Cox & Kings, The Americas - Travel Journeys

Ethiopian Airlines Pilots Complete Training for 787 Dreamliner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 30, 2012 – Ethiopian Airlines, the first airline to operate the 787 in Africa, has completed training on the 787 Dreamliner for its first team of pilots at the Boeing Flight Services campus located at Gatwick, London. The second and third teams are scheduled for upcoming 787 training in the same facility.

“This is an important milestone in the history of Ethiopian Airlines,” said Captain Desta Zeru, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations for Ethiopian Airlines. “Our pilots are now qualified as the first African pilots to fly the 787.”

“The 787 is planned to be a key part of our service from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to our hub in Addis Abba, Ethiopia (ADD),” said Kagnew Asfaw, Director of Sales & Services for the Americas. “The introduction of the 787 will enhance the onboard experience that we provide to North American travelers. It also will position Addis Ababa as the most convenient hub to get to Africa from the U.S. and Europe.”

The Boeing 787 flight-training program uses an innovative suite of training devices including a full-flight simulator, flight training device and desktop simulation station to ensure that pilots are ready to fly the Dreamliner.

New schedule links Ethiopia to Seychelles

New direct flights on Ethiopian Airlines will connect Addis Ababa to Seychelles four times a week - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The flight is about 4 hours long and makes Addis one of only three direct routes to Seychelles from the African continent. Combine our Ethiopia and Seychelles private journeys easily with this new flight - call Yvonne Whitcomb at 1-800-999-1758 for more information.

Cox & Kings in the Press for Seychelles

Journalist Abby Ellin worked with Cox & Kings' Africa Destination Manager, Megan Bryant, on a story for Seychelles, highlighting many of the points we make for this fabulous destination:  it's outside of the cyclone belt, distinctly African, beautifully temperate and far more than a pretty beach... read the Global Traveler article here.

For more on Seychelles, see our website or contact Megan at megan.bryant@coxandkingsusa.com or 1-800-999-1758.

Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue Island, Seychelles

BABY ELEPHANT BORN AT ABU CAMP – IT’S A GIRL!

Wilderness Collection, December 2011 – Abu Camp, located in Botswana’s pristine Okavango Delta, is proud to announce that Shireni, one of the Camp’s leading elephants, gave birth to her third surviving calf, a healthy female, at 10:05 pm on the 17th December. Measuring approximately 90cm at the shoulder and weighing about 242.5 lbs, the new-born stood on her own feet, wobbling, within 20 minutes. The elephant handlers have named her Warona, the SeTswana name meaning ‘For Us’.

Reaching up to her mother, Warona suckled properly for the first time at 7:00 the next morning, 10 hours after the birth, and now takes short naps of 5-10 minutes. Closely watched over by her doting big brother, Abu Junior, the new-born calf is already showing signs of playfulness. Both Warona and Shireni are doing well, along with the other elephants that form the Abu herd. This new member brings the number of the Abu herd to seven elephants.

Shireni was brought to Abu Camp as part of the original ‘Brat Pack Girls’ of young elephants saved from a culling operation in the ‘Sirheni’ area of Kruger National Park. The father is believed to be a wild bull or Mthondo, one of several elephants successfully reintroduced from the Abu herd into the elephant paradise of the Okavango Delta. Earlier this year, the Camp released Gika and her eight-year-old calf Naya together; they are adapting well to their natural home, roaming and mingling with wild elephants and another previously released elephant, Nandipa, who now has two calves of her own. A total of nine elephants have been released from the Abu herd, under the full support of the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Abu Camp takes its name from the Arabic word meaning ‘all things to do with elephants’. The birth of Warona ends off a thrilling 2011, which saw the opening of the newly refurbished camp, together with exciting new initiatives within Abu Camp’s elephant program. The elephant experience is being supervised by San Diego Zoo Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Mike Chase, together with the support of Wild Horizons, a company with a strong history in high quality elephant interaction activities.

