Category: Destinations

Venice setting an entrance fee

Posted on by Al Slinn

Venice is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe and a magical spot when it comes to organising events. As we always keep our favourite destinations on our radar, the news about Venice setting an entrance fee to the city really got our interest.

On January 16, 2023, Venice will become the first city in the world to require an entrance fee, as announced by the city councillor for tourism Simone Venturini. He called the new measure a “great revolution” and a solution for the over-tourism problem that Venice has struggled with for decades.

The cost of the ticket will range from a 3-euro minimum right up to 10 euros. The price will vary according to the number of visitors: the more requests for entry, the higher the cost. The goal is not to “close the city” but to get people to book their presence to reduce the “tourist peaks.”

The decision to set an entrance fee comes from a new mentality towards tourism after 2 years of pandemic. As Venturini explained: “Covid made us realise that what was an everyday occurrence before Covid isn’t acceptable anymore – the mentality has changed, as has the sensitivity”.

The booking system will give Venetians the chance to know how many people are visiting that day and to calibrate services according to the number. The portal will also flag visitors that they might want to change their mind in case big crows are predicted for that particular time.

Venturini stated that Venice won’t be the last to introduce a charge and that many other European cites are trying to understand in what way they can implement a similar measure.

Montreux Jazz Festival

Posted on by Al Slinn

Being based in Chamonix – near the border with Italy and Switzerland – gives us and our clients the chance to attend events happening across three countries. After two years of pause some of the biggest music and sport events in the region are finally back. The most legendary is without a doubt the Montreux Jazz Festival.

The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1967 by Claude Nobs, it has become an essential event, generating fantastic stories and legendary performances.

Nearly 250,000 spectators come to the Festival every year, enjoying a breathtaking setting, concerts with renowned acoustics and many free stages. With its ambitious programming choices and musical diversity, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers a privileged experience to musicians and the public.

In its 50 years history, Montreux has hosted iconic performances by artists including Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. Deep Purple and Prince even helped to write the legend of the place in their songs, while David Bowie and Freddie Mercury came to live in the region and record albums.

While jazz, soul and blues are at the roots of this event, other styles quickly found their place, anchored by artistic encounters and unique experiments. In recent years, Muse, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, Adele, Lady Gaga, Tyler The Creator, Lizzo, Rita Ora and many more played in Montreux and honoured the legends who have played here before them.

We feel extremely privileged to be able to access these events and include them in our clients’ corporate trips. For those interested in participating next year, more information about the festival can be found here.

Mont Blanc marathon

Posted on by Al Slinn

This past weekend Chamonix was filled with excitement as everyone cheered hundreds of runners participating in the Mont Blanc marathon. This is one of the most well-known trail running events in the valley and it features multiple, very impressive races.

90 km

The first, definitely craziest one is the Mont-Blanc 90 km race, which has become legendary in the Chamonix valley. It is 92km long with 6330 meters of vertical drop and it has been recognized as one of the most technical trail races in France. The route uses only hiking trails but these can sometimes be very narrow.

42 km

The flagship race of the weekend is however the 42 km. This race brings together the best of the discipline who are engaged in a breathtaking battle in a dream setting. The race starts with some fast and rolling tracks, then it continues on the steep slopes of the Aiguillette des Posettes before ending at the heart of Chamonix.

23 km

Created in 1979, the Cross du Mont-Blanc race has celebrated its 43rd edition in 2022. This friendly race, whose route has remained almost unchanged since its creation, takes runners on the tracks of the pioneers of the discipline. All while admiring an absolutely breathtaking panorama.

10 km
The Mont-Blanc 10 km allows running with family or friends. This trail, despite its little elevation gain, features short but intense climbs and technical descents.

Vertical km

And finally the vertical kilometer, which takes place in the form of a time trial. The end of the route features a via ferrata with steps, cables, pedals and handrails. Sticks are forbidden because of the technical nature of the race, which is not advised to people suffering from vertigo.

More detailed information on the Mont Blanc marathon, which takes place every summer in Chamonix, can be found on montblancmarathon.fr.

A new Mandarin Oriental hotel

Posted on by Al Slinn

In almost twenty years of event management, we have definitely learned one thing: accommodation is key for the success of an event. We spend a considerable amount of time searching and visiting properties while always being on the lookout for new openings. That’s why we were so excited to hear about the opening of a new Mandarin Oriental hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

As this article on hospitalitynet.org explains, Mandarin Oriental has signed a long term management agreement to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo. The property will undergo a substantial renovation, re-opening as a Mandarin Oriental resort just before the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic games.

Mandarin Oriental Cristallo will be the Group’s first alpine resort and expands Mandarin Oriental’s presence further in Italy. The property sits above the most recognized mountain village in the Dolomites, a short walk away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’. Venice Marco Polo Airport is reachable in one and a half hours by car.

Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 by the Menardi family and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s for the European cultured elite. After the Olympic Games of 1956 the Hotel entered its “golden era”, hosting royals and celebrities, including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. It has featured as a backdrop for a number of award-winning films, maintaining its historical charm as an early 20th century grand hotel.

