Just Got Back – Switzerland

Helen Brixey – Leisure Training Manager

Where did you Just Get Back from?

Switzerland

Email / Telephone Number

Helen.Brixey@altour.com / 812.206.5128

When were you there?

December 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience!

There are few words that can describe what an amazing country Switzerland is. From the snowcapped mountains to the crystal clear lakes, Switzerland certainly has some of the most incredible scenery of any place I’ve visited. So beautiful that I could visit Switzerland every year for the rest of my life and still remain as awestruck as I was the first time.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:

Being my third trip to the alpine country in less than twelve months, I was thrilled to go back! A sense of safety is always present when visiting Switzerland as it is one of the safest countries in the world. Having spent so much time there in the past year, I also felt at home. I found the rush of excitement this time as strong as my first time last year. Stepping off the train in Lucerne and breathing the fresh, clean mountain air was completely invigorating.

Where did you stay?       

Luzern – The Palace Luzern
St. Moritz – Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains
Zermatt – The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

With whom would you recommend staying at this hotel / resort? 

Luzern – The Palace Luzern – A perfect hotel for couples, singles and families. With its fantastic location on the shore of Lake Luzern, it’s a picturesque 15 minute stroll from the heart of the city, including the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, Mt Pilatus and the KKL; Lucerne’s Performing Art Center, as well as easy access to the many boats that ply the lake, taking the traveler even farther afield.

The perfect start to the day begins with a delicious breakfast in the beautifully appointed restaurant, Les Artistes. Featuring an extensive buffet, along with cooked to order items, guests can sip their morning coffee while taking in beautiful views over the lake and surrounding mountains.
Singles, couples and families will enjoy the easy access to the Verkehrshaus (The Swiss Museum of Transport) either via a leisurely 15 to 20 minute walk along the footpath on shore of the lake, or via the tram that stops right outside the front door of the hotel.

At the end of a busy day taking in all the beauty the city has to offer, there is no better place to relax than sitting in the hotel’s lake side terrace with a glass of wine followed by a steam and sauna in the beautifully appointed spa.

Continue Read..

Read More

Just Got Back – Japan

Erica Neher – Leisure Travel Consultant
Email / Telephone Number

Erica.neher@altour.com / 516 714 0857

Where did you Just Get Back from?

Japan

When were you there?
 
March 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience! 

The Japanese culture and rich history live on in perfect harmony with the modern, clean and efficient cities.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:

Though the flight is long, once I stepped out of the plane a feeling of euphoria rushed through my veins. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I was ready to hit the ground running and explore this wonderful country.

Where did you stay?

Park Hotel – Tokyo – 1 night
Mandarin Oriental – Tokyo – 4 nights
Ritz-Carlton – Kyoto – 3 nights

With whom would you recommend staying at this hotel? 

Park Hotel Tokyo – The centric hotel is great for business and leisure travelers looking for a clean and reasonably priced hotel. The Tokyo Fish Market, one of the busiest markets in the world is just a mere 5 minute drive away.
Mandarin Oriental – Located in the posh shopping district of Ginza, the Mandarin Oriental is one of the best hotels in Tokyo. Its proximity to subway stations is perfect for travelers looking to wander around the city.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto – A perfect mix between the Western and Japanese worlds, the Ritz is located on the banks of the Kamo River. Families, couples and business travelers looking to immerse themselves into the deep Japanese culture will enjoy this beautiful hotel.

Tempt us: Name the most special place you discovered on this trip:

The Tsukiji Fish Market is not to be missed when in Tokyo. The largest tuna fish auction in the world is well worth the early morning call of 3 am.
Geishas roam the crooked streets of the Gion District lined with Ryokans, traditional Japanese guest houses. Kyoto’s shrines, temples and gardens all contribute to its cultural charm and are not to be missed. A hole in the wall ramen place always hits the spot after a long day of sightseeing. Miyoshi is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious sample of the local cuisine.

What’s the best time of year to go in your opinion?