The elephant program is complemented by the reputation of Wilderness Safaris, Africa’s leading ecotourism operator that now manages the camp through its brand, the Wilderness Collection. The cornerstone of this new initiative involves Elephants Without Borders establishing a field research station in the Abu Concession. This happy moment overlaps with an ambitious new program which is devoted to the highest standards in elephant welfare, scientific research and meaningful guest experiences.

Warona will provide hours of fascination and enjoyment to visitors of Abu Camp, allowing them the rare opportunity to interact with a family group of elephants in one of Africa’s best wilderness areas: the Okavango Delta.

Visit Abu Camp on any of our Botswana Private Journeys, or contact Africa Destination Manager Megan Bryant at megan.bryant@coxandkingsusa.com or 1-800-999-1758.

Enews - August, 2011

 

YIPENG LOI KRATHONG &
THE NORTHERN LANTERN FESTIVAL 

As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called Loi Krathong - the 'festival of lights'. This is one of the Kingdom's oldest and best-preserved traditions.

The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways. The practice was subsequently adopted and adapted by common folk.
 

Krathong floats are made from basic materials easily found around the village and reflect the simplicity of life beyond the palace walls. They typically take the shape of lotus in full bloom, swans, chedis (stupas), and Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology. However krathong floats in the shape of lotus blossoms are most popular.

Click here and read more about Thailand and our Southeast Asia Discovery.

 

2012 EXOTIC EUROPE JOURNEYS ARE HERE!

Europe is in the air at Cox & Kings, with the launch of our 2012 European journeys. Combining the best of this years most popular trips, along with newly planned journeys for the upcoming year, 2012 is the time to explore Europe!

With unique, imaginative programs to many exotic European destinations such as Iceland, Russia and Estonia - and luxury group tours to Croatia, Scandinavia and Turkey, the time is now to secure these incredible journeys. With the destination experts that have over 250 years experience, Cox & Kings allows you to reap the benefits of our in-depth local knowledge and exclusive opportunities.

Start planning your 2012 Exotic European journey today!

Contact your travel professional or Thor Forsberg at: thor.forsberg@coxandkingsusa.com.

 

BIG CAT SAFARI - NEW! 

Featuring both the oldest and largest private game reserves in South Africa, this journey truly encompasses the most intimate view into the big cat predators of this diverse country.

You will have a chance to see not only the big cats, but also the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant) as well as a plethora of common plains game, such as giraffe and zebra, unique nocturnal species like the aardvark and aardwolf, and an habituated meerkat colony at Tswalu.

Click here to learn more about this exciting journey.

 

COX & KINGS MAILBAG

Thanks for letting us know how we're doing!

Hi Megan,

We made it to Cape Town and are staying at an amazing place about an hour outside of town, on the ocean in a little fishing village, Kommetje in an "intimate hotel" called The Long Beach. There are only 6 huge rooms, we are the only guests now.

Our rooms are awesome. Huge! One wall is all windows that looks out over the ocean and opens to a garden patio with a swimming pool. Our bathroom is to die for! Huge. The open shower will hold about 10 people and we have a soaking tub with the best assortment of bath products you can imagine - bath milks, salts, oils, bubbles. Crista and I are in heaven. There is a decanter of sherry in each room and the best candy! It is like my mom's homemade divinity! We are in love with this place. Thank you! You really know what we like!

Jenny

We love hearing from you! Please write us at: tours@coxandkingsusa.com.

 

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: NANCY CIPRA

Born in Denver, Nancy Cipra has a BA in Anthropology and a passion for travel. She took her first trip to China on a cruise in 1985. She loved it so much, that she returned the very next year for a month long land tour. Unable to shake the travel bug within herself, Nancy has traveled to over 90 countries worldwide. From working on cruise ships to developing private land tours, traveling has always allowed Nancy to reconnect with herself and make it her life-long career. Nancy is proud to be your Asia Specialist at Cox & Kings, The Americas.

Contact Nancy Cipra at: nancy.cipra@coxandkingsusa.com.

