Cancun beach escape

This has been a record-breaking Winter for freezing temperatures and abundant snowfall in the Midwest. It can be physically and mentally draining for even the most hardy individual.
A perfect antidote is a quick escape to the sun, which is exactly what I did a few weeks ago.

Cancun, Mexico is an easy destination to get to from Detroit. Miles of white sand beaches stretch down the length of the Yucatan peninsula, connecting one resort area to the next. I've been to many resorts in the Mayan Riviera over the years, but this time I opted to stay in Cancun, in the hotel zone. This was my first stay at a Secrets resort and I came away very impressed.

Secrets the Vine opened in 2012, and is one of several Secrets resorts located throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. The concept of the resort chain is adult-only, all-inclusive. Being an empty-nester at home, the adult-only theme was perfect for me. I also liked the fact that they didn't make you wear those plastic bracelets, which you invariably have to wear at many other all-inclusive resorts.


This resort is an all glass high-rise hotel. Staff members were frequently seen cleaning the glass to keep it gleaming. There are several different room types to choose from. Most rooms have an ocean view. If you choose a room or suite in the Preferred club, you receive extra amenities, such as a private check-in area, concierge club, access to the rooftop pool for Preferred guests only and upgraded brands of liquor. I think it is worth the additional cost if you like those extra touches.

Honeymoon Ocean view Suite

The deluxe rooms are nice but I recommend booking at least a junior suite - the bathrooms and balconies are much larger and you will feel more comfortable.

There are several restaurants to choose from on property. No reservations are necessary, which is very nice. You just walk up to the restaurant whenever you are ready. The restaurants are Italian, Steakhouse, Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican-themed. I found the food to be very good and beautifully presented. Service was excellent throughout the resort and the staff members were very eager to please.

The pools and beach area were large enough that I never had a problem finding a chaise lounge. The activities team kept people busy all day long if that's what you are looking for, from pool aerobics to beach volleyball, spanish lessons to tequila tastings. I enjoyed the morning yoga classes, held each day by the pool.


There is nightlife and shopping within easy walking distance to the resort, or just hop on the local bus, easy and safe for tourists.

Good to know: A valid U.S. passport is necessary for travel to Cancun

Ready to book your next vacation to Cancun? Call the expert Travel Advisors at Bee Kalt Travel.


Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
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Azamara cruising

When I tell people I was just on an Azamara Cruise, I usually get a blank look in response. What's that? is the inevitable question. Azamara was founded in 2007 and is under the parent company of Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. They have just two ships in the fleet - the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Quest. Both are identical, holding just under 700 guests, with staterooms ranging from inside to Owner's suites.

The ships are positioned in between the contemporary, larger cruise lines such as Celebrity and Princess, and the luxury lines such as Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. They do a great job and I think they are accomplishing what they want to accomplish. They fill a niche for cruisers who want a smaller ship, longer time spent in ports, and don't have a budget for the luxury all-inclusive lines.

I sailed on the Azamara Quest in the French and Italian Rivieras, roundtrip from Nice, France. On this cruise, we had a port call every day, and the timings in port were usually from 8am until 10pm. This gave us plenty of time to explore the various destinations. The ship stayed docked overnight in Livorno, Italy which gave us two full days to visit Florence or other cities in Tuscany. We rented a car, picked it right up at the dock, and drove ourselves to Florence. The GPS nav system took us directly to a parking garage near the train station in the city center. It couldn't have been easier and having our own car gave us the flexibility to come and go as we pleased. Knowing that the ship would be there until the next day gave me some added comfort - if we got lost, at least we had plenty of time to find our way back to the port!

The food and service were very good onboard. I like the open dining concept for the main restaurant. You can go to dinner at the time that suits you best each evening. There are also two specialty restaurants that require advance reservations. One specializes in seafood and the other is a steakhouse - they each have a small fee to dine here. Some nice inclusions that you are not charged extra for are soda, coffees, fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies, wine and standard cocktails. There is an upcharge for premium liquor. Gratuities are also included in your cruise fare.

