Going on a business trip may seem exciting but it requires preparation and organisation. Unlike a holiday or personal trip, you are going to represent your employer and need to be mindful of your presentation at every stage. Good planning will help to make the trip as smooth and stress free as possible.

Organise Your Finances
If you can, arrange to use free business banking wherever possible. This is vital in case you need extra funds. Your free business banking might also come with a useful credit card or overdraft facility, which can be useful in
emergencies.

Organise Your Time Well
A written schedule can be a great asset for your trip. Print out bus, flight and train times and receipts as necessary, even if you have a smartphone. It’s always good to have a physical back-up in case technology fails for any reason.

Arrange meetings and appointments well in advance, making sure you leave plenty of time for travelling without stress. If you’re travelling overseas and will need a working visa, make sure you organise it early. Many companies have internal resources to assist with such administration, so it’s worth finding out what support is available.

Plan how you’ll get to the airport on the day and book a taxi well in advance to avoid stress with a last-minute malfunctioning car. A missed flight can be a disaster if you’re on a tight schedule.

Also, be sure to book a reputable hotel and ideally opt for a recognisable brand name for extra reassurance in an unfamiliar place.

Carry the Right Kit
If your flight is delayed, you will have no choice but to wait and try to re-organise your appointments. Carry a laptop charger and buy a pass into the executive lounge where you can access free Wi-Fi and working facilities. Keep a map of your destination in your hand luggage and know what the area calling code is so you can recognise any incoming calls and pick them up.

Have some cash on hand for a taxi at the other end. And book this taxi after speaking with your host at your destination so you can use a reputable firm. Travel light and keep a change of clothes in your hand luggage, just in case. Put any small travel-size toiletries into a bag to avoid spillages.

Be prepared for emergencies by carrying ID and phone numbers for the people you are visiting, so you don’t get lost at the other side. Have addresses to hand and keep your cash in several places on your person, rather than all in your wallet. Ideally, use your free business banking account to take out money while at your destination rather than carrying it all in cash.

These steps, along with a healthy dose of common sense and the ability to keep your eyes open and wits about you when travelling, will help you to make the most of the experience and enjoy it.

The Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi is a holiday destination in itself. The majestic building with 114 domes that are 80 meters high is located on its private white sand beach surrounded by 85 hectares of gorgeous landscaped gardens.

There are two swimming pools, one where children enjoy water activities and one where adults enjoy peace and quiet. Water sports at the beach include snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing. Some of the activities available on the premises are a Kids Zone, four tennis courts, cricket, rugby and soccer facilities as well as a full service spa and two fitness centres.

All of the rooms and suites have beautiful views, immaculate service and a wide range of five star amenities. The suites are luxury at its finest with lavish amenities, a private butler, spacious lounge area, private terrace and spectacular views of the Arabia Sea. For those who need to stay connected, the entire grounds of the hotel have high-speed internet access. They will also provide a lap top and IT support.

The restaurants offer awarding winning cuisine from around the world. There is an international buffet all day in Le Vendome Brassiere, a rich variety of Italian dishes in the Mezzaluna and the freshest seafood in the Sayad. There is also an al fresco barbecue grill with steaks and sea food, a pool side bar with salads and grills and a pool side a la carte café with items for the whole family.

This luxury holidays spa is designed for maximum relaxation and rejuvenation. Several different massage therapies are offered as well as ancient bathing rituals and body treatments with healing botanicals and mud. There are distinctive treatments for men that use special botanicals and essential oils. Between body treatments and massage therapies, guests enjoy herbal steams and aroma baths.

With this engaging and opulent hotel as a base, visitors can see some of the fascinating beauty and heritage of Abu Dhabi. Enjoy a barbecue dinner full of tasty treats under the stars in a desert camp after taking thrilling rides over the dunes.

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Village showcases the rich culture of the area. Visitors experience a small part of Bedouin life from centuries past. Another place to see the history of Abu Dhabi dating from the Stone Age is the Al Ain National Museum where there are archaeological and ethnographical artefacts. The added bonus is Al Ain is on the top of the highest peak in Abu Dhabi with spectacular views of the city and sea.

Abu Dhabi has many more attractions and entertainment such as a world class golf course on the Arabian Gulf, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park, the largest indoor theme park in the world with over 20 thrilling rides and the chance to feel what racing at 240 kilometres is like.

A luxury holiday at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi includes the excellent service to cater to guests every request. Advice on local customs, the best shopping places, sightseeing, travel plans and unpacking your luggage are just a few of the pampering services visitors can expect.

The city of St. Malo (Saint-Malo) was founded more than 2,000 years ago and is a 44-acre fortified walled-in port city on the English Channel in Brittany, which is located in north-western France. St. Malo is a ferry services terminal and the largest marina in France. Getting to the city is easy by ferry or by a plane ride or by an hour’s drive from Mont St. Michel. St. Malo is the most visited of Brittany’s locations, and you will find beautiful beaches, an exceptional coast line, and active fishing fleets in the quaint harbours. Camping in Brittany will give you ample chance to explore the region’s wonders without breaking the bank.

Although amassing wealth from various ventures, St. Malo became the “City of the Corsairs”, whose inhabitants made most of their prosperity by capturing merchant Dutch and English vessels with the blessing of France’s king. These Corsairs were thought to be pirates by some, but that is not the case because they had to have a permit known as a “privateering letter” signed by the king. This outlined strict regulations including one-third of the spoils given to the king, one-third to the owner of the ship, and one-third to the crew.

A famous native was Jacques Cartier, who was credited for discovering Canada when a French king asked him to find a northern route to Asia by way of North America. He discovered the eastern coast of Canada and the St. Lawrence River.

Here you will find the Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo, which is one of France’s major aquaria. Show rooms give you an adventure from tropical seas to cold waters along with 11,000 marine animals including glowing jelly fish. You can take a ride in a Nautibus submarine and find lots of fish in a large touch pool.

One popular sight is the Privateer’s House, which a ship owner built in 1725. It also has a garden and a chapel, and there are still privateering objects to be seen along with ship models and weaponry as well as antique furniture.

If you are there in July and August, walk the Labyrinthe du Corsaire, which is a corn maze with a picnic area and wooden games and bouncy castles for the children.

St. Malo has more fish restaurants than any other French city and is a food lover’s paradise. You can dine on the famous local oysters at gourmet restaurants or eat in local creperies where you can enjoy all types of crepes along with a cup of apple cider.