Places Lived: Denver, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and cruise ships

Favorite Travel Spot: Vietnam and Burma

Best Vacation: Two-weeks in Rome and Poisitano with my family

Favorite Drink/Food: Chicken curry (spicy!) with jasmine rice and a Tiger beer

Always wanted to try: Hang gliding

If I were stuck on an island, I would bring (3 things): Diet Dr. Pepper, lots of books, my camera

 

SPLENDORS OF NORTH INDIA 

From the lavish hospitality of princely India, to the opulence of the Mughal empire, the colonial legacy of the British Raj, and the vibrant life of modern India, this journey takes you through Indian history.

Discover the splendors of north India as she reveals her wonders and secrets. Travel across a landscape fed by the sacred Ganges, laden with sumptuous palaces, dotted with ancient temples, guarded by massive forts, and graced with the unparalleled magnificence of the Taj Mahal.

Click here to learn more about this exciting journey.

Enews, July 2011

COX & KINGS, THE AMERICAS SHINES IN
 TRAVEL + LEISURE’S WORLD’S BEST AWARD
 2011 READERS’ SURVEY

Cox & Kings, The Americas, is proud to announce its status as one of the world's best Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2011 readers' survey. Cox & Kings ranked as the top sixth tour operator as polled by Travel + Leisure readers for its 16th annual survey, which is considered an essential index of the places travelers want to go and the best companies to take them there.

 Cox & Kings' top rank in Travel + Leisure's prestigious survey distinguishes the brand's top-notch travel excursions as premier product, providing unsurpassed customer satisfaction and authentic travel experiences. 

Read more here.



COX & KINGS MAILBAG
Thanks for letting us know how we're doing!

Megan,
Luby and I had the time of our lives!!!!
 The trip FAR exceeded anything I could have imagined. Seeing the animals on safari was incredible and each of our trackers and guides were outstanding. The four hotels just were beyond fabulous! The time with Trevor in CapeTown and Wine country was great. He was so kind and attentive and so knowledgeable too. We were surprised when Derek met us in JoBurg to escort us to the airport for our plane ride home. We were not expecting that but it was very helpful! Megan, thank you so much!!!! Your planning and arrangements for our trip were wonderful. I sure hope I can return again to this wonderful country!

Fondly, Mary

We love hearing from you! Please write us at tours@coxandkingsusa.com.

BOUTIQUE SOUTH AFRICA
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS - Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Cape Town - From $4,195 PER PERSON*

Cape Town has experienced nearly a month of sunny weather in their typically dreary, winter season, while much of South Africa is seeing record lows and snow. With the recently erratic and unusual weather patterns around the world, good travel times are becoming more and more unpredictable. October should be a great time to travel this year with warmer weather and super pricing that may not be available next year as travel around the globe increases.

Let us share the good value of our Boutique South Africa private journey with you this season.

Call your travel advisor to reserve your journey today or contact Graeme Watson at graeme.watson@coxandkingsusa.com.

 

NEW EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: GRAEME WATSON

Graeme Watson was born and bred in Durban, South Africa and has had a love for travel from an early age. He remembers going into travel agencies when he was as young as 10 years old and collecting brochures and planning itineraries! This love was firmly cemented when he got a job working on a cruise liner based in Mombasa, Kenya and would frequently visit exotic island paradises such as Zanzibar, The Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Maldives and the Comores. He has travelled extensively in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands and was running his own travel business in London, England before moving to Los Angeles earlier this year. 

He is very happy and proud to be able to promote travel to his home continent by working as one of the Africa Specialists for Cox and Kings, The Americas.



Contact Graeme at graeme.watson@coxandkingsusa.com.
 
Places Lived: Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, London, England and Los Angeles, USA

Favorite Travel Spot: La Digue in The Seychelles

Best Vacation: Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi while visiting Victoria Falls

Favorite Drink/Food: Savanna Cider from South Africa and Lasagne

Always wanted to try: Trekking with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda

If I were stuck on an island, I would bring (3 things): Solar powered laptop with satellite internet, Swiss army knife, water filtration device




DUBROVNIK - DALMATIAN DREAM
6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS - Roundtrip Dubrovnik - From $2,040 PER PERSON*

Dubrovnik, described by Byron as "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a city of a unique political history, of world-famous cultural heritage and beauty. Our tour includes a wine, olive oil and oyster tour to Peljesac peninsula and options for kayaking and bike riding on the many islands near Dubrovnik.

