Germany and Austria: destination for business and leisure

The Republic of Germany as a destination for business

Germany is rated as one of the most technologically and scientific advanced country in the world. In addition, Germany is a founding member of the European Union with over 82 million inhabitants, meaning a huge market while Germany itself has the largest population among the European Union countries. Germany can serve as an entry point to this huge market while Germany itself too is a huge market for your products or services. Not only that, Germany is ranked the world's third largest economy by nominal Gross Domestic Products, the largest exporter of goods and the largest national economy in Europe. Germany has a high standard of living, meaning its inhabitants have great purchasing power. It is also a good source of products to import if you are an importer instead of an exporter. Products marked "Made in Germany" command great respect among consumers of the world.

With the world getting more environmentally conscious and solar energy as a source of electrical power, the fact that Germany is now the world's largest producer of photovoltaic (PV) electricity with 39% of world capacity compared to 38% for Japan plus also the fastest growing major photovoltaic (PV) market in the world, businessmen in search of environmentally friendly products to import should be making a bee line for Germany.

The Republic of Austria as a destination for business

Austria is among the 10 richest countries in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) per capita plus a very high standard of living. Germany is the main trading partner of Austria, and the two countries are thus tied together closely in terms of business.

Germany as a destination for leisure

You can have almost anything in Germany. You want fun and relax, Germany have some interesting theme parks such as Europa Park, Germany's answer to Disneyland, and Phantasialand in Brühl, among many others. Like architecture. You can see amazing architecture in Germany. The women will love the fabulous shopping and the men the pulsating nightlife. Those enamoured with quaint and ancient stuff or romanticism will enjoy the enchanting medieval villages and traditional wine villages which frequently host friendly festivals and regional specialities plus the numerous ancient castles, palaces and abbeys. Nature lovers will love the picturesque countryside, ideal for walking or simply relaxing in. Germany is also famous for its spas.

Austria as a destination for leisure

Austria's per capita tourist revenue is the highest in the world and this should tell us something about Austria as a destination for leisure. Austria's largest tourist attraction is the Alps for skiing in the winter and for hiking and camping in the summer. Skiing enthusiast will love Austria with its numerous ski resorts. Worth a visit is also the Danube valley with its vineyards such as the Wachau or Dunkelsteinerwald.

Vienna, the capital city of Austria, has its Cathedral, its wine pubs (Heurigen) and the romantic Vienna Waltz music.

Those in Media Art will love the Ars Electronica Center in Linz which has been hosting the Ars Electronica Festival since 1979. There is the highly coveted Prix Ars Electronica, the worldwide highest-ranked prize for media art.

Accommodation in Germany

Germany has a state-run Interhotel network. Hotel rooms in Germany may be classified into 4 categories, from the most expensive "Deluxe" rooms to "Expensive", "Moderate" and "Inexpensive". A good place to look for inexpensive accommodation is Germany Hotels although if you want to insist on staying in more expensive 4 or 5 star hotels, you can still find them in that online accommodation website.

If you want accommodation in Berlin, the capital city, try Berlin Hotels which is a German language online hotel booking website. If you can't make head or tail out of a German language website, no problem, for they have a English language version at Berlin Hotels

Accommodation in Austria

Austria has 20,000 hotels and pensions, 50,000 private rooms plus thousands of simpler accommodations, such as youth hostels, mountain huts, and campsites. The later categories of accommodations are harder to book online, but for Austrian hotels, it should be a breeze at Wien Hotels. A warning though, that is another German language website. But with Alta Vista Babel Fish and Google translate, that should be no problem. Just put in the website URL into the appropriate field, chose the language, and you get the whole website translated into whatever language you want.

Paris for business, travel and leisure

Paris is a great city to visit. Not only for leisure, but for business too. It is also famous for its fashion and perfumes too. And add the honor of being the "Romance Capital of the World" and also the "The City of Light". The name "Paris" has something to it - something that perhaps one will describe as charisma. Just imagine, Disneyland Resort when it was first started was named "Euro Disney Resort". Nothing romantic or alluring to its name. Sounds more like something connected to the European currency, and the resort was losing money, with attendance, hotel occupancy and revenues falling below projections. When it was renamed "Disneyland Paris", it reported its first profit. Wonder if the fame of Paris Hilton has more to do with the name Paris or the name Hilton. I think the first as Paris is better known all over the world than Hilton. What is Hilton anyway. Just a hotel chain.

Paris as a business center

Photo of La Défense by Thierry

Paris is a major business center of Europe and of the world. Just imagine, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Paris alone is bigger than that of the whole of Australia, a continent country. La Défense, with its 150,000 daily workers and 3.5 million square meters of office space, is Europe's largest central business district (CBD). Euronext in Paris is the second largest stock exchange in Europe. The headquarter of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is located in Paris. The European Business School Paris (EBS) is also located in Paris.

Paris as a center for education, Science, and culture

Photo of UNESCO Headquarter by Matthias Ripp

Paris is well known as a center for education, Science, and culture, and it is fitting that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) be located in Paris, its capital city. There are other centers like the Académie Colarossi, Académie Julian, Académie Ranson, Académie de peinture et de sculpture, Académie des Beaux-Arts and Amphitheatre Anglais.

