Buenos Aires

EXPERIAN ELITE SCHEME OVERVIEW
Key facts
 The Experian Elite scheme rewards the remarkable achievement and self-motivation of
those who perform in excess of their targets in the UK&I and EMEA regions. The
reward for success in 2012 is a tailor-made trip to Argentina.
 Destinations visited so far: Berlin, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, Dubai, Mexico, Las
Vegas/Scottsdale, Zambia, Amalfi Coast, Marrakech and New York in 2011.
 In the run up to the 2011 Sales Conference, the UK+EMEA sales people voted for the
2012 Elite destination. They chose Argentina against Canada and Chile.
 In 2011 there were 50 awards including 35 for UK&I and 15 for EMEA
 This represents about 6% of the UK&I sales force and 5.5% of the EMEA sales force
 In 2012 there are 49 awards including 34 for UK&I and 15 for EMEA
2012 Elite Award categories
Region
Business area
No Awards
UK&I
Credit Services
12
UK&I
Marketing Services
6
UK&I
Corporate Strategic Clients
2
UK&I
Interactive
3
UK&I
Public Sector
3
UK&I
Contribution to Sales
2
GBL
Decision Analytics UK&I and Global S&C
6
EMEA
Credit Services
4
EMEA
Marketing Services
4
EMEA
Decision Analytics
4
EMEA
Strategic Clients
2
EMEA
Contribution to Sales
1
UK&I
UK&I Sales Person of the Year Award
1
EMEA
EMEA Sales Person of the Year Award
1
Total number of Elite Awards for 2012
49
Incentive campaign
Some of the emailers we sent out:
Rubik’s Cube to keep on desk:
ITINERARY
Destination overview
Buenos Aires and Iguazú
 Buenos Aires, a complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches
south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to Argentina
for centuries. Mix together smooth European culture, world renowned cuisine
and wines, great shopping, and a frenzied nightlife, and you get Buenos Aires,
a cosmopolitan metropolis with both slick neighbourhoods and equally
downtrodden areas – but that’s part of the appeal.
 Located in the Northeast of Argentina, Puerto Iguazú sits at the tri-border
with Paraguay and Brazil. Only 11km from the world-renowned Iguazú Falls,
the city is home to a thriving and active community of artisans, nestled within
the stunning backdrop of the Aguas Grandes region, a spectacular and
diverse jungle ecosystem protected by Argentine and Brazilian national parks
on either side of the cascades.
Itinerary
Outline
Itinerary
Friday 7 December
Flights from UK/EMEA in the evening
Saturday 8 December
Arrival in Buenos Aires early morning
Sunday 9 December
Buenos Aires
Monday 10 December
Morning flight to Iguazú (flight time 1 hour 45mins)
Tuesday 11 December
Iguazú
Wednesday 12 December
Iguazú
Thursday 13 December
Return flight to Buenos Aires
Friday 14 December
Transfer to airport for return flight home
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Arrival at hotel
Arrival at Faena Hotel & Universe, welcome drink and check in
The opulent and modern Faena Hotel and Universe, steeped in the culture
and history of Argentina, offers its guests a very different experience.
The hotel is an exclusive, award-winning establishment that seamlessly
blends history and modernity. It is situated among the historic buildings of the
revitalized Puerto Madero neighbourhood, in the heart of Buenos Aires' arts
district.
There are several restaurants and lounges on-site featuring fine local and
international cuisine, including El Mercado, El Bistro, and The Cellar, which
holds the largest wine collection in Argentina.
The hotel's Cabaret offers intimate tango shows and musical performances,
and its full-service spa - including Hammam-style sweat bath - and the
gorgeous outdoor swimming pool, provide an unrivalled relaxation experience
in Buenos Aires.
With a wide variety of exclusive rooms the Faena offers the warmth and
charm of a boutique hotel on a much grander scale. And with its lavish yet
tasteful decor, it will at once put guests at ease and make them feel like
royalty.
