As a destination for your group trip, Barcelona really has it all. You will find golden beaches waiting for you, a warm Mediterranean climate, breathtaking cultural sites, exhilarating nightlife, delicious food, and much more.

Your Itinerary for Group Travel to Barcelona

Whether you are hoping to enjoy the best bachelor party Barcelona has ever seen or enjoy some quality time with your friends, there’s a lot to see and do in Barcelona.

With so much to choose from, it can be tough knowing where to get started! Organizing a group can be difficult, too. Here’s a look at the best places and activities to help you plan an itinerary for group travel to Barcelona for this 2019.

Itinerary – Day 1 in Barcelona

Morning: A Delicious Breakfast

Prepare for a wonderful day in Barcelona!

The first item on the itinerary is a nutritious breakfast to get you and your group ready for your day. There are thousands of restaurants and cafes in Barcelona and many of them offer great breakfast options. You can also visit the markets like La Boqueria, to have a good breakfast -just next to La Rambla!

Brunch has become very popular here in Barcelona, so you will find cosmopolitan options as well as traditional English breakfasts on offer too! The Eixample district is filled with chic options, so be sure to do some research to find the best area.

Key Points

• There are lots of options for you to research
• Book ahead to get your reservation locked in

Afternoon: A Visit to Park Güell

Enjoy stunning views and glorious sunshine in Gaudí’s garden

The Park Güell is a must-see when you and your group are here in Barcelona. The history of the park stretches all the way back to 1900, when construction first began. For over 100 years, the park has been a source of beauty and interest for residents and visitors alike.

We are confident that you will have an amazing time here. The park is vast and spacious, making it a great place for you and your group to stretch out and see some really beautiful architecture. The surrounding area is also beautiful, giving you the chance to get to grips with nature and enjoy some fresh air.

Key Points

• Buy tickets in advance for the best experience
• Set aside a few hours for travel and tour times
• Consider the 2-in-1 Gaudí bundle if you want to visit the Sagrada Familia

Evening: A Special Dinner

Celebrate together with a delicious meal

There are thousands of restaurants to choose from in Barcelona – where will you and your group dine? Whatever your tastes, you’ll find something incredible here. From traditional Spanish meals to Italian, seafood restaurants, Japanese and beyond, you’ll be delighted.

Barcelona is a city passionate about fine dining, too, so you will find a lot of innovative dining experiences that push the boundaries of gastronomy. With so many options on offer, you’ll be sure to find the good one to accommodate your group regardless of its size!

Key Points

• Check out reviews on TripAdvisor – it’s used a lot here!
• Call ahead to make your booking if you have a large group
• Use the app “TheFork” to get awesome discounts!

Itinerary – Day 2 in Barcelona

Morning: Montjuïc Segway Tour

The perfect way to combine fresh air, fun, and a closer look at Barcelona

Looking to get up close and personal with Barcelona but you’re not sure of the best way to get around? You should look into a group Segway tour. Lots of people can join these exciting tours through the city and there are lots of options open to you.

Our tours can whisk you and your group through key areas of the city, paying a particular focus on your key interests. The Montjuïc Segway Tour is particularly fun and you’ll learn a lot about the region’s history, stretching back to more than 2000 years ago!

Key Points

• Essentially limitless group sizes (perfect for group travel business trips)
• A duration of 3 hours

Afternoon: A Visit to the Beach

Kick back and enjoy Barcelona’s beaches

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a trip to one of the many wonderful beaches. The fresh sea air will reinvigorate you and the golden sands are the perfect surface for sports and games.

Be sure to pack all the beach essentials and check out some surrounding stores to get your beach toys like frisbees and volleyballs – it’ll be a day to remember for your group. Also, take the time to research which beach is best for you!

Key Points

• Research the beaches on offer
• Keep an eye out for beach bars to get refreshments
• Wear sunscreen – Barcelona gets warm!

