I think I'm going to Kathmandu

That's really really where I'm going to, if I ever get out of here...
I've known this Bob Seger song forever. I never dreamed that I'd actually be going to Kathmandu, but that's exactly what I did earlier this month. Most people associate Nepal with Mt. Everest and the Himalayas, but there is so much more that makes up this small nation.

The greater Kathmandu area has a population of over 2 million people. It is a very crowded city teeming with people, pigeons and stray dogs. The most prevalent religions practiced here are Hinduism and Buddhism, and there are many temples and important religious sights that you can visit in and around the city.

I was most fascinated by the stories of the Living Goddess. This is a young girl who is chosen from a specific village when she is around the age of  3 - 5 years old. She must possesses the 32 attributes necessary in order become the Living Goddess or Kumari. Once chosen, she is taken from her family to live in a palace with caretakers, where she will be worshipped as a goddess and where people come to be blessed.
Her feet must never touch the ground unless she is walking on red carpet. Problem solved - in the palace she wears red socks! She lives this way until she reaches puberty. At this time, she is sent back to live with her family as a common person and the search goes on for the next Kumari.

My travels through Nepal took me from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park and also to Pokhara. In Chitwan, I stayed at a very modest lodge called the Machan Country Villa. From here as a base, you can enjoy an elephant back safari through the forest, jeep and boat safaris, village tours and nature walks. The wildlife we saw included fresh water alligators, one-horned rhinoceros, langur monkeys, barking deers, and a variety of birds. If you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of a Bengal tiger or a sloth bear, which both live in the forest.

Pokhara is a large town, about a 4 hour drive from Chitwan. It is a base for hikers who want to do the Annapurna circuit trek. The Annapurna moutain range of the Himalayas can be seen from most points in and around the city. The snow-capped peaks are breathtaking. The city itself has lots of shops and restaurants geared toward tourists. The main street is set along Phewa lake, where you can take a leisurely boat ride on the calm water.

The Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is a great place to rest and relax after a long day sight-seeing or trekking. It is located outside the city on a mountain, with wonderful views. Individual cottages dot the mountain side with stone walkways connecting them with the main lodge. The rooms are spacious and the staff thoughtfully places hot water bottles in the beds to keep you warm on cold nights during the winter. There is also a lovely outdoor pool for those warm, sunny days.
The Managing Director, Marcus, is very hands on and makes sure that all of his guests are happy.

One 'must do' in Kathmandu is the flight-seeing trip to Mt. Everest. It's best to go first thing in the morning and hope for a clear day. Everyone gets a window seat, so one side of the plane has a front row seat to the Himalaya range on the way out and the other side gets it on the way back. Each passenger has a chance to go up to the cockpit, one at a time, to see the view from there and snap a few quick photos. The flight attendants hand out maps of the whole range with the name of each peak and its elevation labeled. It was a very cool experience and one I'd recommend doing. Then, you can say "I've been to Mt. Everest!"


Are you ready for Kathmandu?! Call on the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel to help you plan your next adventure!

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/
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beekalt

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/
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beekalt

Need Miles? Think Hong Kong!

It's that time of year again, when people get frantic. Not with last minute gift shopping, mind you. I am talking about frequent flyers scrambling to figure out how they are going to get those last few thousand miles to push them up to the next level of elite status in their airline's frequent flyer program.

Elite status comes with all kinds of perks: complimentary upgrades on flights, no fees for checked luggage, increased weight allowances for luggage (necessary for the ladies who travel with large shoe wardrobes), special lines for priority check-in, pre-boarding and so on. Once you've attained premier status with an airline, and have enjoyed the additional perks, you will do anything to keep that status. Which is why, at the end of the year, people will suddenly find a need to fly to some far flung destination - just to make sure they have enough miles to be Gold, Platinum or whatever!

Hong Kong is a perfect city for that long weekend trip. Far enough to bump you up to the level, and plenty to see and do to keep you entertained for a few days. You don't need a visa, just a valid U.S. passport, so that part is easy if you're planning last minute.

The airport is very modern and user friendly. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to the city center if there's no traffic. There are so many wonderful places to stay, and the debate goes on: should I stay on the Kowloon side or the Hong Kong Island side? I don't think you can go wrong with either, because there are things to do on both sides of Hong Kong and you will no doubt be spending some time in both places.

Our picks of top choices to stay while in Hong Kong:
Intercontinental Hong Kong

Located in Kowloon, you must reserve a harbor-view room, for the most fabulous views looking across the harbor to Hong Kong island. Every night at 8:00pm there is a light show which you can watch from your room or from the lovely lobby lounge with its floor to ceiling windows. We recommend booking Club lounge access, which allows you privileged access to the lounge with food and beverages offered throughout the day, in addition to concierges and business services.