Paris, Romance Capital of the World, City of Lights, favorites of tourists

Photo of Eiffel Tower by Matthias Ripp

The above is a photo which almost every person currently on earth will recognize as the Eiffel Tower of Paris. It is in fact the icon for Paris. To many people, Eiffel Tower = Paris. And yet when its designer engineer, Gustave Eiffel, first proposed the plans for the tower to Barcelona for the Universal Exposition of 1888, the Consistory of Barcelona rejected it. What is Barcelona loss is now Paris gain, but not without controversy. Eiffel submitted his plans to those responsible for the Universal Exhibition in Paris and it was built in 1889. However, many in Paris then opposed its construction and considered it an eyesore. It is now one of the biggest tourist draw in the world and in fact was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to Paris is never complete without a visit to Eiffel Tower and a ride in the lift to the top for a spectacular of Paris's skyline.

But Eiffel Tower is not the only structure that draw tourist to Paris like bees to honey. There is Disneyland Paris and the Louvre, a museum which houses, among other things, the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and the Glass Pyramid designed by world famous Chinese architect, I.M. Pei. The Arc de Triomphe is also a major attraction. You can climb to the top for beautiful view of Paris. And don't forget the Champs-Élysées, one of the most expensive piece of real estate in the world. You can also take a cruise on the scenic Seine River that flows through the middle of Paris or just stroll along its beautiful riverside. If you like ancient churches, there is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Moulin Rouge with its high kicking Can-Can dancers is another major tourist draw.

I have visited some but not all the places mentioned above when I went on a one day visit to Paris. Some obviously cannot be covered in a brief one-day visit, others were not built yet. I would like to go back again, but this time for a longer visit.

Hunting for accommodation only on arrival is a risky business and uses up your expensive time. A much better idea is to book accommodation ahead of arrival using one of the accommodation online booking websites like Paris Hotels. The French are very proud of their language and I should know having visited Paris and being a student in Dutch and French speaking Belgium for over 2 years. They would probably prefer you to refer to that website as Paris Hôtels. The Spanish, the French neighbour, I think will refer to the same website as París Hoteles

Business, Travel cum Leisure in Australia

Why you should combine your business trip with leisure

Big businessmen and company CEOs (Chief Executive Officers), area managers, etc., often have to travel oversea on their business trips. Most of the time, they leave their family behind, and the family members feels neglected and they often miss each other's presence. I believe such globe trotting businessmen and company top executives and managers should at least once in a while take their family along on their business trips. It is only fair. In other words, combine business with leisure, business for the businessmen, etc, leisure for their family, and where the businessmen can spare the time, even join their family for their leisure activities.

However, in such cases, hotels are not an option, for hotels do not normally accommodate large group and also do not have facilities for cooking, etc., something that the accompanying family members may want to do. For that, they will have to consider serviced apartments. Not only that, serviced apartments are generally cheaper than hotels.

What are serviced apartments?

A serviced apartment is a furnished, self-contained apartment meant for both long-term, medium-term and short-term stays. The serviced apartment offers amenities that hotels do not offer, such as a kitchen or kitchenette with cooking and eating utensils. Serviced apartments usually are less expensive than hotels and well suited for large group traveling together. There are even businessmen who rent serviced apartments for their extended stay in a place where they spend long period for their business. It makes more economic sense than staying in a hotel.

Serviced apartments in Australia

Just like anywhere else in the world, Australia too have serviced apartments for rent in addition to hotels. And Australia is an interesting country continent to visit, for where else can you find unique animals like kangaroos, koala (often wrongly referred to as koala bears), Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), etc. Plus there are many cities in Australia famous as cultural centers.

Serviced apartments in Melbourne

Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria located at the Port Phillip Bay in South-east Australia. It is a major commerce industrial center plus numerous cultural activity, so it will be no surprise to find businessmen traveling to Melbourne. Serviced apartments in Melbourne can be booked online via websites like Melbourne Accomodation where you can find service apartments like Armadale Serviced Apartments. Just look at the kind of facilities that Armadale Serviced Apartments include:

1. Fully equipped kitchen with Fridge, Microwave & Oven


2. Dishwasher (two bedroom apartments)


3. Separate living area


4. Reverse cycle air-conditioning


5. Queen size beds (28) and/or twin singles


6. Colour TV


7. DVD player (request required for some apartments)


8. Bathroom with full size bath


9. All linen provided


10. Iron & Ironing Board


11. Radio/alarm clock


12. Complimentary tea & coffee


13. Hairdryer on request


14. Guest laundry


15. Security Intercom (two bedroom apartments)


16. On-site car parking


17. Resident Manger


18. All apartments non-smoking

Tell me, which hotel, whatever star, can beat that?

