Here’s a list of some of the best spring festivals in Europe put together by Rad Season.

Sónar Reykjavík

Forget the 40 degrees heat and the hot beers. Sónar Reykjavík is all about geysers, northern lights and a plethora of amazing artists.

Now in its seventh edition, the festival is unmissable both for the vastness of the program and for the location. The Harpa Concert Hall is one of the most evocative examples of Northern Europe architecture and Iceland is not one of the coolest destination of the region. In Reykjavík you can can find a craft vodka distillery just 40km from the city and you can enjoy the local public heated swimming pool for free.

When & where: March 18-20, 2019 – Reykjavík, Iceland

Snowbombing, Austria

For those who love music and snowboarding, Snowbombing is a must. This famous Austrian festival has been perfectly combining the two since 2000. Riding the slopes at day and partying at night is an April tradition in Mayrhofen, a lush Austrian sky resort town.

You will be partying in the strangest of places, from forest clearings to alpine farmsteads and an igloo village. The lineup is varied, with something for everyone from electronic DJs to indie live acts. Bring your best party jacket but make sure it is designed for extreme weather conditions.

When & where: April 8-13, 2019 – Mayrhofen, Austria

Lost & Found Festival, Malta

If you are not the snow type, you can enjoy the an early taste of summer in Malta. Curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Lost and found Malta is an electronic festival celebrating club culture outside of the icy club scenes of Berlin and London.

This year on it’s 5th edition, Lost & Found brings high quality, international artists in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea to let you enjoy world class electronic music in between pool-parties, boat-parties and even a castle rave. A high-energy festival perfect to unwind during spring break. Are you ready to pack shades and bikinis for one of the raddest festivals in Europe?

When & where: May 2-5, 2019 –  St Paul’s Bay, Malta

Nuits Sonores, France

A 360 degrees creativity festival, Nuits Sonores takes over the city of Lyon in eastern France each May for more then 10 years now. From experimental techno and electronic music to graphic design and contemporary art, this is the place to be to expanding ones cultural horizons. The festival events are spread over 40 iconic public spaces of the city.

The lineup is firmly rooted in the underground, showcasing both internationally celebrated artists and emerging talents across three days and four nights. Every year, the festival welcomes three established names to curate the daytime festivities: in 2019 it is the time for Bonobo, Peggy Gou, Maceo Plex and Lena Willikens.

When & where: May 28 – June 2, 2019 – Lyon, France

The Great Escape, United Kingdom

The Great Escape is a showcase for new music, mixed with well-known artists, both for the festival goers and for the industry insiders. Brighton, probably the cutest seaside city of the United Kingdom will be literally invaded by music for 3 days: 450 artists, 30 city venues plus a huge (double) location on the beach.

The lineup showcases the future of pop and alternative music, including emerging names ranging from South Korea to Canada, from Australia to Portugal, with British representation. The genres go from the Indian electronics to rap. Between a dj set by Laurel Halo, the rough guitars of Goat Girl and the psychs of Chileans The Ganjas, the advice is to venture through the dense program in search of the musical discovery of the year.

When & where: May 9-11, 2019 – Brighton, UK

Primavera Sound, Spain

The last event of the spring season is probably one of the better known and most loved in Europe. Barcelona’s Primavera Sound is an indie rock giant event which also features some dance and electronic music.

The festival keeps its roots under the wide canopy of world class rock, with this year headliners including Future, Janelle Monáe, Nas and Rosalía. But also giving rising artists an international platform to perform. Primavera Sound is one of those massive events that can leave you a bit drained, but try to save some energy to explore Barcelona, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

When & where: May 30 – June 1, 2019 – Barcelona, Spain

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This multi-faceted destination has been in our portfolio for years and we have run some memorable corporate events there in the past. That’s why, when our client suggested Morocco, we immediately thought of Agafay desert.

What is Agafay desert?

This desert is located about 1 hour drive from Marrakech and covers several hundred hectares. Since several years now, it has become the place to be for visitors coming to Marrakech. The landscape is impressive, with rock dunes and a breathtaking view of the mountains during the winter.

What to do in Agafay desert?

One of the most incredible activities in Agafay desert is enjoying an exceptional night in one of the camps. There is a wide choice of accommodation: domes, lodges, or tents. This is a great way to admire the beautiful sunset and dine under the starry sky of Agafay.

If only spending the day, a great option is a lunch or dinner by the pool in one of the camps with a panoramic view of the desert. This is also a great opportunity to try the delicious Moroccan cuisine.

In the mood for some exploration? It’s time for a quad ride! This is by far the best way to discover the most beautiful landscapes of Agafay desert, while taking a tea break in a traditional bivouac.

And finally, for those looking for something unique, a camel ride will take you to the heart of Agafay in the most authentic of ways.

{ Source: Marrakechbestof.com }

One thing’s for sure: we can’t wait to write up the agenda for this Moroccan event!

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Amsterdam is perhaps not your usual summer destination as clients tend to choose the mountains or seaside, especially for incentives. However, the city is perfect for an urban escape and extremely corporate-friendly.

