This January, I had the pleasure of participating in a company event APPINA TRAVEL has organized for all of its employees. I was excited to meet the rest of the team, spending some time together while visiting breathtaking cites and indulging in amazing food.
Stopover Munich
After arriving, I spent 2 nights at the centrally located Holiday Inn City Center in Munich. The hotel is perfect for a city stay. My favorite is always the breakfast buffet. I love the smell of fresh baked breads, and eating cold cuts and cheese with boiled eggs on a fresh roll or pretzel just feels like home. I spend the days walking to the city center, taking in the beautiful Marienplatz and its surrounding Churches, Restaurants and Shops. Relaxed in my spacious and clean room at night which helped me adjust to the German time.
Prague here we come
On Friday, 2 days after arrival our Managing Partner Luis drove me and several other employees to Prague. The drive was rather quick and roughly 4 hours later we arrived at NH City Hotel in Prague. The hotel was very clean, my room was spacious and I enjoyed the location with convenient access to Underground and Cable Car Transportation. We met at the Lobby for a nice welcome drink and warm words of Uli the co-owner. I instantly felt welcomed and part of the German Team. It was also great to finally face to face meet my colleagues from Toronto and Brazil. We bundled up and made our way to the traditional Restaurant U Fleku. We indulged in typical bohemian cuisine consisting of dumplings, sauce, meat and soup accompanied by live music. Of course, the apple strudel for desert can't be missed.
Day 2: City Tour, Lunch at Dancing House, Ice Skating and Christmas Dinner
After a good night sleep, I was ready and eager to learn more about the city. Our awesome guide Zdenek took us on a breath taking walking tour first visiting the Prague Castle built in the 9th century. It is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. We then went through new town which is nestled beneath the castle, and after a quick stop for mulled wine to warm up, we walked over the famous Charles Bridge which is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river to visit the romantic Old town with its cobblestone roads, clock tower and lively pedestrian zones. From there we had lunch with a gorgeous city view at a building called Dancing Towers. This gave us tons of energy of what was to come! Ice Skating where I volunteered to watch the bags and take pics! Quick stop at the hotel and off we were for a memorable dinner at the Restaurant Obecní dům. One of the most beautiful Art Nouveau restaurants in Europe! We celebrated employees that are with us 5, and even 15 years! It was a very touching evening and made me grateful to be part of a team that honors, celebrates and respects its own.
Day 3: Illusion Arts Museum and Jewish Quarter
The Museum is the Czech Republic's first museum for trick art & illusion, offering interactive & history exhibits. I had so much fun testing my brain and capturing fun pictures with my colleagues. It felt great to let loose a bit and experience art through a different lens. We were in for a treat right after. A typical trdelniks filled with strawberries, vanilla cream and lot of whip cream! It made saying goodbye to most of my German colleagues a bit easier!
In the afternoon, the Incoming Team then had the pleasure to be guided through the Jewish quarter which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Prague, located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. A Jewish ghetto was established here in the 12th century. Our visit included a touching memorial with a unique collection of some 4,500 drawings by children who were interned at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during the Holocaust.
We concluded the day with a traditional dinner and so many shared memories.
Day 4: Hotel inspections and Goodbye
After a satisfying breakfast at the hotel we hit the Underground and made our way to visit several hotels. Hotel Royal, Adeba, B&B Prague City and Clarion Congress, before heading back home to Munich. For me, this trip was memorable in so many more ways than one. Being immersed in the culture while learning about its history and sights is something to be grateful for. To be able to do that with a team of colleagues that feels more like family was the icing on the cake! Prague has become one of my favorite cities and I know it will be the same for our customers.
