrical Plug / Outlet

​https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/advice-for-you/when-travelling/travel-adaptor-for-spain/

Electronics

Cellphones / Data

Miscellaneous Information

Supermarkets

There are several types of supermarkets and convenience stores at walking distance of the venue. You can find them using Google Maps.

  • Cheaper options: Alcampo, Carrefour, Día, Mercadona.
  • More expensive, probably if you want to bring some Spanish food back home: Sanchez Romero.

Wine

Spanish Ham

Spanish Olive Oil

Restaurants at the Meliá Hotel

The Meliá offers an impressive international breakfast buffet "Cervantes" ​https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/melia-castilla/cervantes-international-breakfast-buffet.htm.

If you want to enjoy Spanish rice dishes, you should make sure to visit L'Albufera ​https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/melia-castilla/albufera.htm.

"El Pelícano" offers international cuisine choices, while "Distrito 798" offers a sushi bar and two dining rooms offering carefully prepared and surprising cuisine, a fusion of Chifa, Nikkei and Mediterranean styles ​https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/melia-castilla/restaurants.htm.

Dining outside the venue

Bars and Tapas

Espresso, Coffee, and Tea

For Gourmets

Madrid offers an incredible set of choices for gourmets, with some of the best Michelin Star Restaurants. Some of them are even at walking distance from the venue. Be aware that very advance reservation may be required!

The following web site collect information about them.

Weather

Current weather conditions in Madrid ​https://www.wunderground.com/weather/es/madrid.