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Daytime
Buenos Aires highlights: City Tour
After check in and some time to freshen up at the hotel, short panoramic City Tour including some of the highlights of the
city, such as 9 de Julio Avenue, the Obelisk, the historical area of May Square (surrounded by the Government House,
the Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral). Ending at Puerto Madero Area.
Lunch at Puerto Cristal Restaurant – Located in Puerto Madero
After lunch, those willing to continue with the City Tour, will have the opportunity to visit the southern areas of the city,
such as San Telmo, La Boca, with the colourful street of Caminito, ending at La Recoleta area to visit the Northern
Cemetery, where the grave of Evita Perón is located (Approx ending at 5pm)
Those who wish, will be transferred back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and facilities.
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Welcome Dinner
Depart hotel at 6.30pm for the Welcome Dinner
El Querandi: Wine tasting followed by Dinner and Tango
The evening will begin with a typical wine tasting called the Virtual Route of
the Argentine Wine, when a sommelier will explain which are the most
important areas in which Argentine wine is produced. Guests will taste 3
wines and enter a competition where they will need to describe the special
features of the wines.
After the wine tasting guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner accompanied with
Argentine wines at El Querandí.
While having dinner, guests will enjoy live music performed by a quartet
('bandoneón', piano, violin and double bass), and two couples of tango
dancers.
Transfer back to hotel, overnight accommodation at Faena Hotel.
Day 2: Buenos Aires countryside
Daytime
Day in the countryside visiting El Rosario de Areco Ranch
This is a very old Estancia from the 19th Century. The owners belong to old families
of conquerors, patriots and pioneers and they are still breeding and training Polo
ponies with their sons.
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by gauchos on horseback. Guests will enjoy a
welcome brunch with the traditional empanadas (moonshaped pastries filled with
meat).
Afterwards, each guest will take part into the activity they signed up before
departure:
Gaucho skills class: learn how to saddle up a horse, how to manage a boleadora
(this is a throwing weapon designed to capture animals by entangling their legs), in
this case guests will throw it against a stick; and play the ‘horseshoe game’.
Cooking class: guests will learn how to cook empanadas.
Riding: guests will enjoy horse riding in the surroundings of the ranch.
Private Polo class: for experienced riders only.
Swimming pool, volleyball, football and carriages are at disposal of guests all day.
Lunch: Typical Argentine Barbecue
While having dessert, guests will enjoy a Folk Music show, where traditional
countryside dances will be performed by local dancers.
This will be followed by a Gaucho Skills Show, where gauchos will demonstrate
some of the traditional games on horseback that they used to play in their spare time
hundreds of years ago. The grand finale will be a Polo demonstration game,
performed by international players.
At approx 5pm, homemade pastries and hot beverages will be served to the guests.
Return to hotel after tea.
Dinner at leisure that night and overnight accommodation at Faena Hotel.
Day 3: Iguazú
Arrival at hotel
Morning transfer from Faena hotel to Domestic Airport to board flight to Iguazú
Flight departs Buenos Aires at 08:25 and arrives Iguazú at 10:15.
Transfer to Loi Suites hotel, check in and welcome lunch
A luxury hotel built in the subtropical jungle of Iryapu, the Loi Suites is located 15 minutes from the Iguazú falls.
This breathtaking hotel was built with extreme respect for nature, preserving native trees and most of the jungle.
The hotel boasts a spa, a stunning outdoor pool, private Iguazú River access and suspended bridges between the hotel
buildings for a bit of added fun!
Rooms all feature spectacular views into the jungle, and the smooth combination of technology and a tranquil ambiance
will make guests’ stay an unforgettable experience.
Day 3: Iguazú
Afternoon and evening
Afternoon at leisure by the pool
or
Enjoy the Iguazú Forest Adventure (optional)
Guests will explore the jungle of Misiones, going through the wilderness and
over streams, and move towards the 'Trail of the Giant Trees', where they
will enjoy some trekking. During the jungle tour they will be shown species of
the native flora, their characteristics and medicinal properties, as well as their
ecological value.