On re-opening as Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, the hotel will feature 83 guestrooms including 30 spacious suites with beautiful views of the Dolomites. The property will also feature a range of restaurants and bars, flexible spaces for entertainment and events, as well as an extensive spa and wellness facility, which includes a swimming pool that transverses from inside to outside the building.

A perfect destination for corporate travel

Posted on by Al Slinn

Montenegro has become one of our favorite destinations for corporate trips during the past two years. In fact, we have just been spending a few days over there preparing for an upcoming corporate event.

Its breath-taking and varied landscapes, exquisite cuisine and wide range of outdoor activities make Montenegro a perfect destination for corporate travel. In this article, we have found even more reasons why Montenegro should be a top choice for conferences and corporate events.
 
First of all, Montenegro has experienced notable growth in the conference tourism sector over the past few years. There has been an accelerated construction, opening, and purchase of hotels equipped with conference rooms, and also workspaces that are intended for organizing various types of events.
 
Montenegro is also the perfect choice to surprise and astonish delegates and partners thanks to a combination of nature and breath-taking sites together with high-tech venues and conference halls. It is located only a two-hour flight from any European capital, which makes it a very easy destination to reach.


The National Tourism Organization of Montenegro has established the Convention Office Bureau in 2008, intending to promote Montenegro on international markets and develop the infrastructure of hotels, conference centers, and off-site venues. The Montenegro Convention Bureau includes hotels with convention facilities and agencies that can meet business event organization needs and special venues.
 
Montenegro’s conference facilities are expanding rapidly as more luxury hotels are opening. Most of them have modern equipment and many conference centers feature several halls, allowing simultaneous events to take place and capacities up to several hundred participants.

In sum, Montenegro really is a perfect destination for corporate travel, whether it’s conferences, team buildings or incentive trips. If you are curious to know more about our event destinations and projects, visit the “project” section of our website!

Reopening of Maison des Artistes

Posted on by Al Slinn

Maison des Artistes is one of the funkiest, most fascinating venues in the Chamonix valley. Home to concerts, art exhibitions, dance nights and events, the venue had unfortunately closed its doors back in 2019. Three years later, a reopening of Maison des Artistes has finally been announced for June 2022!

As an article on Chamonix.net explains, the venue is reopening its doors with a renewed project that encourages the practice of all arts, creation and training. It also aims to work hand in hand with the cultural and associative actors in the territory.

Works for the reopening of Maison des Artistes are carried out in 2 phases.

  • The first phase, already finished, entailed a general renovation of the building and the recording studio.
  • The second phase will begin in September 2022 and will include sealing work on the terrace and the construction of a second recording studio.

Maison des Artistes is managed by a “semi-public company”, led by Juliette Martinez alongside an artistic coordinator for the cultural programming, a sound engineer and a cultural administrator.

The venue will offer a broadcasting scene with music appointments, stand up shows, an artists’ residence and two recording studios, training and master classes, and a bar with a small restaurant open to all.

So, who’s ready for some singing and dancing at Maison des Artistes this summer?

Replacement of the Grands Montets lifts

Posted on by Al Slinn

Back in 2018, the Grands Montets ski area in Chamonix was severely affected by a fire which destroyed its two cable car stations. The accident severely impacted access to the area and deprived skiers of lift access to glacier skiing, previously reached via the top Grands Montets station. The Compagnie du Mont Blanc has recently unveiled exciting plans for the replacement of the Grands Montets lifts.

The project has been entrusted to the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. For those who don’t know him, his notable buildings include The Shard in London, the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

The project is very big and will likely take some years, currently aiming for completion by the 2023/24 season. The current building will be replaced by a more compact cable car station in a better location for public transport users, to include direct access to and from Argentière village and train station.

The aim of this replacement of the Grands Montets lifts is to ultimately offer a “four seasons” access to an exceptional high-mountain location, whether it be for mountain professionals, hikers or sight-seers. The essence of the Grands Montets will be preserved.

As a Chamonix spokesman reported: “The Compagnie du Mont-Blanc is working with determination and passion to imagine and carry out a fully integrated project for the Grands Montets site. This large-scale project must respond to the challenges of ecological transition by collectively imagining mechanism for the next fifty years. It is with this in mind that we work and will keep you informed of the progress of the project”.

Upcoming events in Chamonix

Posted on by Al Slinn

After two years of pandemic, it is a huge relief to see events come back to life. And if we talk about events, there is no better place in the French Alps than Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. As a year-round resort, Chamonix offers all sorts of events, from sport competitions to film festivals and concerts. Here’s an overview of upcoming events in Chamonix for summer 2022.

14 to 19 June 2022. Second edition of the Chamonix Film Festival. Film projections, meetings & talks with some of the mountaineering world’s most prominent personalities. Five days devoted to mountain lovers and enthusiasts!

23 to 26 June 2022. Mont Blanc marathon. A trail running event comprised of 8 different races to suit every participant’s expectations and level of practice. The event includes the “flagship” 42km race, 23km, 10km, the “Duo under the stars” (duo race at nightfall), Vertical Kilometer, as well as races for children.