The staff and crew genuinely want to make sure that each and every person enjoys their cruise vacation.  The ships sail all over the world, from Europe to Asia and the Caribbean.

If you are ready to book your next cruise vacation, contact the Cruise Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel today!

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
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Azura Quilalea, Mozambique, a private island retreat

Getting to the island resort of Azura Quilalea was half the fun! My adventure started with a 3 hour flight on SA Airlink from Johannesburg to Pemba, Mozambique. Cleared customs formalities and climbed into the waiting 4-seater prop plane for the 20-minute hop over to Quirimba island. Brilliant blue Indian Ocean water sparkled below. Landed in a grassy field. Met by driver to take me to the other side of the island where a boat was waiting to whisk me off to paradise. It was a quick 15-minute boat ride to the private island resort of Azura Quilalea. The planes, boats and automobiles were totally worth the trip!

Quilalea is located on an uninhabited island in the Quirimba Archipelago, at the northern end of Mozambique and not far from southern Tanzania. It makes for a wonderful stop before or after an African safari. A perfect way to overcome your jet lag before you embark on early morning game drives or a perfect, relaxing way to end an action-packed vacation.

There are only 9 villa suites, each offering beautiful views of the sea and sky. Depending on location, they are called either Sunrise or Sunset Villas and all are very private. For the utmost in privacy, you can choose the Villa Quilalea. This larger villa is perched high on a cliff with spectacular views and its own infinity-edge pool. The decor of the rooms can be called beachy Afro-chic. They are in keeping with the island surroundings, not over-done, but just very comfortable with calming colors. Every villa has it's own private deck with sun loungers and umbrella.

I arrived to my Sunset villa just as the sun was beginning to set, all of the doors and windows were open, the curtains billowing in the the gentle breeze, a bottle of chilled champagne on ice - it was heaven!

Days here are very relaxed with most activities centered around the water. Diving, snorkeling and deep-sea fishing are among the most popular offerings. Not surprising as the marine life is incredible around here. You can whale watch and observe nesting sea turtles in season.

Dining is a sublime experience here at Quilalea. Meals are served al fresco, tables scattered around the beach or pool, assuring guests a private experience while dining. Your personal butler brings a giant chalkboard displayed with the menu selections each day. At breakfast, I enjoyed the freshly baked muffins, served still warm from the oven. Lunch and Dinner always included a choice of fish or seafood, locally caught that day. My favorite meal was a seafood extravaganza of calamari, prawns, tuna, and what they call crayfish but it looked liked lobster to me. All perfectly prepared and so delicious!

After a morning of snorkeling and a 2 km. walk around the island, I returned to my villa to enjoy the peaceful sounds of the waves lapping on the beach. The chaise lounge was calling me from my private deck. You know you are truly on vacation when your most difficult decision of the day is to choose between laying in the hammock or on the sun lounger. I gave them both equal time.

Good to know: A valid passport and a Visa is necessary for U.S. citizens to enter Mozambique. Current visa fee is $82.00 and may be purchased at the port of entry.
Helicopter service to the island is scheduled to start soon! 

Are you ready to book your own private island vacation? Contact the Travel Advisors at Bee Kalt Travel today!

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
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Bhutan

For the "been there, done that" crowd, Bhutan seems to be on everybody's travel wish list. This tiny landlocked Asian nation is bordered by China in the North and India in the South. Bhutan is untouched and unspoiled, has only 700,000 citizens in the whole country and opened to tourism relatively recently, in 1974.

The number of tourists has been steadily increasing each year. The infrastructure is trying to keep pace to accommodate the growing number of visitors. At the time of my visit, in February 2013, the single road that connects all of the towns was being widened. Having said that, there is no traffic, in fact, there is no traffic light in the entire country. I think this is the most uncrowded place I have ever been, especially after arriving directly from a visit to Nepal.

