IFIP WG 11.3 Conference 2004

IFIP WG 11.3 Working Conference
on
Data and Applications Security, 2004

Sitges

The 2004 conference will take place in Sitges.

Sitges (additional information) is one of the most representative towns of Costa de Garraf. Sitges is located on the Mediterranean coast, 35 Km southwest of Barcelona and 52 Km northeast of Tarragona. You can see a Sitges virtual tour.

From a fishermen's village, Sitges has developed into an international seaside spot, included in the ``jewels of European tourism''. The town has kept the timeless singular beauty of its old quarter, a natural setting of sand beaches and a seafront promenade over two Km long. Beaches with pristine waters, some of which have been awarded the blue flag eco-label, and the proximity of the mountains make of Sitges a privileged destination.
The Americanos (townspeople returning rich from Cuba and Puerto Rico in the 19th century) built here their mansions, and rich Barcelona families built their summer residences. The urban centre is also worth a visit. It has beautiful religious buildings such as the churches of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. Casa de la Vila, a nineteenth-century Gothic revival building, and Palau Maricel, with Renaissance, Baroque and medieval elements, are other interesting places to visit in the city.The spirit of Modernism (end of the 19th century, contemporary with Art Nouveau, Modern style, ..) can still be relived along some streets, particularly at the Cau Ferrat, now a Museum, where painter and writer Santiago Rusiñol received artists such as Picasso, Dalí, and García-Lorca. Precisely Catalonia has declared 2004 as Dalí year.

Palau Maricel Sitges' cultural calendar includes important events such as the International Vintage Car Rally (of National Tourist Interest), Catalonia International Film Festival, and the celebration of Corpus Christi. In addition, the traveller has three different museums to visit, in order to become acquainted with the area's cultural life. The house-studio of Rusiñol exhibits his works next to paintings by El Greco, Zuloaga and Picasso, among others. At the Maricel Museum they have Romanesque, Gothic, and Modern art collections. And to go more deeply into nineteenth-century Catalan society, we must visit the Romantic Museum.

All around, there are innumerable restaurants where to try the local cuisine —in the historic quarter, the harbour, and along the beaches. One of the main dishes is "xató", made with curly endive, cod, tuna, anchovies, and olives, with a Romescu dressing (made with roasted chilli peppers, toasted almonds, garlic, and olive oil). Stewed cuttlefish with potatoes and ali-oli, tuna hotpot, and "fideuá" (paella with elbow macaroni instead of rice) are among the delicacies prepared in Sitges. These dishes should be had with some wine with Denominación de Origen Alella, Penedés, or Pla de Bages (Designation of Origin, the seal of quality and origin given in Spain to exceptional products from specific regions).

More than four kilometres of fine, white beaches stretch along the coast of this town near Barcelona. Equipped with all kinds of service facilities, these beaches are the perfect leisure retreat. The best known of these are well connected, and their shallow waters do not have a lot of swell. Some others are located in remote spots, and are nudist. The marinas have a number of nautical activities available, and many leisure companies have adventure programmes that include climbing, potholing, and hiking.

Sitges is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Coastal Mountain Range, reason why it has some spectacular sceneries. These gorgeous views can be enjoyed from Villafranca del Penedés and Sant Sadurní d´Anoia. The Cistercian Monastery of Santes Creus, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is another exciting trip. The cities of Tarragona and Barcelona are also attractive choices. The ancient Roman Tarraco, situated in the middle of Costa Daurada, is lined with vast beaches; its archaeological compounds have also been declared World Heritage. This same title is held by several sites in Barcelona, like Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milá, Palau de la Música Catalana (Catalonia Music Hall) and the Hospital of Sant Pau. The Gothic quarter, Ciutat Vella, and Montjuïc are also excellent places to cover in our journey through the city of Barcelona.

The climate is mild, sheltered by the Garraf massif from inland winds (average temperature 26.4º C in July).