Posts Tagged ‘Incentive Travel’

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Warsaw is WOW

Thursday, January 21st, 2016

Warsaw – A Welcome Wow great for corporate conferences, incentive travel and more.

“So I stopped in my tracks when I turned a corner and saw a range of pastels — cream, peach, blue, light green — on façades that had previously been uniformly grey concrete, crumbling with neglect. It was quite like spring.” (Martin Sandbu author)

Spring has moved into high summer. Warsaw has turned from ashen phoenix to a city of many colours and shade. The “Old City” is a delight with back streets, hidden coffee shops and more.

Warsaw has become a food lovers’ city, a party city, a corporate conference and travel incentive city, a shoppers’ city, a city of jazz and blues, museums and more. Stay in the grand old Bristol or perhaps the new Raffles, due to open soon or check out one of the many boutique hotels.

And while Warsaw can offer more than enough to fill the days of a longer incentive why not take a vintage car rally/day out on the Mazury lakes!!

Mazury lakes are a fresh water lover’s paradise so for sailing, fishing, canoeing and more amidst rolling verdant hills and forests this is an excellent day out from Warsaw.

There are many lakes connected by a network of canals and rivers.

And to give you a taste of combining Warsaw & Mazury, these are just a few of the activities Poland Concept DMC can offer:

  • Communist Warsaw Tour on board local vintage buses
  • Vistula River Cruise & watersports act
  • Military Day –off road / mine defusing / military camp games
  • Warsaw City Game – discover the city of Chopin
  • Privatised Beach Party – relax on the banks of Vistula river
  • Rooftop bar experience – enjoy Warsaw’s nightlife up in the sky
  • Visit to the Chopin house & piano concert
  • Vintage tram ride through Warsaw
  • Yachting at Sniardwy Lake & balloon flight over Mazury region
  • Visit the eery Wolf’s Lair – Hitlers home for most of WW2

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Kicking Back in Krakow

Thursday, January 21st, 2016

“Krakow is one of my favorite places on earth. It is a medieval city full of young people. A wonderful, striking combination.” (Jonathan Carrol: USA Author)

Krakow is possibly the best place in Poland to party!! And for incentive travel groups there are a number of new boutique hotels that are in “historic” converted properties.

Krakow is many things to many people; from international students to millions of tourists to conference delegates, ICE Krakow Congress Centre and incentive travel visitors.

And to provide contrast to your city incentive stay check out Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains.

Poland shares Europe’s second biggest mountain range with other central European countries and Poland’s share has six peaks over 2,000 metres – so a good place for winter sports.

But there is so much more outside of winter – from rafting to hiking, from visiting pretty spa towns and villages to meeting Poland’s mountain people, who have a preserved culture apart from the rest of Poland.

And to give a flavour of what you might do in Kraków & Zakopane: (see more)

  • Horse-drawn carriage ride through the Old Town of Kraków
  • Jewish Trail at Kazimierz District
  • Ship Cruise along Vistula River & discovering the Wawel Castle – the seat of Polish kings
  • Miner’s Tour at Wieliczka Salt Mine – the oldest operating salt mine in Europe – 330m below the ground!
  • Muchelin fine dining without giving your wallet heartburn
  • Rafting on Dunajec River towards Zakopane
  • Quads Adventure in Tatra Mountains
  • Snow Safari – winter expedition around Zakopane
  • Mountain Folk Games in Zakopane – discover the folklore of Polish mountains
  • Mountain Spa visit

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Exciting Destination News From Welcome Italy & Welcome Swiss

Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

Breaking News from Italy and Switzerland

Italy – a crossroads of artistic, innovative and ancient wonders!

Switzerland – small is beautiful!

Read all about it in The Switzerlander and Welcome Italy Times!

Simply download the PDF files below, sit back, relax & enjoy the read.

Journal Winter – Switzerland

Journal Winter – Italy……

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Posted in Countries Italy, Countries Swiss, home_featured_column_two, news, Partners Italy, Partners Swiss | No Comments »

Makowiec – A Traditional Polish Dessert Recipe

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

Makowiec (Poppy Seed Roll) is a traditional Polish dessert, especially popular during the Christmas season.

Makes 2 rolls

Recipe adapted from Moje Wypieki

Poppy seed filling

  • 330g poppy seeds
  • 112g light brown sugar
  • 65g raisins or sultanas
  • 33g walnuts, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tbsp butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup candied orange zest
  • 4 egg whites

Dough

  • 30g fresh yeast or 14g instant yeast
  • 320g plain flour + extra for sprinkling
  • 4 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp strong alcohol like vodka or rum
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla paste
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 120ml milk, lukewarm
  • 100g butter, melted and cooled down

Poppy seed filling

Place poppy seeds in a medium bowl and pour boiling water over (you just want it to be covered). Leave it to cool.

