Canyon Ranch - much more than a spa!

I've just returned from Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. This was my 10th visit in as many years and it maintains its status as a top spa resort in my book! The word 'spa' does not begin to describe it. It is a "health resort" where you can try all types of fitness classes, hike in the morning, bike in the afternoon, meditate, have a full medical evaluation by some of the country's best doctors, and finish the evening with the most delicious piece of warm chocolate cake with creme anglaise. Oh yes, I will not forget to mention the spa treatments! All types of massages, facials and body treatments are available. I love the basic Canyon Ranch body massage, but if you want something really special, try the Canyon Stone massage or the Thai massage. It's a pleasurable way to while away 100 minutes!

A typical day might be an early morning walk, followed by a nutritious (and delicious!) breakfast, cardio class, stretch class, strength class, lunch, maybe a lecture on Astrology or Orthotics, relax by the pool or do more classes. The ever-helpful Program Advisors assist each individual guest in planning his or her stay and they will make suggestions of how to get the most out of the Ranch, depending on what the guest is looking for. Different people will take away different things from their experiences, whether it's a physical change, spiritual change or just pure relaxation that they came for.

I always try something new each time I visit, either a new class, fitness challenge or spa treatment. This year I went to the Desert Drumming class. The best way to describe it is a room full of gals beating on large fit balls with wooden drumsticks. It was fun, and somewhat amusing as we followed the instructor's choreography of beating our own, and our neighbors' balls, to the music. Last year I tried the Goat Butter body treatment. It was a wonderful way to end an active day: being slathered in a rich goat butter from head to toe, wrapped in warm towels, and lowered into a water-bed to relax for 30 minutes. It was a great floating sensation, and my skin had never been so soft afterward!

The Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel can help you book your next spa vacation at the Canyon Ranch!
Receive complimentary upgrades and special amenities when booking with us.

For more information call 248-288-9600 or email: travel@beekalt.com
www.beekalt.com

Yoga Cruise

I have always greeted September with mixed emotions. It signifies the end of summer for us in the Midwest - the end of lazy days and time to get down to work. However, the start of a new school year is always very exciting. A new year, a fresh start, and new beginnings. I think about what positive changes I can make for the coming year. This has led me to combine two of my favorite activities: cruising and yoga!

I invite you to join me, and Suzanna Ran of Yoga Therapy of Michigan, for a transformational experience aboard the Radiance of the Seas. Sail into the New Year relaxed and rejuvenated. Sunrise and sunset yoga classes will be offered as well as workshops in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing science. Learn the importance of keeping your body and mind in balance and harmony.
Trip date: January 13 - 17, 2011
Pricing from $550 per person, based on double occupancy

Contact me today for more information! Space is limited.
email: shari@beekalt.com
Telephone: 248-288-9600
See our website: www.beekalt.com

New Travel Ideas

Each August we attend Travel Mart, where Virtuoso travel advisors come together with our hoteliers and suppliers from around the world. It is a fabulous opportunity to meet and establish personal relationships with the people who help us create memorable travel experiences for you, our clients. In addition to networking and training, we learn about what's new in the world of travel!

We have some great ideas for planning your next vacation:

Want to get away from it all on your own private island? Sir Richard Branson rents his home on Necker Island, in the BVI's for your exclusive use. You can invite up to 28 of your closest friends and family to join you at a rate of $53,000 per night. Price a little steep? Take advantage of their 'Celebration Weeks' in September, October and February. This gives couples a chance to experience the resort at the more affordable all-inclusive rate of $25,000 per week!

The Ritz Carlton Cancun now offers an optional all-inclusive program. You can enjoy their new extra wide sandy beach this winter, the result of a beach reclamation project.

Puerto Rico has a brand-new luxury resort opening this November in the Rio Grande area. Enjoy 2 miles of pristine beach, lakes, rivers, boating, biking, golf and more all at the St. Regis Bahia Beach. No passport is necessary for travel to San Juan!

A lovely country house called Coworth Park will be opening in September, just a 15 minute drive from London's Heathrow airport. Of note, Sony laptops will be provided for guest use complimentary in all of the rooms.
You can split your stay between here and central London, where at the Egerton House you can learn how to make the perfect martini from their famous barman, Antonio!

Interested in going a little further afield? We can arrange a trip to the North Pole! These expeditions depart April - July.

If you love wildlife, flora and nature, and have already been to Africa, may we suggest Orion Expedition Cruises? Check out their new itineraries to Borneo in August, September and December of 2011. The orangutans are waiting...

Book any of our Virtuoso partners with Bee Kalt Travel and you will receive VIP amenities, ranging from upgrades to complimentary breakfasts, spa services and more!

Contact our travel specialists today to arrange your next adventure!
Telephone: 248-288-9600
email: travel@beekalt.com

Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn cruise line has five luxury ships sailing all over the world. Three of its ships are luxury yachts holding only 200 guests. Their two newest vessels, the Odyssey and the Sojourn, hold 450 guests and offer more dining and entertainment options than their smaller sisters.

