Winter is (Almost) Here: Interesting Places for your Winter Events

Yes, the Winter season is almost here and all you can think about is finding the perfect place for your next event. However, you want to catch that Christmas spirit and holiday atmosphere as well! Because winter is not all about snow and coldness… Winter can be magical, too!

Therefore, here we go with an interesting places for your winter events, where you can both work & experience local enchantment.

1. Hotel Bristol – Vienna

The Hotel Bristol, located right next to the Vienna State Opera, is one of the finest luxury hotels in the Austrian capital city. 

Since 1892, it has been an inspiring meeting point for the cultural and business life of the city. 150 exclusive rooms and 24 unique suites offer spectacular coziness and views of the city. For professional guests, this includes an English club-style business center with cherry wood paneling and leather armchairs. Hotel Bristol’s charming salons highlight the hotel’s rich history in elegant combination with technology. Six magnificent rooms accommodating 10 to 200 people offer the perfect setting for events of all kinds, like seminars, presentations, receptions, exclusive dinners. Furthermore, the ballroom can also be opened up to host stylish meetings and seminars or special banquets. All rooms are provided with WIFI and high-speed internet access.

The restaurant Bristol Lounge offers all-day dining. It’s an elegant and tasteful decor salon – in cold weather, a fire crackles in the large fireplace.

The capital city of Austria, Vienna often ranks as a top international meeting destination. Vienna is voted the most liveable city worldwide for the 10th time in a row (Mercer Quality of Living Studies 2010 – 2019), and figures as one of the world’s best conference and event destinations (No. 2 worldwide according to the 2017 ICCA ranking).

The strategic location of the city in the middle of Europe makes it a favorite among meeting planners. Also, the city is a governmental and cultural center of Austria – one of the richest countries in the world. 

Enjoy the local spirit

During your business stay at the Hotel Bristol, you can experience a wealth of sightseeing in Vienna and take part in different activities. Vienna is truly a magical place, especially in the winter.

The Austrian capital has one of the best Christmas markets in all of Europe. Through the years, markets are growing and becoming more modern, but without losing their cozy and romantic touch. There are bigger and smaller markets. Bigger ones are in the city center and visited by tourists more than locals. One of the most popular and traditional Christmas markets take place in front of the Belvedere Palace. These markets will charm you with their traditional handicraft items, modern souvenirs, Christmas music, colorful lights and decorations, and of course, plenty of local delicious food and drinks (mulled wine).

If you like winter sports, you can enjoy ice-skating in Vienna. It’s one of the must-do things to try in wintertime. Therefore, there are various ice rinks set up across the city. From January till March, this Vienna’s Ice Dream turns the park and plaza in front of the city hall into an 8,500 square meter ice skating rink. It’s extremely popular with both tourists and locals.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of cozy coffee houses to hide from the cold weather in Vienna. Beside warm drinks, coffee’s menus include winter specialties, pastries, and cakes (such as the famous rich chocolate cake – Sachertorte.)

2. Malak Regency Hotel – Sarajevo

This unique 5-star hotel is ideal for business travelers and tourists who seek the opportunity to enjoy and relax at green oasis such as Ilidža.

Furthermore, Malak Regency has the perfect venue for almost any kind of meeting, events, incentive or party.

The Buffet Restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes from local and international cuisine in a cozy space. You can choose the room service as well.

At Malak Regency Wellness & Spa center you can relax and enjoy Turkish hammam or sauna, recharge your energy at the gym or swim in the spacious pool. Exclusive wellness offer includes facial and body treatments, spa rituals and personal trainer services. 

With the Olympic Mountains surrounding the city and different activities, Sarajevo is a perfect destination for those who love winter. 

Don’t miss a chance to try their local coffee (known as Turkish) or try the baklava (cake). 

Bosnia held the Winter Olympics for a season. The ski season on the Olympic Mountains Jahorina and Bjelašnica will officially begin in mid-December, so you can take part in skiing and snowboarding activities. Jahorina is only 28 km southeast of Sarajevo.