Arriving at the giant drumstick tree zone of the forest, guests are given all the
equipment & safety guidance necessary to pull themselves up to the viewing
platforms of the canopy level, more than 30 metres up. From here they are
literally free as a bird – zipping from one tree to the next, before the daring
descent through the waterfall, back to the forest floor.
Surprise Welcome Dinner in the jungle
Transfer back to the hotel, overnight accommodation at Loi Suites
Day 4 Iguazú
Daytime
Tour of the Argentine Side of the Iguazú Waterfalls
The walking tours of both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the Iguazú Falls are a
must. The Brazilian side offers wide expansive panoramic vistas, looking across the
river gorge. The Argentine side offers "up close and personal" views with walks
along the base of several falls and across the top of some falls.
Today we’ll visit the Argentine Side, where guests will board an eco-train to get to
the most spectacular fall: the Devil's Gorge.
Guests will also visit the lower and upper trails with several panoramic views of the
falls.
Lunch at La Selva Restaurant, located within the national park.
Afternoon: the Great Adventure Tour
After a ride through the jungle, it's time to view the Falls from the river, via a thrilling
zodiac ride along the rapids, to the smaller falls and through and under the falls –
and yes, getting drenched, so swimwear at the ready!
Return to hotel, dinner at leisure and overnight accommodation at Loi Suites.
Day 5 Iguazú
Daytime and evening
Tour of the Brazilian Side of the Iguazú Waterfalls
Crossing the International Bridge, guests will arrive to the Brazilian side of the Falls.
They will take in the panoramic views and eco-diversity of the Iguazú National Park,
and follow the winding trail of the Iguazú River. With spectacular views across the
falls, the beautiful scenery is enhanced even more by the presence of permanent
rainbows. Dropping into Devil’s Gorge lower viewpoint, other highlights include views
of the most impressive waterfalls, which span from Brazil back across to Argentina.
Lunch at Puerto Canoas Restaurant, located within the park and on an impressive
spot right on the water.
Afternoon: guests can take part into the following optional activities:
- Helicopter overflight
- Visit to the Birds Park
- Rafting and rappelling
- Arborismo (activities involving trees)
Return to hotel, and transfer to La Rueda restaurant in Iguazú.
Iguazú is a lively town and guests can safely go out after dinner if they wish.
Back to hotel, and overnight accommodation at Loi Suites.
Day 6: Buenos Aires
Return to Buenos Aires for Farewell Gala Dinner
Morning transfer to Iguazú Airport to board flight to Buenos
Aires
Flight departs Iguazú at 10:55 and arrives Buenos Aires at 12:50.
Arrival at Faena hotel and check in
Afternoon at leisure to relax at the hotel , sightsee or go shopping
Farewell Gala Dinner and party at the Yacht Club in Puerto Madero
A drinks reception will be held in the slick surroundings of the Yacht Club,
followed by dinner and dancing. There are several nightclubs in the area for
those who would like to carry on, otherwise the fabulous bar at the Faena
Hotel will remain open for us.
Transfer back to hotel, overnight accommodation at Faena Hotel
Day 7: Buenos Aires
Departure
Morning at leisure
 Breakfast will be available at the hotel.
 Guests will have some leisure time in the morning.
Airport transfers
 The UK group flight transfer will depart around midday.
 Airport transfers for EMEA guests will be arranged on an individual basis.
Argentina
Fast facts
Visa
Visas are not required by UK, EU or US citizens. Please check for other nationalities.
Direct flights
Available from London with BA, Paris with Air France, Madrid with Iberia and Amsterdam with KLM.
Flight time
13–14 hours
Time difference
GMT -3
Recommended time to visit
November to March
Time of Elite 2012 trip
7 to 14 December 2012