Bhutan is known as the "Happiest Kingdom on Earth". This small country was never colonized and thus has been able to retain its homogenous culture and traditions among the people. Much of the culture is centered around the predominant Buddhist religion. Each town has a Dzong, which served as a fortress and now holds both religious temples and government offices. These beautiful structures are hundreds of years old and are identified by their white walls, red roofs, and intricately carved and painted woodwork.  The temples are filled with brightly colored paintings on the walls and ornate sculptures of the gods. If you are lucky, you may be able to observe a service with the resident monks chanting and playing instruments.

Along with the culture, hiking and outdoor activities are the big draw to Bhutan. It is incredibly mountainous, at the eastern edge of the Himalayas, and affords many options from short to full day hikes. Beautiful views of snow-capped peaks seem to be around every corner.  Many of the hikes are centered around a trek up to see a temple or monastery on the top of a hill. The most famous of these is the Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest.  It's the quintessential photo that one always sees of Bhutan - a monastery built into the rock, clinging to a cliff on the side of the mountain. It is an important pilgrimage site and you see all ages on the trail, from babes in arms to the elderly.  The trek up should take about 2 hours at a moderate pace. And then you have to come back down!

Bhutan is also known for producing beautiful and intricate textiles. You can visit the very informative National Textile museum in the capital city of Thimpu. Visits to a painting school and Traditional Medicine Institute are also very interesting.

Bhutan is very unique in how it manages tourism. U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and obtain a visa. All tourists must make their travel arrangements through a government approved tour company. This is not a place where you can just show up and travel around at will. You must be accompanied at all times by an official, licensed guide and driver. No rental cars here. That being said, we partner with the best tour operators who provide a seemless travel experience: from obtaining the necessary visas, to booking the flights (there's only one airline that flies here), to reserving the top hotels in each city.

Has Bhutan piqued your interest? To book your personal adventure, contact the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel today!    

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
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Argentina

If you're feeling the winter chill, head south, way south to Argentina!
The months of December to March are the perfect time to visit our South American neighbor as it's hot and sunny summertime.
The country offers something for everyone: a cosmopolitan city, mountains, lakes, glaciers, deserts, jungles teeming with wildlife and the world famous Iguassu falls.

I spent the Christmas/New Year's holiday with my family exploring some of these different regions. We started out in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. U.S. citizens must purchase the Argentina "entrance fee" or reciprocity fee online, before arriving in country. The current fee as of January 2013 is $160.00 per person for all arrivals by air into Argentina. Once purchased, it is good for 10 years, you just need to save the piece of paper if you plan on returning.

The greater Buenos Aires area is a city of 13 million people. This makes it the second largest city in South America, just after Sao Paulo, Brazil. Here you can find world-class museums, interesting neighborhoods, shops, craft markets, and peaceful parks. Among the highlights of the city you must see are the Casa Rosada (Pink House) where Madonna, as Evita, sang from the balcony, and the Plaza de Mayo. This is the political center of the city, where there are frequent demonstrations. We actually witnessed the Madres of Plaza de Mayo marching, as they have for over 30 years, in protest and remembrance of their children who had "gone missing" but were actually abducted during the years of the Dirty War. It was a moving experience to see as a bystander.

No visit is complete without a visit to the well known Recoleta cemetery, with it's ornate mausoleums and famous residents.  It's good to go with a guide because it is a huge place and you can hear stories and the history of the people buried there. In the evening, you must take in a tango show. We really enjoyed Rojo Tango at the Faena hotel. You can do the show with or without dinner. The showroom is small, dark and in keeping with the sensual nature of the dance. The dancers were fabulous and it was a terrific evening.