    •    A private gourmet dinner in a lighthouse, surrounded by magnificent
         Dalmatian scenery
    •    A visit to a family farm in the olive oil and wine region of Peljesac
    •    Oyster harvesting and tasting

Click here to read more about Dubrovnik - Dalmation Dream

Call your travel advisor to reserve your journey today or contact Thor Forsberg at thor.forsberg@coxandkingsusa.com.




MAHARAJAS' EXPRESS: ROYAL INDIA
13 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS - Delhi to Bombay - From $10,040 PER PERSON*

Relive India's days of romance and nostalgia aboard the newly launched Maharajas' Express deluxe train. Your journey begins in the Imperial city of Delhi, home to the former British Viceroy. The first stop is Agra where you can gaze upon the romantic Taj Mahal. Your journey then takes you to one of the well-known hunting grounds of the erstwhile princes, Ranthambore, now a national park famous for its Bengal tiger preservation efforts.

On to Jaipur, quintessential India, where forts and palaces, maharajas and snake charmers, history, color and pageantry combine to project Jaipur as the dream image of India. Bikaner is the next stop on your romantic journey through Rajasthan. This medieval city was once a major stop on the cross-desert caravan trade route. On to the desert region of Rajasthan and the principality of Jodhpur, home to some of the finest architectural wonders of the desert region.

Your next stop is the magical city of Udaipur, an enchanting image of white marble palaces, placid lakes and green hills. Your rail journey continues to Vadodara, the princely capital formerly known as Baroda, ruled by the Gaekwads who were so rich at one time, they had a carpet woven of diamonds and pearls and cannons cast of gold.

Your romantic journey ends in the cosmopolitan city of Bombay, where modern skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings coexist!

Click here to read more about Maharajas' Express: Royal India.

Call your travel advisor to reserve your journey today or contact Seema Prakash at seema.prakash@coxandkingsusa.com.

*Fares are in U.S. dollars and are per person based on double occupancy. Offers are subject to availability, and may be higher for desired travel dates. New bookings only. Cannot be combined with other offers. Please visit our website for further restrictions that may apply to your booking.

Singita's School of Cooking — A Community Project

The Singita School of Cooking community project is located at the staff village that serves Lebombo and Sweni Lodges, in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

The school was launched in 2007 by the Singita Sweni head chef at the time, with the support of one of his sous chefs. They created a chef training concept focused on unemployed young people from local communities. The project was extremely successful and is now headed by Oriel Mbowane previous Sweni Sous Chef.

The third course began last September; 300 young people were interviewed and just 8 candidates were accepted. Students participate in a 2-stage interviewing process and young people with a real thirst to achieve, a passion and a genuine desire for cooking are identified.

Vocational skills training is very much lacking within rural communities in South Africa. Singita and the community place great value on this particular project—the training provides skills that will not only impact a student's future but that of their dependents and their communities too.

After 18 months of training, Singita's vision is for these students to be working at Commis Chef level in a Singita kitchen or at other lodges in the Kruger National Park. The school has successfully trained three groups, totalling 14 young people from local communities, 12 of whom have found employment either at a Singita property or with other organizations.

To date, 150,000 US dollars have been contributed to the Singita School of Cooking by Singita, Singita guests, as well as the South African government, to help make real the dreams of young, talented and motivated members of the communities surrounding Kruger National Park.

Thank you Singita, one of our favorite travel partners, for setting up and managing this worthwhile community program. 

For more information on Singita's lodges, contact our Africa destination expert Megan Bryant at 1-800-999-1758.

View our private African safaris featuring Singita properties:

Classic South Africa

Singita Southern Africa

 

Enews, June 2011

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.

 

Cox & Kings' Thomas Stanley quoted in Hotels Magazine, May 2011

Global Update: Operations
Hotels — Magazine of the Worldwide Hotel Industry
by Ann Bagel Storck

Cox & Kings' Thomas Stanley is quoted in a recent article in Hotels Magazine titled "Revolution Reverberations" – about the tourism industry weathering political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East:

"Thomas Stanley, center head and chief operating officer for Cox & Kings, the Americas, reports "a short-term reduction" of sales to Tunisia and Egypt, which the company is countering with a two-for-one special offer for the summer months…Stanley did also note 'emerging interest in travel to both countries in the fall and at Christmas.' Meanwhile, he characterizes sales to other markets in the region – such as Morocco, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon, as 'still very good.'"

