FAMTRIP MICE UK 15th to 17th November 2015
B
ilbao
is a magnificent city where architecture, tradition, sea and mountain, character and history all blend together to
offer numerous culture and leisure opportunities. The city is located in the north-central part of Spain, being the largest municipality of the Basque Country and the 10th largest in Spain. Today Bilbao is an internationally-recognised city because the
strength of its cutting edge build environment, technology and industrial heritage. The icon of this transformation is the Guggenheim museum with its stunning architecture, the work of Frank Gehry. During your visit to Bilbao you can take the river as point of reference , La Ría, the estuary, is an artery along which ships used to arrive and which today remains a key part of city life. Following its course you’ll come to Puente Bizkaia, a jewel of industrial architecture and a World heritage Site. Discovering La Ría and its bridges is a journey through the city’s history. El Zubizuri (Basque for white bridge) and the Arrupe foot bridge are icons of the new Bilbao, while others like the San Antón bridge, which has been there for over 700 years are important representatives of its past. La Ría also takes you to the Casco Viejo, or Old Town, a lively area which is very close to the hearts of Bilbao’s inhabitants. Take a walk around its bustling “seven streets” and before you realize it you will be trying pintxos and wine or “txikiteando”. As well as colourful, tempting pintxo bars, the Casco Viejo offers you countless shops to browse, old shops packed with charm and also the latest trends in fashion and accessories.
Sunday,15th November 2015 08.30
BA466 Flight from London Heathrow to Bilbao Airport. Please proceed to check in and meet your hosts Neill Hendry and Maria Yacoub either at departure gate or in the arrivals hall in Bilbao (if we miss one another). * Dress code: Comfortable/Casual for travelling.
11.30
Arrival at Bilbao Airport and transfer to Azurmendi restaurant, which combines an industrial look with the purest traditional Basque farmhouse style, surrounded by the lush greenery of Basque mountains.
The peace and quiet of the natural
surroundings and a modern and practical design makes this restaurant the perfect venue for corporate meetings, conventions and training events. 15.00
Check in at Melia Bilbao Hotel, 4* and free time.
17.00
Bike-riding in the centre, offering you a different point of view of the city. You will discover the urban change that the city has experienced during the last few years.
18.00
Return to the hotel to enjoy the facilities and panoramic views from the magnificent bedrooms.
21.00
Dinner at Aizian Restaurant, awarded one Michelin Star in 2014. “A la carte� restaurant, fusion of traditional Basque cuisine
Monday, 16th November 2015 09.00
Time to enjoy a succulent and energetic breakfast
10.45
Site inspection of the Melia Bilbao, 4*.
12.15
Lunch at Aspaldiko, a beautiful old farm house dated in the XVI century and located in the countryside, surrounded by nice gar-
dens
and protected by the Basque Government as a cultural heritage site.
13.45
Transfer to Bilbao Airport
15.55
Flight from Bilbao Airport to Barcelona.
16.55
Arrival time to Barcelona Airport. Transfers to the Melia Barcelona Sky are provided by IBTM.
18.00
Check in at the Melia Barcelona Sky, 4* and free time.
19.30 Please meet your hosts Neill Hendry, Maria Yacoub and Ana Escribano from the Melia Barcelona Sky Hotel for a brief site inspection of the property. 20.00 Please meet from this time at the hotel lobby for our Melia Party, hosted this year at the Melia Barcelona Sky, our base for tonight. Dress Code: Smart casual - The Great Gatsby Casino night!
Tuesday, 17th November 2015 07.30
Breakfast at your leisure from this time.
10.00
IBTM Day One. Appointments as scheduled by yourself throughout the morning. Please refer to your IBTM itinerary.
12.40-13.00 Group appointment in Melia Stand J48 17.30
Please meet Maria Yacoub at the Melia Stand (J48) prior to your airport transfer. (Please bring your luggage to the stand)
20.55
Flight BA471 from Barcelona Airport to Heathrow Airport. * Dress code: Comfortable/Casual for travelling.
GLOBAL SALES OFFICE UK - Your Hosts and Contacts NEILL HENDRY Head of MICE UK Neill.hendry@melia.com +44 (0) 773 682 7658
ROGER BRADLEY
MARIA YACOUB
LISA CARTER
Global Account Manager
Global Account Executive
Global Account Manager
Roger.bradley@melia.com
Maria.yacoub@melia.com
Lisa.carter@melia.com
+44 (0) 7736 827 658
SOLEDAD SANZ
+44 (0) 7710 398 001
ALEXANDRE DOS SANTOS
+44 (0) 7775 796 197
MIRIAM FERREIRO
Global Account Coordinator
Global Account Coordinator
Global Account Coordinator
Soledad.sanz.garcia@melia.com
Alexandre.santos@melia.com
Miriam.ferreiro@melia.com
+44 (0)20 7391 300, ext. 4090
+44 (0)20 7391 3052, ext. 4051
+44 (0)20 7391 300, ext. 4091
Send your enquiries @ mice.uk@melia.com