= How to reach us (at IFCA) = We are located at the Instituto de Fisica de Cantabria, IFCA, see http://www.ifca.unican.es . IFCA building is the Edificio Juan Jorda within the Campus of the University of Cantabria in Santander (Spain), behind the Facultad de Ciencias, in the Avenida de los Castros (see [[https://www.google.es/maps/dir/%27%27/google+map+IFCA+santander/@43.4704479,-3.8043428,16z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0xd494ba4c60cbf2f:0x10a0d5ccd2eecc28!2m2!1d-3.8022609!2d43.4716365 | map]]) == Getting to IFCA == === By plane === The Severiano Ballesteros Santander international airport (code SDR) has international connections (with Ryanair) to London, Rome, Frankfurth Hahn, Brussels Charlero, Dusseldorf Weeze, Edimburgh, Dublin. And national connections to Madrid (Iberia), Barcelona (Vueling, Ryanair), Seville, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga (Ryanair). A taxi from the airport to the city center or to IFCA costs around 20-25 euros. There is a direct bus from the airport to the city center each 30’, cost is around 2 euros (located in the arrivals area, just ahead of the taxi zone; notice that the bus will surely depart empty at 18h00 even if a plane full of passengers arrives at 17h59'). The Bilbao airport (code BIO) is well connected by 110 km of highway to Santander, and operates more international connections. A taxi from BIO to Santander costs around 150 euros (please contact us for a special rate). A rental car could be another good option. The travel takes around 1h15 minutes, and there are many nice places close to this highway (like Noja, Santoña, Laredo, Castro Urdiales). === By train === Santander is connected to Madrid, Valladolid and Palencia three times a day by a RENFE (http://www.renfe.es) Alvia train (modern and comfortable). The ticket from Madrid costs only 49 euros BUT it takes almost 5 hours, and it is not unlikely that you may be connected to a bus due to some incidence. Santander is also connected by train to Oviedo and to Bilbao, but the speed is more or less like 50 years ago, and the trains do not have the same charm. === By bus === ALSA buses connect Santander to Bilbao (frequent), Oviedo, Madrid, Burgos, etc. See http://www.alsa.es === From/to the city center and Sardinero === The Campus is close (10 minutes walk) to the “Sardinero” beaches zone, where several hotels are located (Hotel Silken Rio, Hotel Santemar, Hotel Sardinero, Hotel Chiqui, Hotel Hoyuela, Hotel Palacio del Mar). The Campus is also close (20 minutes walk going up the hill/down the hill streets) to the city center, where other hotels are located (Hotel Coliseum, Hotel Bahia, Hotel NH Santander, Hotel Vincci). Public transport by bus connects the Campus with the Sardinero and with the city center, see TUS webpage (www.tusantander.es). Single tickets can be bought onboard to the driver and cost 1.50 euros. A taxi to/from the center costs about 6 Euro. Bikes for rental are also available, both in the Campus University and at some hotels. == Logistics at IFCA == === Within IFCA building === The admin office is located right at the main door The meeting rooms are located in the main floor. There are also meeting rooms in +1 floor. The Advanced Computing and e-Science offices are located in floor -1 (down the stairs) The computing room is located in floor -2 (continue down the stairs!) === Coffee machine === Located in main floor, cost is 0,40 euros. Water (free) close to it. === Wireless connection at IFCA === EDUROAM is available, but send in advance your wireless MAC address to get a better connection. === Lunches === Several canteens in the university area are available (5 min. walk). More information is provided ad-hoc. === Dinner === There are several quite good restaurants with a reasonable price in the city centre. Please consult us to make a reservation. == Accommodation == Please see offers in your favorite web page/travel agency. The University has some usual offers within the civil servants rates (i.e. around 65 euros/night) with many hotels, except in summer peak. Contact us in case of doubt. Usual ones: Hotel las Brisas, Hotel Palacio del Mar, Gran Hotel Sardinero, Hotel Chiqui, Hotel Hoyuela, , Hotel Silken Rio (in the Sardinero), Hotel Silken Coliseum, Hotel Bahia, Hotel Vincci, Hotel Santander NH (in the center).