ORION DESTINATIONS
Prague, Czech Republic
50.1° N – 14.4° E — Avg high in July: 73°F
Bohemian art and architecture, a plethora of castles and old squares, and some of the best beer in the world – what’s not to like? The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is one of eastern Europe’s most diverse and desirable cities. Explore narrow medieval streets, or check out one the famous gardens or museums scattered across the city.
Prague employs over 1/5th of the entire country’s population, and is the home to many international company’s European headquarters. Service industries dominate the country’s economy – with finance, trade, and commercial services taking top spots. Prague is consistently ranked at the top of cities for business in Central and Eastern Europe.
Berlin, Germany
52.5° N – 13.4° E — Avg high in August: 73°F
Well known for its modern architecture, intense parties, and iconic sights, Berlin is the vibrant and high-tech capital city of Germany. Rich with history, both recent and ancient, Berlin has no shortage of cultural and historical appeal. A world famous nightlife and festival scene contributes to the draw of this easily navigable and dynamic city.
Berlin is on track to overtake London as the start-up capital of Europe, minting dozens of new companies every year. A center of innovation, Berlin still has strong roots in traditional industries such as life sciences, transportation, IT, music, and media. With a strong financial presence, Berlin is well positioned to remain a major commercial center and grow even larger in coming years.
Split, Croatia
43.5° N – 16.4° E — Avg high in September: 79°F
The largest coastal city in Croatia, Split is both the regions center of trade and a popular jumping off point for the Dalmatian coast’s many islands. With soaring coastal mountains as a backdrop, Split has everything from Roman palaces to famous seafood from the Adriatic to keep locals and tourists busy. Even better, dozens of islands of all sizes are short ferry rides from the city’s central location.
A truly ancient city, Split’s modern economic impact is primarily in the realms of tourism, manufacturing, trade, and the fishing industry. The city’s rampant growth in recent years have contributed to it’s suburban sprawl, and provided a stable base for many new venture, domestic and foreign.
Belgrade, Serbia
44.8° N – 20.4° E — Avg high in October: 65°F
A mixture of eastern and western influences, Belgrade is one of the most up and comping cities in all of Europe. Hapsburg and Ottoman architecture sit alongside each other with the storied Danube flowing in between. A nightlife scene to rival any of Western Europe’s, Belgrade can also provide a quiet afternoon in one of the elaborate coffeehouses along Knez Mihailova.
Its strategic position has long made Belgrade a center of trade and commerce, and has evolved into one of the financial centers of Eastern Europe. With a surprisingly large IT sector, many international companies choose Belgrade as a regional or European base of operations.
Madrid, Spain
40.4° N – 3.7° W — Avg high in November: 60°F
The cosmopolitan and historic capital of Spain, Madrid is also the third largest city in Europe. An art lovers paradise, the city is an architectural and culinary haven. A night in Madrid is the kind you remember – late dinner of tapas, dancing, getting home well past the sunrise – make sure to grab an espresso with dinner.
As the capital city, Madrid is the locus of most economic activity in the country and also hosts the headquarters for most Spanish companies. As in most major cities, services are the bulk of the economy here. However, there is still decent production capacity – particularly in the high technology sector.
Rabat, Morocco
34° N – 6.8° W — Avg high in December: 65°F
Once a well known pirate haven, Rabat is now the charming capital city of Morocco. Visit the UNESCO heritage listed medina – or if you’re not feeling up to sightseeing, simply sit and drink the famous mint tea Moroccans use as an excuse to relax and socialize. Herbs and spices are used abundantly and subtly in the local cuisine, so be sure to sample liberally.
Although Rabat is the administrative center of the country, the city also has a strong economic presence in the services sector – primarily telecom and finance. Along with promoting a strong tourism industry, the government has made efforts to grow Moroccan textile production in the past decade.
Lisbon, Portugal
38.7° N – 9.1° W — Avg high in January: 60°F
With cobblestone walkways and ancient ruins covering Lisbon’s trademark seven hills, your camera arm will be busy while here. A foodie’s paradise, Lisbon is also famous for its rowdy and vivacious nightlife scene – check out Bairro Alto of an evening. Snap some photos from the famous miradouros (terrace viewpoints) and enjoy wandering the alleys and walk-able streets.
