TRAVEL SPECIAL............ Take a short break

 Take a short break 

International off-site meetings can spring a great chance to soak in the city’s culture ….If you visit Turkey, Russia , Japan…

    So, what do you find most exciting about a corporate meeting? Maybe, nothing. But what if it gets clubbed with an off-site option in a beautiful destination that you always wanted to visit. Incentive enough?
    Business and leisure meetings are new buzzwords in the corporate circles in India. And when made into an exciting two-in-one package, it serves to motivate the employee tremendously. The model followed is to move to the off-site with presentations and client meetings and then enjoy a weekender break. Employees are welcome to call in their friends and family to join them and soak in the city’s scapes.

TURKISH TEA, BOSPHORUS FUN AND MORE
    The beautiful city of Istanbul is so inviting that a trip here, even multiple times, can still remain a fabulous offer to accept. We strongly recommend the Bosphorus River Cruise. Most corporate groups book themselves for a team cruise outing where fresh catch is cooked for dinner right in an open kitchen onboard the boat. As music and dance maintain the tempo of the evening, the Bosphorus River comes alive with litup monuments passing by on the shoreline, giving a glimpse of Istanbul’s vibrant lifestyle. Later, don’t skip a visit to any roadside cafe, as here you will get a chance to sip on refreshing Turkish tea along with simit — a circular bread with sesame seeds. The tea and simit bread are common breakfast items in Turkey.
ROMANCING MOSCOW
    India and Russia go a long way into the past. Not only have the two countries maintained friendly ties, most Russian locals take pride in speaking about Bollywood films of actor Raj Kapoor and foot-tapping Indian music. The beautiful monuments here present many opportunities for photography.
LOVE HOTEL AND SUMO WRESTLING
    Romance has a new address in Tokyo. Slightly hushed but dotting the city’s scapes, Love Hotels are attractive places to extend some privacy for a couple. On the traditional front, sumo wrestlers’ way of life must be experienced. The hidden trekker in you can later head out to Mount Fuji over a weekend break. But do pray before the climb...

ISTANBUL
REGION: Turkey
    Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is divided in three by the north-south Bosphorus Strait (Istanbul Bogazi), the dividing line between Europe and Asia, the estuary of the Golden Horn (Haliç) bisecting the western part and the Sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi) forming a boundary to the south. Most sights are concentrated in the old city on the peninsula of Sultanahmet, to the west of the Bosphorus between the Horn and the Sea. Across the Horn to the north are Galata and Beyoglu. Taksim is the heart of modern Istanbul, while Kadiköy is the major district on the Anatolian side of the city. The Black Sea forms the northern boundary of Istanbul.
    ISTANBULKART: Buying an Istanbulkart is a good idea if you are in Istanbul for more than a day or two, and intend to use public transport. This is a plastic card that looks like a credit card. Used as a ticket on buses, trams, suburban trains, metro and even the cross-Bosphorus ferries, it’s truly very handy. The great part for groups of travellers is that you can buy only one card and scan it to the reader as many times as there are passengers.
    MUST-VISIT: Every tour operator will take you around Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), and Basilica Cistern, these are located around Sultanahmet Square. Some others are dispersed throughout the peninsula of old city, such as Church of St Savior in Chora (Kariye Müzesi), known for its intricate frescoes and mosaics. North of Taksim Square is New Istanbul where you must check out the Military Museum, where Ottoman military music concerts (Mehter) are held every afternoon. Of course, indulge in a hamam (turkish bath) that dot the city for some fun massages, too. The classic Bosphorus Cruise has amazing belly dancing sessions apart from yum food. Make sure, your tickets include the dinner charges for the entire group to ensure a hassle-free time.
    EXTENDED EXCURSIONS: In Antalya, Kaleici is the place you must go sightseeing. International luxury hotels stand along the coast above the Konyaalti and Lara beaches. Cappadocia is where you can go hot-air ballooning to see the scenic scapes. Troy is another historic locale, where a short visit can be planned. It is best known for being the setting of the Trojan War described in the Greek Epic Cycle.

MOSCOW
REGION: RUSSIA
    Red Square remains, as it has been for centuries, the heart and soul of Russia. From the 16th Century, St Basil’s Cathedral — one of the most famous pieces of architecture in the world — to the constructivist pyramid of Lenin’s Mausoleum, Red Square is rich in symbols of Russia’s turbulent and intriguing past.
    GO SHOPPING: Directly opposite the Lenin’s Mausoleum, on the eastern side of the Red Square, lies the building which houses Russia’s most popular shopping mall — the State Department Store, GUM.
    POSE WITH MININ AND POZHARSKY: This famous statue commemorates Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the butcher Kuzma Minin, the leaders of the militia that repelled the Polish invasion of 1612, at the height of the Time of Troubles. Designed by the architect I. Martos, it was erected in 1818 and became Russia's first monumental sculpture.
    MOSCOW WITH KIDS: A visit to Kremlin is a must. Take your kids to see the Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon at the Armory Museum. The tombs of the tsars in the Cathedral of the Archangel offer interesting insights into the past. The Patriarch’s Palace, with its Museum of 17th Century Life, is also worth a visit, especially with older children. Later, take them to Gorky Park, which is Moscow’s most famous funfair, and attracts big crowds in the summer months. For toddlers, there’s the well-equipped lunapark, with a number of simple but safe rides.
    EXTENDED EXCURSION TO ST PETERSBURG: The Historic Centre of St Petersburg and related groups of monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St Petersburg is also home to The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world.
    www.moscow.info 

TOKYO
REGION: Japan
    Offering everything from traditional culture and entertainment to the latest trends and technologies, Tokyo is an inspiring place to visit no matter how many times you’ve been here before.
    HAVE SOME FUN: Explore the Shinjuku Gyoen National Park,
which used to be an imperial domain and had been an agricultural experimental station at some point in the past. Experience a tea ceremony which has been brought to international attention as a form of composite art that includes Japanese aesthetic feeling and philosophy.
    SUMO WRESTLERS: Experience the tradition and the history of sumo wrestling, a Japanese national sport, at the Sumo Museum. You can also revisit the Edo period at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
    GET FASHIONABLE: Harajuku is a trendsetting town with styles that are casual to trendy. Explore the typical streets of Harajuku. After exploring this town which is full of energy, you can spend some quiet time at a shrine nearby where you can experience beautiful scenery, Japanese history and culture.
    SEE A LOVE HOTEL: Modern love hotels developed from tea rooms used mostly by lovers. In Tokyo, a popular love hotel is designed like a castle. Here, to ensure privacy to people, direct interaction is avoided.
    EXTENDED EXCURSIONS: Kyoto has beautiful shrines and temples of cultural significance since it served as Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868.
Mount Fuji: Mount Fuji is a worldfamous symbol of Japan. Conical in shape and a popular trek with many adventure enthusiasts, the sight from top is just breathtaking. At the foot is Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha shrine, worshipped by the early climbers before climbing up.
    www.gotokyo.org 

Compiled by Nimisha Tiwari