Space Goddess

What is your Travel Dream?

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:41:38 +0000

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

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 >>

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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The Most Romantic Destination to say “I do!”

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:01:01 +0000

He proposed and you accepted. Now what? Where to get married? Where to honeymoon? Consider combining the two events and plan a destination wedding.

The world is, as they say, your oyster and your options are almost limitless. How do you choose? First establish a budget. Next, decide how many people you want to join you. This is the point you ask yourself, “If I want friends and family to participate, what destination is easily accessible?

One destination we adore is the island of Kauai. Rarely can you find a place with so many options for a dramatic backdrop to your wedding vows – the moody lush North Shore, the sunny, swaying palms of the South part of the island, the mountains, even outside the bar made famous in “The Descendents”.

Speaking of destination weddings, read Michael King’s planning tips on page 16 of the February/March issue of Virtuoso Traveler (see below). I love it when we’re featured in a magazine!

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Presenting the 2013 Guide to the World’s Best Hotels

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:21:38 +0000

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®

Welcome to the newest edition of Virtuoso Best of the Best

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

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

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Guess which US airport is the most creative?

admin — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:26:12 +0000

Enlarge image i

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has deployed an army of 1.9 million worms to eat through its organic waste. The airport has reduced the trash it sends to the landfill by 70 percent.

Julie Rose

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has deployed an army of 1.9 million worms to eat through its organic waste. The airport has reduced the trash it sends to the landfill by 70 percent.

Julie Rose

Food waste is not just a problem for restaurants — airports also have to deal with piles of this kind of garbage.

At one of the nation’s busiest airports, Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina, each passenger generates half a pound of garbage on average per visit. But instead of just sending all that trash to the landfill, Charlotte has taken a different approach. It’s the first airport to put worms to work dealing with trash.

Yes, worms.

Before the worms get a whack at the airport waste, there’s some human work required. Twenty-five tons of trash a day tumbles onto a conveyor belt under the supervision of Charlotte Airport housekeeping manager Bob Lucas.

“You see it coming down off the cascade up there,” Lucas says. “What that does is, it gives it like a waterfall effect. So it spreads it out on the belt a little bit more.”

A dozen employees pluck out recyclables and sort through aluminum, plastic and more, so passengers don’t have to do the sorting in the terminal.

In the four months since this operation got under way, trash going from the Charlotte airport to the landfill is down an impressive 70 percent. Recyclables are crushed, baled and sold for cash. There are shirts sorted and laundered and donated, and plastic cups collected. (The shirts come from people who toss clothing when they suddenly discover their suitcases are too heavy.)

The organic stuff — waste from airport restaurants, food scraps off planes, and the half-eaten Cinnabon that a traveler has tossed out — mixes in a big tank for a few days to start the composting process. Then it’s time for the stars of this show to take over.

“There’s the workers,” Lucas says, digging his fingers into the top layer of a 50-foot-long composting bin, “1.9 million of them.”

They are common backyard red wigglers, about 3 inches long, a quarter-inch around — and hungry. Lucas says they eat half their weight a day.

Enlarge image i

Organic waste ends up in a series of 50-foot beds where the worms do their work. Castings (aka worm poop) fall through a screen at the bottom of the bed and will be used as fertilizer on airport grounds.

Julie Rose

Organic waste ends up in a series of 50-foot beds where the worms do their work. Castings (aka worm poop) fall through a screen at the bottom of the bed and will be used as fertilizer on airport grounds.

Julie Rose

“I have not heard of another airport that does that,” says Katherine Preston, environmental affairs director for Airports Council International-North America.

And that’s with good reason. First of all, recycling and worm composting take space many airports don’t have.

Plus, worms are finicky and — as Lucas recently learned — prone to crawling out en masse at times. That resulted in a panicked call to the guy who sold him the worms.

“First thing I told him: ‘They’re trying to leave.’ And he said, ‘Get a light and stick it under the bed.’ And they just turn around and go back in and they’re happy,” Lucas says.

Light on. Crisis averted. If Lucas can keep the worms happy, they’ll soon be producing enough worm poop to fertilize all of the airport’s flower beds and shrubs, Lucas says.

Worm poop. Go ahead and giggle. Charlotte officials sure did as they debated the $1.2 million it cost to launch the program. But they’re not laughing now: The airport expects to be making money off its trash in five years.