Evening: The Magic Fountain and Dinner

Enjoy a free breathtaking show and some food

The colorful and hypnotizing magic fountain is surrounded by lots of smaller fountains, cascades, and pools. An emblem of the city, over 2.5 million people see it each year! The shows start at 21h00 and 22h00 in the summer, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are lots of dining options around the magic fountain and the Palau Nacional. You’ll find sophisticated dining options or you might even want to grab a snack from one of the many food trucks closer to the fountain.

Key Points

• Make sure to get there around 30 minutes early to get a great seat
• Grab a drink at the Hotel Catalonia Plaza to access the 8th-floor terrace
• Check out the nearby Las Arenas for great views over the city

General Tips for Your Group Travel to Barcelona

Now that you have a better understanding of what’s on offer and the awesome activities that may make it into your itinerary, here’s a look at some general tips to make your group trip to Barcelona as smooth and action-packed as possible!

Use the Best Apps:This is 2019 and by now, there are lots of apps that can enhance your experience here in Barcelona. You can get insider info on transport, hail cabs, get discounts, and much more! Check out the top 10 apps for your Barcelona trip 2019.

Think About Team Building Activities in Barcelona Are you coming to Barcelona in a professional capacity? This is an amazing city and we’re sure that your team will enjoy a trip to remember! There are lots of fun activities to enjoy together here. Check out our fun team building activities in Barcelona.

Pack SmartYour trip to Barcelona will be packed with diverse activities and lots of fun – it’s essential that you and your group pack properly! You’ll want to be ready for whatever Barcelona throws your way, whether that’s a trip to the beach or something else. Here’s a packing list for Barcelona in summer.

Choose the Best Beach BarsLooking to chill out by the sea and really embrace beach life? You’ll want to check out Barcelona’s many beach bars. There are a lot of them on offer so it can be tough to find the best, though. Here you will find the best Barcelona beach bars and chiringuitos.

Enjoy Your Group Travel to Barcelona!

Your trip to Barcelona is going to be absolutely incredible – we can’t wait to welcome you here! If you need more tips and insight to take your trip to the next level, be sure to check out our blog to get the most out of Barcelona.

Der Beitrag An Itinerary for Group Travel to Barcelona in 2019 erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

If you’re looking for a location for your next European conference, Barcelona is probably high on your list. Not only is the Mediterranean hub a fun and cosmopolitan city that will energize your attendees, but there is also a huge range of conference spaces in Barcelona.

When you also consider the people, spirit, economy, and location of Barcelona, it becomes an even more attractive choice. And many other companies agree: over 200 large-scale conferences are held each year in Barcelona.

From tech to pharma and beyond, the needs of these companies are well served. Over 10,000,000 m2 of space makes this a perfect destination. But which of that space is right for you?

To help you plan your conference, here’s a closer look at the best conference spaces in Barcelona for your event.

1. The Barcelona International Convention Center

With 100,000 m2 on offer, Barcelona International Convention Center is the foremost conference space in Barcelona. It was designed by one of the most celebrated Catalan architects, Josep Lluís Mateo. He focused upon ensuring that the multifunctional space is provided with lots of light.

You’ll find a huge amount of space available – 39 well-lit rooms are found across three main floors and two mezzanine floors. There is also a dynamic area which can be adjusted to your needs, and a fully-fledged banqueting hall that offers stunning views onto the sea.

If you’re planning a seriously big conference, this is a great option to consider. The center itself has a great location, found just 20km from the airport and very close indeed to the Estació de França train station. Your attendees will love being just 500m from the stunning beach, allowing them to enjoy all that Barcelona has to offer.

There are also a huge number of hotel rooms around the space, meaning that your attendees can enjoy close proximity to the conference itself while also being just 6km from the city center. All in all, this is a highly flexible space that hosts the largest conferences.

2. World Trade Center Barcelona

The World Trade Center in Barcelona is beautiful to look at. It was designed by Henry N. Cobb and he fashioned the structure to resemble a ship – perfect for its location on the port beside the Mediterranean Sea.

