Aug 11
Plan the Trip of a Lifetime
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Aug 09
Western Australia–The “left hand side” of Down Under
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Barbara and Michael recently returned from a journey to the “far” side of Australia, its West Coast. Hope you enjoy this short video of the experience. Many thanks to Swain Tours for their expert advice and assistance!
Aug 07
Hawaii pics from Great Getaways
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Great Getaways loves Hawaii! We’ve assembled a few of our favorite photos in a video salute to our 50th state!
Aug 06
Do Good: Pack for a Purpose
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Recently, our friends at Samara Private Game Reserve in South Africa shared this heartening story with us and we are pleased to share it with you:
Our friends at Samara "discovered a website – www.packforapurpose.org, Rebecca Rothney, an American woman who recognized the opportunity for travellers to link up with charities worldwide, decided to start this website to further her dream of ensuring that people’s travel was enriched by serving a purpose other than pleasure and leisure. It is a very simple concept where people who are travelling to foreign lands can look up what charities require in that part of the world and, take their donations with them.
Having only been on the website for 6 weeks, Samara has received the first donation of fluffy toys for the impoverished children who are patients at the Marjery Parkes TB Hospital in Graaff-Reinet. This donation was made by Julie Schubert of America who was thoughtful enough to also pack in toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandages and band-aids as well as children’s books. The donation was presented to these wide-eyed youngsters who were overjoyed to receive such wonderful cuddly toys.
The little girl in pink is Kelly Grootboom who we are told was "half dead" when she was admitted. This child is the most darling little girl who is 6 years old and absolutely bursting with personality. She originally took a teddy bear, but when she spotted the lion, her face just lit up and she swapped. He was immediately named Simba.
The three projects Samara is involved with are:
The Tracker Academy
Needs: New or used books on animals, flora, birds, grasses, and trees from around the world, and any additional ecologically related books, CDs or films will be welcomed.
Needs: New or used books on animals, flora, birds, grasses, and trees from around the world, and any additional ecologically related books, CDs or films will be welcomed.
The Student Volunteer Program serves school children from disadvantaged communities who come and visit Samara as an outdoor classroom. They are taught about the environment and animals.
Needs: Paper notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, erasers and soccer balls. Also, new or used books on animals, flora, birds, grasses, and trees from around the world, and any additional ecologically related books, CDs or films will be welcomed.
Needs: Paper notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, erasers and soccer balls. Also, new or used books on animals, flora, birds, grasses, and trees from around the world, and any additional ecologically related books, CDs or films will be welcomed.
Supporting children who are recovering at the Marjery Parkes TB & HIV Hospital in Graaff-Reinet.
Needs: Soft, fluffy toys.
Needs: Soft, fluffy toys.
Please check with the website www.PackforaPurpose.org before your next trip and create new memories of joy for yourself and children around the world.
Aug 04
Blast Off! My August 2010 Space Bulletin
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Jul 29
Margaret River, Western Australia: A MUST Experience
Uncategorized 1 Comment »The Traveling Kings have been at it again-this time we've been exploring Western Australia. Starting in Perth, we had time to have our body clocks conform to the actual time difference of 13 hours. A visit to Rottnest Island, a former penal colony for Aborigines and an internment camp in WWII, was fun, very touristy but fun. We had to good fortune to see pigs fly by us when Barbara courageously tried riding a mountain bike around the island. The last time we saw pigs fly was when Barbara made Michael's birthday cake from scratch a few months earlier. Pigs are certainly getting a workout these days!
Next stop was Broome, a resort area favored by locals in the winter (Yes, it's winter Down Under–you know, the Equator thing!). The place we stayed is not one we'd recommend, unless, that is, to avoid staying there. We prefer out of the way, small boutique accommodations and Cable Beach Resort had none of those qualifiers. It was very commercial and the major excitement was to watch the gorgeous sunsets over the Indian Ocean or to take a camel ride on the beach (which we did NOT do because we weren't sure how the animals were cared for). While Broome may be a haven for Australian families seeking a respite from the chill of winter, US families can get the same or better without traveling over 20 hours by plane.
Following the commercialism of Broome, we experienced a remote tented camp, Sal Salis, on Ningaloo Reef, a fringing coral reef in Northwest Australia. The reef is famous for its population of whale sharks, which are seen most often from March through June, and as a breeding ground of the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, manta rays, and over 500 varieties of fish. Be sure to pack your wet suit if you plan to dive or snorkel. The water is quite cold and the wind is very strong by American standards. Sal Salis is billed as "eco- luxury" and we certainly applaud the "eco" and sustainable efforts. However, the luxury could only refer to the food and quality of the guides, in our humble opinion. We've traveled to many remote places and Barbara especially seeks the SOFT part of soft adventure. So, not having hot water to shower and the absence of hot water bottles to warm the beds during the winter nights puts Sal Salis in the "Adventure" category—nix the "Luxe."
Our first 3 stops in Western Australia would make our list of "interesting experiences not to be repeated" and then we arrived in Margaret River. Our advice: Get thee to Margaret River NOW! Rich in lush treed landscapes and bordering the Indian Ocean, the Margaret River area is home to dozens of wineries, art galleries, and gourmet dining. In addition it boasts of several cheese factories, chocolate shops, and olive oil sites that turn out both a light oil and a variety of olive oil infused soaps. We've been well taken care of at the wonderful Cape Lodge, both aesthetically pleasing and oh so yummy. 
The grounds are magnificent, dotted with small ponds, tall trees, and colorful plantings. The staff is attentive, friendly, and has given us wonderful suggestions for sightseeing and dining. In fact, we could envision ourselves disappearing to Margaret River for some quality time to soothe both mind and body.