Reasons to host an event in Amsterdam

In this article on Iamsterdam.com we found 7 reasons why Amsterdam is just the perfect event destination.

1. Amsterdam is easily accessible by international train and plane (the airport is only 20 minutes away from the city centre by public transport). On top of that, it is a very compact city with short travel times between hotels, venues and restaurants. 
2. It has great digital connectivity: Amsterdam is a tech hub with one of the strongest internet backbones in the world and a leader in innovation and applying new technology.
3. There are more than 500 beautiful venues.
4. There are more than 40,000 hotel rooms, all located close to the venues.
5. It is an iconic international destination with 750 years of history to discover and countless things to see and do.
6. It has an extensive knowledge and business network coupled with world-class universities and research centres.
7. Amsterdam is known for its commitment to collaboration and social connectivity. Parties involved in your event are well-connected and accustomed to working together.

…And some rankings

On top of these very valid reasons to organise your event in Amsterdam, here are some top rankings involving the city:

#5 among world’s best cities for smart mobility

#6 city for international association meetings 2021 in Europe

#1 safest city in Europe and #6 worldwide

#1 sustainable European city

#3 best airport in Western Europe

#1 for direct connectivity and hub connectivity 

Needless to say, we are thrilled to explore this destination thoroughly and polish our local connections in preparation for our upcoming event!

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You might think of Portugal as a destination for summer events, but this small city in the north of the country is just perfect in autumn time. Sun is still shining and the temperatures go down by a few degrees, making the weather much more enjoyable than in summertime. The city gets an autumn-y, melancholic look, perfectly in line with the decadent vibe of Portuguese cities.

We spent five days exploring the best shops, restaurants, activities and viewpoints in Porto. Here’s a few of the gems we found.

SHOPS

While wandering the small streets of the old town we came across a couple of very interesting little shops. These are not the typical touristy stores selling you tiles made in China, but local shops with hand-made clothing and beautiful prints. Our favorites were Coração Alecrim and Mercado 48.

RESTAURANTS

We don’t want to reveal too much here, but if we had to choose one restaurant, then Museu d’Avó (granny’s museum) is a must-go. The typical cuisine is amazing, and the candle-light atmosphere with antiques hanging from the walls and ceiling is just fascinating.

ACTIVITIES

There is one activity you cannot miss in Porto: a Porto wine tasting. You can choose among the many cellars available, from Burmester to Sandeman or Cálem. After a guided tour of the cellar learning everything about Porto wine, you can choose to taste 2, 3 or 5 Porto wines, sometimes accompanied by cheese or chocolate. The experience will leave you delighted, and a bit light-headed too!

VIEWPOINTS

There are several spots to stop and admire the city, but we have no doubt: the Crystal Palace Gardens is top of the list. This is a public park where ducks, hens, peacocks and turkeys range freely. You can sit to relax in the grass or walk around the terraces, admiring the city and river from above. There’s even a tower you can climb up to take pictures of the view!

This was not our first time in Porto, and it surely won’t be the last. Thanks to the knowledge we have accumulated over the years, the city is now fully part of our destination portfolio. We hope to see you there on our next event soon!

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We have discovered this magical land on a corporate trip in 2018 and we’ve since been dreaming of running another event there. This week, it finally happened: we are back in Iceland with our clients!

But why is Iceland such a popular destination for corporate travel?

As this article on cooltraveliceland points out, Iceland has first of all a breathtaking, extremely varied landscape. Glaciers, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and black sand beaches, to name just a few.

However, the country also offers a rich culture, a world-class food and drink scene, and some of the most amazing natural hot springs in the world. Quite a few ways to relax and unwind after a busy day in the conference room!

Corporate trips in Iceland can be planned at any time of the year, as the country has something different to experience in every season. From puffin watching in the summer, to discovering ice caves and watching the Northern Lights in the winter. The best news? Its bustling capital city, Reykjavik, has a wide choice of hotels and conference venues to suit every budget.

As our local connections in this destination increase, we will continue to propose Iceland to our clients for future trips. We do hope to see you there on your next corporate event!

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As read in the description on the hotel’s website, La Darbia is situated above Orta in the middle of a wood and park area with ancient chestnut trees, maples and hornbeams. The residential ensemble blends into the terraced landscape, in constant dialogue with the ever-changing light and mood of Lago d’Orta.

All its 20 apartments open onto the garden with its Nebbiolo vineyard, saltwater pool and solarium. The views wander all the way to Monte Rosa. All units have a private outdoor area: on the ground floor a garden bordered by vines, on the upper floor a panoramic terrace.

One of the most impressive features of La Darbia was its food. For breakfast, just like all other meals, guests can enjoy local products and ingredients coming from surrounding farms. Jams and cakes are directly prepared by the chef. Freshly-baked croissants and bread come every morning from a nearby bakery, while fruits and vegetables are from the property’s gardens.

We loved the authenticity of La Darbia and its attachment to the local territory. There is no doubt this property would make a perfect venue for incentives and corporate events. It has entered our list of top properties in northern Italy and we can’t wait to take our clients for a visit to Lake Orta!

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