Two lesser known Summer European festivals

Postivus

Postivus

Riga, Latvia 14 and 15 July 2023

Positivus Festival overlooks the river at Lucavsala, in Latvia’s capital city Riga. It is a popular music and art festival and can be combined with a city break to discover examples of Art Nouveau, wooden architecture that has survived the centuries and Riga’s old town UNESCO world heritage site. www.positivusfestival.com/en 

Superbloom

Munich, Germany 3 and 4 September 2023 

Christian Hedel Winner of the ‘Best New Festival’ at the European Festival Awards, SUPERBLOOM is held in the historic Olympic Park in Munich with stages featuring local and international artists and eleven experience areas embracing art, fashion, science, sustainability, dance and acrobatics. www.superbloom.de/en 

*Source: Nikki McNeill at nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk

Which car brand is tourists' top choice across the world?

Travelling along confusing roads in a brand new country can make driving abroad incredibly stressful, but is your favourite car the one that tourists are most likely to rely on?

DiscoverCars.com found exactly which brand of car tourists hire the most in almost each country across the world by reviewing rental data from 2014 to 2020.

The top car brand

Car Brand       Number of countries
Toyota            20
Volkswagen    20
Hyundai          10
Kia                  10
Renault             9

Speeding ahead at the top of the leaderboard are car brands Volkswagen and Toyota.

68% of people travelling to Lithuania are most likely to trust the German manufacturer to get them around on their holidays, with a fifth of all rentals being the VW Polo.

Norway (57% of rentals) and Latvia (51%) are the other two countries whose tourists choose the Volkswagen the most, with the VW Polo also being the most popular.

The three places whose tourists go for a Toyota most often are Colorado with 59% of people hiring the brand of car, and the Toyota Yaris made up 21% of these rentals.

Georgia (45%) in the USA and Thailand (52%) were the second most likely countries where tourists

The Toyota Corolla was most popular in Thailand (9%) and the Toyota Corolla Sedan was tourist’s top choice (30%).

Kia and Hyundai share second place with people travelling to Aruba, Bahrain and Curacao choosing a Kia.

84% of Aruba’s tourists chose the Kia; similarly, 83% of rentals in Bahrain were made up of Kias, and Curacao’s were 74%.

All three countries tourist’s favoured the Kia Picanto model too.

Hyundai’s popularity lies with tourists in Seychelles (74%), the Philippines (65%) and Panama (55%).

In Seychelles, the Hyundai i10 makes up 49% of all rentals, much like Panama, as 55% of tourists also favour this particular model.

However in the Philippines, the Hyundai Accent is most popular, as a huge 64% of tourists hiring a car were most likely to choose this model.

The car brand that is third most popular with tourists across the world, is the French manufacturer, Renault.

9 out of the 109 countries reviewed have Renault as the car brand most likely to be rented by international tourists!

Belarus (59%), Egypt (49%) and Guadeloupe (49%) were the top three countries whose tourists chose this car brand.

Tourists in Belarus and Egypt favour the Renault Logan the most as 56% of all rentals were made up of the car model in Belarus, and 39% in Egypt.

The Renault Twingo took centre stage in Guadeloupe, making up a third of rentals.

Aleksandrs Buraks from DiscoverCars.com said: “We wanted to see just how popular specific brands of vehicles are across the map, and we’re pleased to see such a variety!

“We like to think this data will perhaps encourage people to choose their rental car more confidently, and maybe branch out and try a new type of vehicle!”

Did your daily driver come up as one of the world’s favourite rental cars, or are you starting to rethink where your loyalty lies?

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Tags: #ground transportation, #Africa, #Asia, #Pacific, Australia, #NewZealand, #CentralAmerica, #SouthAmerica, #Europe, #MiddleEast, #statistics, #trends, #survey

Definitely Different

If one section of this newsletter would best answer the question, “Do you have something different?” then this grouping of ideas is going to take some beating. From getting involved with your hands to getting up in the air to taking in nature, this mix of activities takes a very different path from the norm.

There is the buzz of working with bees in Copenhagen – becoming a honey thief for the day, learning all about bees, how they work and why we all need them. And sampling different honey tastes from the different districts around the city.

Make sure there are no sticky hands for the glass class of Istanbul. Learn the story of glass and how to make glass as you play with colourful pieces and old craft techniques. Take the piece you made home, as you do with the Batik workshop of Malaysia – enjoy the expression of painting that is both art and craft.