Remove the excess of water and grind twice

Add sugar, raisins, walnuts, honey, almond extract, cinnamon, butter, candied orange zest and stir until well combined.

In a separate bowl whip egg whites until stiff, add it into poppy seed mixture and gently fold it in.

Dough

If you are using fresh yeast – mix yeast with 1 tablespoon of sugar (it will turn into liquid). Add 2 tablespoons of flour and all milk, stir and leave aside for 20-30 minutes until you see bubbles on the surface. Follow the steps below, adding the yeast mixture in place of the milk.

If you are using dry yeast – in a big bowl mix together yeast, flour and sugar.

Add alcohol, vanilla paste, egg yolks and milk and knead until well combined (around 5-10 minutes).

Pour slowly butter and knead until incorporated.

Cover the dough with a tea towel and leave it in a warm place to rise,  an hour or longer until it doubles in size.

Assembling

Divide the dough in two.

Roll each part of the dough on a floured surface. You want to have rectangular dough around 3mm thick.

Spread the filling on each of the rectangles, leaving around 2-cm edge.

Starting at the long edge, roll the dough like a jelly roll.

Turn ends under so filling will not leak out.

Place the rolls on a parchment-lined pan.

Bake in a preheated oven to 190ºC/170ºC fan for 30-40 minutes. (The dough get golden very quickly, so cover it with a parchment paper so it wouldn’t burn).

Leave it to cool.

You may decorate it with icing and candied orange zest.

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Fes – Fascinates

Friday, October 16th, 2015

#Fes, #Fez, #incentivesmorocco, #riad, #dmcmorocco, #moroccandmc“If you like your romance dark, Fes is probably the most romantic city on Earth. It might have been dreamed up by Edgar Allen Poe – almost sinister in its secretiveness.” John Gunther

Secretive because so much beauty is hidden behind plain walls or discovered after passing through narrow windy alleyways and ancient archways. Fes is a city for exploration and discovery.

Palaces from the 1001 Nights – a thousand palaces lie hidden away in the labyrinthine streets of the Mdina, residences huddled side by side, their secrets jealously guarded by blind walls behind which daily life takes its course. Worlds of breath-taking wonder await those who cross their thresholds.

Fes – Feet First in the oldest Mdina as you will be entering, possibly, the world’s largest traffic free urban area.

Fes- For Fassi Fine lifestyle: When this most ancient of Morocco’s Imperial Cities welcomes guests it is an invitation to live an almost unique lifestyle.

Above all Fes is a living UNESCO World Heritage Site and, so rightly, also known as the “Athens of Africa”. This is one UNESCO site where you can live, dine well and feel spoilt.

And Across Morocco will share a secret, a wonderful Riad, if you have a brief for Fes.

An architectural gem of rare beauty whose interior designer worked for His Majesty King Hassan 11, princes, princess and the super wealthy. A harmony of elegance and authenticity in the Arab-Andalusian style.

With 25 luxury suites this Riad is ideal for small incentives – especially couples.

Be spoilt in the Spa – all natural products using orange blossom, rose water, Argan oil and more.

Dine in the gourmet restaurant, Fassi cuisine is fab.

With its roots in 13th-century Arabo-Andalusian cuisine, Fassi gastronomy combines sweet with savoury, treating fruits as vegetables and making cunning use of a whole range of spices and condiments, including cumin, coriander, pepper, capsicum, and cinnamon – all ingredients to be found in that mouth-watering local delicacy, pigeon and almond pastilla. The knack required for creating the feather-light flaky pastry that covers the stuffing is a secret Fassi women pass down from mother to daughter.

Life in Fes is a daily round of sophisticated pleasure – a fine roof over your head, subtle cuisine, elegant clothing, harmonious colours, age-old rituals of beauty, delicate perfumes, and bewitching music.

Fes- For Festivals; Experience the “World Sacred Music Festival”, the “Jazz in Riads Festival” and the “Festival of Culinary Arts”.

Explore nearby towns and villages, cross the Atlas Mountains for an overnight camp or try a round at the Royal Golf Club golf.

For larger groups just ask Across Morocco about your hotel options.

