Fine dining, RIB boats and Vikings
“We chose Copenhagen because we thought it was a different, unusual destination that would be somewhere interesting, which it proved to be. The feedback from our guests was positive – they all seemed to have really enjoyed it.”
Lloyds TSB was looking for an unusual itinerary to suit a small, exclusive group of clients, essentially as a reward for major deals closed over the previous 12 months. While the program itself was only for two nights, it needed to include outdoor adventure as well as high-end hospitality. “We had to think about why they were travelling,” explains Bent Hadler, chief executive of Hadler DMC.
Copenhagen incentive
Copenhagen`s mix of fine dining and water-based activities appealed to Lloyds, and we did put together a lively itinerary. “Denmark has so much coastline, so it made sense to include something on the water,” says Hadler. “Likewise, the city sets very high standards with its restaurants.”
The group was based at the Hotel 27, a centrally located property that gave good access to nightlife, shopping and the famous amusement park Tivoli Gardens. After arrival and check-in, participants were transferred to the harbor side for an hour-long RIB boat ocean race. Suitably energized, they were then treated to a rickshaw tour of the city before an evening of traditional food and beer-tasting at Nyhavn.
The following day started with a 50-minute journey to Roskilde, where the group was met by Viking ships for a hands-on sailing experience in local waters with on-board instructors. This was followed by a tour of the nearby Viking Ship Museum, lunch and a coach back to town, where the group joined the Old Night Watchmen of Copenhagen for a themed walking tour.
The evening kicked off by wrapping up warm for a cocktail in the hotel`s Ice Bar, before participants headed to Paafuglen Restaurant in the Tivoli Gardens.
The following morning was given over to free-time for brunch and shopping, before a farewell Danish lunch at Domhuskaelderen Restaurant and a transfer back to the airport.
“We chose Copenhagen because we thought it was a different, unusual destination that would be somewhere interesting, which it proved to be,” says Bernie Boyles, acquisition finance at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. “The feedback from our guests was positive – they all seemed to have really enjoyed it.”