The Joy Of Barcelona

Steve McKenna discovers the treasures and beauty of the capital of Catalonia.

Ready To Dazzle The World

IT IS some measure of how advanced Australia's - and China's - 2008 Olympics preparations are that when John Coates arrived in Beijing on the weekend to confer with other chefs de mission, his most pressing concern, he says, will be to check out his team's accommodation.

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Ring My Bell

VIRGINIA ALLEN stumbles across a gem of a town in the heart of Catalonia. EVERYONE said you could find cheap accommodation in Barcelona. ``Early spring don't worry! There's a central booking desk in the Placa de Catalunya, and the tourists don't really arrive till summer. Just turn up."

30,000 To Call Harbour Their Home

Tuesday May 9, 2000

Sydney Harbour will host 10 major vessels including some of the world's largest and most luxurious cruise ships during the Olympic Games, providing accommodation for up to 30,000 international guests of major sponsors and organising committees. The seven cruise liners, two tall ships and one lo

Ticket Row Hits Home Numbers

Tuesday November 23, 1999

The home-stay accommodation market for the Olympic Games has been hit hard by the ticketing problems, with a fall in orders of about 66per cent. The trouble for the industry started after the first round of tickets were released when up to 400 people, mainly from interstate destinations, cancell

City's Reputation At Risk If Visitors Are Ripped Off

Wednesday October 6, 1999

When Bruce Baird went to the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 it cost him $700 a night for his room, instead of the $150 he'd be paying if it wasn't for the Games. Of course, as minister responsible for Sydney's Games bid, Baird didn't suffer any personal financial hardship as a result. But he was kee

Americans Back Band Switch

Thursday July 8, 1999

The US travel agent with exclusive rights to sell tickets and accommodation to the Sydney Olympics to Americans has applauded SOCOG's withdrawal of invitations to US marching bands because, he says, Americans want to see Australians, not their compatriots, in the Opening Ceremony. Mr Don Williams

Us Travel Agent Backs Ban On Bands

Thursday July 8, 1999

The United States travel agent with exclusive rights to sell tickets and accommodation to the Sydney Olympics has applauded Australia in the row over marching bands at the Games. The vice-president of the Cartan travel group, Mr Don Williams, said Americans wanted to see Australians, not their co

Sloman In The Fast Lane

Friday December 12, 1997

The man running virtually everything except the actual competition is used to making sure projects finish on time and on budget, writes GLENDA KORPORAAL SOCOG's deputy chief executive, Jim Sloman, was given some good advice recently by one of the people who ran the Barcelona Olympics: &quo

Creme De La Kremlin

Saturday October 25, 1997

YOU would be hard pressed to find a more fascinating holiday than a cruise through Russia. The Russian Travel Centre is offering a Russian White Nights Tour, which departs on June 20 next year. Prices start at $6,800 and include air fares, accommodation, most meals, tours, visas, departure ta

Ships To House Games Visitors

Tuesday October 4, 1994

A flotilla of at least 20 cruise ships will be anchored in Sydney Harbour in 2000 to fill an accommodation shortage for the Olympics, the Australian Hotels Association has revealed. The novel plan aimed to prevent the development disaster which had left Barcelona a "city full of empty

Hotels To Set Plan For Fair Room Rates

Monday September 27, 1993

Sydney hotel chiefs will meet tomorrow to work out a strategy for handling the rush for accommodation for the 2000 Olympics. They will discuss room prices and the agreement between the Sydney bid organisation and the International Olympic Committee, which includes an agreement in principle

Congratulations, Sydney, You've Done It |

Friday September 24, 1993

As an Australian living in Europe I was watching the decisive Olympic ceremony last night, live on television in Barcelona, the host of the 1992 Olympics. As Senor Samaranch pulled out that envelope, I thought: Damn | Politics is going to be the winner and Australia, the team that achieved

B&b Is Coming To Your Street

Sunday September 19, 1993

MONTE CARLO, Sunday: Sydney will offer free accommodation for close relatives of competing athletes if it wins the battle for the 2000 Olympics. If Sydney succeeds, up to 20,000 people will be billeted with Sydney families under a plan co-ordinated by Rotary. But the plan appears to

72 To Hit Monte Carlo In Final Push

Tuesday September 14, 1993

Sydney's official team in Monte Carlo during the final stages of bidding for the 2000 Olympic Games will number 72 people and cost $212,000 for food, transport and accommodation. Another 116 people, mainly corporate supporters, will be accredited to the Sydney bid but will pay all their o

The Athletes' Favourite

Saturday July 17, 1993

Damian Keogh has spent the last 13 years travelling the world playing basketball for Australia, making him a well- qualified speaker on what athletes want from a city that hosts the Olympic Games. The playing career of the tall Sydney-sider includes the Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona Olympics

Singing A Song Of Separation

Friday June 18, 1993

THE CANDIDATES in this month's Spanish elections included a certain Alfredo Kraus, locally known as the Prince of Song and, pre-Domingo, the most illustrious of Spanish tenors. Many thought he had sung his public adios at the Barcelona Olympic ceremonies, but Kraus, 66, has found a new role campaign

Europe At Half The Price

Saturday April 3, 1993

HOLIDAY and business travellers can save hundreds of dollars by cutting hotel costs in half in Europe, America, Canada, Mexico and Thailand. The Entertainment Half Price Europe 1993/94 travel book is not only an excellent guide to some of the world's best accommodation, it will also save y

Media Spotlight On Olympics 2000

Sunday January 17, 1993

SYDNEY will play host to up to 15,000 representatives of the media from Australia and 200 countries for the Olympic Games in 2000. Considering that up to four billion people watched the recent Barcelona Olympics on television, and countless more people listened to radio and read newspapers