The Upper House

This chic hotel opened in 2009 and has a definite hip vibe. We love the minimalist decor and the huge bathrooms with striking city or harbor views. The Sky Lounge is a lovely retreat on the 49th floor, and is adjacent to the Cafe Gray Bar, THE place to see and be seen.




Landmark Mandarin Oriental

This hotel is centrally located on Hong Kong island, conveniently adjacent to a large indoor shopping mall. The deluxe rooms and suites have huge 7-foot round soaking bathtubs which would comfortably fit a family of four. A highlight of the hotel is the state-of-the-art spa and a complete yoga and pilates studio.

The Peninsula

This is definitely the Grande dame hotel of Hong Kong, creating memories for guests since 1928. We recommend the harbor view rooms and suites, which have all undergone a complete renovation in 2012. The technology in all rooms is unsurpassed, with ipads provided to do everything from controlling the lights and drapes, to ordering room service or extra towels from housekeeping. An added bonus is that you can make free phone calls from your room to anywhere in the world!

Book your next stay with us at any of these Virtuoso hotels and you will receive complimentary amenities such as breakfast daily, food/beverage or spa credits and free upgrades.

Contact the Travel Advisors at Bee Kalt Travel to reserve 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

Best in Bali Beach resorts

There are so many fabulous beach resorts in Bali, it's hard to choose just where to stay. I had the opportunity to visit a few of the top luxury resorts and each one had something special to offer.

I highly recommend splitting your time on the island between the central region of Ubud and spending some time at the beach.

The Amankila resort has a spectacular cliffside location on the south eastern coast of Bali. Individual thatched roofed villa suites dot the hillside and are connected by a series of stone stairways. Being in good physical condition would be a bonus here, although they do have buggies to take you up and down the hill if you so desire. Our suite was located at the very top of the hill, which afforded some beautiful sea views and it was very private. We did have to negotiate the long stairways to get down to the pool area and dining rooms, so I just made sure I had everything with me before I left the room! The main pool area has a series of three tiered-pools with many comfy sun beds and several covered bales, great for lounging. All the way at the base of the cliff is the beach club. There is another restaurant adjacent to a large swimming pool, and several more individual bales on the black sand beach. Many different watersports are offered, including standup paddle-boarding, boogie boards, kayaks, windsurfing and hobie cats. I had a great sail on the hobie one afternoon - the wind was strong and it was a blast flying across the waves!

Other than enjoying the fabulous meals at Amankila, I had one other indulgence during my stay. It was a signature spa treatment called  Cita Ening. It is described as a full body purification process to provide clarity of thought and a sense of well-being. Sounded good to me! I wasn't sure if I was going to a cooking class or having a spa treatment. The ingredients for the service called for rice, yogurt, ginger, honey, milk, cucumber and coconut cream.   The two and a half hour treatment started with a fresh lime and salt foot scrub (margarita anyone?), followed by a full body exfoliation with rice and ginger. The therapist then applied yogurt and honey to my chest, and a mixture of red ginger and cajeput to my stomach. I was wrapped with warm towels while slices of cucumber were placed over my eyes and face. Next came a soothing head and scalp massage with coconut hair cream.  If this wasn't enough, the finale was a relaxing massage. After it was all over, I floated back to my suite at the top of the hill, sense of well-being fully restored!

It was sad to leave Amankila, but the smile returned to my face upon arrival at the St. Regis Bali resort.  This beautiful property is located on a golden sand beach in Nusa Dua. The entrance opens to a very grand open-air lobby, with smaller seating areas placed around.  The St. Regis features butler service for all of its suites and villas. Our butler created a very special welcome for us, since we were celebrating a special occasion. The bathtub was filled with rose petals in the shape of a heart - a fun surprise! The suite itself was very spacious, including a sitting area with sofa and chairs, large walk-in closet, entrance foyer, marble bathroom and a private balcony. The resort is only a few years old, and the suites feature all of the latest technology: 42-inch screen tv, ipod docking station and wifi.

If you prefer more space than the 900-square foot entry level suite provides, you can opt for one of the villas on property. There are gorgeous one, two and three-bedroom villas, some of which are centered around a huge salt water lagoon swimming pool.

Dining at the St. Regis Bali can be from grabbing a bite at the casual Gourmand Deli to fine dining at the elegant and romantic, beachfront Kayuputi restaurant.  The breakfasts served at the Boneka restaurant are among the best I've ever had. There is an elaborate buffet with every western breakfast food you can think of, plus salads, sushi, soups AND ala carte items you can order off the menu. I personally recommend the lobster omelette. Why not, you're on vacation?!  While you're enjoying your breakfast, the servers come around with small bites of the chef's specialties for the day. These were tastings of Indonesian beef and noodles, fruit smoothies, etc. Needless to say, I had to taste it all, and I pretty much rolled out of the restaurant each morning. The best part is, when you book your stay at the St. Regis with us, this fabulous breakfast is included in your stay!

To reserve your Bali beach 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

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