St. Petersburg, 19-21 October 2008 – The Grand Hotel Europe had been chosen to be host of the annual European Bellini Club meeting, organized by the Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises Company.
The Bellini Club comprises 83 European travel agents coming from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, that are leading promoters of Orient-Express properties (hotels, safari camps, train expeditions, restaurants).
For this crème of Travel and C&I Agents, being part of this exclusive Club allows them to provide a higher level of service to their guests of the Orient Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises. The Bellini Club members actively contribute to spread the image of excellence built by the Orient Express company, founded in 1976. In order to thank those great ambassadors, an exciting program had been carefully planed by the Orient-Express teams.
Orient-Express’ Regional Managing Directors from around the world gathered to present during the conference the latest developments in the group's portfolio – 51 operations globally. The culmination of the 2 days program was the “Russian Extravaganza Ball” which took place in the opulent Catherine’s Palace in Tsarkoe Selo.
The Palace-and-Park Ensemble, former country residence of Russian Emperors, is renowned for its Amber Room, reopened in 2003 at the 300-year anniversary of Saint-Petersburg. A sightseeing tour had also been scheduled on the last day, including a short visit of the Hermitage Museum.
