Guide Kick-Off 2022
Our 2022 European season commenced unlike any other year we’ve seen in history.
After two years of virtual dinner parties, post-work Zoom happy hours and flexing their creative muscles from the comfort of their homes, it’s safe to say that our Guides were absolutely yearning for the moment to reconvene in true B&R fashion.
We’ve hosted our annual Guide Kick-Off from our office in Beaune in the heart of Burgundy every year. And while a certain pandemic drove a significant wedge into how our seasons regularly commence, it also wove a silver lining into the atmosphere at this year’s festivities.
Seeing friends who’ve been scattered around the world for the past two years was incredibly special and inspiring. Feelings of emotion filled the air as our talented team shared stories, laughter and tears of joy. From eager new guides and our savviest veterans to a few faces from our Toronto office—this year’s Kick-Off marked a new era at B&R. One signifying the return of travel, feeling grateful to embrace human connection once again and being more inspired than ever by the places we’re so lucky to visit.
Typical days at Kick-Off began with communal breakfasts and plenty of espresso—energized to hear rousing information sessions from our varying departments. New guides were filled in on everything from B&R’s history to our sustainability efforts as Experience Designer Christine Tucker shared the latest news about our revitalized Slow Fund.
Come lunchtime we settle into picnics with our local friends in Beaune, a few who cater our Burgundy Wine Country Biking trips! Fuelled for the afternoon, the crew heads to the atelier for bike training with our cycling experts, then embarked on daily 30 km bike rides through Burgundy’s villages and vineyards. This was the perfect opportunity to make use of our new GPS system, bringing forth a seamless way to navigate the meticulously-crafted biking routes you can expect on this season’s Scheduled trips. It was incredible seeing everyone assume the role of a Guide: raising one another’s spirits, embracing physical activity and ensuring no one was left behind.
That quintessential spirit of generosity proliferated throughout evening aperitivi, dinners and wine tastings, where our entire roster of Guides then assumed the role of a host: refilling their neighbour’s glass before their own, ensuring everyone sampled the best dishes and diving into vibrant conversation.
The final night’s celebration started off as a beautiful dinner and slowly evolved into an impromptu talent show and karaoke! In true Guide fashion, no one was afraid to show off their chops. High spirits and adrenaline filled the air as five days of intense training came to an end.
Below are some of our favourite moments from this year’s Guide Kick-Off!