If you’re looking to host your congress or convention in Barcelona, this is a great option. You’ll have an incredible 4,000 m2 at your feet and this is spread across 20 adaptable rooms. This means that you can really put your identity into the event whether you decide to use the auditorium, Port Vell rooms, or more.

The World Trade Center is located just by the Columbus statue at the bottom of Las Ramblas, empowering your attendees to enjoy the city while also staying in very close proximity to the venue.

3. Hotel Arts Barcelona

Looking for a conference space in Barcelona that has on-site accommodation? Hotel Arts Barcelona is a great way to keep your attendees all in one place and ensure that they can conveniently and effectively attend all of the sessions that you have planned.

This stunning seafront tower is found close to the Olympic Village and not too far at all from the city center. At seven miles away it’s not too far from the airport either, and Barcelona’s cheap taxis make getting around incredibly simple.

There are four key meeting spaces available in this hotel which is found directly on the coast. Aside from all of the on-site equipment that you might need, your attendees will also be able to enjoy walking up and down the coast to explore Barcelona’s wonderful beaches and food. It’s a great way to roll fun activities and team-building events into your conference.

4. MACBA

The MACBA is found right at the heart of Barcelona’s city center. Washed with natural light throughout the day, it is a unique and trendy space that could be a perfect option for a company looking to break the mold and pick a unique space.

The nine rooms available within the facility are stunning, offering completely different moods and looks. The Atrium is the sleek and modern dining area, while there are also large meeting rooms and an auditorium available to guests. The auditorium is capable of holding 200 people, so you will be well catered for.

Smaller rooms also mean that breakout sessions and satellite conferences are a possibility, helping you to easily and effectively plan your various meetings and events.

5. Eurostars Grand Marina

This stunning facility has a beautiful minimalist design and benefits from superior views onto the ocean. The location of Eurostars Grand Marina on Barcelona’s Port Vell will give your attendees a literal and metaphorical breath of fresh air while they enjoy your conference.

There is a range of meeting rooms and dining spaces available, each of which can be configured to fit with your specific needs. The team are very accommodating and will be happy to discuss your needs and fulfil them.

The location is once again very central, found just on the port. This gives your attendees privileged access to the rest of Barcelona and an easy way to get back to base! There are rooms available in this 5* hotel, should you be hoping to secure on-site accommodation.

6. Barceló Sants

If you are looking for a hyper-modern location, Barceló Sants could be it. The hotel is, in fact, found just above the Sants Central Train Station, ensuring that your attendees have easy passage to and from the airport. The guests can also enjoy quick access to the city center, or enjoy the variety of bars and restaurants in the local area.

There are huge spaces available, each of the four offering a comfortable and flexible space that will be sure to fulfil your needs. The aesthetics are incredible throughout the hotel, which pays homage to the classic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. In addition to rooms and gourmet dining, there is also a gym available for your health-conscious attendees!

The moment you decide to investigate Barcelona as a potential host city, you will immediately begin to discover why so many companies choose to host their conference here.

We hope that this post has helped to give you some inspiration. While you have your attendees in Barcelona, it’s a great opportunity to offer some incentives and team-building experiences. If you’re looking for inspiration in that department, be sure to check out our deep dive into activities in Barcelona.

Featured image: World Trade Center Port Vell Room

Der Beitrag The Best Conference Spaces in Barcelona for Your Event erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

If you’re looking to plan a team building event in Barcelona, you’ve chosen the right place. Barcelona is a wonderful city that can act as the perfect backdrop for your team to socialize and bond with one another.

There are so many reasons that Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It has fantastic beaches, an intriguing history, and all of the excitement and vitality that a big city offers.

With so much to do and see, it can seem a little overwhelming when you begin to plan your team building event. We are proud residents of Barcelona and we love our city. To help you get the most from your business trip to Barcelona, here’s a breakdown of how to plan a team building event in Barcelona.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Team building events are super fun. They represent a great chance for your team to bond and share new experiences in a unique setting. The positive vibes extend into the future and if you’re looking to boost morale, it’s an amazing technique.

