It will take more than the indiscretions of a few greedy bankers to remove Berlin’s air of achievement and self-assurance.  Germany’s largest city has faced greater adversity in the past than a credit drought.  More than that, Berlin will shine as a beacon of trust and cooperation through the gloom of recession. You could pick any of the city’s socio-political triumphs that have elevated it since the Wall came tumbling down in 1989, but the one that cements it reputation in the business firmament is the city’s congress industry.

What makes Berlin Europe's number one congress location?

Berlin is one of Europe´s most exciting cities and is widely acknowledged as an international trend-setting metropolis. The vibrant lifestyle in the German capital embraces art and culture, history, architecture, academia and science, entertainment and a unique club scene. For growing numbers of event organizers, Berlin is also a key conference hub between Western and Eastern Europe. Berlin offers excellent "Value for Money". Its outstanding range of accommodation facilities, especially tailored to conferences, constitutes one of the largest and most modern hotel landscapes in Europe. The international trendsetting metropolis boasts an exceptional range of special event locations and a congress center. The International Congress Centre - ICC Berlin - won for the fifth consecutive year one of the world´s most coveted awards for congress venues, the World Travel Award in 2008.

Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia

Walking down the streets of Tallinn is like seeing a modern medieval age. Strolling through old Tallinn, the stone streets feel slightly uneven below you as you navigate through a throng of tourists. Passing by a cafe you notice a businessman typing away at a laptop while sipping a latte. High castle walls tower over you like stone giants while colorful garments, displayed in nooks along the street, beckon you. The flavors of restaurants dance through the air and wet your appetite. Cell phone chatter, the calls of street vendors, and the chirping of birds fill the air with life. Turning a corner, you stumble upon a gallery of fresh flowers, vibrant with color and intoxicating with fragrance. This is Tallinn, the cultural capital of Europe for 2011.

Have a delightful holiday staying at the boutique Hotel Bergs in Riga. Enjoy a warm welcome to a calm environment that indulges your senses.

Hotel Bergs is located within the quaint streets of Bergs Bazaar, a peaceful pedestrian oasis in the vibrant centre of the Latvian capital Riga. What was once a cabbage patch on the outskirts of the city hundreds of years ago is now a beautiful boutique hotel with a 19th century brick façade and romantic balconies. The historical features of the building are complimented by contemporary architecture and modern technologies to create a coherent and harmonious universe.

There’s plenty of competition for places under the EU’s umbrella, but of all the Euro wannabes Croatia is shaping up as the one mostly likely to succeed in the next few years.  Even the US President, George W Bush, paid tribute to Croatia's democratic reform during a speech in the capital, Zagreb. Mr Bush praised Croatia for what he called its transition from communist tyranny to maturing democracy.

Boatshow in Split, Croatia