Corporate Travel Destinations

European river cruising is generally considered a summer affair, largely due to the inclement weather that is common across much of Europe during the winter months. When most travelers are considering a cruise, they are most often looking for sunny, warm weather that allows them to explore ports and lounge in the sun when on board. While this is not an option in much of Europe during the dreary months of winter, Spain is still enjoying sun and welcoming weather, even while some countries are covered in snow or experiencing freezing winter rainstorms.

This makes Spain group river cruises an ideal option for corporate travel planners who like the idea of European river cruising, but need to plan winter travel. It is particularly appealing for those who are planning a corporate cruise for participants that live in areas that have cold winters. The participants will enjoy having the opportunity to escape the cold and spend time in warmer weather, while the travel planner will enjoy the ease and convenience of planning a corporate cruise on one of Spain’s rivers.

River cruising is most appropriate for smaller groups, since river barges are considerably smaller than oceangoing vessels. Group river cruises are particularly appropriate for executive retreats, incentive travel programs and small corporate meetings.

Bulgaria is growing in popularity as a destination for business and leisure travel; however, it is still in its teenage years of this growth. This provides the perfect opportunity for corporate travel planners to take advantage of exceptional meeting planning packages and travel deals, while allowing attendees to enjoy a distinctive European culture without the crowds of more established tourist areas.

Bulgaria is one of the few places in Europe where travelers can still experience life as it was in old-world villages 150 years ago, while still being just a short drive away from major cities, seaside resorts and all of the modern conveniences to which we have grown accustomed. Coastal resort towns along the Black Sea are ideal for corporate travel, with new resorts springing up on a regular basis. There are several options with rooms and meeting spaces for large groups, as well as many that can accommodate smaller groups of attendees.  In addition, the Black Sea is an excellent destination for an incentive cruise.

Aside from the glorious beaches on the Black Sea coast, there are also mountain ski resorts offering skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and other snow sports, as well as luxury spas, including the two most popular mountain resorts: Bansko and Borovets. Bulgaria is also perfectly positioned for excursions to nearby countries, including Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia and Greece, making this affordable destination a great choice for international corporate travel.

Switzerland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, particularly for those interested in skiing and other mountain sports. Well-known for its exceptional ski resorts, luxury mountain spas, breathtaking natural beauty and well-established tourism infrastructure, it is easy to see why so many travelers return to Switzerland year after year. This thoroughly developed infrastructure based around tourism, coupled with the important business centers of Zurich and Geneva, make Switzerland an easy choice for corporate travel and meeting planners looking for a European destination.

Switzerland offers quaint, traditional villages; major metropolitan areas with exceptional dining, shopping and entertainment; world-renowned watch-making, chocolate and cheese industries; and magnificent scenery that your participants will find appealing and memorable. English is spoken throughout the country, which provides an even higher level of convenience for your travel participants.

Berne, the capital city of Switzerland, is particularly enticing as a destination and is located just 152 kilometers from Geneva and 122 kilometers from Zurich. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Berne is filled with sites of historical and cultural importance, including the Clock Tower, Prison Tower, Parliament House and Munster Cathedral. This medieval city is also well-known for Emmental cheese and Toblerone chocolates, and for being a central location for the work life of Albert Einstein. With numerous options for small, medium and large groups, Berne is an excellent choice for your next corporate travel destination.

Spain is a popular choice for both leisure and business travel, largely due to the warm climate, sun-soaked beaches, rich history, vibrant culture and world-class meeting facilities. It is also extremely popular with those in search of a golf vacation in Europe, making it an ideal destination for corporate travel planners planning incentive travel, corporate events or meetings for a group of participants that happens to have a good number of golf enthusiasts. Many of the upscale golf resorts located in Spain also offer amenities and attractions that will appeal to non-golfers, including exceptional dining, entertainment, shopping, sites of historical or cultural importance, and luxury spa facilities.

Within Spain, planners will find several golf vacation hotspots and well-known courses. Some examples include Madrid, which is home to the Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro, the Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola and the Club de Campo Villa; Alicante, which is home to Alenda Golf, Alicante Golf and Golf & Spa Bonalba; and Valencia, where visitors can enjoy a round of golf at Campo de Golf El Saler. There is also a variety of options available in Barcelona, Malaga and Mallorca, allowing for plenty of choices when selecting a destination that will meet your event needs and be of interest to your participating golfers.

For a different kind of group cruise experience, you may want to consider barge cruising on rivers in Europe. This type of laidback cruising is ideal for groups of 12 or less and offers a casual, intimate atmosphere that is perfect for an executive retreat, a teambuilding experience or small-scale corporate meetings and events. Barges are often captained by the owner and cooking is often taken care of by the owner or the spouse of the owner, with local foods that are purchased daily before leaving the night’s mooring spot in the morning. This adds to the houseguest feel of barge cruising, and generally also makes for wonderfully outfitted barges that show distinctive pride of ownership.