I recently traveled on the Odyssey for a week, sailing from Istanbul,Turkey to Athens, Greece. This was my first visit to Turkey and I found the people to be exceedingly warm and welcoming. I enjoyed the ports of Dikili, Kusadasi (where we visited the ancient ruins of Ephesus) and Bodrum (a lovely harbor town known for its nightlife). The cruise line treated everyone to a evening concert at Ephesus. The ancient amphitheater provided a beautiful backdrop, lit by the sunset, as we listened to a classical music performance. These types of complimentary experiences are offered by Seabourn on many of their sailings.

The Odyssey is an all-suite ship, most with private verandahs. Everything is included in your cruise fare: all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and gratuities. You can take advantage of the gym and fitness classes at no extra charge and they even have complimentary self-service laundries aboard. The staff provides impeccable service and the gourmet dining is delicious, varied and abundant. The suites are very comfortable with marble baths and separate stall showers. There are magnificent suites to choose from, some with private whirlpool tubs and expansive balconies. There are connecting rooms available for families.

Cruise vacations give you the opportunity to visit many places with ease, and unpacking only once. You can visit the ports by going on ship-sponsored shore excursions or by booking a private guide. Visiting places with a knowledgeable guide can greatly enhance your experience. We can arrange private guides and touring in most cities around the world!

We truly enjoyed our days touring with guides from United Travel Services in Turkey. Nevzat in Istanbul and Fahti in Kusadasi were both able to give us so much information on the past history of the region and also modern day Turkey.
We also enjoyed "winging it" one day in Santorini. It's fun to walk down winding alleys and perhaps discover a little cafe or a great hidden gift shop!


Good to know: U.S. citizens require a valid passport and a visa to enter Turkey. Visas are easily obtained at the Istanbul airport upon arrival, for a fee of $20.00.


The cruise specialists at Bee Kalt Travel are ready to assist you with planning your next Seabourn cruise or cruise vacation.
Please give us a call at (248) 288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
www.beekalt.com

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is an exotic and exciting city at the crossroads of the world. This is the only city in the world straddling two continents, Europe and Asia. With its rich history of being the capital of three empires, there is so much to see and do while visiting here!

Spend a day touring mosques, synagogues, churches and palaces. Experience how the Sultans lived with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. Here you will see intricate tile work, rooms where the harem girls lived and a fabulous collection of jewels and decorative objects.

No visit to Istanbul would be complete without walking through the famous Grand Bazaar, with its selection of jewelry, ceramic tiles, leather goods, pashminas and, of course, Turkish rugs! Other activities could include a visit to the Spice Market, a ride on a gulet (traditional wooden sailboat), or pampering yourself with a real Turkish bath.

Where to stay? We have some fabulous recommendations. The Ciragan Palace is the site of an original 19th-century palace built by Sultan Abdulaziz. Many of the rooms and suites have views of the Bosphorus, which has a never-ending parade of ships, ferries and boats passing by.
The Four Seasons Bosphorus is just down the street and also has a perfect waterside location. This hotel opened just two years ago and has all of the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. Their sister property, the Four Seasons Istanbul, is located in town, in what was a former prison building.
The Ritz Carlton Istanbul stands on a hill with commanding views of the city and the Bosphorus strait. It has a wonderful spa and a beautiful indoor pool for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing.

Book with Bee Kalt Travel and receive VIP amenities at all of these Virtuoso hotels: complimentary upgrades at check-in based on availability, complimentary breakfast, welcome gifts and more!

Please call our travel specialists today for more details!
Bee Kalt Travel (248)288-9600 or toll-free 1-800-284-5258
http://www.beekalt.com/

Club Med - a great family vacation!

This is not your mother's Club Med. Gone are the days of paying for drinks with beads and the spartan rooms with unlocked doors. Club Med, in its current incarnation, is a fabulous all-inclusive resort with renovated rooms and exclusive suites. It is a perfect place to take the family, or a multi-generational family group!

The many Club Med resorts located in the Caribbean or Mexico offer a variety of activities to keep everyone in the family happy: sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, spa, fitness classes and even a circus school! All of this plus gourmet dining, beverages and nightly entertainment included in one price.

Celebrate a special occasion or just take a well-deserved vacation. Take advantage of the WOW sale going on now: 7 night all-inclusive land package starting at only $799.00 per person!
Call us today to book your next Club Med Vacation!
Sale ends August 30th, good for travel through December 16, 2010.

For more information please contact the travel specialists at Bee Kalt Travel!
Phone: 248-288-9600 or toll-free 1-800-284-5258
www.beekalt.com

Travel Insurance

In these turbulent times Mother Nature has thrown at us earthquakes, floods, mudslides, and volcanic eruptions. All of these unfortunate events have hampered travel in recent months. This is the perfect time to remind you of the importance of travel insurance. It is the unexpected that you are protecting yourself against. Most insurance policies cover you if you can't travel due to an illness, or a death of an immediate family member. In addition there are plans you can purchase to cover you against penalties for cancellation for any reason, for business reasons, and even some that will cover traveling pets!

Rates of coverage are based upon the traveler's age and the cost of the trip. It is usually a minimum cost which will provide peace of mind and protect your travel investment. You shouldn't have to worry before or during your vacation!

Contact the travel specialists at Bee Kalt Travel for more information about travel insurance or to plan your next vacation!
phone 248-288-9600, email: travel@beekalt.com
www.beekalt.com