Paint in a very different way in Riga – take cans to the streets of the graffiti workshop and spray away in a safe, relaxed environment (all before taking a street art tour to compare how you did with the pros). Or play it cool and really break the ice, with ice carving (available all year round). You can also get a graffiti lesson in Zurich.

Hands are needed to drink in the Blind Bar of Budapest – only the waiters can see anything, equipped with a special device. The rest of the crowd has to find their way around this truly unique experience – and ignore the dark. All the better to head to the light then afterwards, hopping into a balloon and floating in air.

The experience turns around in Vilnius by starting the day off in a spectacular morning balloon flight – which is allowed to fly over the city itself. On landing, you can take the really very unique experience of commanding a tank and driving it round the Tankodrome tank.

Whether gentle or adrenaline, whether with nature or with art and crafts, light or dark, there is a range of really unusual things to entertain.

These and so many other different ideas are just part of our #euromictags itineraries series.

• BUZZ What’s the buzz about - Copenhagen
• GLASS WORKSHOP: DISCOVER YOUR HAND SKILLS - Istanbul
• BATIK WORKSHOP - Malaysiamal
• GRAFFITI WORKSHOP & STREET ART - Riga
• GRAFFITI WORKSHOP ZURICH SURROUNDINGS - Zurich
• BREAK THE ICE & CREATE YOUR ICE SCULPTURE - Riga
• BLIND BAR – Budapest
• BALLOONING - Budapest
• ENJOY SPECTACULAR MORNING FLIGHT WITH HOT AIR BALLOON - Vilnius
• TANK DRIVING EXPERIENCE - Vilnius

DOWNLOAD #EUROMICTAGS ITINERARIES

CONTACT euromic
Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
12 Rue du Helder, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Life On The Water

Taking to the water, whether rivers, lakes or seas, is a great part of any incentive trip. Small craft or big boats, there a lot of ideas on how to connect with water.

There’s the Stand Up Paddle City Tour on the banks off Zurich offering the perfect combination of an outdoor activity, a guided tour of the city and the perfect way to cool down and be cool.

See the city of Copenhagen from the nerves of the city. Take a kayak out on the canal system. Paddle by old warehouses, under bridges and past monumental buildings all the way to the beach at the commune Christiana.

Or see a city by kayak by night instead. Take an adventure tour of Riga by the Riga City Canal, leading you under bridges, through parks and past fountains, all under the cover of darkness.

And to get the adrenaline pumping there is white water rafting all year round in Malaysia, or you could take a kayak on the violent, clear and wild Tara River in Montenegro. Both let you ride and admire the passes and rapids, abysses and steep banks that make this gorge rafting irresistible to thrill-seeking parties.

Continue the water fun and thrills in Montenegro with bigger boats. Get to grips with your own catamaran and race against your colleagues on the Bay of Tivat. Regatta time! There’s a whole day’s learning the ropes and the fine art of sailing in Malta to get up to speed and to get regatta racing too.

Some prefer a gentler pace. There a cruise on the River Medley in Thailand, with stop at markets and temples as you pass the inhabitants of Bangkok going about their daily life. Or just relax at the max, on catamaran cruises in Cuba, Costa Rica and Malaysia – life’s a beach, and you can see plenty of them...

If it is water activities that appeal, then we have plenty of ideas in our #euromictags series.

• STAND UP PADDLE (SUP) CITY TOUR - Zurich
• COPENHAGEN FROM A SEA KAYAK - Copenhagen
• WATERSIGHTSEEING ADVENTURE RIGHT IN THE CITY CENTER - Riga
• WHITE WATER RAFTING – ISLAND HOPPING – SUNSET CRUISE - Malaysia
• GORGEOUS GORGE – RACE AWAY - Montenegro
• LET’S SAIL AWAY – LEARN THE ROPES – AND THEY’RE OFF – Malta
• COOL CAT - Cuba
• CATAMARAN TO NOWHERE - Malaysia

DOWNLOAD #EUROMICTAGS ITINERARIES

CONTACT euromic
Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
12 Rue du Helder, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Baltic gets the largest conference and Press centre in Riga

The exhibition center is fully equipped to host exhibitions, fairs, conferences and symposiums, corporate events and sporting events.

