All posts filed under: City Breaks

Cruise Ships at Bilbao Port, many guests, many options.

Published by Mariette R.

The past 31st of May, The port of cruise ships in Bilbao, Getxo set its record this season, with more than 8700 guests and 3000 crew members in total. Independence of the Seas, the biggest of the cruise ships that day in Port,  helds one of the highest rock climbing walls, golf simulator, ice skating rings, a wave simulator and more than 10 pools and jacuzzis, a theater for 2000 people and many options for dining, but the guests had other idea in mind, visiting Bilbao. The Independence was docked in the superb crystal building that represents today the Port of Bilbao. A magnificent building, with all the requirements to make the transition from the ship top the pier an easy one. Guests were guided at the earliest hours to their tour bus, where hundreds of guests enjoy a full day of discovering Bilbao, Gernika, Castro Urdiales and many other places from the hand of our experienced guides from NIS. Thousand other guests were taken on their own to Bilbao downtown where they spent many …

IMEX Frankfurt a date you cannot miss.

Published by Mariette R.

May 16th it is a date that everyone in the Tourism business knows. IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany,  is the landmark exhibition for professionals working within the incentive travel, meetings and events industry, run by meetings professionals for meetings professionals. This year european exhibitors took nearly 45% of the space being the primarily option where  3500 exhibitors of 150 countries had their space. 14.000 participants in total, thousands of appointments, an another success for NIS. Miramar, our avid traveller and experienced representative,  had the chance of spending 2 days at the IMEX Frankfurt full of scheduled appointments, bringing her innovative ideas and showing once more, that there  is many opportunities in Northern Spain for big or small companies, where we take care of their request and accommodate every wish, adopting ideas, and promoting new ones.

Cancun, a paradise for a MICE Forum

Published by Mariette R.

From the 7th to the 10th of May, Marimar, our best representative for NIS, here and abroad, brought to Cancun, Mexico, the best destination ideas for hundreds of incentive vendors from across Europe and the Americas in the yearly America Forum 2017. This networking experiences are a great opportunity to show and learn about different destinations, maybe not well known from far and bring them the opportunity to be close, very hard work days, where agendas are full of meetings. Meetings where we get to teach and learn a bit more about what we have to offer, different experiences, highest quality in services and innovative ideas and much more. NIS represent the northern part of Spain as it best, demonstrating once again that we work hard, we know what we sell and we want to show everyone why is becoming one of the best destinations in Spain.  

Galicia, Wines and Camellias

Published by Mariette R.

Bringing a bit of the northwest Spain to the Basque Country, Galicia, a well known place first of all for their pilgrim race, but Galicia is more than that, It is surrounded by beautiful lagoons, crystal-cleat rivers and forrest and never to forget one of their strong keys…Gastronomy. The best fresh seafood can be found in every corner of each town you may visit, the wines are recognized worldwide, fresh whites that accompany the afternoons after a day of visits, a day of discovering the different sites that Galicia brings to you. The past 6th of April, NIS organized with the Tourism Agency for the promotion of Galicia, TURGALICIA, a gathering in Bodega Urbana, in the center of Bilbao where hundreds of travel agents where invited to enjoy an afternoon of wine and Camellias, the place looked like a forrest where you could enjoy a wide variety of wine tasting and a cocktail from the one Michelin Star Chef, Pepe Solla, from Pontevedra. A presentation from the destination was shown and the participants were given …

Programmed visits to Historical buildings.

Published by Mariette R.

Getxo, one of our most charming towns in the outskirts of Bilbao, it was erected in the 12th century and what started as a place for Fishermans, was soon the selected spot for the most prominent families, grand villas began to be built, which initially led  to become one of the summer holiday resorts for the aristocracy and upper middle classes from the inland provinces and also from Bilbao. Begone Point Gallery is adapted to the coastal geography and was built by Ricardo Bastida in 1919. With columns and covered by a balustraded terrace. Its main function was to continue and finish off the containment and defence wall of the cliff on which the Atxekolandeta family seats stand, location of the Echevarrieta family mansion – an English-style home designed by the architect Gregorio Ibarreche in 1910, and which is no longer standing. as one of the emblematic buildings, and due all the interest in this heritage site, Getxo has offered one more year free visits to its galleries. NIS has the privilege of providing the guided …

Cruise Ship Season is already here!