But are there some specific goals you’re looking to achieve? Perhaps you have noticed a lack of cooperation between departments in your business and you’re looking to improve that area. Maybe you’re looking to reward your employees after a year of hard work.

Identifying your goals will help you to plan your team building event in a cohesive way.

If your goal is to welcome new team members after rapid expansion, for example, you’ll want to choose group activities that give your team the chance to socialize. This could mean booking a session in one of Barcelona’s many escape rooms or booking out a private function room.

Step 2: Begin to Consider Activities

Now that you have an idea of what goals you’re hoping to achieve, think about which activities you might use to achieve them.

Here are some examples to give you some inspiration! (You can always check our blog for the latest news and activities too.)

Energizing a Large Team

Our imaginary business from the UK has noticed that energy levels are low in the office. The team of 20 has been hard at work for a long time and there hasn’t been a good time to host a team building event. A window of opportunity has opened, and the business wants to use an exhilarating trip to Barcelona to help the team bond and celebrate while recharging their batteries for the year ahead.

The potential activities to galvanize this group might include:

• A cava making workshop where the group can learn new skills while blending a fun social activity into the mix.
• A Segway tour to give the team an energetic way to see lots of one of Europe’s most beautiful places.
• A delicious dinner that rewards employees while also helping them to bond and energize themselves in a casual setting.

Boosting Cooperation

This time our company has noticed that the sales and marketing departments are finding it difficult to cooperate. A new CMS has led to some friction and the teams have had minimal contact in the past. A team building event in Barcelona could help them to become more familiar and help with the new project. Our client might want to look at these activities:

• A game of bubble football that energizes the team and leads to a lot of laughs and unforgettable memories.
• A treasure hunt where the team can get active and move around the city, finding new experiences together.
• An escape room event where the team can unite and conquer a common goal.

Step 3: Do Your Research and Book

With a good idea of which events you would like to book, it’s time to do your research and start booking! You’ll find that there are many agencies online offering these types of activities, but many of them don’t run the activities themselves – they simply act as an acquisition channel for the operator in Barcelona.

This is why you might want to consider booking directly with the providers that you find. You should also be sure to leverage the size of your group to try and achieve the best prices possible. Be sure to find a provider that can collaborate with you to help you achieve the specific goals that you have in mind.

Step 4: Understand Barcelona

Of course, you will also want to know about Barcelona! Be sure to do your research into how to keep your team safe and secure. You’ll find that Barcelona is a diverse and energetic place with lots to do and see. If your team is prepared properly, you’ll ensure that the team building event is one to remember and that everyone has a blast.

We hope that this overview of how to plan a team building event in Barcelona has been useful for you. If you have any questions or concerns, then be sure to get in touch with us – we have lots of local knowledge and it would be our pleasure to help!

Our Segway tours are enjoyed by countless groups each year and the fun can really bring teams together and give them shared, unique memories.

Der Beitrag How to Plan a Team Building Event in Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Barcelona has cemented itself as an ideal location for conventions, congresses, and business meetings. A large and cosmopolitan city, it is capable of comfortably hosting the millions of business travelers who pass through each year. It’s also a picturesque city that offers a range of options to unwind.

Are you looking for business travel accommodation in Barcelona?

Hundreds of accommodation options have emerged over the years to house people like you. The number of options can make it difficult to choose, but we are here to help. Here’s an overview of where to stay in Barcelona during your business trip.

Hotels with Meeting Rooms in Barcelona to stay during your business trip

Last year, the Mobile World Congress alone brought over 107,000 visitors to the city!

The majority of these visitors will have stayed in Barcelona’s largest hotels. These hotels have a wide selection of rooms as well as the meeting facilities that you might need to host an ad hoc meeting while your colleagues and prospects are in town.

1. Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel

Where is it? Plaça Europa, 50-52, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08902 Barcelona
www.marriott.com

This hotel from Marriott has 357 rooms and suites, as well as eleven meeting rooms and breakout spaces. These spaces are very well lit and give you the chance to invite partners and prospects to an attractive and well-equipped meeting room. This hotel is located closer to the airport, giving you easy access to and from your flight.

