Cruises Posts

Vacation photos are so worth it!

2012-11-28 00.57.00

 

Vacation photos really crystallize those wonderful memories. A few days ago while doing some Great GetawayS graphic design, I searched for a vacation photo to go with the text I had written. I wanted to add a vacation photo from one of our journeys, an image that conveyed both darkness and light. What a wonderful experience I had!

I began with the most recent vacation we had taken and worked my way back through the years. I’d find a photo – a sunset while have cocktails in the bush in Kenya, an early morning shot from the balcony of Esprit St. Germain in Paris, a group of people praying in Lhasa, a mountain gorilla feeding her baby in Rwanda-and think, “That’s the perfect photo!” Then I’d keep searching, just to be sure I had the very best choice. Finally, I picked a photo taken by Michael on a trip to New Zealand (the photo below).

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This art project became so much more—-I enjoyed a pleasant few minutes of time travel, of recalling those experiences I keep wrapped as memories in my heart, of enjoying each journey again and again. The moral of this story: Take lots of photos of your travels and of you enjoying your vacation. It is so worth it! Even when you want to scream, “I don’t want another photo of me”, put a smile on your face and say, “Cheese!” You will be so glad you did!

What is your Travel Dream?


Contact me to fulfill your travel dreams!
Barbara S. King
Great Getaways
913-338-2244 800-546-TRIP (8747)
Barbara@greatgetaways.travel
www.greatgetaways.travel

 

Travel Dreams Survey


The Virtuoso Life
® Travel Dreams Survey guides you through a short journey of self-discovery, explores your travel dreams based on your unique personality, and ends with a summary of your travel wish list, the perfect place to start with your Virtuoso® travel advisor. When you complete the brief survey, you’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win a dreamy Crystal cruise for two or $1,000 cash.

Deadline to enter is March 31, 2013. Take the survey now >>

Travel Dreams Survey Watch the video

 


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Only one entry per person. Sweepstakes offered only in the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia), and is open only to natural persons who, at the time of entry: (i) are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, (ii) have pre-existing internet access, and (iii) are 21 years of age or older. The winners will be selected by random drawing on or about April 21, 2013. Employees and agents of Virtuoso, Ltd., Crystal Cruises, Inc., any other prize provider designated by Virtuoso, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, distributors, wholesalers and retailers (collectively referred to as “Associated Persons”), members of such Associated Persons’ immediate families, and individuals living in the same household with such Associated Persons are not eligible to win. Entries must be received between 9:00 a.m. Central Time (“CT”) on February 1, 2013, and 11:59 p.m. CT on March 31, 2013. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. The prizes are as follows: One (1) Grand Prize of one (1) Crystal Cruises ten (10) day all-inclusive cruise for two (2) in a stateroom verandah category A cabin (double occupancy) aboard Crystal Serenity sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark to Stockholm, Sweden on July 30, 2013, which has an approximate retail value (“ARV”) of $12,240.00, and five (5) cash First Prizes of $1,000 each. The prizes have a total combined ARV of $17,240.00. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited or restricted. Entrants release Virtuoso, Ltd. and all applicable parties identified in the Sweepstakes Official Rules from any and all claims, liabilities, damages or losses arising from participation in the Sweepstakes or the acceptance or use of any prize. Prize terms, conditions, and exclusions may apply. For entry information and complete Sweepstakes Official Rules by which all entrants are bound, go to www.virtuoso.com. Sponsored by Virtuoso, Ltd. © 2013 Virtuoso, Ltd. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, VIRTUOSO LIFE, the Globe Swirl Logo and SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, © 2000. All rights reserved. Fares, schedules, Virtuoso exclusives, events and amenities are subject to availability and blackout dates and may change without notice. Unless otherwise stated, prices are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply. See your Virtuoso travel advisor for more details and applicable restrictions. Virtuoso is not responsible for any errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL and ORCHESTRATE DREAMS are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso California CST# 2069091; TA# 808 – Registered Iowa Travel Agency; Washington UBI # 601 554 183. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. 363073 US 02/13

 

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World’s Best Hotels 2013 Guide

Please enjoy the digital edition of BEST OF THE BEST 2013 with our compliments.
Barbara S. King
Great Getaways

913-338-2244 800-546-TRIP (8747)
Barbara@greatgetaways.travel
www.greatgetaways.travel
A Proud Member of Virtuoso®

 

World’s best hotels of 2013

Virtuoso Best of the Best new edition

 

Winner of the 2012 Maggie award for Best Consumer Guide, this directory is your introduction to Virtuoso’s preferred hotels and resorts and the perfect tool to help you plan extraordinary travel experiences in dream destinations. You can rest assured that these properties have been thoroughly evaluated to ensure your stay will be exceptional. And when you book through your Virtuoso travel advisor, you’ll enjoy exclusive amenities including breakfast for two daily and value-added extras like guaranteed room upgrades, resort credits and complimentary meals.