However, winter is an ideal period to devote some time to yourself and recharge your batteries in wellness and spa centers. Therefore, you can relax in a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna or Jacuzzi. 

3. Mama Shelter – Belgrade

You could get some great deals in this vibrant South-East Europe capital at this time of the year. French hotel chain Mama Shelter opened its door for the guests in Belgrade last year. Hotel is located in the heart of the city – Knez Mihailova, the capital’s iconic pedestrian street. It is also the center of the action, where the buzz of the city is at its strongest.

Mama Shelter Hotel in Belgrade is a unique boutique hotel with 125 modern design bedrooms with king-sized beds, wi-fi, and movie channels. Here, you can find whatever you need – all in one place! The restaurant offers homemade specialties, pizza, and international meals. Furthermore, you can entertain yourself by playing table soccer or watch a movie in open-air film screenings.

Mama is popular with even the most serious businessmen for its Atelier, a large meeting or seminar room. To help you stay creative, you have different offers like pleasant workshops (meeting places), meals all together on large tables of hosts around dishes to share, and comfortable and design rooms.

Mama Shelter hotels provide you with a family home-like experience. The brand’s philosophy is to take care of its guests as if they were visiting the mother’s home, providing top quality service and avoiding cliches.

Kalemegdan 

During the wintertime, don’t miss a chance to visit the Belgrade Fortress – Kalemegdan. The Belgrade Fortress is always magical at any time of year, but especially when it’s all covered by snow. Kalemegdan Fortress, the symbol of Belgrade and its years of fights, is a place where you can have the best view of the city. Don’t miss a chance to watch a sunset from there!

4. Corinthia –  Budapest

Corinthia Budapest is one of the grandest luxury hotels in Budapest. It takes approximately 30 minutes by car from Liszt Ferenc International Airport Budapest to reach this destination. Corinthia is perfect for business, exploration, and relaxation. You can organize a conference or a meeting in Corinthian’s business center as well, where you can get help from dedicated event planners and support staff. All rooms are provided by Wi-fi.

Winter in Budapest is like a fairytale

Hungarian capital city is fast becoming one of Europe’s leading travel destinations, especially in winter when Budapest doubtlessly comes to life.

The cozy winter atmosphere perfectly matches romantic architectural creations. 

You can’t avoid Christmas markets, of course. Budapest has a wide number of options available in that regard, both on the Buda and in Pest. The Vörösmarty Square market is one of the most popular in central Europe as well as one of the oldest in Hungary. This is where you can treat yourself with famous Hungarian foods, like langos, chimney cake or sausages.

Mulled wine or better yet, Hungarian pálinka, and roasted chestnuts are always a great idea to warm up when the temperature becomes icy.

Besides the Christmas market, we recommend you to spend your free time in Budapest’s City Park Ice Rink, as well. It’s the most famous skating destination in the region. Imagine an ice rink in a magnificent park surrounded by a charming castle. It sounds like a fairy tale. Moreover, this ice rink is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. 

5. Forum Zagreb Congress Center

Forum Zagreb Congress Centre is located in the business heart of Croatian capital city, the Green Gold center. It has 9 multi-functional and flexible conference rooms – sound-proof, perfectly air-conditioned and fully covered by wi-fi. Almost every room is full of daylight and you can easily change the quantity of light according to the needs of the client and event you organize. Speaking of events, in Forum Zagreb you can organize almost every type of it: seminars, business workshops, courses, market research studies, promotions, video-conferences, etc.

Advent in Zagreb

Have you heard before Zagreb’s award-winning Advent?! Zagreb was voted the best Christmas market in Europe by European Best Destinations’ online poll three times in a row!!! So, when you finish your work, don’t miss a chance to feel that magical atmosphere!

During the Advent season, Zagreb offers a variety of events that will satisfy everyone. Plenty of fun, Christmas music, excellent food like mulled wine and gingerbread, unique events, art, but also a genuine familiar atmosphere, await you on the streets of Croatia’s capital. 

Event catering is a highlight of the event experience. Therefore, paying special attention to the latest event catering trends is a must. Check out what’s on Menu in 2020!