Here are eight reasons to take a meeting international:
AUSTRALIA Island Hopping
Kangaroo Island is one of southern Australia's most popular tourist attractions, drawing over 140,000 visitors each year. Just 132 miles off the coast, the island is a quick flight from Adelaide. It is perfect for a day excursion or even an overnight trip—though only for small groups as accommodations are primarily bed-and-breakfast-type establishments. But the natural wonders do not disappoint here, which makes it ideal for rugged groups that enjoy camping out.
Flinders Chase, a national park, is a sanctuary for endangered species and home to a few geological phenomena.
Kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus, and even penguins are plentiful. But the wildlife highlight has to be the large Australian sea lion colony on the beach at Seal Bay. Ranger-guided walks among sunbathing sea lions are available for groups. Geological wonders such as the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch are also not to be missed.
DUBAI Under the Sea
Currently under construction in Dubai, Hydropolis will be the world's first luxury underwater hotel. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed; a connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel; and 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex.
The development is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 642 acres, about the size of London's Hyde Park.
The land station also includes a restaurant and cinema, which shows a film on the evolution of life in the ocean and the history of underwater architecture. As a finale, the screen will open to reveal the real-life Hydropolis. A viewing platform gives guests a front-row seat for light shows and a view of the surrounding area.
GERMANY Take the Cure
Germany has a little bit of everything for wellness devotees. It's a tradition that goes all way the back to Roman times, when huge thermal baths in the grandest of settings were at the heart of public life. Today, more than 300 wellness centers in nearly 500 hotels and resorts around the country offer a wide range of health, beauty, and spa treatments, from classic massages, sounds massages, Ayurveda, Lomi Lomi, and thalassotherapy to chalk treatments, hot peat baths, Kneipp hydrotherapy, and Qigong exercises from China. In short, everything that promotes well-being and relaxation.
Hessen, in the heart of Germany, is the country's number-one region for wellness centers. Not only does it boast more than 30 spa resorts, including those with a glittering past such as Wiesbaden, Bad Homburg, and Bad Wilhelmshohe in Kassel, but there are plenty of smaller havens in glorious upland locations.
MADEIRA Hook a Live One
Incentive groups will have plenty of fish stories to tell the folks back home when they go to the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira.
The Atlantic blue marlin season in Madeira runs from May to October with the average fish being estimated at around 700 pounds. Past fishing records show that approximately one in every 10 is the "fish of a lifetime"—the elusive 1,000-pound "grander." So Madeira has rightly earned its reputation as one of the finest Atlantic blue marlin fishing grounds in the world. It will be a rare attendee who leaves Madeira with a story of "the one that got away."
JAPAN Sunny with a Chance of Cherry Blossoms
Every year the Japanese Meteorological Agency tracks the sakura zensen (cherry-blossom front) as it moves northward up the archipelago with the approach of warmer weather. Nightly forecasts following the weather segment of news programs keep everyone apprised of the cherry blossoms' progress. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March or the beginning of April.
Two great places to catch the show in the northern provinces are Goryokaku Koen and Matsumae Koen Park. Goryokaku is a star-shaped fort built in 1866; there are more than 1,500 sakura trees in its park, and they are illuminated at night during the blooming season. Matsumae Koen has been called one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan. About 250 kinds of sakura trees can be found there.
Closer to Tokyo, the ruins of Odawara Castle are a good option. The ruins are now called Odawara Joshi Koen, and there are about 350 sakura trees in the park.
In Kyoto, head to the nearby city of Himeji and visit Himeji Castle, where you can find about 1,000 sakura trees.
MONACO Start Your Virtual Engines
Stars 'N' Bars in Monaco has announced the world-premier opening of its Monte-Carlo RaceRoom, in association with award-winning simulated racing game creator SimBin.
RaceRoom features six state-of-the-art simulators, which create a unique, accurate racing experience that makes the perfect high-adrenaline teambuilding activity. The RaceRoom replicates the feel, handling, sights, and sounds of more than 500 real-world race cars competing on 45 professional racing circuits. Surrounded by three high- definition video screens, which create a panoramic view from behind the wheel, racers can compete in groups in real time, at speeds of up to 190 mph, in the super car of their choice. In addition, every turn, surface crack, and bump on the track is realistically replicated. Racers have the option of choosing from more than 600 cars and 50 racing circuits; options include Formula 3000, World Touring Car Championships, and Camaro Cup models. The RaceRoom is open from Wednesday to Sunday and is available for private use by groups.
VIENNA Coffee Talk
The history of the Viennese coffee house (Kaffeehaus) goes back to Vienna's liberation from the Turks by the imperial troops in 1683. The retreating Turkish troops left behind numerous sacks of coffee, and the rest is history.
Today, the Vienna coffee house is a legendary experience that no group visiting the city should miss. Here are three of the best.
Gerstner K & K Hofzuckerbacker: A meeting place for visitors from all over the world, it is a short walk from the Vienna State Opera. Gerstner, as a former "imperial and royal confectionery," has been baking fine cakes and pastries using traditional recipes since 1847.
Hofburg: This elegant cafe is housed in the Imperial Palace, alongside the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Silver Collection, the Treasuries, and the Spanish Riding School. At the cafe, visitors can enjoy their coffee and cake while absorbing the imperial splendor of old Austria.
Museum: Furnished by architect Adolf Loos in 1899, this traditional cafe offers a refuge and a chance to enjoy Viennese coffee house specialties and contemporary art, which is on display at the Secession across the road.
SINGAPORE Fantasy Island
Resorts World Sentosa is an integrated resort in development stages on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore. The project is a collection of resorts and attractions, including a Universal Studios theme park and the world's largest oceanarium.
The $4.93 billion integrated resort is being developed by Genting International. Due to have its soft opening in early 2010, the project will occupy over 121 acres of land and will employ more than 10,000 people directly.
In addition to attractions, Resorts World Sentosa will offer six hotels and full conference and meeting amenities including one of Asia's largest ballrooms. Entertainment performances include the Crane Dance—the world's largest animatronic performance—set out at the resort waterfront. Guests of the resort will also be able to choose from dozens of shopping and dining options at the property's FestiveWalk, which will also be home to light, laser, and water shows as well as events and television productions.
Hosted buyer programs
that offer career-enriching accredited education with industry experts and pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments with destination suppliers
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