POLARIS DESTINATIONS
Buenos Aires, Argentina
34.6° S – 58.4° W — Avg high in January: 84°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 February: 84°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!)
Bogotá, Colombia
4.7° N – 74.1° W — Avg high in March: 66°F
Nestled in the northern reaches of the Andes, Bogota is the energetic and chic capital city of Colombia. Much of the city’s colonial past lives on in the architecture of its churches, museums, hotels, and cobblestone streets. Rich with bars and restaurants, foodies will find themselves with a multitude of options to choose from before heading out for drinks and dancing.
A country rocketing out of poverty, the local economy has grown and diversified greatly in recent decades. A large manufacturer of electronics, Colombia has shifted focus in recent years to exporting their culture through music, TV, and other media. Tourism has also helped the economic boom that has given rise to well-heeled shoppers and consumer services across the country.
Rabat, Morocco
34° N – 6.8° W — Avg high in April: 68°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.
Barcelona, Spain
41.4° N – 2.2° E — Avg high in May: 72°F
The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is the tourist capital of the country and also the largest city on the entire Mediterranean. Top rate tapas, cheap high-quality wine, clubs open past sunrise – the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain is a worldwide nightlife capital for good reason. Wander down vivacious Las Ramblas over to Sagrada Familia – Dali’s famous cathedral; Barcelona has something for everyone’s taste.
One of the richest regions in the European Union, Barcelona is a hub of trade, education, entertainment, fashion, and media. A major conference and trade fair location, the city has become famous for its prominent industrial design enterprises. Tourism and manufacturing are key components that round out this balanced metropolis’ commercial activities.
Prague, Czech Republic
50.1° N – 14.4° E — Avg high in June: 72°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 July: 73°F
Well known for its modern architecture, intense parties, and iconic sights, Berlin is the lively and high-tech capital city of Germany. Rich with history, both recent and ancient, Berlin has no shortage of cultural and academic appeal. A world famous nightlife and festival scene contributes to the draw of this much storied 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 August: 84°F
The largest coastal city in Croatia, Split is both the region’s 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 ventures – both domestic and foreign.
Belgrade, Serbia
44.8° N – 20.4° E — Avg high in September: 75°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.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
18.7° N – 99° E — Avg high in October: 88°F
Perched in the mountainous northern region of Thailand, Chiang Mai is the northern capital of the country and maintains a decidedly laid-back atmosphere compared to the wildness of the southern cities. Plan on visiting plenty of temples, as monasteries and stupas abound in the historic city center. Drive outside of the city to experience the green countryside of northern Thailand, or hike up to one of the many waterfalls or hot springs in the region.
Despite it’s calm demeanor, Chiang Mai is positioned to grow into a major player in industries both local and foreign. Tourism remains the mainstay for much of Thailand, but the northern capital’s mission is to increase its already growing infrastructure of IT, digital content, and other creative industries in coming years.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
10.8° N – 106.6° E — Avg high in November: 88°F
A high-speed and sometimes chaotic city, Ho Chi Minh City a whirlwind of commerce, nightlife, and energy in one exciting metropolis. Tour ancient streets and stop to enjoy the temples and pagodas – then turn the corner to see 21st century skyscrapers next to high-end restaurants. A rich history, both modern and ancient, provides plenty of opportunities to re-live the past in the city still often referred to as Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh City is the center of the Vietnamese economy, responsible for over 20% of its GDP. A large center of foreign investment in Asia, the city is also home to many firms in software, electronics, and processing. The local economy is trending towards high-tech, services, and real estate as investment continues to pour into the region.
Bali, Indonesia
8.3° S – 115.1° E — Avg high in December: 86°F
Surfing, diving, beaches, volcanic mountains, jungle, beautiful temples – in short, paradise. Bali has some of the most iconic island scenery in the world, and backs it up with everything from solid nightlife and restaurants to forested retreats that help to escape the hustle and bustle. If that weren’t enough, the locals are known to be some of the friendliest and most colorful personalities anywhere, tempting anyone to stay for longer than they intended.
Not that long ago, Bali was primarily reliant on agriculture for survival. Now, tourism has largely replaced agriculture as the main source of income for the Balinese. A well developed arts community – local crafts, leather, metalworking, and more – has grown in conjunction with a burgeoning media industry as well; the Indonesian International Film Festival annually takes place in Bali.
January
Buenos Aires, Argentina
February
Florianópolis, Brazil
March
Bogóta, Colombia
April
Rabat, Morocco
May
Barcelona, Spain
June
Prague, Czech Republic
July
Berlin, Germany
August
Split, Croatia
September
Belgrade, Serbia
October
Chiang Mai, Thailand
November
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
December
Bali, Indonesia
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