The organizers and participants will have access to a wide array of facilities -

• Assembling and dismantling of stands with all necessary communications
• Rental of conference rooms
• Audio & video equipment
• International telephone and facsimile communications and Wi-Fi connectivity
• The latest security and fire safety systems
• Advertising opportunities
• Cargo handling and rigging work
• Catering
• Banqueting

Capacity in Biggest hall:
Theatre 2250 pax
Banquet 1600 pax
Total capacity: 3200 pax

New MO Museum opens its doors in Vilnius
Designed by the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the museum stands on the site of the legendary former Lietuva Cinema and is home to some 5,000 works of contemporary Lithuanian artists from the 1960s till date. As museum founder, Viktoras Butkus maintains the MO Museum is an institution that both invites visitors to discover a unique collection of work while challenging them to engage directly with the world of art. "I am really happy that we finally have crossed the finish line, but I also understand that the most important work is still ahead of us. We want the museum to be alive, so for that reason we will do our best to attract visitors. And not only for one visit, but for regular visits," remarks Butkus.

Now that the MO Museum is officially a place for art, aesthetics and inspiration, everyone will have the opportunity to visit it for exhibitions, film screenings, open lectures, concerts and a range of other cultural events.

Spectacular venue set to open in Tallinn!
The former submarine shipyard Noblessner is the fastest developing and thus the most interesting area in Tallinn today. Situated next to the trendy Kalamaja district and the renowned Seaplane Harbour, Noblessner echoes with sounds of drilling and hammering.

Noblessner Shipyard and Foundry.
One of the largest historical industrial buildings in Tallinn is located in Noblessner - the Noblessner Shipyard and Foundry. The history of Noblessner dates back to 1912 when Imperial Russia's principal submarine shipyard was established by two St. Petersburg businessmen - Europe's biggest oil magnate Emanuel Nobel and Arthur Lessner, owner of the G.A. Lessner Machine & Boiler works.

Venue is going to be open in October 2019.

Baltic Travel Group (HQ-Latvia) - EUROMIC Baltic States
Vlad Koriagin, President
Address: 31, Elizabetes Street - Riga - LV-1010 - Latvia
Email: baltic@euromic.com
Website: www.btgroup.lv
Tel: +371 6 722 84 28
Fax: 371 6 722 83 37

News from the Baltic States...

Autumn in Baltic countries does not mean cold, rainy or muddy. It means unbelievable beautiful nature, fog all over the grain fields, raising sun through dew drops and of course wide range of cultural events in cities!

Baltic Travel Group provides programs to combine business trips and meetings with cultural events that Baltic States can offer. 

Contact our offices in Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn and we will be happy to surprise you with fresh ideas.
We believe that the Sky is NOT the limit!

“Brodsky/Baryshnikov” in Riga, October - November

Mikhail Baryshnikov (born in Riga, Latvia in 1948) is a Russian-American ballet dancer who choreographed several iconic pieces which have made him one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. This beautiful show will be in Riga in October and November 2015.

Mikhail Baryshnikov will perform in a new solo work based on the poems of Joseph Brodsky, created for him by AlvisHermanis, the director of the New Riga Theater in Riga, Latvia. Called “Brodsky/Baryshnikov,” the piece will have its premiere in Riga on Oct. 15. A tour to the United States, as part of an international tour, is planned for 2016. Hermanis and Baryshnikov will take us into an imagined world to viscerally experience Brodsky’s complicated, lyrical and potent wordplay. Spoken in Mr. Brodsky’s mother tongue, Brodsky/BaryShnikov will try, through spoken word and movement, to reproduce the poet’s versatile spiritual world filled with high meaning and true emotions.

28th International Vilnius Jazz Festival, October 15th – 18th

The Vilnius Jazz Festival represents the city's oldest continued jazz event. Scores of famous jazz artists get clubs swinging, rocking and jiving to classic and novel tunes. The festival has earned itself a reputation as the birthplace of avant-garde jazz, in which the limits of this genre are constantly being pushed. As the city is a hub for academic, ethnic, rock and industrial musicians, such creativity comes as no surprise.

Founded in 1987, Vilnius Jazz is the oldest annual jazz festival held in Vilnius. Attracting an audience of around 7000 each year, Vilnius Jazz has played a formative role for several generations of jazz fans. It is an exceptional event in Lithuania, providing a broad perspective on contemporary trends in jazz from all over the world.

The International Vilnius Jazz Festival is renowned for its creative and ambitious programmes featuring some of the biggest names on the international jazz scene alongside the best of Lithuanian talent.

