Friday, October 23, 2009

Venice


Venice defies description. Many have tried, from Goethe to Brodsky, but it has to be seen, felt and wandered through to be believed. Don't just stick to the tried, true and obvious. Sure, the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Gallerie dell'Accademia are all important. But 'lesser' sights like Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' Pesaro, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Arsenale all give special insight into the city. A city for meanderers, Venice rewards every minute devoted to penetrating its cat's cradle of intertwined lanes. And while millions stream into this tiny city, it's easy enough to find peace and discover the extraordinary: after all, barely a building here isn't a unique monument of some sort. Lose yourself in the labyrinth - that's part of the fun!

The charming canals of Venice have been synonymous with romance since long before Shakespeare and the Renaissance. Local legend maintains that lovers will find eternal happiness if they share a kiss while passing beneath the Bridge of Sighs on a sunset gondola ride. Rather unromantically, the bridge’s name came about because it connected a courtroom and a prison, and criminals would often sigh as they took a final look at the beautiful city before being locked away.

Friday, October 16, 2009

South Africa

South Africa have World-class wildlife-watching, cosmopolitan cities like the great big beating heart of Johannesburg, stunning natural panoramas from Table Mountain National Park and vibrant cultures make it appealing to almost every taste and budget. Geographically, its extremes include the arid semidesert of the Karoo, the snowcapped peaks of the Drakensberg Range, the lush subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the fertile temperate valleys of Western Cape. Within the space of a day, you can journey from vineyard-clad hillsides in the Western Cape to the vast open spaces of the Kalahari; from waterfront chic in Cape Town to isolated Zulu villages; from elephant-spotting in Kruger National Park to the sublime seascapes of the coast.

Our Top Picks For South Africa
1 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Revel in the Kalahari's haunting vistas and vastness
2 Namaqualand
Visit Namaqualand in springtime, when the rugged landscapes soften under an explosion of wildflowers
3 Winelands
Treat yourself to fine wining and dining in the verdant valleys around Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch
4 Cape Town
Savour the cosmopolitan chic of one of the world's most beautiful cities and get pelted with spray at Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
5 Southern Coast
Explore South Africa's coastline, from Hermanus with its whales to the rivers and ravines of Tsitsikamma National Park
6 The Karoo
Marvel in the Karoo's space and silence, or visit Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa's most charming towns
7 Kruger National Park
Savour creation's primeval majesty in this world-renowned safari destination
8 Maputaland
Take in the off-season tranquillity and sublime beauty of the coast between the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park and Kosi Bay NR
9 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Visit this stomping ground for the Big Five plus other wildlife galore
10 Zululand
See history's footsteps fuse with modern rhythms in one of South Africa's most vibrant corners
11 Drakensberg
Hike amid the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of this breathtaking escarpment
12 Wild Coast
Take in crashing waves and hidden waterfalls along the coast, or head inland to explore colourful Xhosa villages
13 Johannesburg
Commonly known as the heart of South Africa. With all its thrills and foibles – is today a fascinating, multitudinous city, where all the ups and downs of 21st-century South Africa can be witnessed in three, multicolour dimensions.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 01 Depart from home town for Johannesburg, on South African Airways.
Day 02 On arrival at Johannesburg’s Or Tambo International Airport, clear Customs & Immigration, then connect with your domestic flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town meet and greet at airport and transferred to your hotel. The gracious Table Bay Hotel 95 star Hotel) is situated in Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with its array of wonderful shops, restaurants and bars. Discerning guests are offered panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean to Robben Island while behind soars Table Mountain. Combined with contemporary charm and attention to detail, the hotel recalls the era of the great cruise liners and elegant hotels that served them.
Day 03 Day at Leisure Cape Town is a sophisticated city at the gateway to a majestic continent, with a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities to offer and has something for everyone. From the landmark beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay to the vibrant V&A Waterfront and Cape Town city centre. Time spent in Cape Town will not be forgotten. The Mother City is a place where old and new harmoniously converge – in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people. Warmed by the African sun, the city is dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and lush valleys, where two oceans converge- Indian and Atlantic. Immense natural beauty and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban centre meld effortlessly here. Cape Town offers a myriad things to do and places to see, whatever your tastes, inclinations or budget.
Day 04 Day at leisure
Day 05 After breakfast you will be transferred to Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek. Le Quartier Français is a small, privately owned inn situated in the French Huguenot valley of Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands. Set behind a delightful Provencal façade lined with a charming rose and lavender border, Le Quartier Français welcomes visitors from all over the globe who come here to dine in fine style and spend the night in a room with a spectacular view. It has a reputation for warmth and world class service … and the little touches that make the difference. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene. Emphasis is on ultimate luxury and romantic charm, combined with the priceless gift of privacy.
Day 06 Day at leisure to explore Franschhoek. Franschhoek ("French corner") is a small town in the Western Cape Province and one of the oldest towns of the Republic of South Africa. The Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village is unspoilt, with restrictions having been placed on the extent of renovations and new construction in order to preserve the spirit of the original settlers to the area. Once a sleepy country retreat, the village began experiencing a boom since the 1990s, and property prices have sharply increased. The ideal summer weather, snowy peaks in winter and proximity to Cape Town have turned Franschhoek into one of South Africa's most sought after residential addresses. Franschhoek is notable for having some of the top restaurants in the country within its quiet borders. This fact, together with the strong wine culture, and pristine natural and architectural beauty has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the "food and wine capital" of South Africa. Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais
Day 07 Day at leisure to explore more of the Winelands area or take a wine tour. Paarl offers you a diversity of attractions - from museums and galleries, to shops selling handmade gifts and products made by local crafters. Discover a gastronomic feast! Starting at Fairview Wine Estate, sample some of the goat and jersey milk cheeses produced in this area. Fairview is South Africa’s largest producer of specialty cheeses. Stellenbosch is the heart of South Africa's wine industry and a place of great beauty and culture that's steeped in South African tradition. The Stellenbosch Wine Route is arguably the country's most famous, and the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area includes 106 cellars - most of which are open to the public. Enjoy a long day's wine tasting and wine buying and you'll sip more than our great South African wines - you'll taste our South African way of life.
Day 08 Today you will be transferred from your hotel to Cape Town Airport in time for your scheduled flight. On arrival at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, connect with your international flight to your homw town.
Day 09 Return home with a lifetime of memories!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic showcases an exciting history. Here the past becomes real. Castles and chateaux abound, illuminating the stories of powerful families and individuals whose influence was felt well beyond the nation's current borders. Unravel the history of Bohemia and Moravia, the two ancient lands that now make up the modern Czech Republic and you're unearthing the history of Europe itself.
Visit Prague, the Golden city and capital of Czech Republic. One of the world's most beautiful and cultured cities, and one of the most exciting with a dynamic music and arts scene. Down the world's best beer in the brewery towns of Plzen and Ceske Budejovice, and discover the laid-back backpacker scenes in Cesky Krumlov and Telc. Everywhere you go, you'll meet a forthright people, proud of their heritage, but now confidently taking their place in a modern, united Europe. Czech Republic will not only attract your employees but will also ensure their strong memories of enjoying a unique experience. Another benefit of going to the Czech Republic is the wide range of cultural and social events and, last but not least, the relatively low costs at which you can arrange a top-quality program. Plan your incentive today to Czech Republic and give a lifetime experience to your employees.