During the day, guests will enjoy slowly making their way down Europe’s inland waterways, and then will have the opportunity to go ashore to visit quaint villages or wineries before heading to bed each night. Many barge cruises include tours of sites of historical or cultural importance and sometimes have eclectic, impromptu entertainment during the evening. Some barge cruises also offer optional extras, such as hot air ballooning, which can make your corporate travel even more memorable. Exclusive ship charters allow you to organize an intimate awards ceremony or relaxing incentive travel package that is sure to appeal to your attendees.

Monaco. The very name conjures up images of wealth, relaxation and prestige. If you are considering a corporate travel destination in which name cache is at all important, don't forget this all time winner in the world of luxurious travel. Surrounded on three sides by France and just a short hop from Italy, Monaco is an ideal location for an extended trip to Europe. For pure pampered luxury that sends a message of style and class, this haven of decadent exclusivity is unmatched.

Monaco is second only to Vatican City as the smallest country in the world. Originally founded in 1228, this constitutional monarchy has been ruled by the same house since 1297. The current monarch, Albert II, is the son of Princess Grace, better known to many as the American actress Grace Kelly before she married Prince Rainer III of Monaco. Considered by some a tax haven for the wealthy of other countries, the population of this tiny country is likely the richest on earth.

What does one do in Monaco? Well, beyond making absolutely certain everyone possible knows that you went there, there are a number of events and attractions that will appeal to attendees, such as the world-famous casino, which is just one of the must-see attractions that attendees can enjoy during downtime or in the evening after a long day of meetings.

The Cyclades (or Kyklades) are a group of islands within the greater group of Greek Islands. These are the Greek Islands of the travel posters with the white Mediterranean-style architecture situated above pristine beaches surrounded by the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Make no mistake, these scenic islands are known the world over for their historic beauty, temperate climate and exciting ambiance. With that fame comes crowds, and in high season this is not the place to find a secluded retreat. This is; however, the place for people who know how to enjoy life. And for those people, the islands of The Cyclades are well worth the crowds.

The Islands of Santorini, Paros and Mykonos are excellent first-time visitor destinations and corporate travelers will find plenty of facilities for events or meetings. But on these islands, there are also plenty of opportunities for fun. The summers are hot with a bit of wind in August and September, so the beaches are full of sun worshipers. In the evenings most people go to the local taverns to sit and enjoy a drink while gazing on the beauty that surrounds them. There are regular ferries running between the islands and island hopping is a must for a Greek Islands trip.  In addition there are great Greek Island cruises that would be a perfect addition to your corporate meeting schedule or incentive travel package.  Many cruise lines offer itineraries to popular Greek Islands, so planners may want to consider booking an incentive cruise.  The group cruise planning tool at Seasite.com is the only online tool that will give you access to all cruise lines when sourcing a cruise.

Barcelona, Spain is among the most visited cities in Europe, and with good reason. It is home to a well-preserved medieval district, sensational architectural landmarks by the world-renowned Antoni Gaudi, fabulous Catalan cuisine, a newly finished waterfront promenade, numerous museums and a wide variety of shopping opportunities that appeal to any type of traveler.

With so much to offer and an exceptional climate throughout the year, it is no wonder that this magical city is a top destination for both business and leisure travel.

Barcelona is well connected to major cities via air or rail and boasts a reliable, safe public transportation system, as well as plenty of taxis and car rental agencies. Hotels range from upscale and fashionable, to affordable and comfortable, with options to fit any company’s travel budget.

Business meeting and incentive travel planners should also keep in mind that Barcelona Cards are available, which begin at just $25 per person and provide discounted admission to museums and attractions, as well as free use of Barcelona’s public transportation system. This is a nice addition to a travel package, or simply a friendly tip to pass on to your participants.

More information on the Barcelona Card, as well as general tourist information, can be found at www.barcelonaturisme.com.

Hard Rock International is planning a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hungary, near the Austrian and Slovakian borders.

They expect to open in early 2012, and the hotel will have more than 600 guest rooms. 

Famous as an international meeting place and lauded for her sophisticated culture, Stockholm is rated in the top twenty destination spots in Europe. As an incentive destination, the city has few rivals. A trip to Stockholm is sure to fire the imagination of your staff and will be a reward they will never forget.

Did you know that Stockholm is made up of 14 islands? The archipelago includes 24,000 islets, skerries, and of course, the islands, all interconnected by 57 bridges? And that’s just the general geography. The people of Stockholm love art and the city can boast of 100 art museum and point visitors to any of their 75 museums. Even the subway system is decorated with mural and pieces of art, so much so, that the Stockholm subway has been called the world’s longest art museum.

The city nourishes more than artistic spirit; it is home to 1,500 restaurants. There’s much more to the gastronomic experience in Stockholm than smorgasbord or herring. The GQ (Gastronomic Intelligence) restaurant offers five or seven course dinners that combine the best of gourmet and healthy cuisine. If your budget is a bit more frugal and you have a yen for Italian cuisine, check out the Haga Restaurant and Deli.