The ideal way to discover the fascination of Fes is combine Fes with Marrakech or Rabat and this works well for incentives of 3 nights or more.

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Posted in Countries Morocco, featured_morocco, Partners Morroco | No Comments »

Meet Chakib Bouzid – Across Morocco DMC

Friday, October 16th, 2015

#incentivesmorocco, #teambuildingmorocco, #atlasmountains, #moroccandmcLike many truly great DMCs Chakib loves his country, its food & wine.

Of course this is not difficult as Morocco’s cuisine is a world leader and the wines, especially the reds, able to match the best French reds.

Chakib takes his love of food and wine a little further – he loves to cook and is more than happy to suggest the best wines to match your menu.

Excels in Social Media and Marketing!! Just as well as that’s nearly his main job in the company (in addition to managing his staff, money!!!!!!)

And while on the topic of work Chakib loves creating new concepts, finding new venues, and meeting new challenges!!!

Pet Loves:   Travelling, wine, cooking, fishing, gym basketball and football (Big Big Fan of the Real Madrid!!)…. and after work get “togethers” with good friends (to chat and chill over an excellent wine of course).

Also likes shopping – but only with his wife!!! She chooses for him!!!

#winemorocco, #cusinemorocco, #dmcmorocco, #EssaouiraPet Loathes: Hypocrisy, pessimistic people, altitude!!!

Favourite Food: Thai, Spanish, French and of course best of all Moroccan!

Favourite Actor: Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron….

Favourite Musician: Dire Straits, Elton John, Van Morisson…. “Oldies but Goldies !!!!”  Likes of course some good R&B music… so who better to organise you a Jimi Hendrix Moroccan village party in Essaouira!!!

 And just in case you did not notice Chakib loves food, cooking, chatting and good wine!!

While last – never least Chakib loves his three wonderful children.

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Deutschland: Destination Different – Lubeck

Friday, October 16th, 2015

 

#incentiveslubeck, #hamburg, #incentivesgermany, #teambuildinggermanyLubeck, a lovely river island medieval gem!

The entire Lubeck old city is deservedly a UNESCO Heritage Site.

In under one hour travel time from Hamburg, your delegate group can literally be transported back in time to visit the medieval gem that is Lubeck.

The old city is enclosed by the river Trave and this in turn connects to Ratzeburger Lake via the Wakenitz River. If you are holding a conference or incentive in Hamburg and looking for a team building day or incentive activity day Lubeck has a lot to offer.

A perfect city to explore in one day, from an early morning marzipan coffee to a myriad of hidden courtyards and alleyways (some just big enough to walk down) and 1,000 protected buildings. The city spans the middle-ages with Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical buildings; old merchant houses, churches, cathedral and more.

Old Lubeck is less than six kilometres square but it packs a historic punch that rivals many bigger cities.

So if you are looking for water based activities, either team building or just fun, what better backdrop could you want!

Perhaps you need a high energy competitive activity – Dragon Boat racing! Or, if more sedate is preferred, sail or canoe on the Ratzeburger Lake or sail down to the Baltic Sea.

Alternatively test your raft building skill on the Trave or your navigational skills in the alleys, courtyards and green spired churches of the old city.

Or be very different and hit the bullseye with night time archery!!

For lunch it would be a shame not to favour fish as the Baltic, lake and rivers offer such fresh fish. If fish is not on your menu why not time travel with a medieval banquet?

 

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Posted in Countries Germany, home_featured_column_one, news, Partners Germany, Taste | No Comments »

Deutschland: Destination Different – Wiesbaden

Friday, October 16th, 2015

#incentivesgermany, #wiesbaden, #frankfurt, #teambuildinggermany, dmcgermany

“Wine pleases the heart and joyfulness is the mother of all virtues.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749 – 1832, German poet) - GTA loves this quote

Just over 30 minutes from Frankfurt lies one of the oldest spa towns in Europe.
Wiesbaden has catered to people from countries near and far for many centuries; right back to the Romans who knew it as “Aquis Mattiacis”.

To give your delegates a real luxurious spoil why not take a day out to go “Meadow Bathing” in one of Wiesbaden‘s Thermal Spas?

‘Meadow Baths’ is the literal translation of Wiesbaden, whose journey to world fame was begun by the Romans’ penchant for bathing in hot, healthy, mineral-rich waters.

The Romans introduced more than their love of bathing in hot mineral waters, they also brought grapes and wine!
What the Romans started the “locals” finished and a number of current notable wineries have a centuries-old history.