2. NH Collection Barcelona Constanza

Where is it? Carrer Deu i Mata, 69-99, 08029 Barcelona
www.nh-collection.com

This hotel was built recently, and it’s found on the Avenida Diagonal/Numancia axis – the heart of Barcelona’s financial and business district. There are 308 nice rooms spread across six floors. There are also a range of business halls which can accommodate for up to 900 guests. This makes it a great option for team trips.

3. Crowne Plaza Barcelona – Fira Center

Where is it? Avinguda de Rius i Taulet, 1-3, 08004 Barcelona
www.crowneplazabarcelona.com

This offering from IHG has 276 guest rooms as well as a range of facilities for business travelers. Eighteen meeting rooms bring together over 25,000 square feet of space, meaning that you have all the facilities you might need. The location is very close to key convention centers and puts Barcelona at your feet.

Premium Hotels in Barcelona to stay during your business trip

If you’re looking to blend business and pleasure or impress a prospect, you may want to look into Barcelona’s premium options. These 5* hotels certainly make a statement, but their premium service comes at higher prices.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most premium hotels in Barcelona.

4. Grand Hotel Central Barcelona

Where is it? Via Laietana, 30, 08003 Barcelona
www.grandhotelcentral.com

This 5* hotel is found on Via Laietana, giving you quick connections to the rest of the city. With 147 avant-garde rooms on offer in a cool ambiance, this is an option that takes aesthetics seriously. The premium service and facilities bring premium prices, but this is undoubtedly one of Barcelona’s top-rated hotels.

5. Le Méridien Barcelona

Where is it? La Rambla 111, Pintor Fortuny, 4-6, 08001 Barcelona
www.marriott.com

Found on Las Ramblas, this Marriott hotel is right in the middle of the action. If you have meeting based in the center of the city, then this is the luxury option that you might consider. With a contemporary design, the rooms are comfortable and give you a great base from which to launch your business activities.

6. Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

Where is it? Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40, 08007 BARCELONA
www.mandarinoriental.com

This is one of the most exclusive hotels in Barcelona with only 98 rooms and suites. Those rooms are designed by Spain’s foremost interior design professionals and many of them enjoy views out onto the Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s most stylish boulevards.

Alternative Accommodation in Barcelona for your business trip

Aside from hotels, there is a range of cheaper options you can choose. Business travel has been transformed in recent years to maintain pace with cheaper flights.

7. Airbnb

Despite a reduction in the number of Airbnb apartments last year, there is still a lot of legal and viable options on the website. If you are traveling solo and don’t need any business facilities you can’t find in an apartment, this could be a cheaper and cozier option.

8. Lastminute.com

Not too fussy about where you stay and looking to save cash for your business? You can find some incredible option on here, as well as Top Secret Hotels. These hotels only provide you with a general description of the facilities, and you find the name of the hotel after booking. The benefit is that you will find amazing prices on some really nice options.

We hope that this closer look at hotels in Barcelona has been useful for you. We’re sure that your business trip to Barcelona will be productive, and we really hope you get the opportunity to visit some key sights while you’re here!

If you’re interested in preparing more, knowing how to get around Barcelona can help you enjoy your business trip as much as possible.

Featured image: Le Meridien, Barcelona

Der Beitrag Where to Stay in Barcelona During Your Business Trip erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Incentive travel is a tool to stimulate employees with an activity designed and planned to motivate and to reward people who have achieved certain goals in the company. Its purpose is to strengthen the team and create a special atmosphere to help increase its performance and that of the company.

Choosing the right incentive trips can determine your success. At present, three of the main factors that influence the choice of these incentive trips are security, digitization, and content.

In this sense, the programs that will be most successful in the coming years will be programs focused on content, which use a lot of stories and immersion in the local culture to create a personalized additional value to the significant experience of the participants.

On the other hand, safety is fundamental and has become the most relevant factor in the choice of activities. Last but not least, digitization is finding its way into the #MICE business (Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).

