A lightning Belgian visit to Bratislava and Vienna

June 3, 2014

How much fun can you have in just a single night on a incentive trip to Slovakia? A Belgian company gave us the chance to show them, and we delivered a well-balanced program accompanied by smooth logistics.

After landing on Saturday morning at Vienna airport, guests were transferred the short distance to their hotel in downtown Bratislava by coach. An appealing property designed by Professor Bellus, the founding father of Slovak architecture, this hotel is a Bratislava landmark and recently underwent complete refurbishment of all its rooms, while retaining its period elegance. An inspiring morning training session gave everyone an appetite for lunch, which was served on the terrace of a nearby restaurant overlooking a bustling park.

The afternoon was a surprise for everyone. The delegates, children of the digital generation, engaged in the ancient art of archery at Slovakia’s only open-air shooting range for this sport. The pleasant compound lies near the Baroque palace of the Counts Esterhazy (or more accurately its romantic ruins!), laid out in the centuries-old chateau’s grounds. Dinner was served in Slovakia’s first ice bar, with guests sampling vodka from ice glasses, ice beer and ice cream. A night walk through the lively Old Town, known for its excellent bars and cafes, brought the group to a cool night club …followed by a relaxed morning with brunch at the hotel. The other half of the day was dedicated to exploration of Vienna’s imperial charm, rounded off with a typical schnitzel and beer at a cozy local restaurant before transfer to the airport for a Sunday evening flight home.