Incentives - when you need more than a carrot!

Recognition and reward are becoming increasingly important where employees are concerned and this is especially evident during hard times.

Incentives can be almost self funding as they are often based around winning business so the new revenue pays for the trip.

We have found that incentive trips work best when they provide employees with the opportunity to visit a destination they would probably never see and experience activities which they would never think of doing!

As with any type of expenditure, return on investment is really important. By creating an amazing incentive, your business can also achieve the following:-

Increase Productivity

When employees are motivated they will be more willing to work harder providing a much more stable environment for everyone.
Take a snowmobile ride to an igloo for the night in Finland.

Click here for more details.

Reduce Absenteeism

It is much easier to keep costs of absenteeism at an acceptable level when employees know that they are valued and appreciated.
Visit the Uk’s south coast for a day on Zap Cats and Power Boats.

Click here for more details.

Reward Improved Performance Levels

Recognising when those around you have worked hard encourages others to do the same. What better reward can you offer than taking them somewhere both unusual and memorable so that you ensure increased performance in the future.
Experience white water rafting down one of the best rivers in the Catalan Pyrenees.

Click here for more details.

Attract the Best Employees

Word gets around when you look after those you work for you. It’s a fact that good working conditions and a happy environment are important factors when deciding on employment.
Take it easy on an amazing mountain bike descent with a wine tasting and ice cream in Tuscany.

Click here for more details.

Increase Staff Retention

The cost of replacing employees is becoming more and more expensive. Why not reduce staff turnover by looking after and retaining the people you already have, saving time, effort and money that can be used elsewhere?
Go on a 4x4 safari then sleep out in tents under the stars in Morocco.

Click here for more details.

Shhhh – don’t tell a soul about Slovenia

It is very rare that when I return from a trip I don’t want to shout it from the mountains but when I first visited this place – I did question whether I should tell anyone at all – or just keep it as a secret!

I have decided to share this little gem of a trip with you – but be careful who you tell!



What makes Slovenia so special?

Not many people know much about it which adds a little mystery to any trip
The mountains still remain unspoilt with jaw-dropping scenery
The people are welcoming and extremely helpful
Even during peak season, the area is not that busy
There are some amazing activities to experience

What about the activities ?




Kayaying – a great introduction although I did seem to be able to paddle backwards much more easily than forwards!
Hydrospeeding – definitely my favourite but you do need to be very comfortable in fast flowing water.
Canyoning – a brilliant activity in fantastic surroundings
White Water Rafting – always enjoy this one – fun mixed with some tricky rapids.





The great guides give you all the confidence you need whatever your activity choice and they are there to help you if you are unsure and give lots of encouragement when necessary.

Yes, yes, I here you say – there are lots of places like this – and you would be right. But what makes this trip really special is the combination of fantastic activities in an unspoilt location with the most beautiful place to stay.



No it isn’t 5 star, nor does it have a Michelin star but it doesn’t need either - this place rocks – you feel it when you walk through the door! A genuine Slovenian welcome puts you at ease and when you open the door to your bedroom and see the stylish yet traditional décor, you just know that you have come to the right place.



You walk down the stairs into the dining room where you can feast on the fantastic food and wine which has been lovingly created using local produce and a passion for gastronomy.

It is very rare these days that the owners are so knowledgable about the food and wine they serve – the 7 course taster menu with accompanying wines was an absolute joy to experience!

Each course was better than the one before – the unique combinations were unusual but not off putting and the quality of the ingredients shone through. The textures and tastes were a pleasure to try and so beautifully served that it was almost a sin to destroy each creation placed before you – not that it stopped me!




I would say the evening meal was more of a performance than a dinner and I was entertained from curtain up to the finale.

I returned from this exhilarating trip feeling relaxed and rejuvenated - it really is a magical retreat which I can’t wait to repeat!




Click here for more information

Been there, done that and got the paperwork!

When you work in travel, you do get to travel – which is great!




It is a fact that conveying all the benefits of a destination to a client is much easier once you have actually been and seen it for yourself. It is also much easier to work with people you have met and because we use local representatives and guides, we need to know that our clients are in the safest of hands.