30 June to 3 July 2022. Arc’teryx Alpine Academy. The outdoor community will be gathering in Chamonix, at the heart of the Alps, to celebrate the biggest educational outdoor event in the world. Programme: clinics and workshops led by mountain guides and athletes, free Alpine village, DJ, film screenings…

8 to 10 July 2022. Climbing World Cup. Programme: Difficulty World Cup (Men and Women) and Speed World Cup (Men and Women).

3 to 22 July 2022. Baroque Festival. A series of exceptional concerts held in towns and villages of the Mont Blanc region as a tribute to Johann-Sebastian Bach.

24 to 30 July 2022. Cosmojazz Festival. Concerts at altitude take place during the day on sites chosen for their majestic scenery. From 5 to 9 pm., it’s time for concerts in Chamonix center! The Couttet Park becomes the focal point of the festival, hosting a large covered stage.

22 to 28 August 2022. Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. An extraordinary adventure at the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif! The UTMB is a trail running event for runners from around the world.

We surely can’t wait to take part in all these exciting, upcoming events in Chamonix and we hope to bring some of our clients along to experience the magic.

Return to in-person events

Posted on by Al Slinn

As an event business we are constantly keeping updated on industry updates, especially after all the changes brought about by the pandemic. A recent article on sociatables.com highlights some key 2022 event industry trends, insisting on the return to in-person events. This is really great news for us, as we organize winter and summer corporate trips for our clients all over the world.

As the article explains, a recent 2022 Global Meetings and Events Forecast highlights a high anticipation of in-person events returning in 2022. 67% of respondents believe levels will return to their pre-pandemic numbers within one to two years. In-person event growth is also supported by the high number of event professionals who have increased their events budget for 2022: 64% of respondents. Due to the anticipation of the return of in-person events, some venues already have limited or no availability for events in 2022. Event venues, event staff, and other vital services will likely be in high demand. Booking the necessary vendors and services may prove more difficult.

We are thrilled to hear these good news and to start planning our live events again. In fact, the 2021/2022 winter season has already been surprisingly busy for us. We are already planning our summer events and winter corporate trips for next year.

We believe in creating unforgettable event experiences whether it’s ski trips, outdoor adventures, city escapes or other corporate event types. Being able to communicate closely with our clients and design the perfect, tailor-made trip is at the heart of our event philosophy. We typically start the planning process 4 to 10 months before the event and spend a lot of time finding the right venue, suppliers and activities on site.

Most of all though, we love seeing our clients have fun and enjoying the moment them, while making sure everything runs super smoothly. After these couple of difficult years, we are 100% ready to go back to in-person events!

New event venue: the Labrador hotel, Chamonix

Posted on by Al Slinn

Although we have been based in the Chamonix valley since 2004, there is always some exciting, new event venue to discover. And one thing is certain: we do love it when a property turns out to be brilliant for our clients! We recently took a corporate group to the Labrador hotel in Chamonix and they absolutely loved it. So much so that they are looking to come back next year already!

The Labrador Hotel is ideally situated on the prestigious Chamonix Golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, facing Mont Blanc and located just 300 m from the Flégère cable car. The hotel is located only 250 meters from the Flégère ski lift and only 3 km from the centre of Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi cable car, giving you access to the prestigious Chamonix ski area and its 163 km of slopes. The property benefits from an exceptional natural environment with a southern exposure facing the Mont-Blanc, at the gates of the Aiguilles Rouges natural reserve. The Labrador hotel welcomes you with a breathtaking view of the Mont Blanc and the Drus for a romantic getaway, a family stay or a professional seminar in the Chamonix valley.

After a strenuous day of skiing or hiking you can enjoy the wellness area from 4 – 9.30pm: Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and multi-jet shower. Massages and treatments are available on appointment.

At the Labrador hotel you will find a professional team whose purpose is the smooth running of your stay. A warm and smiling welcome in an authentic and comfortable setting will make your stay an unforgettable experience!

Sounds great for your next conference or incentive trip? Contact the Ten80 team and we will arrange an amazing company event for you and your colleagues in this fantastic new event venue.

Expanding our event destination portfolio

Posted on by Al Slinn

Since we founded Ten80 Events in 2004, our event destination portfolio has grown significantly. We started out taking clients to the French Alps and especially in Chamonix, where we are based. Along the years, we started exploring other mountain resorts across France, Italy and Austria, diversifying our winter event offer. But we did not want to restrict ourselves to winter events or to a particular area of the world. So, with time and a lot of “recce” trips, we have built our expertise of several destinations around the world. To this day, Ten80 Events has taken clients to anywhere from Europe to the USA, from India to Cuba. Expanding our event destination portfolio allows us to offer the most diverse types of trips: urban escapes, rural retreats, adventurous team buildings, incentives in the sun and, of course, winter corporate trips on the slopes.

We have recently looked to add a new destination to our portfolio: Scotland. With its natural beauty and historical charm, Scotland has the perfect ingredients for a successful corporate trip. We have selected a few, stunning properties in the country offering great corporate facilties as well as spas, country clubs, golf courses and more. We are looking forward to taking our first groups of clients to this magical land for an unforgettable event experience.

Some of our favorite properties in Scotland are:

Peebles Hydro

Gleneagles

Atholl Palace