So, given your delegates senses and health are pampered they might also wish to take time to be virtuous?
Why not add in a winery visit and enjoy your virtue – your group will be spoilt for choice!

Great wine deserves, of course, great food and the options for lunch and dinner range from Michelin starred, through Michelin Guide and down.

For team building you could add a cookery class to the winery, or try one of the river-based activities?

Or, if you want something unusual how about a mini Olympics in the dark?!
Black Light Olympics offers team games with a difference that can include table tennis, office golf, darts and even basketball!

And for dinner the night before why not set the tone and try a Dining in The Dark “Blind Experience”?
Incentives groups might like to time their stay to coincide with one of the many fun-packed festivals. Aside from the obvious wine festival they may enjoy festivals based on street theatre, folklore, music arts and cuisine.

Festivals season starts at the end of March and finishes at the end of September, whichever you choose there is plenty of wine and food.

And, of course, Wiesbaden has some good hotel options and amazing gala dinner venues!

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Posted in Countries Germany, Partners Germany, Taste | No Comments »

Caldo Verde – Portuguese Green Soup

Friday, October 16th, 2015

With Winter on the way GTAstes thoughts have turned to warming soups. Serve this spicy Portuguese cabbage or kale soup with a tasty Serra (Sheep) cheese for a warming lunch or starter to dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 fat onion chopped fine
  • 1 Chorizo sausage
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • 6 large potatoes
  • 60ml/2¼fl oz olive oil
  • 1.5 litres/2 pints 13fl oz good vegetable or chicken stock
  • salt and freshly ground balck pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • large bunch of cabbage or kale
  • smoked paprika and olive oil for dressing

Preparation

  • Gently fry the onions and garlic in the olive oil until softened and translucent.
  • Chop the chorizo into small chunks and add to the pan with the onion.
  • Fry the onions and sausage for a few more minutes and then add the diced potatoes. They will absorb all the flavour from the sausage.
  • Transfer the mixture to a large pan, add the stock, seasoning and bay leaves, and cook until the potatoes are soft.
  • Meanwhile, very finely chop the cabbage or kale
  • When the potatoes are ready, mash them into the broth to make a thick base. Blanch the greens in boiling water for one minute to take off any bitterness, drain, then add to the simmering broth.
  • Add as much cabbage as you wish add loads of greens for a heavy soup and less for lighter.
  • Simmer for a few minutes. The soup will go the colour of jade.
  • Mix the smoked paprika with some olive oil to make a dressing, and swirl this red magic into the vibrant green soup.
  • Serve with some rustic country bread and Portuguese cheese.
  • Don’t forget a glass of Portuguese wine!

 

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Posted in Countries Portugal, Partner Portugal, Taste | No Comments »

A Dish from George: Lobster Pasta with White Sauce

Sunday, September 6th, 2015

George and Ioli love Greek Cuisine…… and what isn’t there to like when you have so many choices? Although home cooking is a must for their family dinners, work obligations mean they often eat out. Their top choice is one of the taverns by the sea side with fresh fish, while their favourite dish is definitely Lobster Pasta with White Sauce.

And because they like to share… here’s the recipe from one of Greece’s most famous gourmet chefs, Lefteris Lazarou, translated into English just for you:

Ingredients:
1.5 kg lobster
1 packet spaghetti or similar pasta
200ml olive oil
200ml white wine
1 garlic clove finely chopped
100g chopped parsley
90ml fish stock (you can use warm water instead of fish stock)
Ground chilli peppers
Salt & Pepper
Chopped parsley to garnish

Instructions:
Step 1
Split the lobster in half along it’s length, from head to tail
Step 2
In a pan, warm half amount of the olive oil
Step 3
Add the chopped garlic, parsley and fish stock
Step 4
Add salt, simmer for 2 minutes and withdraw from heat
Step 5
Boil the pasta al dente according to packet instructions
Step 6
In a frying pan warm the rest of the oil and add the wine
Step 7
Place the lobster, belly down, in the warm oil (careful not to over heat the oil) 
Step 8
Season with salt and pepper and gradually add 2/3 of the garlic, parsley and broth mixture
Step 9
Bring to a simmer and remove from heat
Step 10
In the remaining 1/3 mixture of garlic, parsley and broth add the ground chilli and pour over the cooked pasta
Step 11
Serve in dish, pasta and one portion of lobster. Sprinkle over fresh parsley.
Step 12
Enjoy! Kali Orexi!

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Posted in Countries Greece, home_featured_column_two, Partners Greece, Taste | No Comments »

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