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The Helpful and Experienced Staff at Cox & Kings, The Americas
At Cox & Kings new West Hollywood office Mark Murphy interviews some of the expert product managers who work there. Cox & Kings expert staffers have lived or traveled extensively in the countries they advise on. Their experiences ensure that customers get exactly the trip they desire.
See what the product managers at Cox & Kings, The Americas are saying about what makes Cox & Kings unique in today’s featured video: click here
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Travel Pulse: Today's video features travel agents who are discovering Cox & Kings for the first time while the agents attend the grand opening party of Cox & Kings in West Hollywood. Mark talks to travel agents as they discover the Cox & Kings brand for the first time.
See what the agents are saying about Cox & Kings in today’s featured video – watch it here.
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A perspective from travel agents who sell Cox & Kings
At the opening of Cox & Kings’ West Hollywood office Mark asks travel agents why they love “the longest running travel company in the world.”
Today's video features a perspective from travel agents who sell Cox & Kings – watch it here.
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It's Cox & Kings Week on Travel Pulse!
Join Mark Murphy at the grand opening of Cox & Kings offices in West Hollywood. To celebrate the opening, Cox & Kings welcomed travelers of all types, including travel agents, influential personalities and media, to its new space in May, 2011 to toast the timeless art of travel in collaboration with Los Angeles Confidential magazine.
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E-News, June 2011: Introducing our new European Journeys
Wonders of Georgia Discovery Tour on Concierge.com
Private Journeys to Turkey — Introductory Special Offer
Cox & Kings Wins in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2011
Singita's School of Cooking —A Community Project
Maharajas' Express dream train journeys through India
Visit the Cox & Kings Maharajas' Express site for photos and details.
View details about guest lecturers scheduled for select 2011 journeys.
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Introducing Our New European Journeys
Cox & Kings is now offering custom-designed and escorted European journeys, primarily to its less visited, off-the-beaten-path destinations, including Turkey, Romania, Russia, Sicily, the Balkans, Scandinavia and Iceland. Luxury five-star Private Journeys as well as the more value-driven Discovery Group Journeys are available to the region. Overseeing the development of these offerings is our newly appointed Europe specialist and Destination Manager, Thor Forsberg.
European Private Journeys featured on our website range from the Marvels of Turkey to a Train Journey through Northern Spain, and far-flung Iceland and Western Greenland. Discovery Group Journeys include Treasures of the Ukraine: Kiev & Crimea, and Classic Sicily.
Contact Thor Forsberg to book your Private Journeys to Europe, and Janice Decker for Discovery Journeys – both at 1-800-999-1758.
Arabia: Why Go Now — a message from Thomas Stanley
Thomas Stanley, Centre Head & COO, Cox & Kings, The Americas reflects on the Arabic Spring (the complete text may be found on our website.):
"In the past few months we have seen an unleashing of the pent up desire for the peoples of the Arabic world to have what Americans take for granted, a desire for freedom and self-determination through the democratic process. I have traveled to most of these countries and have many friends throughout. The traveler has choices as to whether to travel to these regions or defer to a later time.
I am thoroughly convinced that the next twelve months are a golden period of travel for Egypt and those who do travel will be glad they did. Tunisia is a delight, the food, the exciting and historic cities and ruins: Tunis and Carthage in particular. Tunisians will welcome you with pride.
The media is full of naysayers but I am simply bullish on these two countries and their future. Now is a great time in history to be there as I feel the Arabic Spring will go down in the books as a great and very important event in world history." Read more.
View our specially designed summer tours to the region: Egypt & Jordan: Kingdoms Lost, Jordan Sojourn: Summer Special, Moroccan Sojourn: Summer Special, Tunisian Sojourn: Summer Special.
Contact Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758 to book your travel to Arabia & Northern Africa.
New Hotel Spotlight — Asia
The recently opened Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai follows in the footsteps of Dubai's over-the-top Burj al Arab, but with an Asian sensibility. With beautiful Himalayan-inspired decor, this well-located property sits the heart of the Pudong financial district across from the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The hotel complex itself includes an art museum, 1100-seat theater, luxury mall, and a 50,000 square foot rooftop garden.