In this issue

 

4: Annual Best of the Best Award Winners
The hotels receiving special accolades from Virtuoso travel advisors for 2012

 

5: Virtuoso Preview
New hotels offering exclusive access to Virtuoso travelers

 

6: Virtuoso Villas & Private Retreats
Unique accommodations in remarkable destinations

 

16: Africa & Middle East
Dine on a rooftop overlooking Jerusalem or enjoy butler service in a luxury tent in Kenya

 

48: Asia & Pacific
View Hong Kong from a rose petal bath or make an overwater bungalow your home in Tahiti

 

124: Canada & United States
Settle into a cliff-top Big Sur abode or view wildlife right outside your door in Alberta

 

248: Caribbean & Bermuda
Drift into reverie on Anguilla’s white sands or swim with dolphins in Bermuda

 

272: Europe
Dine upon acclaimed cuisine in Monte Carlo or luxuriate in a beachside villa on Crete

Enjoy this issue

 

402: Mexico, Central & South America
Learn Spanish in Cozumel, sip premium coffee in Costa Rica or find eco-luxury in Peru

 

436: Index of Attributes & Amenities
Useful reference information including number of rooms and sought-after amenities

 

464: Presenting the Newest Best of the Best
Introducing the latest hotels and resorts to join the Virtuoso network
Contact Me Barbara S. King | 913-338-2244 800-546-TRIP (8747) | Barbara@greatgetaways.travel

 

Virtuoso exclusive amenities are subject to availability, black-out dates and some restrictions may apply. Amenities are per room unless otherwise indicated. Amenity credits are not combinable, not valid on room rate, and have no cash value if not redeemed in full unless otherwise indicated. Amenity meals and dining credits may exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. Currency amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. Amenities are available at Virtuoso rates and may not be available at other rates or combinable with other promotions. Room upgrades may not apply to suites and certain room categories. Please note, while every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, all descriptions and amenities herein are subject to change. Contact your Virtuoso travel advisor for complete details. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL and ORCHESTRATE DREAMS are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso CST#2069091-50 Best of the Best US/CAN 01/13© 2013 Virtuoso, Ltd. | 505 Main Street, Suite 500 | Fort Worth, TX 76102

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine…and Chef Debbie Gold!

Chef Debbie Gold is going on a journey to Italy, France and Spain aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner May 15 – 22, 2013. What a great holiday gift for the food and wine lover! Most shore excursions are included and you can also join some special vineyard visits with Chef Debbie Gold! Consider staying a few days in Barcelona after cruise and explore Barcelona’s gourmet side. Contact Michael@greatgetaways.travel for details.

AbuAmaBhuBanMal, where in the world is it?

    

AbuAmaBhuBanMal:  from time to time I’ll blog about our journey, but first I thought we’d begin with a short geography lesson. You won’t find AbuAmaBhuBanMal on any map—-well, at least not in one location! On November 4, 2012 Michael and I left KC, each toting one duffel and one backpack, and we began an almost 5 week odyssey to some of the most interesting, talked about, and exotic destinations in the world.

So, get out your maps and/or globes and let’s mark the places you’ll be hearing about over the next several weeks:

  • Abu: Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Ama: Ama Waterways Amacerto Riverboat sailing the Danube from Budapest to Nuremberg
  • Bhu: Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom tucked between China and India, next door to Nepa
  • Ban: Bandhavgarh National Park, India near no city you’ve heard of and only a mere 4 hour drive from Jabalpur, India
  • Mal: Maldives, a romantic series of atolls in the Indian Ocean

I’ve already blogged about Abu Dhabi, Amacerto, and Bhutan briefly and will fill you in on all destinations in more detail in future posts. I have yet to blog about the tiger-watching safari (still letting the dust settle, literally) and the Maldives (still enjoying our time here) and you will definitely get the inside scoop on these 2 destinations, too.

So, for the moment, sit back, relax, grab a coffee, cappuccino, ginger tea with honey (Bhutanese cure for all respiratory ailments), or fresh coconut milk, and let me take you on a virtual tour of AbuAmaBhuBanMal!