A historic port and trading center, Lisbon is still one of Europe’s wealthiest and most impactful economic influences. Still the country’s chief seaport, the city has grown rapidly recently and is a hub for the media, technology, finance, and manufacturing industries.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
34.6° S – 58.4° W — Avg high in February: 78°F
Buenos Aires is a mix of old world and new. The plazas and architecture would look right at home in Europe, but there is no mistaking the South American flavor of this vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Whether you’re shopping for a new look in Palermo, learning a few sultry Tango steps, or sipping a local malbec while you enjoy some of Argentina’s famous steak, there’s plenty to keep yourself entertained year-round.
But more than just a hedonist’s playground, Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in South America, and is the center of Argentinian commerce. A large port, manufacturing and shipping still play large roles in the industry of Buenos Aires. However, the services sector – Finance, Real Estate, and advertising in particular – have largely taken over as the mainstays of the local economy.
Florianópolis, Brazil
27.6° S – 48.5° W — Avg high in March: 82°F
Known locally as Floripa, Florianopolis is a juxtaposition of beautiful beaches, lush forests, and the bustling industrial city across the bay. A favorite spot of surfers world wide, the area offers plenty of activities for those less athletically inclined as well – waterfalls, snorkeling, and laying out with a caipirinha to name a few.
Floripa is rated as one of the highest qualities of life among Brazilian cities; the local government successfully balancing a booming economy with the need to preserve natural flora and fauna. Although tourism certainly provides a decent chunk of local jobs, the growing IT industry is vying to position itself as the Silicon Valley of Brazil (with a view!)
Lima, Peru
9.2° S – 75° W — Avg high in April: 77°F
With traces of civilization that span millennia, Lima is an amalgam of sophistication, history, and Latin American excitement. With some of the best cuisine on the continent, Peru has been leading the way in mixing Latin and European flavorings for centuries. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, Lima is a diverse and constantly morphing city.
The industrial and financial center of Peru, Lima is responsible for over two-thirds of the country’s production capacity. In addition to manufacturing, Lima is one of the major ports on South America’s western seaboard. One of the fastest growing Latin American economies, Peru is on track to continue developing at a rapid pace in the next decade.
Medellin, Colombia
6.2° N – 75.6° W — Avg high in May: 70°F
With lush forest peaks stretching out in every direction, Medellin is half metropolis and half natural resource. A bustling commercial center, Medellin is also a famous university city – with the commensurate levels of energy and innovation. The city seems more European than Latin American in its sophisticated charm and style.
Headquarters to many Colombian enterprises and companies, Medellin is also the fashion center of the country. Other prominent industries in the region include steel, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and – strangely enough – flowers.
Mexico City, Mexico
23.6° N – 102.6° W — Avg high in Jun: 75°F
With an exploding culinary scene, a proliferation of new public spaces, and a booming arts movement, Mexico City is experiencing a bit of a renaissance right now. With a contemporary and cultured edge, the city still retains much of its storied history and colonial architecture. Go check out one of the many murals, or drop by an old-school cantina when you have some free time.
One of the most important financial centers in the Americas, Mexico City is the eighth richest metropolitan area in the world. It is one of the fastest growing cities and its GDP is set to double by 2020. The city keeps a diverse business portfolio, with a strong presence in tourism, transportation, consumer products, and exporting industries.
July
Prague, Czech Republic
August
Berlin, Germany
September
Split, Croatia
October
Belgrade, Serbia
November
Madrid, Spain
December
Rabat, Morocco
January
Lisbon, Portugal
February
Buenos Aires, Argentina
March
Florianópolis, Brazil
April
Lima, Peru
May
Medellin, Colombia
June
Mexico City, Mexico
12 Month Reservation fee: $5000
Monthly fee: $2000*
(Last month free for 12 month program)
The reservation fee varies for trip lengths shorter than a full year. Monthly prices are the same regardless of trip length.
*Itineraries are subject to change