Our Private Journeys Classic China Odyssey, Treasures of the Orient, and Journey on the Silk Road, all visit Shanghai.
Contact Denise Gogatry at 1-800-999-1758 to book your travel to China.
Ladakh: Land of the Lamas — Free domestic air in India
The India region of Ladakh is famed for its remote alpine beauty and ancient Tibetan culture. On this tour you will meet local Ladakhi artists, enjoy guided walks through villages, and visit Buddhist monasteries and medieval temples which house the region's rich history. Delhi and Agra (Taj Mahal) round out the trip. From $5,945 per person double occupancy; 13 Days, 11 Nights.
Receive free domestic air in India on your Ladakh: Land of the Lamas journey for travel completed by Sept 30, 2011.
Contact Seema Prakash at 1-800-999-1758 for more information.
Sales Staff Spotlight
This month we are featuring two newer members of our sales team, who act as liaisons to travel consultants and destination specialists, providing valuable product and destination information.
Michele Dienna is our Southeast Director of Sales, and a veteran travel enthusiast who has enjoyed two decades of success in travel industry business development. Her strengths are in creating strong, loyal relationships by providing information and exceptional service to the client. Michele has traveled to many regions of the world, her favorites being Africa, India, the UK and New Zealand.
Lurdes Muñoz is our Latin America Director of Sales. With her extensive in-depth personal knowledge, and more than fifteen years of international executive sales experience, Lurdes has developed a sharp focus in the Latin American market. She has traveled to over 26 countries — one of her most memorable trips was traveling to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Contact Michele Dienna and Lurdes Muñoz 1-800-999-1758.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Madagascar
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
The reserve contains karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive "tsingy" peaks and a "forest" of limestone needles, the spectacular canyon of the Manambolo River, rolling hills and high peaks. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds.
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
This site consists of a royal city, burial ground and an ensemble of sacred places. It has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere.
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
These rainforests comprise six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island. They are important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s geological history.
Visits to Madagascar’s UNESCO World Heritage sites may be added to our Private Journey Mysteries of Madagascar. View also our Perfumed Isles of Madagascar. To book your trip, contact Megan Bryant at 1-800-999-1758.
Travel Advisor of the Month: Nicole Converse
Nicole Converse is our Travel Advisor of the Month. She is President of Sarasota, FL-based Converse Premium Services LLC.
Our comprehensive brochure is filled with Cox & Kings' Exquisite Cultural and Wildlife Adventures, featuring Africa, Indian Ocean, India & Beyond, Asia, Latin America, and Arabia & North Africa. Request one online at www.coxandkingsusa.com.
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Savings of $650 per person for travel completed by Sept 30, 2011. From $5945 per person, 13 days & 11 nights.
See our Private Journey Ladakh: Land of the Lamas, or contact Seema Prakash at 1-800-999-1758.
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Nicole Converse
Converse Premium Services LLC
Sarasota, FL
Nicole was born in the Loire Valley of France and is now a proud US citizen. She is President of Sarasota, FL-based Converse Premium Services LLC.
Following a Midwest and East Coast 20+ year career with American Airlines, Inc. involving Sales and VIP Customer Service Management positions, Nicole established Converse Premium Services LLC in 1995.
Together with her husband and business partner, Jeffrey, and her colleagues, they focus on high-end corporate and leisure travel, as well as global event and meeting planning, particularity in the USA, Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Nicole makes it a priority to understand her customers' objectives and tastes, as reflected by some of the most recently received customer feedback:
"You did a GREAT job of steering us in the right direction. Thank you. You're certainly knowledgeable...We all had a wonderful time."
"Paris was wonderful and we absolutely loved the hotel. It was friendly, comfortable and like a home. We would return in a heart beat."
"Just landed - thank you for everything. Trip was productive and restful all in one. You are WONDERFUL and so is everyone around you."
Nicole's personal favorite activity is to "see the World," thru the eyes of her three grandchildren who reside in Helsinki, Finland.