Cox & Kings Arabia Summer Specials:

Egyptian Sojourn -  2 for 1 pricing

Moroccan Sojourn

Jordan Sojourn

Tunisian Sojourn

To book, please contact Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758.

 

E-News, May 2011

Cox & Kings Celebrates the Grand Opening of its New North American Headquarters in Los Angeles

We welcomed over 400 guests including top travel agents, media, travelers and other special guests to our new offices on May 4, 2011 to celebrate our grand opening, with the theme of the “Golden Age of Travel.” In a prime location on Melrose Avenue, the space incorporates vintage décor with a contemporary design and multi-cultural inspiration to create a truly unique space, created by Ron Woodson of the design firm Woodson & Rummerfield. The festive evening featured Chinese Lion Dancers, an African a capella singer, a henna artist and a Brazilian crooner.

Sponsors of the party were LA Confidential, YTL Hotels in Asia, Africa Tour Corp, South African Tourist Board, Afar Magazine, Orion Expeditions, Singular Hotels Chile, Singapore Tourist Board, Hong Kong Tourist Board, Macau Tourist Board, and Botswana Tourism Board.

Read the full story on our blog.


Spectacular door prizes were donated. The winners are listed below:

Avril Bransky, New Act Travel, Encino, CA
6 nights at Adriatic Luxury Hotels in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Patti Fowler, Third Millennium Travel, Northridge, CA
2 economy class tickets on Turkish Airlines
3 nights accommodation in Istanbul
3 nights accommodation in Cappadocia

Paulette Darensburg, ProTravel, Beverly Hills, CA
2 economy class tickets on Lan Airlines
3 nights at Orient-Express hotels: Miraflores Park Hotel, Hotel Rio Sagrado, and Hotel Monasterio

Carolyn Rothberg, Plaza Travel, Encino, CA
1 coach ticket on Copa Airlines
2 nights at the Bristol Panama
2 nights at the Bristol Buenaventura Resort Panama

Elisa Tomasino, Plaza Travel, Encino, CA
Taj Hotels & Resorts package:
2 nights at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi
1 night at the Gateway Hotel, Agra
2 nights at Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

Liza Gevera, Travel International, Beverly Hills, CA
2 economy tickets to any Emirates Airline destination

Greta Gilford, New Act Travel, Encino, CA
2 night stay at Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia

Charles Stevens, Déjà vu Travel, Northridge, CA
A golf shirt and cap from Jumeirah Hotels

Phoebe Shackeroff, Beachside Travel, Seal Beach, CA
A Singapore Airlines duffle bag

You can also view a list of our winners here.


Classical Journey of India & Nepal — Book Now for Fall/Winter Departures
Our new fully escorted Classical Journey of India & Nepal highlights the best of both of these exotic countries—all in classic Cox & Kings “grand tour” style. From Delhi, continue to Kathmandu, Nepal. Return to India and experience a sunrise cruise in Varanasi, visit the erotic temples of Khajuraho and the immortal Taj Mahal. Explore Ranthambore, home to the elusive Bengal Tiger, live like a maharaja in Jaipur and tour the romantic city of Udaipur. Conclude in Bombay, India’s most cosmopolitan city. From $12,485 per person double; 21 days, 19 nights.

Book now for our fall/winter departures: Oct 7-27, Nov 2-22, and Dec 16-Jan 5. Contact Seema Prakash at 1-800-999-1758.

New Hotel Spotlight — Africa
Hogmead opens in Nairobi: with six spacious rooms, this brand new property promises an intimate stay in a quiet and peaceful area of Nairobi. It's the perfect location for an overnight prior to your Kenyan safari. Each of the exquisitely decorated rooms have with both shower and bath in the bathroom, and lovely views over the Giraffe Sanctuary and Ngong Hills beyond. Hogmead is also home to families of warthogs whose presence adds to the wild feeling of the grounds.