It has also to its credit helped develop local players who have then moved onto performing in other European venues and international jazz groups. Vilnius Jazz is also inextricably linked with the development of a distinctive Vilnius jazz school. Recognised as one of the most important signposts in Eastern Europe, Vilnius Jazz remains devoted to nurturing and promoting the living tradition of improvised music in Lithuania.

Convene in Vilnius, 10th – 11th February 2016

A live meetings industry market place for the countries of the Baltic Sea region.

CONVENE is an annual business to business two day event for the meetings industry for the countries of the Baltic. It is an international show case for the regional meetings industry which accelerates the interest in, and demand for, holding meetings, incentives and conferences in the region.

Launched by Vilnius Convention Bureau the event every year offers a fully hosted buyer program which accommodates 160+ qualified buyers from whole Europe.

Up to 100 exhibitors including convention bureaus, hotels, conference centers, special venues, DMCs, PCOs, specialist suppliers from Lithuania and seven other countries of the region (Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia Finland, Sweden, Denmark) are showcasing their meeting products and services. There are also guest country exhibitors from Ukraine and Belarus. The event is supported by a major professional education program and a series of high quality business networking events.

CONVENE as well offers a number of fam tours to Lithuania and neighboring destinations that wish to host the international buyers attending the event.

With a strong focus on education and knowledge, CONVENE aims to equip the buyer and supplier communities with the tools to create more effective meetings and events.

Baltic Travel Group is proud to be an organising partner in this business to business event.

For more information, please contact Mr. Vlad Koriagin at baltic@euromic.com

The World's Top 10 Spas

Ananda Spa

Condé Nast Traveller Magazine had just released its awards for the top spas in the world for 21012. These awards come from the 10th annual Readers' Spa Awards. Last autumn the magazine asked its readers to tell us where they would most like to go to relax, detox and improve their well-being. The readers nominated their favourites, from urban day spas to hotel spas, exotic retreats to medical wellness centres.

The choices were rated according to various criteria, including ambience/design, body treatments, cuisine and service. The results were theb collated by Market Management, an independent market-research company, which then calculated an average score for each spa, out of a possible 100.

1. Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas

Ananda Spa

Ananda is in the far north of India near Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga and The Beatles' interest in transcendental meditation. It is. Its location, setting - in manicured grounds overlooking the powerfully snaking Ganges - and its unfailingly kind and gentle staff give it a special healing energy.  Its programme of yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta is as emotionally uplifting as it is physically effective. It would be impossible to go for a week and not leave feeling on top of the world.

Rating out of 100: 96.67

Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas, India (00 91 1378 227500; www.anandaspa.com)

2. Six Senses Spa, Evason Ma'In Hot Springs

Six Senses Spa

This spa is built beneath a natural hot-spring waterfall near the Dead Sea, 264 metres below sea level. In the stark Jordanian desert, the resort itself feels like a secluded oasis, offering the ideal conditions in which to relax.It was the body treatments that stood out at Evason Ma'In Hot Springs. The spa utilises the natural properties of the mineral-rich waters in its therapies, which include scrubs, wraps, massage and facials.

Rating out of 100: 96.44

Six Senses Spa, Evason Ma'in Hot Springs, Madaba, Ma'In, Jordan (00 962 5 324 5500;

www.evasonresorts.com)

3. The Mekong Spa, La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang

The Mekong Spa

The Mekong Spa is located in Laos' charming ancient city of Luang Prabang. The facials, using organic Jurlique products, were highly regarded. As well as two specifically designed for men, they include anti-ageing, aromatherapy, sunburn relief and tired-eye treatments. Exhausted travellers should try the 'Jet-lag Delight' body massage to relieve the symptoms and aches and pains of flying. And all guests can make use of the herbal steam bath to for a deep and thorough cleanse.

Rating out of 100: 96.30

The Mekong Spa, La Résidence Phou Vao, , Laos (00 856 71 212194; www.residencephouvao.com)

4. ESPA Riga

ESPA

Design is important at ESPA Riga. The spa takes on the properties of the elements fire and water, illustrated in a mosaic of black crystal and a spectacular light sculpture. Treatments, too, take inspiration from the elements, and incorporate techniques from Chinese, Indian, European and Balinese concepts. A number of ESPA treatments have been designed to combat the effects of cold weather on skin - essential in Latvia - using amber stone from the Baltics.