After you've shopped, toured, dined and danced your way around Buenos Aires, you may want to head further afield and see some other areas of Argentina. You can fly down to El Calafate in Patagonia and visit the Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. A little closer to Buenos Aires is Bariloche, just a 2 hour flight away. Bariloche,lying in the foothills of the Andes, is a ski resort in the Winter, and it offers a whole host of outdoor activities in the Summer.
You can hike, cycle, kayak, rockclimb and rappel.

The Llao Llao Resort is a stunning resort nestled between several mountains and sparkling blue lakes.

They have a full range of outdoor activities as well as golf, yoga and pilates classes offered at the resort. This is a great resort for families as they have activities and play spaces for the younger ones too! We enjoyed a leisurely tour around the lake that included a ride up a chairlift from which we had spectacular views. I highly recommend at least a three night stay here in order to take advantage of all there is to do.

There is a variety of rooms and suites to choose from. The standard rooms in the main lodge are very cozy and have an Alpine lodge feel to them. The bathrooms are small but the showers have the best water pressure! The suites in the newer Moreno wing are very spacious and luxurious. They all have lake views and huge bathrooms with jacuzzi baths.

   If you enjoy wine, no visit to Argentina is complete without a stop in Mendoza. This city is the jumping off point to hundreds of vineyards in the surrounding valley. The most important wine produced in this region in the famous Malbec. You can spend days touring vineyards, tasting wines and enjoying fabulous meals. There are incredible restaurants in town and in the vineyards,

We enjoyed a relaxed, casual dinner at Azafran, one of our favorite restaurants in Mendoza.

The Park Hyatt Mendoza is our choice of where to stay. The location is right in the center of town and the rooms are very comfortable. The staff is very helpful and friendly.
Book your stay with us and you will receive the Virtuoso amenities of a complimentary room upgrade upon arrival based on availability, complimentary buffet breakfast daily (delicious!) and a professional wine tasting for two hosted by the sommelier.

Ready to explore South America on your own? Contact the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel today!

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
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Being a Billionaire in Bali

It was a little disconcerting to receive the restaurant dinner bill with the tab totalling over 1,000,000. It wasn't quite as bad as I thought once I realized that the exchange rate was 9600 Indonesian rupiah to one U.S. dollar. You feel very rich when your pockets are full of 10,000 bills.

Bali is a relatively small island in the Indonesian archipelago, surrounded by the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean.

It attracts all kinds of travelers from backpackers and surfers to those looking for a more luxurious experience. I fell into the latter category (as I was celebrating my birthday) along with many honeymooners and retirees we met during our journey.

Bali is not just palm trees and beaches, but it has a lot to offer in the way of culture, arts, crafts and dance. There are beautiful rivers you can raft on, volcanoes you can climb, and terraced rice fields you can bike beside.

The first thing I learned upon landing in Bali is that the rules of the road are: there are no rules of the road. I'm sure there must be, but there are motorbikes everywhere. They weave in and out of the cars, fully loaded with packages, groceries or families of four. You can pass on the left, right or drive right down the center! I was very glad we had excellent drivers taking care of us during our stay.

First stop Ubud.
Ubud is centrally located and the perfect spot from which to explore the culture and history of the island. The majority of Balinese practice the Hindu religion while the rest of Indonesia is predominately Muslim. With our guide, Kichen, we were able to see the important Temples, temple ceremonies, beautiful scenery, view of volcanoes and we even crashed a wedding. Luckily, the Balinese people are very welcoming and were even invited to stay.

A highlight for me was a visit to the John Hardy workshop. If you've never heard of him, he creates a line of beautiful, handcrafted jewelry. You can visit the workshop, where they employ almost 700 workers, and see just how these intricate pieces are made. It is painstaking work and takes hours to create one silver bracelet or necklace. I've been a fan of John Hardy for a long time and I have a new appreciation for the bracelets I wear every day! If you'd like to visit and have a tour, please note that you do need an advance reservation.

