TRAVEL SPECIAL.............. IF ON BUSINESS TRIP WORK ‘N ’PLAY

IF ON BUSINESS TRIP WORK ‘N ’PLAY 

Fill your post-business hours with generous doses of local exploration and fun

A business meeting overseas seems all the more desirable if you can extend your trip by two to three days and explore the highlights of the destination you are in and its nearby attractions. You can turn your work trip into a little vacation by setting out to see the best of each place, on your own or with new-found friends here.
    Switzerland is known for its natural beauty, scenic scapes and a prevalent romantic vibe. If you can, have your loved ones fly over to enjoy some time with you after your official business days come to an end. The other alternative is to rejuvenate yourself and head to the Alps for some time out in the snow. Learn to ski and pick some basic tricks on how to maneuver through the icy sheets in style and impress people back home with pictures of you indulging in skiing and sledging.
    Frankfurt, Germany has a large number of visitors who fly down primarily for work-related purposes. If you happen to be one among them, then know that Frankfurt also has a side to it that is all about history. With a little planning, you can enjoy a picnic in Black Forest and have apple cider at a tavern in Sachsenhausen, both of which are at a convenient distance from Frankfurt.
    Looking closer home, Yangon, Myanmar is also increasingly gaining a reputation as a business hub, with people from all over the world coming here to settle business deals. Yangon has a distinct, spiritual vibe and it is difficult not to be influenced by it, in a positive way. Visit the pagodas here and feel the blessings shower upon you.

GENEVA
EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO: Zermatt and Chamonix
    Geneva has a 2,000 year old history and a fascinating one at that. Once you wind up for the day, visit the Old Town here. Take a walk down its quietly unassuming streets and narrow alleyways and check out the Place du Bourg-de-Four which lies in the very heart of the Old Town. Interestingly, this location has been a thriving commercial centre since Roman times! Like most prominent squares in different parts of Europe, you can stop by at the Old Town square and enjoy the ambience as you admire the 16th century buildings around. Settle down in one of the cafes that line the streets here with a piping hot cup of coffee as you do so. The best way to learn about Geneva’s past is to visit its many museums and art galleries. The Art & History Museum, for instance, covers the whole of western culture, from its origins to the present day. A trip to Geneva will be even more fruitful if you extend it for a couple of days and head to the mountains, like the locals do, especially during the holiday season. Visit Zermatt and Chamonix to take a mini-vacation, European style.
    ZERMATT: Check into a ski resort in the Alps and get set for some action in the snow. Zermatt boasts of some of the classiest ski resorts in the world so you can expect to be pampered during your stay. Beginners can also avail of lessons or a crash course in skiing and try their luck alongside experienced skiers who come here from all over the world to romance the Alps. You can even ski Zermatt during the summer months on the glacier.
    CHAMONIX: Situated in France, Chamonix is the perfect place to have some fun in pristine white surroundings. The Vallee Blanche is where you should go to experience an off piste (snow that has not been compacted into tracks) run. Take a ride in the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which leaves from the centre of Chamonix and takes guests to a height of more than 3,840m, giving you a spectacular view of the Alps.

YANGON
EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO: Bagan and Inle Lake
    Yangon, Myanmar has a lot of attractions that can be covered in the course of a half or full day city sightseeing trip. The tour will include a visit to most of the pagodas, Kandawgyi Park, Bogyoke Aung San Museum, National Museum, National Zoo and many more. One attraction that will take your breath away is definitely the Golden Rock or Kyaikto. The gravity defying rock looks like it is in danger of rolling downhill but it is this aspect of the rock that makes it a top pilgrimage site.
    POST YANGON: Myanmar, also known as Burma is a cultural delight. Once you get done with your sight-seeing in Yangon, you could take a short flight to Bagan, an ancient city located in the Mandalay region and spend at least two days here. Next on the agenda could be a trip to Inle Lake. Take a boat tour and see people live in houses built on stilts in its midst. The boat tour will also give you an opportunity to visit various cottage industries and interact with the locals, before you head back to Yangon for your departure flight.

FRANKFURT
EXTEND YOUR TRIP TO: Cologne and Black Forest
    Frankfurt, Germany is not your typical tourist town where all you have to do is hop onto a bus and see tourist spots one, two and three. The fun of exploring Frankfurt and its nearby destinations is that you have to truly experience it. This is the heart of where a big page of history unfolded and the stories behind the monuments will eventually transport you to a different time zone.
    Take a sip: Grab a spot in a cider tavern in Sachsenhausen and have one of Frankfurt’s famous drinks — an alcoholic apple cider. You will find multiple taverns on the cobblestone streets here serving the beverage, locally known as ‘Apfelwein’ or ‘Ebbelwoi’.
    Zeil shopping street: If it’s your first time to Frankfurt, you cannot miss checking out the ever enthusiastic pedestrian zone ‘Zeil’ which is where most locals and tourists come to shop. There’s something for everyone here; luxury boutiques to departmental stores to an international shopping center. Shopaholics beware — if you want to indulge in some serious shopping, keep aside at least half a day for Zeil Street alone.
    History calls: History buffs can take a trip to see Goethe’s House, (German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe). The house was destroyed during World War II but a restored version now stands in its place. The present house looks quite similar to the original, with furniture and ambience such that it gives an insight into life in the 18th century.
    COLOGNE: It’s barely an hour by train from Frankfurt and definitely worth a visit. You could plan a day trip here or even stay overnight. Take a ride in the Cologne cable car from where you can witness amazing panoramic views of Cologne city. Don’t forget to carry your camera along to capture the stunning sights. Another must-visit is the Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom. The structure is widely considered as an architectural masterpiece and all it takes is one look at the enormous pair of rising towers to know why. A World Cultural Heritage Site, the cathedral receives over six million visitors each year.
    BLACK FOREST: Are you imagining a forest that is covered with cream frosting and chocolate shavings? Given the popularity of the black forest dessert, we wouldn’t blame you. This forest, however, is a vibrant shade of green and gorgeous to look at. Take a walk in the Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof and be awed by the beauty of the 13th century old Heidelberg Castle as you pay it a visit.

Compiled by Sujata Reddy ETTR130718