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Overseen by recently appointed Destination Manager Thor Forsberg, new journeys will showcase "off- the-beaten-path" European destinations
LOS ANGELES (June 21, 2011) – Adding to its in-depth destination offerings in Africa, Asia, Indian, Latin America and the Middle East, Cox & Kings expands into an entirely new, albeit "Old World" continent – Europe. Cox & Kings, The Americas is now offering custom-designed and escorted journeys to Europe, primarily the region's less visited, “under the radar” destinations, including meticulously detailed tours of Turkey, Romania, Russia, Sicily, the Balkans, Scandinavia and Iceland. Luxury five-star private journeys as well as more value-driven Discovery Group Journeys will be available to the region.
The announcement of Cox & Kings' new European journeys marks an exciting step for the U.S. market, which specializes in journeys to exotic, often far-flung locales worldwide. "With our new European product, Cox & Kings combines the brand's foundation in destination expertise and specialization in authentic experiences with the fantastic offerings available in the region, from spectacular cuisine to in- depth cultural encounters, walking tours of enchanting cities and breathtaking nature visits," said Thomas Stanley, Centre Head & COO, Cox & Kings, The Americas.
The official Cox & Kings Europe catalogue listing bespoke experiences offered in the region will be available October 2011. Several of the private journeys featured in the catalogue are "Marvels of Turkey," a 14-day tour exploring both cultural and natural wonders in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pergamon, while the Discovery Group Journeys include "Timeless Romania" – visiting the country's medieval towns and impressive Carpathian mountains – and "Classic Sicily," swhich covers the land's impressive Roman art and Norman architecture, along with natural highlights such as the iconic Mount Etna.
To oversee the development of the new Europe product, Cox & Kings has announced the appointment of Europe specialist and Destination Manager, Thor Forsberg. Based in the company’s newly opened Los Angeles headquarters, Forsberg will utilize his extensive expertise to design and develop new journeys to the continent, acting as a liaison between the traveler and the on-the-ground Cox & Kings tour guides and support staff.
A veteran travel professional, Forsberg shares two decades of experience in the industry, with former positions held at Nelson World Travel and Scandia World Travel. As a Scandinavia and Eastern Europe specialist, Forsberg initiated travel programs and managed the companies’ tour divisions, as well as assisted with customer service and maintained relationships with travel agents. He has lived abroad in Germany and Sweden and counts the former's Island of Gotland, Lofoten Island in Norway, Lisbon, Barcelona, Edinburgh and St. Petersburg as a few of his favorite European destinations.
"I am excited to join the amazing Cox & Kings team and assist in launching these all-new journeys to Europe, a continent I have enjoyed exploring and sharing my knowledge on over the years," said Forsberg. "The destinations to which Cox & Kings is venturing are unique for U.S. travelers, with a few of them – particularly the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden – sharing the status of being Europe's best-kept secrets. Places like the Balkans offer an intriguing mix of culture and natural adventure, combining the grandeur of Central Europe with the glamour of the French Riviera, while countries like Turkey and Russia provide magnificent historical insight and a vibrant crossover of cultural influences."
Cox & Kings' European Private and Discovery Group Journeys are currently available for booking and are listed on the official website. For inquiries and to book, contact 1-800-999-1758 or visit www.coxandkingsusa.com.
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This culture-rich country is filled with archaeological and natural treasures — from plantations to white palm-fringed beaches of the coast and hill stations. Stay at lovely boutique hotels and luxuriate at Amanresorts' Amanwella, a lush, tropical oceanside resort, and Amangalla, situated in the heart of beautiful and historic Galle.
Highlights
• Tour Sri Lanka’s famed tea country and learn the nuances of tea production and blending.
• Luxuriate at Aman resorts, beach side and in the old port city of Galle
• Visit Kandy, Sri Lanka’s heart, with its lush landscape and plantations of cinnamon and nutmeg.
This private Cox & Kings journey is priced from $5,335 per person; valid through Dec. 1, 2011.
Save $200 per couple when you book by August 31, 2011
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For more tour details, see Sri Lanka: The Spice Island, or contact Seema Prakash at 1-800-999-1758.
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