You can do so much using the internet these days but there is still no substitute for eating sleeping and breathing a place. Knowing how you felt when you visited it for the first time, the ambiance of a hotel, the best thing on a restaurant menu and the local customs can’t be conveyed on a website - they have to be experienced.

So imagine how important this is when you start to talk about activities and guides. When we visit a place we aren’t just looking at the hotel facilities and what the destination has to offer, we meet the guides and we try out the activities. We learn how it feels to jump into a canyon or ride the rapids in a raft even jump out of an aircraft – with a parachute of course!

We establish the maximum numbers who can take part in an activity, the ratio of guides to group, location and duration options, transport, safety procedures to name but a few - there is a lot of paperwork!



Then and only then do we feel we are in a position to advise on what is going to best for you and your group.

Click here for more information

Finnish Lapland – The Best Winter Playground

As winter is coming to an end in many of the destinations we offer, April is often a time of year when we get the chance to visit our contacts to plan for next season. Luckily for me, this year was no different as I commenced a whistle stop tour of the area. I could go on about all the places I saw but I wanted to concentrate on one destination for this blog - Harriniva.

When you arrive at this location you feel you are in the very heart of Lapland – which of course you are but it is only an hour from the airport. What I love about Harriniva is that it delivers everything you would want from a winter wonderland experience and it's all in one place.

Fantastic Dog Sledding and Snowmobiling in a wilderness location.
Wonderful Venues for Meetings and Dinners
A selection of accommodation from wilderness cabins to igloos
Spa facilities
Great Finnish Traditions

Imagine arriving in a snowy location where you have dinner in a traditional wooden kota and then you are met by the sharman who provides you with a traditional Finnish welcome followed by a meal cooked on an open fire in the middle of the kota – it is the perfect beginning to any trip.


The spa facilities again embrace everything Finnish – where else can you have a reindeer milk facial and sauna then run outside where a hot tub overlooking the frozen river awaits you – and hopefully a glimpse of the Northern Lights!



By now I was itching to get out on a snowmobile – so in the morning I went to the safari house to get my equipment and after the safety brief – it was time to go! Within minutes we were on our way through the remote landscape where the scenery was stunning and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! We travelled over frozen lakes (yes they still have a covering of a metre of ice in some places!) and through snowy forests on our trusty snowmobiles.

The outdoor air certainly increases the appetite and it isn’t long before we stop for lunch. There is nothing better than having a cooked meal over an open fire on a frozen lake under endless blue sky – jealous? – you should be! The food here is simple but created with quality ingredients which are locally produced – sauted salmon fillets in flat bread topped with a generous dollop of cream cheese and fresh herbs.




So what better way to end the day than try out the igloo accommodation – it really is lovely – simple and traditional. You enter into the big igloo where there is a central area then there are little archways with reindeer skins for curtains leading to the seven rooms. Don’t worry as they always keep a rooms for you in the hotel in case you don’t like it!


Another option for those who would like to experience another type of accommodation is to stay in a wilderness cabin overlooking the frozen lake. These vary in capacity from 8 to 35! Yes they have a cabin that sleeps 35 people. It has it’s own wooden kota for meals and 2 saunas in smaller cabins by the lake – it offers a real taste of the outdoors and the beauty and silence of this remote location speak volumes.


I left this wonderful family run hotel feeling that I had achieved everything I wanted from a trip to Finland – I learned of their culture and traditions, sampled some of the best local produce, experienced fantastic activities and slept in unique accommodation. The people who looked after us were amazing – being a guide in this area is certainly a lifestyle choice – but what a lifestyle! I feel privilged to have experienced it – even though it was for a short time.

For more information on trips to this destination, please click here.

Face to Face at G20

I am sure when you think of G20, it’s a bit like marmite at the moment – you either love it or hate it! Yes, there is no grey area here – you can either see the value of the Summit or regard it as a waste of time.

For me, it doesn’t matter what they are going to discuss – the fact is that all those people from all those countries can still see the value in setting time aside to make the journey for themselves and their entourage (some larger than others!) in order to meet up in one destination to discuss important topics face to face.

