May 17, 2019
There can't be many more diverse landscapes, cultures, and climates in such a small geographic area as Western Europe. Borders are gastronomic, linguistic, geologic, and political. That is the marvellous aspect of Europe for a group MICE event. Not only is it diverse and unique, but many locations offer a wide range of experiences to meet the varied desires of the group. Outback Australia, it isn’t, and change is usually just around the corner.
Northern Italy offers the truly remarkable Dolomites, which give way to the historic waterways and squares of Venice. Málaga has a shimmering Mediterranean coast fringed on the northern side of the city by mountains. The rugged interiors of Mallorca and Tenerife are a world away from their sandy beaches and emerald coves of the coast.
Differences are also proximate where the landscape is extreme, as is the case in Zell am See—Kaprun, where the world ski and golf championships were held this month. Morning skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier was followed by golf in the valley around Kaprun, just a few kilometres away. A 2 km vertical difference allows the coexistence of 2 very dissimilar environments and lifestyles.
Cultural identity is also geographically rooted, with authentic Flamenco only found in the region around Sevilla in Spain. The Catalan region of northeast Spain offers a unique culture, with Castells (human towers) mesmerising onlookers as they soar skyward in elaborate ceremonies.
Gastronomic specialities specific to a town or region make for a delightful culinary journey. Ask a native of Naples where pizza (the world’s most pervasive dish) can justifiably be called a pizza, and they will point to the ground they are standing on. Käsespätzle can be found all over the Alps, but the true dish can only be made with cheese from the tiny Bregenzerwald valley in the far northwest of Austria.
Not only does Europe offer a great diversity of sights, sounds, and tastes, but crucially, these are often found in close proximity. So, if your group event is of any size, then the chances are that there are numerous unique, complimentary, and substitutable experiences across a range of stunning, diverse locations in Europe.