Contact Yvonne Whitcomb at 1-800-999-1758 to book your safari to Kenya.

Argentinian Soccer
For anyone interested in soccer (you? your soccer-crazed kids or grandkids?), Cox & Kings can arrange for a specialized soccer guide in Argentina, with visits to the Boca Stadium and museum. Watch one or more matches (depending on availability; typical season is late Jul - Dec; Mar- Jun). If you have more time, let us enroll you in the soccer academy for visitors with excellent Argentine coaches. These soccer activities are easy additions to our Portrait of Argentina private journey.

Contact Vivana Gaeta at 1-800-999-1758 to for more information.


Off the Beaten Path in Tahiti
Tahiti and her islands are the ultimate South Seas paradise — lush mountains, crystalline lagoons, magnificent coral reefs and a rich cultural heritage. Tahiti: Islands in Time offers more just than stays at some of French Polynesia’s finest resorts, and the trip is featured as one of Nine Great Island Adventures in the March/April issue of Virtuoso Life magazine. Your journey also takes you to a remote island, where you will be treated to the best in Tahitian camping. Learn about the natural history of the islands, and snorkel in its pristine waters. From $10,545 per person double occupancy.

Contact Denise Gogarty at 1-800-999-1758 to book your journey.

Jordan Sojourn: Summer Special
This private journey is a specially-designed 6-day tour of Jordan’s highlights. Tour the spectacular Roman ruins at Jerash, considered one of the best preserved architectural cities outside of Italy. Lunch at the Greco-Roman town of Umm Qais while enjoying sweeping views of Lake Tiberias and the Golan Heights. Explore the hidden city of Petra. Take a dip in the Dead Sea. Travel May 1 - Sept 30, 2011. From $2195 per person double..

To book your Jordan Sojourn contact a Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758. Read also her Just Back From: Jordan.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Malta

City of Valletta
The capital of Malta is inextricably linked to the history of the military and charitable Order of St John of Jerusalem. It was ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John. Valletta’s 320 monuments, all within an area of 135 acres, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
The Hypogeum is an enormous subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 B.C., using cyclopean rigging to lift huge blocks of coralline limestone. Perhaps originally a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times.

Megalithic Temples of Malta
Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qin, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces. The Ta’Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta.

Visits to Malta’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are included in our private journey Island of the Knights: Malta. Read more about Malta on our blog. To book your trip, contact Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758.

 

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 or email tours@coxandkingsusa.com.

Announcing the Winners of our Grand Opening Party Raffle...

Thanks to everyone who attended our Grand Opening Party May 4th at our new offices in Los Angeles.

The following winners have been chosen from our raffle drawing. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of our generous prize and event sponsors!

Patti Fowler, Third Millennium Travel, Northridge, CA
2 economy class tickets on Turkish Airlines

3 nights accommodation in Istanbul

3 nights accommodation in Cappadocia

Avril Bransky, New Act Travel, Encino, CA
6 nights at Adriatic Luxury Hotels in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Carolyn Rothberg, Plaza Travel, Encino, CA
1 coach ticket on Copa Airlines
2 nights at the Bristol Panama
2 nights at the  Bristol Buenaventura Resort Panama

Elisa Tomasino, Plaza Travel, Encino, CA
Taj Hotels & Resorts package:
2 nights at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi
1 nights at the Gateway Hotel, Agra
2 nights at Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

Paulette Darensburg, ProTravel, Beverly Hills, CA 

2 economy class tickets on Lan Airlines

3 nights at Orient-Express hotels: Miraflores Park Hotel, Hotel Rio Sagrado, and Hotel Monasterio

Liza Gevera, Travel International, Beverly Hills, CA
2 economy tickets to any Emirates Airlines destination

Greta Gilford, New Act Travel, Encino, CA
2 night stay at Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia

Charles Stevens, Déjà vu Travel, Northridge, CA
A golf shirt and cap from Jumeirah Hotels
 
Phoebe Shackeroff, Beachside Travel, Seal Beach, CA
A Singapore Airlines duffle bag