Our Top Picks for Czech Republic:
1 Adrspach-Teplice Rocks
Spindles and other bizarre sandstone formations carved by nature dot the landscape.
2 Marianske Lazne
A beautiful leafy spa town filled with neoclassical grace
3 Prague
The Golden City and capital of the Czech Republic
4 Olomouc
Fabulous old architecture and lively university population; probably the most underrated town in the Czech Republic
5 Plzen
Beer, beer and more beer
6 Cesky Krumlov
Achingly beautiful medieval town and castle

Thursday, October 8, 2009


Few cities in the world glide so effortlessly between the present and the past like Vienna. Its splendid historical face is easily recognised: grand imperial palaces and bombastic baroque interiors, museums flanking magnificent squares and, above all, the Hofburg - where the Habsburg rulers lived, loved and married into empires. One of Europe’s most dynamic urban spaces. Just a stone’s throw from Hofburg, the MuseumsQuartier houses some of the world’s most provocative contemporary art behind a striking basalt facade. Outside, a courtyard buzzes on summer evenings with throngs of Viennese drinking and chatting. Nearby, restaurants brim with imbibers enjoying the pleasures of wine and food, while across the yard a museum cafe pulsates with beats.It’s also a place where sushi and Austro-Asian fusion restaurants stand alongside the traditional Beisl.

Our Top Picks for Vienna
1 Stephansdom
Scaling Stephansdom, Vienna’s glorious Gothic cathedral and beloved icon
2 Schloss and Schönbrunn
Savouring the bombastic pomp of Schloss Schönbrunn and the views from its gardens
3 Gumpendorfer Strasse
Immersing yourself in Vienna’s textures on a night or day ramble along Gumpendorfer Strasse
4 MuseumsQuartier
Hanging out in the MuseumsQuartier, an art space spiked with bars and alive with urban energy 5 MUMOK
Being provoked by naked bodies smeared with salad (among other modern art flourishes) at the Vienna’s MUMOK

Ideas For your Incentive:
The Beautiful Blue Danube:
Enjoy an excursion up the beautiful blue Danube to the Wachau region. To the strains of waltz music played by the ship’s band, you steam past a landscape steeped in legend – little winegrowing villages, baroque towns and terraced wineyards. In the evening your ship berths in Vienna again, where you can enjoy an exhilarating shipboard party – complete with music, dancing, and the Viennese specialities of your own choosing.