Serviced apartments in Perth

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia in south west Australia beside the Indian Ocean. Nice serviced apartments can be found in Perth Accommodation too like Seashells Serviced Apartments located on the Sunset Coast, a mere 15 minutes drive from Perth city center. And for your family, Seashells Serviced Apartments is conveniently less than 100 metres from the beach where they can get spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Just perfect for that business cum leisure trip for you and your family in Australia.

Serviced apartments in Adelaide

Adelaide, the capital city of of South Australia is not called the City of Festivals for nothing. Festivals like the world famous Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Adelaide Writers' Week, the Feast Festival, and not forgetting WOMADelaide which is Australia's premier world music event. Timed your business trip to Adelaide with one of the many festivals in Adelaide and bring your family along for they will enjoy the festival atmosphere there while you go about with your business. Get your serviced apartment from Adelaide Accommodation. There will be plenty of serviced apartments like Quest Mansions Serviced Apartments Adelaide, a 3 to 5 star accommodation.

Quest Mansions Serviced Apartments is located at 21 Pulteney Street, Adelaide South near to the city center. If your family is interested in vineyards, the world famous vineyards of the Barossa and Clare Valleys is nearby. Like old historic buildings towns? The old German town of Hahndorf is just a short drive away.

Serviced apartments in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland is located beside the Pacific Ocean. Business and industries in Brisbane include Information Technology, financial services, petroleum refining, stevedoring, paper milling, metalworking and railway workshops. Tourism is also a top draw and Brisbane can be considered as a gateway to other areas of Queensland.

For accommodation, book them online at Brisbane Accommodation where you can find apartments like Abbey Apartments which is located at 160 Roma Street, Brisbane right in the heart of the Brisbane Central Business District. It is directly opposite the Brisbane Transit Center and a short walk to the Queen Street Mall Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane Convention Center and Suncorp Stadium.

Wailea, Maui Island, Hawaii

Hawaii is a tropical archipelago in the mid-Pacific ocean consisting of six main islands and some minor islands and atolls. The biggest the the southern most is Hawaii Big Island. North of Hawaii Big Island is the popular Maui island on which is Wailea located between the base of a dormant volcano and the ocean, thus giving you a varied environment to explore and enjoy. Wailea was included in the list of the country's 99 Best Recreational & Residential Private Communities in America. It is a resort community doted with award-winning luxury hotels, resorts, posh homes and condominiums frequented by celebrates, the rich and famous and honeymooners. Wailea hosts the Maui Film Festival every June when movie stars take in movies under the glowing stars in the Maui sky. Wailea is a pricey place to be in, so if you plan to visit Wailea, bring lots of cash. However, it is also possible to visit Wailea on a budget too. Refer to the bottom of the post.

Among the things that Wailea is famous for are championship golf courses, tennis clubs, some of Hawaii’s finest spa facilities, high class shopping, five crescent-shaped beaches. The Wailea Beach was named "America’s Best Beach" by Doctor Stephen P. Leatherman (also known as "Dr. Beach") in 1999. The ocean off the beach is also visited by groups of 1,500 to 3,000 spouting humpback whales which arrives each December and stays until May. Some of them swim so close to the beach that they can be seen from the land. You can join whale-watching cruises as well as sea kayaks if you want to get close with the giant sea creatures.

If you are visiting Hawaii, you are actually participating in ecotourism (tourism concentrating on local culture, wilderness adventures, involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Well, Hawaii is full of natural and diversed flora, fauna and distinct cultural heritage. However, any travel will involve the burning of depleting fossil fuel and CO2 emission, contributing to global warming. However, there are ways of offsetting such carbon emission. There are many sites offering ways of offsetting carbon emission and one such site is ClimateCare.

If you plan to visit Wailea, better book your accommodation ahead of your trip. You can do this conveniently via Hawaiian Beach Rentals. You can book condominiums at Wailea Condominiums. You have a choice of 85 condominiums to chose from at the time of publishing. If condominiums are not what you want, you may also chose hotels from Wailea Hotels or Wailea Vacation Rentals (only 6 of them). If those are too pricey for you, try Wailea Vacation Deals, Discounts and Specials (5 to chose from).

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When travelling, it is always advisable to book your accommodation in advance

Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, it is always a wise move to search and book for suitable accommodation in suitable location and at suitable price in advance. Towards this end, Eurobookings.com is an ideal online service for travellers. With Eurobookings.com, you can do that in 13 languages from the comfort of your home. You can search for hotels by check-in date, check-out date and location. The search function also have an advanced search feature where you can specify Star rating and features like parking, fitness center, Internet services, etc.

Eurobookings.com has a comprehensive Hotel Guide which provides an insider's view into the top European hotels and travel destinations around the world. If you are searching for hotels in European cities like Barcelona, take a peep at Hotels in Barcelona or Prague at Prague City Hotels.

You can even get a look at maps showing the locations of the available hotels like this one for hotels in Prague:



While Eurobookings.com concentrates on hotels in Europe, it is actually a world wide service. 2007 is Visit Malaysia Year, and I made a check for hotels in Kuala Lumpur, and it turned out 44 available hotels in 3 locations at Hotels in Kuala Lumpur.