A Weekend in the Windy City

I recently spent a whirlwind weekend in the great midwestern city of Chicago - Chi-town as we like to say! As soon as we pulled up to the hotel, my kids dropped their bags and headed out for shopping on Michigan Ave., without missing a beat. Zara, Topshop, Bloomies, all the stores we don't have at home in Detroit were beckoning them for a visit.

I took a moment to check out our hotel, the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago. It had been a while since I've stayed at a Westin and there was a whole menu of offerings I didn't know existed. First of all, while waiting to check in, I saw a sign on the front desk that said: Check out by 10am and receive 500 Starwood points or Free Internet during your stay.  If they expect a lot of check-ins the next day, this is a good incentive to get guests to clear out early. We found out the next day that this bonus is not offered all of the time, just when they are very busy.

The next thing I noticed was something called "Make the Green Choice". If you choose to forgo housekeeping services during your stay, you will receive either 500 points or a $5.00 credit to be used in the cafe. I'm not sure if that's for saving the environment or a cost-saving measure, you decide. If you need fresh towels, you can always call guest services and they will deliver them to your room.

I think this last amenity is a great idea. I've known about the Westin Workout, where their hotels have fully equipped fitness centers with the state-of-the-art machines. Now, they have a New Balance Gear lending program. If you didn't bring your workout clothes with you, no worries (and no excuses)!

You just call the service line and they will send up your sizes: shoes, top, shorts or capris, and even a sports bra for the ladies if needed. The nominal fee of $5.00 covers the new socks which you get to keep.  Of course I had to try it out to see exactly what you get. I was pleasantly surprised. Brand new items, with the tags still on, were delivered to my room! Perhaps the program hasn't caught on quite yet, but I think it is great option to have and I will remember for next time.

The rooms were basic but comfortable, with the Heavenly beds and showers. The downtown location is perfect, especially for the shoppers in the family.

Let the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel plan your next weekend away!

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

New ideas in luxury travel

August brings our annual Virtuoso Travel Week, where we meet with our partners from around the globe for five action-packed days in Las Vegas. It gives us a fabulous opportunity to meet face to face with the General managers of hotels, the owners of tour companies, and the key sales people representing resorts, cruise lines and products from around the world. The relationships we create work to enhance the experience that we are able to give you, our clients, when you book your travel with us.

We also have many opportunities to increase our knowledge of destinations and learn what is new in the world of travel. Some of the highlights to share:

The first Food & Wine restaurant, the Chef's Club, is now open at the St. Regis Aspen Resort. The menus will rotate twice per year, created by the Best New Chef award winners as chosen by Food & Wine magazine. This is must-do for the passionate foodie in your life.

If considering a trip to India, everyone knows you must see the Taj Mahal, but did you know that you could go whitewater rafting on the Ganges river, or spend a day with a guru in an ashram? These are some of the off the beaten path experiences you can have when designing your travel with us.

A gift idea for the man (or woman) in your life who has everything: a two-day astronaut training session at the NASTAR Center in Philadelphia. If you aren't planning on spending $200,000 on the first space flights offered by Virgin Galactic, this is the next best thing. Experience space flight in the world's most advanced flight simulator. Ask us about the VIP package which includes a 2-night weekend stay at the Ritz-Carlton.

Four Seasons hotels and resorts is expanding into East Africa. Look for their first property to open soon in the Serengeti, Tanzania!

Have you heard about Cuddle Class on Air New Zealand? It is a set of 3 coach seats together that can transform in a couch of sorts, good for 2 people traveling together or a parent with small children. It gives you the option to stretch out without stretching your budget all the way to business class.

Aman-junkies: you know who you are! Aman resorts has recently opened three new resorts in the Mediterranean. Amanzoe has just opened in Greece, on the east coast of the Peloponnese. It joins the Sveti Stefan in Montenegro and the Amanruya in the resort town of Bodrum, Turkey. Peace, tranquility, exceptional facilities and service are the hallmarks of Amanresorts.   

For more information on any of these vacations, please 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

Charleston, South Carolina

Are you looking for a romantic getaway, girlfriends weekend or a family vacation? Charleston, South Carolina might just fit the bill! This small, coastal city has history, parks, beaches, shopping and dining ranging from contemporary gourmet to down-home Southern cooking.