The Two-Way

Sweden Wants Your Trash

via npr.org

“Creative airport” in one sentence? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Not in the case of Charlotte Douglass International, in my humble opinion! Hanging out at an airport is literally a trashy experience, at least 1/2 pound of trash per person, so they say in CLT, the airport code for Charlotte. That became a costly problem and an immense burden on the landfill and not very good for our environment.
What’s the fix? Worms! Yes, worms—-1.9 million of them! Read this story of ingenuity at work:

Posted via email from Travelingking

David Mackay: The pilot who will fly to space

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:57:25 +0000

via bbc.co.uk

Enjoy a delightful interview with the first pilot of a consumer space company, Virgin Galactic.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20667659

Posted via email from Travelingking

Where to vacation – The Ideas Issue

admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:57:50 +0000

Please enjoy this digital edition of Virtuoso Traveler 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®

Along with the upcoming New Year come fresh perspectives and new travel opportunities. We’ve scanned the globe for the most innovative journeys, emerging destinations, and exciting events taking place in 2013. December Virtuoso Traveler offers up 44 trips, tips, and experiences to inspire you from Arctic Circle expeditions to Astronaut training. Pick your favorites, call your Virtuoso travel advisor, and start planning for 2013 today.

In this issue

4: Why Do It Yourself
How one Virtuoso travel advisor planned an exotic honeymoon in Thailand.

14: Travel Two Ways
Ski retreats for any budget.

18: Mapping Out Your Future Travels
There’s no time like the present to start planning your prospective vacations.

26: 10 Wow-Factor Trips for the New Year
A world of new travel possibilities.

36: Pop Quiz
New to cruising? Determine which maiden voyage best floats your boat.

Enjoy this issue

Barbara S. King | 913-338-2244 | Barbara@greatgetaways.travel

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 WE 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 571212 US/CAN 12/11
© 2012 Virtuoso, Ltd. | 505 Main Street, Suite 500 | Fort Worth, TX 76102

Posted via email from Travelingking

Steeped in the Middle Ages: Regensburg, Germany

admin — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:03:47 +0000

Our second to the last stop on our Danube River cruise is Regensburg. Here’s what wikitravel says about the city and we agree: the main attraction of Regensburg is its excellently preserved medieval city centre with the cathedral and the stone bridge being the highlights. As one of the few cities in Germany largely undamaged during the Second World War, Regensburg boasts the largest preserved medieval city centre in Germany. It is sometimes called “the northernmost city of Italy” due to the lively places and streets with lovely outdoor cafes during summer, as well as the large number of Italian-style medieval merchant houses and towers. The historic center lies next to the river Danube (Donau), and crossing the medieval stone bridge into the town provides a perfect entrance to the city. Couldn’t have said it better myself!

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I hate to say it…meh.

admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:23:33 +0000

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I hate to say it…meh.

admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:21:02 +0000

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Posted via email from Travelingking

Virtuoso Travel ASAP – Holiday Travel Collection

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 22:46:47 +0000

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Barbara S. King
Great Getaways
913-338-2244 800-546-TRIP (8747)
Barbara@greatgetaways.travel
www.greatgetaways.travel

Greetings from Barbara S. King —
With the holidays upon us, it’s prime time to get away for festive fun with family and friends. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant in London or snorkeling the coral reefs of Belize, this collection of world-class travel offers come with a bevy of bonuses — from spa treatments and dinner under the stars, to savings on cruises worldwide. Call me to start planning today!

All offers may not be available in all markets. All prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices converted from the supplier’s local currency are based on the current exchange rate at the time of printing. Fares do not include taxes or other fees unless otherwise stated. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, fares, schedules, Virtuoso exclusives, Virtuoso Voyager Club events and amenities are subject to availability, blackout dates, international currency fluctuations, and may change without notice. Virtuoso Voyager Club events require a minimum/maximum number of participants and may not be combinable with other offers. Space is limited and other restrictions may apply. See your Virtuoso travel advisor for more details and applicable restrictions. Virtuoso assumes no responsibility for the presentation confirmed within, including errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL, ORCHESTRATE DREAMS, VOYAGER CLUB, and RETURN ON LIFE are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. CST#2069091-50 AP 351211 11/

© 2012 Virtuoso, Ltd. | 505 Main Street, Suite 500 | Fort Worth, TX 76102

Posted via email from Travelingking