Where to stay? We recommend:
Amandari

This resort is comprised of 30 individual thatched-roof suites, designed like a traditional Balinese village. Stone walkways connect the suites to the rest of the resort. The service is impeccable and what you come to expect when staying at an Aman resort. For a really special stay, choose one of the suites with private pool, overlooking the river.

Four Seasons Resort at Sayan
Built into the hillside over the Ayung river, the resort offers duplex suites with beautiful views of the lush gardens or larger, private villas with one or two-bedrooms. The restaurant has a nice selection of local and continental cuisine. A fabulous spa, fitness center and outdoor yoga pavilion round out the amenities offered.


Ubud Hanging Gardens

This one is a little further afield, about a 30-minute drive to the town of Ubud, but it offers the most spectacular setting in a hillside jungle. Each of the spacious villa suites has its own private pool. The romantic atmosphere makes this resort perfect for a honeymoon or for celebrating a special anniversary.

Book your stay at any of these resorts with us and receive complimentary Virtuoso amenities such as: Upgrade upon arrival based on availability, Breakfast for two daily, Complimentary lunch, dinner or spa credits

For more information or to reserve your Bali vacation, contact the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beekalt

Yogyakarta and the creation of an Aman-junkie

The journey continued as we left our little cabin in the Indonesian rainforest and flew from Pangkalan Bun to Solo airport in Central Java. A driver drove us almost three hours to Yogyakarta, and the Amanjiwo resort. Amanjiwo is perfectly situated for a visit to Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

We knew we arrived to someplace special as we were showered with rose petals by two young local girls at the entrance to the resort. We were ushered to our suite which had beautiful views of Borobudur and the surrounding valley. After the jungle lodge, this felt like a palace! The huge suite had separate dressing areas, outdoor bathtub and a private terrace with chaise lounges and a covered daybed for alfresco dining or relaxation.  The luxurious suite was only surpassed by the service we received from the gracious staff. I think our room was serviced every time we left it. I couldn't use a towel more than once before it was replaced with a fresh one! The most amazing part was that we never saw anyone ever come or go, it was just magically cleaned.

Many of the suites have their own private plunge pools, but for those that prefer swimming laps, there is a beautiful pool central to the resort. They also have a fitness suite and spa. I did do some damage in their very well-stocked boutique. They offer some logo items, but the majority of things for sale include high quality local crafts, carvings, art, jewelry and clothing. You can find some great treasures here as mementos of your stay.

We found the meals to be spectacular at Amanjiwo - excellent quality and wonderfully prepared. The menu changes nightly and they offer both Western and Indonesian cuisine.

Indonesian specialties at Amanjiwo

Amanjiwo offers many activities and excursions. We opted to do the Sunrise tour to Borobudur. We received a wake-up call at 4:15am and grabbed a coffee and a pastry in the lobby before we left. Borobudur is a quick 10 minute drive from the resort. We had our own private guide escort us up the steep stone steps to the top of the monument. Once at the top, we enjoyed the peace and serenity of the moment. Unfortunately, the morning sky was filled with clouds so it wasn't the perfect sunrise, but it was a beautiful way to visit the temple. The main dome at the center is surrounded by 72 seated buddha statues enclosed in stupas. There are elaborately carved stone panels which depict stories, teachings or show the daily life from 9th century Java.




You can also hike, bike or tour the local villages and temples in the area. Or, it's a great place to relax, unwind and read a good book in the comfort of your own suite.

I have to say that I have never experienced service at quite this level before, and I've stayed at some very upscale hotels and resorts over the years. I can tell you how great it is, but you really don't understand the difference until you experience it yourself. The Amanresorts have their own name for their guests who "have seen the light" and converted to only wanting to stay at Aman properties for their vacations: Aman-junkies. Well, I've seen the light, and I told my husband he'd better keep working!

Are you ready to book your luxury stay at an Aman property? Book with us and you will receive complimentary amenities such as upgrades and breakfast daily.
Call the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel today!

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beekalt