Early March through June are the best times to visit Japan. The incredible Cherry Blossom is one of nature’s most beautiful displays. Though it gets quite busy during “Sakura,” you might be able to miss the crowds by going in early spring and might even catch a Sumo match.

Anything else to add?

If exploring Asia is on your list, Japan is the perfect place to start. While some Asian cities can be intimidating for first timers, Tokyo and Kyoto are fairly easy to navigate. The people were helpful and warm and the cultural sights really captivate you to learn more.

Content Source

Read More

Just Got Back – Maine

Erica Neher – Leisure Staff

Email / Telephone Number

Erica.neher@altour.com / 516 714 0857

Where did you Just Get Back from?
Cape Neddick, Maine

When were you there?
October 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience!
I was really impressed with Maine’s landscapes, history and food. Even though New York City is not too far away, the culture is entirely different.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:
Flying into the Portland, Maine airport was surreal. Even though the flight from NYC was only about an hour, it seemed as though I was landing on the Irish coast. The drive up the east coast arriving at the Cliff House was absolutely stunning.

Where did you stay?
The Cliff House

With whom would you recommend staying at this resort?
The vast spaces the resort offers for meetings and events is the perfect place for a business retreat and beautiful weddings. The range of activities throughout the hotel and the pool overlooking the ocean is perfect for families.

Tempt us: Name the most special place you discovered on this trip.
Jackie Too’s was a fantastic waterfront restaurant we discovered while walking around town. The scenery around the entire town seemed like it was out of a postcard. Overall though, Maine was the place that stole my heart. The people and the way of life are so thoughtful and genuine that I came back home with a different perspective. The Cliff House really embraced that Maine mentality by sourcing everything locally and taking great care of the guests.

What’s the best time of year to go in your opinion?
The Cliff House is able to create memorable experiences year round. Whether it be surfing and hitting up Nubb’s Lobster Shack in the summer, going for a hike during the fall foliage or snow-shoe stargazing in the dead of winter, the resort’s natural surroundings and welcoming décor make it a perfect destination year round. Though it is typically more popular during the summer time, I was there during the winter months and really had a great experience.

Anything else to add?
The Cliff House uses local ingredients in all spa products, which combined with the excellent treatment, make it one of the best I have experienced thus far.

See More Picture / Content Source

Read More

Know the ingredients of Altour’s Strategic Meeting Management?

strategic meeting management

Strategic Meetings Management in simple terms is program that will help your company organize various Business meetings and events. Strategic meetings comprise of many minute details that are being overlooked by us. We, The Altour will help you take care of that minute details and other unimportant tasks so that you can accomplish your meeting successfully.

Our services of strategic meetings management include the following:


Venue Sourcing

• Budget Management
  
• Event Websites
  
• Social Media Integrations
  
• Online Registration
  
• Fee Collection
  
• Housing and Travel Management
  
• Air integration
  
• Custom Reports
  
• Dashboard Reports
  
• Contact Member Management
  
• Mobile Apps
  

Data and Reporting

• Custom Data reports for Procurement
  
• Dashboards for Executive Review
  
• Target cost-savings and avoidance
  
• Housing Management
  
• Travel Management/integrated with Housing Management
  
• Full conference reporting, from breakout sessions to attendance to waitlists, to name badges, we provide whatever you need
  
• Quarterly and year end reports
  
• Story overviews
  
• Real-time reporting links 

Technology and Mobility Solutions

• Budget Management
  
• Event websites
  
• Social Media Integrations
  
• Online registration
  
• Custom Reporting
  
• Badges and Barcodes
  
• Email Campaigns
  
• API integration
  
• KBUG
  

Give us a chance to be part of your team and we promise to never let you down.

Content source

Read More

Why is Strategic Meeting management perfected field of Altour Travels?

Meetings and Incentives mean large business groups that arrange meetings and business meets in advance for a certain purpose (merger, takeover, separation, investment, etc). The Altour travel is one of the largest travel management companies for more than 25 years, specializing in various service of Strategic meetings management. We believe in building just one solution that provides sourcing, budgeting, registration and full-service event management.