The face to face part is vital and they aren’t just flying in for a day – they are setting several days for this event. Today, with all the technology we have at our fingertips, there is still no substitute for meetings in person and here are some reasons why:-

You can discuss more and get immediate feedback in the form of verbal and the equally important non verbal communication.

You can enhance business relationships by spending more time talking and listening to people.

People like to deal with people so when you are face to face you can convey your own personality, character and knowledge more easily.

When you give people more time together they can emerge from a meeting with a lot more ideas and solutions.

The G20 Summit has received much press over the last few days but there are meetings happening all over the country, all the time and we need to continue to value face to face inter-action as the best marketing tool at our disposal!

And always remember that meetings, no matter how important, don’t always have to be somewhere like this

They can be somewhere like this!

Click here for more information

Off Road and On Track for a Fantastic Driving Experience

I wish there was a better term to describe myself other than petrol head but sadly there isn’t – so imagine my excitement when I was invited to take part in a track day at Silverstone!

The Winter Challenge was a combination of various driving disciplines commencing with extreme 4x4, then a spin around the race track in a Lotus Exige, followed by off road rallying in a Ford, then taking a Peugeot 206 rally car around the race track and we even had time for a skid session and a pit stop challenge!

The 4x4 activity was really good as although I have driven 4x4 s off road I had never seen them put through their paces in quite the same way and to be at the wheel whilst it is all happening is great – Colin my instructor was calm, informative and put me at ease straight away as I really didn’t want to end up overturning the vehicle in 4 foot of water and having to swim for it!


Next was the Lotus Exige – wow what a machine! I loved it but unluckily for our team it started to rain and so we did have to be very careful not to loose control of such a light and high powered vehicle – Tim my instructor again was fantastic – he was calm and gave instruction the whole time which increased my confidence and trust in what the vehicle was actually capable of!



Lunch followed which included a “to die for” chocolate cake – just what you need before getting into the off road rally ford! This was a complete contrast to the Exige – different handling and different way of controlling the vehicle or not as the case may be – but again my instructor was great – giving lots of positive feedback and great instruction as we spladooshed into deep puddles and perfected (well tried to!) handbrake turns in the mud – loved it!



Now it was time for some tarmac rallying in a Peugeot 206! When someone says to you “drive it like to stole it!” – you know you are going to have some fun and this little car delivered all that and more! At the risk of repeating myself again the instructors made this activity as they really pushed you to push the car and you begin to realize how addictive this kind of experience can be.

I left the event with a big smile on my face which lasted for the 4 hour journey home! I had really enjoyed my day and met some great people - fellow team members, all the instructors and our team leader Gill!

I love driving but you don’t have to be a great driver to enjoy a great driving day – the instructors tailor make the activity based on your own personal ability so everyone feels they have learned something new.

It is very rewarding to take part in an event where you actually learn while having so much fun. The instructors are so laid back and calm it's unbelievable, but make no mistake they have oodles of racing experience and are weighing you up from the minute they meet you to make sure that you get the most from the day in a safe and fun way.

They make sure you leave always wanting one more go so you will definitely be back for more… and more….and more!

Click here for more information

What have I let myself in for?

If you have ever decided to do something that is challenging and difficult but if completed it will prove very rewarding - then you know exactly how I am feeling right at this moment!

Some time ago the subject of The Great North Run and raising money for charity was discussed in the office – and you think to yourself – yes I would like to do that – do my bit to raise money for charity while setting myself a target. So you go on line and register then you forget all about it until you receive an email to say that you have been accepted to take part – and you think …. What have I done?

The laid back thoughts of I have plenty of time to train – I will be fine change to the mild panic of what if I can’t do this, what if I fail and can’t raise any money, what if I let others down.





These are exactly the thoughts some people feel when they are thrown into an activity trip. They really want to do it and are excited at the prospect of challenging themselves to do something new and different but at the same time they are nervous and it is natural, completely natural. To be honest I would be more worried if people weren’t a little apprehensive!

However, once anyone has been and experienced the new activities and challenges they are on such a high and often can’t believe what they have achieved as it is rarely as daunting as they initially believe.




Taking the plunge is ultimately a good thing and I am hoping that this will be the same for my latest challenge - I will keep you posted on my progress.