In July I joined a group of industry professionals on a jam-packed FAM trip to 'the city of a hundred spires' - Prague, Czech Republic.
Famous for its magnificent gothic architecture, winding cobbled streets and medieval castle, the city did not fail to impress. The purpose was clear - to introduce Prague as a great destination for meetings, conferences, incentive groups and team building activities.
We were hosted by The Hilton Prague, which was our base for the duration of our stay. The Hilton Prague is an award-winning hotel in an ideal location between the historic Old Town and the business district. The rooms are large, spacious and extremely comfortable, and the staff incredibly hospitable. Our first night was spent enjoying a delicious welcome dinner served in The Hilton's Czechouse Restaurant. From Czech classics to one of the best steaks I have ever eaten, every dish was carefully selected and prepared.
After dinner we headed to the Cloud 9 sky bar & lounge which is located 40 metres above the Vltava River on the rooftop of Hilton Prague. Offering glorious views over the city of Prague, I couldn't believe how chic and modern this hotel bar is with its innovative cocktails and live music.
With a plethora of activities available in the city, our visit focused on the more traditional aspects of Prague. Day one was filled with site visits of possible host venues including Prague Castle, Spanish Hall, the Lobkowicz Palace and Zofin Palace; a Neo- Renaissance palace on Slavic island that took my breath away the moment I stepped inside.
The ornate design of the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle is eye-catching and awe-inspiring. Built for Emperor Rudolf II, the room is a stunning venue for banquets, conferences and social programmes - rich with history the room is a definite talking point for an event.
An absolute must activity is the vintage car ride through Old Town to Lesser Town, which is the most beautiful part of Prague. It was the perfect way to experience the magic of Prague and it's winding cobbled streets whilst taking in all the sights and sounds of this historical city.
Out of all the venues we visited over the course of our 3 days, Municipal House was my stand out favourite. The art nouveau concert hall is one of the jewels of the city centre though the venue offers a wide range of multifunctional premises in which all sorts of events are held.
For lunch we stayed at Municipal House and dined in their 'French Restaurant'. It is known as the most beautiful art nouveau restaurant in Europe, which is hard to disagree with. This stunning venue is the perfect location for more intimate celebrations or company events.
This busy and lively weekend refreshed my eyes as to all that Prague can offer. From the serenity of the River and parks to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it is clear that Prague has something to offer many types of corporate event, from conferences to product launches and incentive travel. A magical destination and one not to be missed!
