Incentive - January 2008 - (Page 56)

BARCELONA TRAVEL Ramble in Barcelona Art, architecture, sport and nightlife come together in this Mediterranean metropolis By Leo Jakobson here may be a city better than Barcelona for strolling along sunny boulevards, dropping into lively bars for a couple of tapas and a glass of sangria, and generally just enjoying where the day takes you, but I haven’t found it. It’s a city whose sandy Mediterranean beaches haven’t overpowered the culture of the city, defined by artists like Picasso and Miró, as well as its embrace of turn-of-the-century modernista architects like the utterly unique Antoni Gaudí. Yet it is unafraid of change, having used the 1992 Olympic games to reimagine and rebuild the entire waterfront area. It has a population that keeps the city’s streets lively all day, with restaurants that don’t open until 9 pm, and then spends three hours dining with friends before going out dancing into the morning. Which it is why it is strange that Barcelona isn’t among the first cities that planners consider when looking for an incentive trip in Europe. It has many toplevel hotels, an unlimited number of amazing venues, DMCs and a CVB (Barcelona Turisme) that know the incentive business well—the city is host to EIBTM: The Global Meetings & Incentives Exhibition, after all. First of all, Barcelona is a great walking city, designed around public spaces ranging from Las Ramblas, which Somerset Maugham called the most beautiful street in the world, to the many public parks, including Gaudí’s famous Parc Güell and Montjuïc, a hilltop overlooking the city T A view of Barcelona’s skyline (above); the famous roof of architect Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Battló (right) that is home to several of Barcelona’s (and Spain’s) finest museums, many gardens, the 1992 Olympic stadium (open to incentive groups) and swimming venues. The city fathers took advantage of the Olympic games to undertake a massive renewal of the long-run-down waterfront, creating a huge new port neighborhood that is now home to some of the best seafood restaurants and nightlife in the city, as well as plenty of Mediterranean watersports. This neighborhood is also one end of the cable car that runs across the waterfront to Montjuïc—a must-do trip that offers some of the best views of the city. Futbol (soccer) fans will want to see FC Barcelona—home of legends present (Ronaldinho) and past (Ronaldo and Maradona)—or at least their mueseum. Good golf is available at courses like Club de Golf Vallromanes, and the spa scene is growing in stand-alone spas and those in top-level hotels like the Gran Hotel La Florida on Mt. Tibidabo overlooking the city, and Ritz-Carlton’s Hotel Arts. For sheer location, Le Meridien Barcelona on Las Ramblas is hard to beat. Hotel Casa Fuster is in a landmark modernista building not far from Gaudí’s masterpieces. The Rey Juan Carlos I and Hotel Claris are among the most storied and luxurious in the city. The Hilton Diagonal Mar, a short walk from the beach, is another good bet with an amazing presidential suite. Its restaurant, Indigo, offers great food and amazing views of the city. Art and Architecture An incentive group in Barcelona should be offered plenty of free time or a wide list of arranged activities, but there are a couple of other must-do activities for planners to set up. First among these, in my opinion, is a private, guided tour of the Sagrada Família, the utterly unique cathedral designed by Gaudí, the uncontested master Photos: Leo Jakobson 56 | Incentive | January 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com

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Incentive - January 2008 Contents Editor’s Note: Out of SITE In The News Cover Story: Include a Meeting, Improve Morale Case Study: DHL Delivers Recognition Incentive Primer: How To Use Promo Products How Bob Nardelli Rallied Chrysler’s Dealers Incentive Interview: Ken Blanchard Says Be Nice TV’s Extreme Makeover Motivates Giving Pre-Employment Motivation The Daycare Dilemma Happy Employees Shouldn’t Mix with Sick Employees Incentive Research: Consumer Promotions Report In Her Shoes: Winning Approval Of Flextime Travel News Field Report: Barcelona Field Report: Bermuda Golf: Follow The Pros potentials Here and Now Watches As Jewelry Awards: Online Gift Cards Tech Gadgets for 2008 Last Word: Stanley Bing Bashes Bully Bosses

Incentive - January 2008

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