Tomorrow we leave this Land of Sensory Replenishing and head to an equally amazing place, Tree Tops Lodge near Rotarua, New Zealand. What started out as an exploration has turned into a wonderful life experience!
Jul 22
2-for-1 Fares with Crystal Cruises
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Jul 19
Mark your Celebrations in this Travel Catalog
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Jul 18
A Unique Cure for Sinusitis
Uncategorized No Comments »Kia ora (don’t you just love it when I speak Maori?),
I’m resting comfortably in the ϋber equipped Air New Zealand Koru Lounge in Auckland and happy to report that my sinusitis is surprisingly clearing up. “How,” I hear you asking, “is that possible? Aren’t you on a marathon of flights to Perth Australia? How can anyone feel better after flying hours and hours, not to mention the 17 hour time difference between Auckland and home?”
I’m so glad you asked and I will now share my secret cure, trusting you won’t rush to patent it before I do:
The first part can be a bit of a bummer: get sick immediately prior to leaving on a long vacation to somewhere far, far away with transportation via Air New Zealand. [ Disclaimer: the pain of obtaining the said infection can be ameliorated if one obtains it from a smooshy kiss from your lover, partner, spouse (oh, to be politically correct can be so laborious!) ].
Knowing your itinerary calls for more flights than an air marshal takes in a month, head to the airport with a carry-on replete with a pharmacy of goodies to combat the nasty bacteria lurking in your body. For people flying within the US, you can obtain the intro to your cure if you are flying on Southwest Airlines. You immediately begin to breathe better when you discover Southwest doesn’t gouge you with fees-baggage fees, pillow fees, blanket fees, food fees, entertainment fees and just-because fees. Also, Southwest usually observes the “NO SURLINESS” rule, you have a good chance of being treated with civility rather than as a dog who seems to be an obedience class failure.
After being denied access to the Premium Lounge for Air New Zealand in LAX, don’t be surprised if you notice your symptoms return-congestion, headache, etc. I assure you this is only a temporary setback and can be attributed to the Air New Zealand agent on duty who deemed us “unworthy” because these tickets were, in part, a gift of our host, Swain Tours, and we didn’t have to drain our savings to purchase them.
When we boarded our flight on a 747-400, we were directed to the second floor of the aircraft where we were met by Paul, a distinguished gentleman whose sole purpose was to keep us safe (of course), comfortable, and pampered. Paul escorted us to our individual cubicles, pods, cocoons—how does one describe a self-contained slice of Heaven? We were given a short tutorial on all the buttons, gadgets, and itineraries of seat positions and entertainment options. Then I caught my first glimpse of The Cure for Sinusitis-THE BED! With the press of a button, the seat flips into a flat (as in 180◦) bed complete with mattress pad, a pillow meant for real humans, and a duvet.
This self-contained pod becomes a bed with a press of a button
Passing on a sumptuous dinner, I adjusted my seat to a position that can only be described as soothing and fantasized about THE BED. Soon, the fantasy became a reality and I slept quite comfortably and uninterrupted for almost 10 of the 12 hours it takes to get from LAX to AUK (I talk airline speak, too!).
On awakening, Paul served me a multi-course breakfast of fruit, yogurt, granola, crepes and coffee (Everyone needs a Paul). I could have had an omelet or other morning fare, but crepes sounded so worldly! I managed a quick “freshen up” moment (after so many hours my mascara was firmly planted under my eyes á la Rocky Raccoon), returned to my seat, and, voila, welcome to Auckland AND physical health! Actually, I’m not yet without symptoms, but darn close. A few more hours of R&R in the Koru Lounge, and I’ll be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Superman has nothing on me!
Footnote: You don’t think the Z-Pack and Extra-Strength Mucinex had any effect, do you? Nah….
For more details about Air New Zealand's Business Premier go to http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/business-premier
Jul 16
“Leaving on a jet plane…”
Uncategorized No Comments »Barbara and Michael King are winging their way on Air New Zealand to Perth, Western Australia. On a journey designed by Swain Tours, the Kings and will call the InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth their home for 3 days. Perth, capital of Western Australia, is set on the banks of the Swan River, a few miles from the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean.
From Perth, the Kings will fly to Broome, a popular resort spot. Cable Beach Club Resort will play host and one business appointment is on the schedule in Broome. "A new property in Virtuoso's exclusive collection, Pinctada, is in Cable Beach and we've set up a site inspection so we can offer our clients first-hand knowledge of the resort," Michael explained. A sunset camel ride will mark the end of 3 days of R&R in Broome.
Good things come in 3's and the next 3 days will be spent exploring Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, an exclusive safari camp hidden in the white sand dunes of Western Australia's Cape Range national Park and one of Australia's best kept natural secrets. Ningaloo is known as one of the best places on earth to see and swim with Whale Sharks and Manta Rays.
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If 3 are good, aren't 4 better? The 4th home away from home for the Kings will be at Cape Lodge in Margaret River, once a surfer haven and now known for its good food, wineries, arts and crafts and beautiful scenery.
Leaving Australia Michael and Barbara will spend two nights at Treetops, a luxe wilderness resort in New Zealand, two hours from Auckland. Treetops was featured in the honeymoon Michael created which was featured on theknot.com.
Interested in taking a vacation like this one? You could take a "virtual" vacation when the Kings post their photos and updates on www.greatgetaways.travel. better yet, let Michael King help you create your own special journey "Down Under." Contact Michael@greatgetaway.com