There are 3 types of Strategic Meetings Management services provided by us:

Venue sourcing, which includes:

• Budget Management
• Online Registration
• Custom Reports
• Contact Member Management
• Mobile Apps and much more

Data and Reporting, which includes:

• Custom Data reports for Procurement
• Full conference reporting, from breakout sessions to attendance, to waitlists, to name badges, we provide whatever you need
• Quarterly and year end reports
• Story overviews

Technology and Mobility solutions, which include:

• Event websites
• Social Media Integrations
• Badges and Barcodes
• Email Campaigns

We always try to bring something new to our clients and customers to take care of their reputation and luxury. We have 57 offices including Travel Companies NYC and Los Angeles Travel Agency, with more than 1300 Business Travel Agents to help you with your trip design. From pick up to drop, Altour arranges all kinds of trips from leisure to corporate to entertainment. We are ranked amongst Top Corporate Travel Agencies in the USA.

Content Source: https://goo.gl/t2O2Vc

Read More

Just Got Back: New Zealand

Carolyn Gorski, Corporate & Leisure Travel Agent

Where did you Just Get Back from? New Zealand – South Island

When were you in New Zealand? November 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience: New Zealand is a country filled with breathtaking scenery, fresh air, and warm communities. It is also a place with more sheep than people! There is an outlet for every kind of traveler- adventure, fishing, cruises, hiking, foodies, and of course the wine!

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived: Excited & joyous but at the same time concerned & nervous. The day we landed was the morning after the earthquake struck in the South Island.  The following day, we were supposed to drive through Kaikoura, the epicenter of the quake. Trent, from The Exclusive Travel Group, saved the day by re-coordinating our schedule to completely bypass the areas that were affected by the quake.

Where did you stay?

The Scenic Hotel – Auckland

Hotel Montreal – Christchurch

The Classic Villa – Christchurch

Eichardt’s Private Hotel – Queenstown

Dock Bay Lodge – Te Anau

Real Journeys Overnight Cruise – Doubtful Sound

The Spire – Queenstown

With whom would you recommend staying at this hotel / resort? 

The Scenic Hotel has a small kitchen, which is best suited for long stay travelers.
Hotel Montreal is great for couples and families- on a nice day you can play croquet on their greenery.

The Classic Villa is a boutique hotel with a warm feel as if you are a local- best suited for couples.

Eichardt’s has a friendly & sophisticated atmosphere with a great location for the outdoorsy travelers.

Dock Bay Lodge is perfect for more relaxed travelers and people making their way to Milford or Doubtful Sound. They prefer a quiet atmosphere with no young children.

Real Journeys Overnight Cruise is an amazing cruise that caters to couples, multi-generational families, and independent travelers. Amazing buffet dinner!
The Spire is a sister property to Eichardt’s, but a bit more modern.  Also- wonderful tub!

 

 Content Source: https://goo.gl/8e7Fs3

Read More

What is so special about Altour Works?

The Altour travel is one of the largest travel management companies since many years. We always try to bring something new to our clients and customers to take care of their reputation and luxury. It has 57 offices with more than 1300 professionals to help you with your trip design. From pick up to drop, Altour arranges all kinds of trips from leisure to corporate to entertainment. We are ranked amongst Top Corporate Travel Agencies in the USA. We leverage this advantage to secure travel components to exceed your expectations and impact your bottom line. Following are the services provided by Altour in tie up with suppliers and airlines:

• Negotiated supplier discounts
• Customized reporting solutions
• Extensive non-refundable ticket tracking
• Personalized consultative services
• Travel policy compliance
• Budget management consultation
• ALTOUR24 emergency support

We provide various services in Reservation:

1. Altour Agent- From utilizing reservation centers to on-site agents, ALTOUR provides professional as well as courteous service to your travelers, including Japanese language capabilities through ALTOUR Japan.
2. Altour Booking - ALTOUR supports various booking tools to customized your site, build your travel policies, create and execute an implementation plan, including communication campaigns, and traveler with travel arranger training to ensure the highest satisfaction and adoption rates.

Content Source:- https://goo.gl/kVHRX9

Read More