Rating out of 100: 95.98

ESPA Riga, 4a Baznīcas Street, Riga, Latvia (00 371 67715222;

www.espariga.com)

5. The Spa, Coworth Park, Berkshire

The Spa

Eco-sensitivity is at the heart of the spa at Coworth Park. The building is designed to allow as much natural light to flood in as possible, and the materials used to build it are locally sourced. Guests who wish to go organic can choose treatments using Dr Alkaitis products; treatments using Carol Joy London, Kerstin Florian and Aromatherapy Associates products are also on the menu. The Spatisserie serves healthy, light meals and afternoon tea.

Rating out of 100: 95.94

The Spa, Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire (01344 876600; www.dorchestercollection.com)

6. Verdura Spa, Verdura Golf &Spa Resort

Verdura Spa

As well as golf-related exercise, guests at Verdura Spa can also indulge in therapies based on anti-ageing, detoxing, fitness and thalassotherapy. Treatments use ingredients from Sicily, such as olive oil, seaweed, mud and seawater. Of particular note are the four thalassotherapy pools; the warm waters encourage circulation and improve look and condition of skin. Readers were also impressed by the amenities - indoor swimming pool, spa bar, large hammam, sauna, hair and beauty centre - and the products used.

Rating out of 100: 95.73

Verdura Spa, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sciacca, Sicily, Italy (00 39 09 2599 8061; www.roccofortehotels.com)

7. The Spa by ESPA, One&Only Reethi Rah

The Spa

It's all about sun, glorious sun in this Indian Ocean archipelago, and guests at the One&Only Reethi Rah are encouraged to enjoy it safely. A Sun Spa Esthederm service prepares guests for exposure; treatment includes exfoliation, application of suncream throughout the day and a soothing after-sun treatment. Spa treatments take influence from Ayurvedic medicine and traditional therapies from South-East Asia. But, while you enjoyed the treatments, you were most impressed with the luxurious accommodation. Hardly surprising given the uninterrupted sea views from each of the beachfront rooms and the inviting water above which the stilted villas stand.

Rating out of 100: 95.65

The Spa by ESPA, One&Only Reethi Rah, North Malé Atoll, Maldives (00 960 664 8800;

www.oneandonlyresorts.com)

8. Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Ringha, Tibet

Banyan Tree Spa

The Banyan Tree Spa in the Himalayas has seductive rich-red décor, detailed carvings and unique local artefacts. Accommodation is in traditional Tibetan farmhouses, which have been reassembled along the valley. Treatments are inspired by the local Himalayan healers of royal houses and monasteries; the spa's signature treatment, Ringha Relief, is based on the Chinese Five Elements philosophy. It encompasses a combination of yoga, Chinese Tui Na (a massage to help energy flow through the body), Himalayan Gui Shi hot-stone therapy; an exfoliating Indonesian spice wrap, and a jasmine-green-tea bath to help soothe and relax aching muscles. All treatments begin with a footbath and 30 minutes of 'calm time'.

Rating out of 100: 95.48

Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Ringha, Tibet (00 86 887 828 8822; www.banyantree.com)

9. The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay

The Blue Spa

Carlisle Bay's Blue Spa has an individual approach. The spa menu features a range of body treatments, massages (hot-stone, Swedish, deep-tissue) and facials using Natura Bissé products. Teenagers can enjoy specially designed facials and massages for younger skin; and manicures, pedicures, hair styling and waxing are available for all. Yoga and Pilates classes take place four times a week on the pavilion in the gardens. After relaxing at the spa, try a ginger and cinnamon elixir from the juice bar.

Rating out of 100: 95.32

The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay, Antigua, West Indies (00 1 268 484 0000; www.campbellgrayhotels.com)

10. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

Banjaran Hotsprings rated highly for its facials, such as the anti-ageing treatment that uses Black Cohosh to plump and repair skin, and the detoxing cranberry facial. Chinese medicines - acupuncture, cupping, Gua Sha (a scraping method) - and Ayurvedic treatments also feature widely on the spa menu, and guests can try traditional Malaysian 'spa journeys'. The Ramuan Journey starts with a massage, followed by a hibiscus scrub and body wrap. Cleansing treatments are then applied before the Mandi Bunga, a traditional bath.

Rating out of 100: 95.13

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia (00 60 5 210 7839; www.thebanjaran.com)