Published by Mariette R.

As it was just a few months ago that we said our goodbyes to the Cruise Ship season,  this new one has started already! The P&O Britannia, with nearly at its full capacity, 3900 guests plus crew, well known in our coast and our port, had the privilege of being the first Cruise Liner docking in the new port of Getxo. Guests were gladly surprised of the layout of the Terminal, with the majestuosity of the crystal building, the amplitude of the area and the new and technological security features for all users made with this first arrival a very pleasant one, and of course the day helped too! with nearly 29C ! Nis had the opportunity of trying the new terminal, as we manage the operation from the port and from Bilbao downtown, where thousands of passengers were transfer to discover the city by themselves or in the numerous tours that we offered. Never to forget that not only these tours goes to Bilbao , but to other corners of our beautiful and not …

Day of Spain in Oslo, Norway

Published by Mariette R.

The past 18th of April Oslo Tourism Office celebrated in Oslo, Norway, the day of Spain. Nis, was invited to assist to this event, where more than 80 touroperators, bloggers and other people with relation with Spain and turism in general gather for a short presentation of the destination. We had the opportunity of showing and telling what else the escandinavians can see in Northern Spain, not what they are used to! we have more than beaches in here! The event took place in a Palace, Gamle Logen, inaugurated in 1839, where the King Karl Johan was the main figure and who aimed to use this Palace as a place of events and dance balls.

Farewell to Cruise Ships….for now

Published by Mariette R.

With the image of the majestuosity that a Cruise Ship like the Navigator of the Seas emplies, NIS said goodbye to another successfull season at the Port of Bilbao. It wasn´t easy, but we do truly enjoy our port operations. NIS takes care of the Shore Operations of numerous Cruise Lines, from the biggest ships of the World, like the Anthem and Quantum of the Seas, to the most exclusive and small ones, tailor made tours for all kind of customers. We have to say thank you to many, from the Port Authority, the Local Police of Getxo and Bilbao, who made sure that everyone safety is their priority, the transportation companies and GetxoTaxi, who provide top service to our customers and of course, all our providers, restaurants, bars, museum and a long list of people that made an impact on so many people, giving the best example of the Basque Country and what we can offer here. A great team of proffesional guides and our in house team, thank you to all, and see …

A walk through the history of magical Getxo.

Published by Mariette R.

Spending a few hours in Getxo is not enough to feel the ambiance and the many things there is to be discover in this town.  As you enter This town, The Bizkaian Bridge opens their arms to everyone, it transport more than 3 million people a year and we had the opportunity to see it and feel it from atop. A majestic iron structure designed by Alberto Palacio, that is part of the Unesco World Heritage since 2006. Not to be afraid of heights, and just happy to see the town of Portugalete, their steep streets that finishes in Santurtzi, and then to your right Getxo, that sits along all the bay until your eyes can see. Walk through the bridge and feel the underground gondola shaking your feet! Walk towards the old fisherman Town by the beach, houses touching each other with still the smell of sea. and then….The adrenaline pumps up, we are excited! Whats next? Who’s this! A fisherman from the 1930’s? What? Now we travel back in time, this guy shares what …

Showing the best of the Basque to Dublin

Published by Mariette R.

We recently had the opportunity to bring a bit of the Basque Country to Dublin, show them everything there is to be seen, where to go from there, and of course, a bit of our gastronomy to their palates by the hand of Dani Garcia (Zortziko) and Jabier Gartzia (Boroa) two of the best restaurants that you can find in Bilbao and surrounding area, helding both a Michelin Star. The event was held by the Bizkaian Council and organized by NIS, in the center of Dublin, where more than 100 journalist and travel agents had the opportunity to meet with suppliers from the Basque Country, DMC´s and Hotels. Giving them more reasons to sell the North of Spain to their customers. The cocktail and the food was a display of the best representation from the Basque Country, not only because the materials were brought from there, because they had the chance to be cooked   by the top Chefs , Dani Garcia and Jabier Gartzia. Chelo Escabias, Managing Director of NIS, North Incoming Services and representatives …