We recommend a stay at the Charleston Place hotel, perfectly located in the center of town. The lobby is very grand with a sweeping double staircase and enormous crystal chandelier. The rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with soothing soft colors in a Southern style. They have a fitness center, which comes in handy after indulging in the local treats like pralines, fudge and fried green tomatoes.

The Charleston Place has an indoor salt water swimming pool with a retractable roof so it can be used year-round.  The full service spa is one of the best in town and offers an indulgent menu of services.

After you check-in, head out to the streets. The downtown area is very walkable and you can start by walking down historic Market street. You will pass through the many stalls selling all kinds of wares. Women (and some men) are still weaving traditional baskets made from sweet grass which is found in the surrounding areas of Charleston. The technique has been handed down through the generations, which was originally brought from West Africa. The baskets can be pricey but they really are works of art.

You may opt to take a carriage tour. This one hour tour is a great way to visit the city and learn a lot about the history.  Other options include visiting historic Plantation homes, taking a boat cruise along the river or soaking up some sun on one of the local beaches. If you are there on a Saturday, you must visit the local Farmer's Market, set up on Saturday mornings in Marion park.

Book your stay at the Charleston Place with us and receive these exclusive amenities:
Upgrade upon arrival based on availability, Continental breakfast for two daily, and a $100 food and beverage credit to be used during your stay.  

Contact Bee Kalt Travel to book your next holiday!
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

Magical Mediterranean

Need last minute ideas for your summer vacation? Check out these top picks for an ultimate Mediterranean getaway!

BARCELONA

Barcelona is a vibrant city that caters to lovers of history, architecture, art, food and wine. It really does have it all. There are so many different hotel options it can be hard to choose. Our choice is a newcomer to the luxury hotel scene, the understated Mandarin Oriental. Perfectly situated among the fashionable shops on the Passeig de Gracia, you could easily miss it if not for the uniformed doorman out front. Once inside the stylish lobby, you feel that you are somewhere special, with the efficient staff welcoming you and taking care of your every need. After all, service excellence is a hallmark of the Mandarin Oriental hotel company. The hotel boasts the Michelin-starred restaurant, Moments, among its several food and beverage venues. The Banker's Bar is a nod to the hotel building's previous life as a bank. They have original safety deposit boxes as decoration for this fun spot to enjoy a drink and tapas.

A pampering spa, rooftop swimming pool and a superb fitness center round out the amenities offered. The rooms are very modern and high tech. I love when you can push a button next to the bed to open and close the blinds, and in-room wifi has become a must-have in this day and age. Start off the day with a delicious and bountiful breakfast in the dramatic Blanc brasserie - complimentary when you book your stay with us!

If you book your stay at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona with Bee Kalt Travel, you will receive exclusive Virtuoso amenites of buffet breakfast daily, a room upgrade upon arrival based on availability, and a complimentary bottle of wine and selection of tapas in the Banker's bar. A great value!   


MALLORCA

After the hectic pace in Barcelona, a short flight will take you to Palma, the capital city of the beautiful island of Mallorca. You will find a lot of contrasting scenery on this largest of the Balearic islands: mountains, beaches, olive groves, and rugged cliffs dropping into the blue sea. There are many historical and interesting sights to visit around the town of Palma. You must visit the gothic cathedral and admire the architectural elements, you can visit the house where Joan Miro lived out his later years, and see his studio which has been left untouched with many unfinished works on display. Miro was not the only famous resident who lived on Mallorca. Frederic Chopin wrote many letters about his winter in Mallorca which was purportedly spent with his mistress, George Sand. The current "favorite son" of the island has got to be Raphael Nadal, the famous tennis player. We were told that you know he is in residence when you see his red Ferrari speeding by.

We highly recommend a stay at La Residencia, an Orient-Express property, located in the charming village of Deia. It is less than an hour drive from the city of Palma, through spectacular scenery. The resort was a former residence, and is now one of the finest boutique hotels on Mallorca. The atmosphere is rustic and elegant. It is a very romantic place to celebrate a milestone birthday, anniversary or honeymoon. It is not just for couples as they receive many families and offer childrens' activities as well. The resort has several swimming pools, a fitness center, tennis courts and an award-winning spa on property. The views from the brand-new luxury suites are incredible, all with private terraces and either a swimming or plunge pool. The resort is built on a hillside, with views of the terracotta villages, green mountains, tall cypress trees and the sparkling blue-green sea in the distance. It does book up in season, so we recommend you reserve early!