There are more and more startups who, already established in individual leisure trips, focus on the provision of intermediation services for the MICE sector, such as the opening of the market for private properties similar to Airbnb. Basics of technology, such as connectivity, are becoming a basic requirement for attendees and participants, who are increasingly using mobile applications.

Knowing the trends of this sector for the next few years you are sure to ask yourself: What are the benefits of incentive travel?

Should I devote a portion of the budget to this type of activities for my team?
Is there really an added value to improve the work environment and increase long-term income? We believe so.

Attract talent

As a company, it is important that you do not let the talent of your team escape and therefore it is imperative to remember each team member. Incentive travel has proven to be effective in many businesses and the truth is that Americans are one step ahead in developing and implementing staff retention strategies through perks, incentives and all kinds of employee benefits.

According to a report prepared by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Travelport, Asian countries lead the list of countries that grow the most in this specific sector of business travel. Growing countries like China continue to grow steadily on business travel.

The United States is a leader in “spending” for business travel (including incentive travel) followed by China, the UK, and Germany.

Motivation

Incentive travel is a motivational tool, something different that helps employees on their way to success, and the success of the company. An incentive trip has that certain advantage of impacting the employee, that special attraction, that detail that makes the experience a unique motivation for the team.

If an incentive travel program is well planned it has the ability to inspire and encourage each of the participants. It is important that incentive travel is unique, attractive and creative. Companies have to make every effort to find these activities, events or destinations that offer new experiences and the different essence that we seek to achieve our goal.

From PenguinEvents, experts in events for 30 years in the UK, tell us that monetary retribution is not usually a good incentive, but that a single trip is never forgotten, rightfully so.

Unique Experiences

According IncentiveMag, a blog dedicated to incentive travel, it is very valuable to incorporate experiences that can connect with a specific destination or location, so that you create exclusive experiences, such as “hear a Lion’s roar during a Safari In South Africa “,” enjoy an afternoon getting to know Maori culture in New Zealand “or” tour the Monaco Grand Prix circuit “- Wow! These are experiences that would create a connection and unique memories among the people who enjoy them … But perhaps we can think of some ideas something closer to our market, that fits better to the budget of small and big companies, within the European context.

For your next incentive trip to Madrid or Barcelona, you could include a Gastronomic Segway Tour as a special experience and go on a whole tourist route through the city. Many of the participants have never used a Segway and the Tour includes an introduction to the Segway, a guide and local culinary specialties.

Iceland, Croatia, Singapore, Mexico, and Canada are among the top destinations, according to C&IT’s Incentive Travel Report. At the European level, Iceland, Italy, and Spain are the top destinations chosen for incentive trips, followed by Croatia and Monaco. For security reasons, interest in travel to Morocco and Turkey has decreased.

Are you interested? Do you want to download the Travel Incentive Report from C&IT for 2017? Click the link here.

Learning

“It is about finding experiences and not amenities”. Groups tend to be attracted to programs that span learning and unique experiences.

There is a growing demand for incentive travel based on experiences and learning in the United States. Companies are increasingly looking for these unique and special experiences that truly allow a total immersion of the participant and that encourage learning. We believe that in Europe we will follow this trend and companies will have to work harder to attract and retain talent. It is expected that “The business travel sector will grow 3.7% per year until 2027“.

Happiness

The goal must be for the employees to be the ambassadors of your company. A happy employee is much more productive, shares more hours with happier colleagues and helps to foster the good atmosphere between your teams. Incentive travel will enhance collaboration between teams and exclusive experiences will be shared in the office if they have been successful.

There are many theories about how incentive trips impact employee happiness and what the tangible and intangible effects are. The benefit of the company is no longer the only objective in this type of business activities.

Have you been interested in the article? Want to know more about incentive travel? We recommend these books so you can know the topic in more depth:

Incentive travel from Gugg Friedrich

Happiness Economics and Incentive Travel from Thilo Ketschau

Der Beitrag Why incentive travel is an important part of a successful company erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.