Dining on divine desserts:
If you have always wanted to know how the wafer-thin pastry for strudels is made, and the secret of the filling that makes an apple strudel taste so divinely Viennese, why not watch a top chef at work? Leading Viennese restaurants give you an opportunity to learn the art of strudel making. Once your work is done, you double your enjoyment when you eat the fruit of your labours!

An evening out Viennese Style:
An evening spent eating, drinking and singing at a heuriger – a typically Viennese wine tavern – passes all too fast. The fun really starts after a trip on an old-time tram where they serve wine and pretzel: the waiters bring delicious local specialities – washed down by wine, of course – and for your entertainment, sentimental Viennese songs performed by original “Schrammel” musicians. Romantic walks by torchlight through the vineyards at night are particularly popular, as are wine tastings and the grape harvest in autumn.

Gala Evening in an exquisite setting:
Just like bygone times: guests are driven to the palace in so-called fiacres (a horse-drawn carriage), where they are welcomed by performing magicians and musicians, and a “Knight of the Rose” presents each lady with a rose. In these magnificent rooms, the waiters are dressed in baroque costumes, a Master of Ceremonies grandly announces each course of a gala dinner, and the guests are entertained by singers and dancers. There are no limits to this display of splendour – how about an exclusive performance by the Vienna Boy’s Choir followed by fireworks at midnight in the palace gardens?

Vienna is all this and a lot more... Make it a lifetime experience in Vienna...

source: :Lonely Planet and Vienna Convention Bureau

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Paris


Paris, the city of light, has many of the world's most visited attractions,. Among them, the Eiffel tower, the Louvre palace, the Notre-Dame cathedral and the near-by Versailles palace are truly unique. The business district of La Defense with the Grande Arche from Danish architect Otto von Spreckelsen testifies to the economic and artistic vitality of Paris.

Paris probably has more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. As a result, first-time visitors often arrive in the French capital with all sorts of expectations: of grand vistas, of intellectuals discussing weighty matters in cafés, of romance along the Seine, of naughty nightclub revues, of rude people who won’t speak English. If you look hard enough, you can probably find all of those. But another approach is to set aside the preconceptions of Paris and to explore the city’s avenues and backstreets as if the tip of the Eiffel Tower or the spire of Notre Dame wasn’t about to pop into view at any moment.
Our Top Picks for Paris

Paris' new museums
Introduce yourself to one of Paris’ new museums: the architecturally stunning (and content-rich) Musée du Quai Branly or the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
Sainte-Chapelle
Be stunned (and inspired) by the veritable wall of sublime stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, one of the most beautiful houses of worship in Christendom
Musée d'Orsay
Marvel at the incomparable collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art at the waterfront Musée d'Orsay
Centre Pompidou
Enjoy the collections and the spectacular rooftop views at the Centre Pompidou, the world’s most successful art and culture centre
Under the Eiffel Tower
Go not to the top but the bottom of the Eiffel Tower and look up for a new take on the landmark that’s more Parisian than Paris itself
The Seine
Enjoy the views of the timeless Seine from the banks or on an evening cruise
The Marais
Check out the stately hôtels particuliers (private mansions) in the Marais by day and the district’s throbbing bars and clubs after dark
Montmartre
Relive the ooh-là-là Paris of cancan and windmills on a walking tour of Montmartre


Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Paris. We will propose a restaurant for a light lunch near the hotel. After lunch we suggest a stroll in an historic quarter of Paris, including visit to a public garden, an historic site, and a popular street market.
Day 2 For your first full day in Paris, we recommend a stroll to view one of the grandest public gardens of the city, with spectacular views of Paris from its esplanade. Our itinerary will take you along one of the city's most beautiful boulevards. After lunch, you will continue to explore this area. We will give you recommendations for visits to public monuments.
Day 3 Today's itinerary will focus on an area where gourmet food shops abound. Two spectacular monuments that visitors to Paris should not miss are located here. After lunch, you will continue exploration of the area.
Day 4 On your last full day in Paris, our itinerary will guide you to the more interesting "off-the-beaten-path" spots away from the crowds. In the morning, you will stroll through a residential area where you will see several examples of buildings decorated in the Art Nouveau style. In the afternoon, visit the charming "passages of Paris" as well as a beautiful garden hidden away from the view of tourists strolling by.