Book with us and receive complimentary amenities: room upgrade, full breakfast daily, a bottle of Cava and a face and scalp massage! It can't get more relaxing than that! 


PORTOFINO

If a week in Italy is what you crave, check out the venerable Hotel Splendido. This grande dame has been presiding over the Portofino harbor since 1901. Its magnificent hillside location offers spectacular views of the sea below. You can watch the yachts come and go from your private terrace. The lobby and guest rooms are elegant and sophisticated.  Families are welcome and the kids are entertained in their new childrens' center, offering all types of activities. Even the family pet is welcome. The Splendido has gone as far as having a trained spa therapist available for providing "doggie massage", the latest for the pampered pooch! It gives new meaning to the phrase "full service spa". In addition to the beautiful pool, fitness center and spa, they provide transportation into the harbor town if you'd like to do a little shopping. If you'd rather walk, it only takes about 10 minutes to get down the hill.  There are several dining options serving fine Italian cuisine. You are sure to be charmed by Luca, the restaurant manager in La Terrazza. Trust him to recommend the specialties of the day and the appropriate wine accompaniment.

Complimentary Virtuoso amenities include: upgrade upon arrival, full breakfast daily and a $100 resort credit!    

Contact Bee Kalt Travel to book your next Mediterranean holiday!
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

While airfares are going up, it seems that cruise prices are falling. Every day we receive a new email touting cruise deals, some as low as $599 for a 7-night vacation! While the prices are certainly attractive, you must pay attention to the fine print. Does the advertised price include taxes and fees? This can add up to a few hundred dollars per person on top of that low cruise fare.

We always quote our fares including taxes and fees, so you know exactly what you are paying for. One of our preferred cruise lines, Silversea, is offering a special 5-night sailing in the Mediterranean this Fall. If you're short on vacation time, this cruise from Barcelona to Rome would make a perfect getaway. With all-inclusive pricing from $1599 per person, you can museum-hop in Barcelona one day and bask on beaches in St. Tropez the next! Departure date is October 5, 2012. Pricing is capacity controlled and subject to change, so early booking is always recommended.

There are also some excellent values on summer sailings with Seabourn cruises. I recently returned from a one week cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn, visiting the ports of Barcelona, Mallorca, Monte Carlo, and Portofino. This all-inclusive luxury cruise line believes that "clairvoyance is a job requirement". I found this to be true of my experience onboard. The staff works hard to make sure that the guests are happy and well taken care of. The all-inclusive aspect is wonderful - gratuities, specialty restaurants, wine and liquor are all included in your cruise fare. It's nice not having to pay more for all of these little extras. My companion's cappuccino consumption alone could have added up to $100 on a mass-market cruise line!

Ready to book your next cruise vacation? Contact the Cruise 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

Tapas y Vino

I recently returned from a whirlwind family vacation in Spain. What a beautiful country filled with culture, history and fabulous food and wine!
We started off in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The highlights of our stay included visits to the Royal Palace, the Reina Sofia and the Prado. Did you know that there are two Mona Lisa's? A twin of the famous painting in the Louvre was on display at the Prado museum, just before it was transported to Paris for a temporary exhibition. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the painting, sparked when a lush, background landscape was revealed during a painstaking restoration. There are several theories about who really painted it, but it was perhaps painted by one of Leonardo da Vinci's pupils.

Our home for three nights was at the grand hotel Ritz Madrid. The lobby and guest rooms exude European elegance. You feel like standing up a little straighter when entering through the revolving door into the beautiful lobby. The lobby lounge is the place to see and be seen, for both business people and the "ladies who lunch". They serve afternoon tea daily, with 3-tiered tray presentations of sandwiches, scones and pastries.Yum!

