If you're looking for somewhere to organise your corporate event, why not take your staff or clients to another country? It will add originality and ensure great memories. Explore five original destinations to give your guests a change of scene.
Lisbon: the white city
The city of seven hills combines modernity (in its futuristic Park of Nations, its Oceanarium and long suspension bridge...) with a rich architectural heritage (Belém Tower, the Baixa neighbourhood...). The best way to get around is by tram, particularly the famous no. 28 line. This serves the working-class neighbourhoods (Alfama and its narrow cobbled streets) and Castelo Sao Jorge, a fortress with impressive architecture and panoramic views over the lower city and the Tagus, which is the perfect river for water-based activities.
Barcelona: the great magician
The capital of Catalonia is a city of art and culture with many other facets: for shopaholics, there's Las Ramblas, Barcelona's answer to the West End, and for football fans there's F.C. Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium. It has a very distinct architecture where several styles sit side by side (gothic, romanesque, modernist and contemporary), iconic structures (including Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia) and less well known neighbourhoods, such as Gràcia, with its village atmosphere. It also offers visitors the world-famous gastronomic delight that is Tapas!
Bordeaux: the prestige of terroir
This city of wine is crossed by the Garonne and the river banks are edged with cycle paths and open-air cafés. The historic centre is the St Pierre area, which is easily explored on foot and there are numerous belvederes offering amazing panoramic views over the entire city. The gastronomic reputation of the city is equal to the greatness of the wines of Bordeaux and you can even take a master-class with the Michelin-starred chef François Adamski while you're there. You can follow the wine roads in the countryside around the capital of the Gironde department and visit some of famous wineries which produce grand cru wines. There is also the magic of the Bassin d'Arcachon waiting to be explored, less than an hour from the city!
Amsterdam: contemporary authenticity
Visit the Venice of the North, where you can cycle along the city's iconic canals. If you go to the Singel canal, you'll find Holland's most famous and highly colourful flower market with its floating stalls. The city is home to one of largest public libraries in Europe (the OBA), numerous museums, including the must-see Van Gogh Museum (specialising in impressionist and symbolist paintings) and many other more unusual destinations, including a handbag museum, a spectacle museum, and the museum of coffee and tea…as well as a cinema, created in a former theatre, that combines the style of the Amsterdam School with 1920s Art Deco (the Tuschinski).
Malta: 7,000 years of history under the sun
On this charming island, at the crossroads of the Latin and Arab civilisations, visitors can travel through time in the footsteps of the Knights of Malta and discover the birthplace of the comic book hero and sailor-adventurer Corto Maltese. Valetta and Mdina are cities of art in perfect condition that are perfect places to walk though and take in the beauty of their picturesque narrow streets. Nature is also a major feature of the island, particularly in the luxuriant Buskett Gardens and the Dingli Cliffs which overlook the Mediterranean. Lastly, the warm, clear waters around the archipelago attract lovers of fine sandy beaches and watersports, all year round.
So, here are 5 destinations for business tourism at its best, that are sure to delight your teams. However, don't forget to consider the time of year when you're organising the trip ;-) and get in touch with us so we can give you an idea of the different types of original events that can be organised in these places. A made-to-measure Les Absolute programme can be created to perfectly match the objectives that you hope to achieve...
For more advice on organising your event or trade fair, follow the guide!
