With corporate executives being as well-traveled as they are, it often seems impossible to find a corporate retreat destination that will truly impress them. However, here are three over-the-top corporate retreat or incentive travel ideas that will inspire anyone looking to knockoff some bucket-list items while meeting in a remote locale.
Charter a luxury yacht in the Galapagos Islands. Ecoventura offers a cruising experience through the Galapagos Islands aboard its fleet of expedition yachts that can accommodate up to 20 attendees. The 7-night adventure will take attendees to more than a dozen nature parks for up-close encounters with marine iguana, sea lions and the area’s famous Galapagos tortoises. Ecoventura also provides one expert guide per 10 guests to help tailor the group’s itineraries to include a variety of activities such as hiking, snorkeling or kayaking. This month, the MV Origin joins the company’s fleet, offering panoramic state room views, a Jacuzzi, gourmet cuisine and an open bar.
Buyout a 15th-Century Villa Overlooking Florence. Located in the Tuscan hills outside Florence stands the 45-room II Salviatino. The hand-restored, 15th-century villa is situated on 12 acres of lush gardens and features a terrace overlooking Florence’s Duomo. A team of dedicated Service Ambassadors help attendees feel at home, offering services and organizing activities similar to a Five-Star hotel. A certified truffle hunter and his shaggy dog can lead the group on a truffle hunt throughout the grounds, which starts with a lesson on truffles and ends with a truffle-tasting meal made by the chef at La Cucina del Salviatino restaurant. Groups can also participate in cooking classes, wine tastings, hot-air ballon rides, horseback riding and even private dinners in places such as the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze where the original “David” statue is located.
Experience Mayan Culture from a Boutique Hotel in the Guatemalan Highlands. Casa Palopo is a 9-bedroom luxury boutique hotel overlooking Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Each room is decorated individually with Latin American artworks, handcrafted furniture and private balconies overlooking the lake’s serene water and the volcanoes across the way. The property features two buildings—one is the main hotel with a pool, fine-dining restaurant and Balinese-inspired spa, while the other features two large master suites, a full kitchen and living area. Attendees can get out and explore Lake Atitlan via a boat tour, which will take them to 12 indigenous villages such as San Juan La Laguna, known for its weaving cooperatives and art galleries. Groups can also participate in a Mayan Shaman Sunset Ceremony, led by a local shaman with a blessing from the elements. A native tortillera can also lead a tortilla-making lesson using her large comal, a flat griddle that’s been in her family for generations.