We spent a night in Granada at the fabulous Palacio de los Patos. This 40-room hotel was a former palace, and also has served as the Swedish embassy. A hotel for the last six years, the rooms and suites are all individually decorated, using both contemporary and traditional styles. We enjoyed the Virtuoso complimentary amenities of a massage in the spa, and a tapas tasting in their Senzone restaurant. While in Granada we visited the Alhambra, the famous 14th-century Moorish fortress and palace. We also enjoyed strolling the city and wandering through the winding streets of the Albayzin (the old Arab quarter).

We drove on to Seville, with a stop at the white village of Ronda. This is a beautiful city, perched atop a mountain, with a river winding through it in a deep gorge. The views are spectacular and it is a very romantic spot where you could spend a night or two. We visited the oldest bullring in Spain where the sport of bullfighting is still very popular.

Seville is the largest city in the region of Andalucia. It is a very walkable city at its heart, and most tourist sights are easily accessible. You must visit the Alcazar, the residence of many generations of Kings; the Cathedral, housing some of Christopher Colombus' remains (long story) and climb the Giralda (bell tower) where you can get a 360 degree view of the city. Interestingly, the climb to the top is all on ramps, not stairs, because they used to ride horses or mules to the top.

Plaza de Espana, Seville

A visit to the Plaza de Espana is well worthwhile as some consider it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was constructed in 1929 as the centerpiece for the Ibero-American Expo. It now is home to government offices, but the plaza has fountains, canals and little rowboats for rent. It's a nice place to spend a sunny afternoon. This city is also the birthplace of flamenco. If there was anyplace to learn or watch flamenco, this would be it! There are informal flamenco bars throughout the city as well as professional performances on most evenings.

Good to know: Spaniards eat dinner very late by American standards. Most restaurants don't even start serving dinner until 9:00pm!

Book your vacation with us and receive extra-value Virtuoso amenities such as complimentary breakfasts, massages, afternoon tea, and upgrades to your room.


Would you like more information on Spain? 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

Polar Bear Adventure!

This post is courtesy of guest writer, veteran traveler and Bee Kalt Travel Advisor: Carolyn Greenberg 

She fills us in on her incredible trip to see the Polar Bears in the Great White North!

Carolyn writes:

It’s been on my “bucket list” for a long time and this fall presented the opportunity to finally get to see the Polar Bears!

What an incredible experience. We traveled with Natural Habitat Adventures who truly are the “nature people”. They specialize in small group expeditions in custom–built Polar Rovers that afforded us up-close encounters with the bears.

Our trip began in Winnipeg, the capital and largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Winnipeg is reached easily by two short flights from Detroit through Minneapolis. We stayed at the Fort Garry Hotel , a National Historic Site built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. A highlight of the Winnipeg tour was the Manitoba Museum, a unique museum with exhibits that explore the history of man and nature. Their showcase piece is a full sized replica of the Nonsuch, a 17th century sailing vessel that sailed the world and led to the founding of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Our polar adventure began with a charter flight to the icy wild of Churchill, Manitoba. This outpost town was originally a fur-trading post on the Hudson Bay. The town has a population of under 1000 inhabitants. In the late fall, hundreds of bears congregate in the Churchill area waiting for the ice to form on the Hudson Bay so they can begin the winter seal-hunting season.

No sooner had we boarded our vans for our lodging that we had our first polar bear sighting: some bears being released from “polar bear jail”. Hungry bears that stray too close to town and cannot be frightened off are trapped and kept in “jail“ for 30 days. They are fed nothing but water to discourage them from returning. They are then sedated and airlifted by helicopter to the other side of the bay to wait until it freezes. What a spectacular sight!

For the next few days we spent the daylight hours on the arctic tundra at the edge of the bay in a heated, plush Polar Rover, searching for wildlife much as one would on an African safari. Although the vehicles can seat 35 passengers, Natural Habitat only takes 15, which means we had lots of room to roam and everyone gets a window seat. Our wildlife sightings included many polar bears, foxes, snowy owls, and ptarmigan. What a thrill to watch the young males play-fighting! The mesh outdoor observation deck was perfect for close-up viewing and photos. Great dinners and cultural presentations rounded out the days. We even had an opportunity to see the famed Northern Lights which can be quite spectacular.

Tip: Book early as space is limited and these trips are very popular. Polar Bear adventures are only offered in October and November.

To book your next adventure, 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