Cox & Kings, The Americas - Travel Journeys

Travel Advisor of the Month: Susan Fetterly

Susan Fetterly, Journeys Peak Travel (Signature Travel Network)

With over 30 years as a Travel Professional, Susan Fetterly currently works as an independent with Journeys Peak Travel, part of Signature Travel Network.

Her training in this field has been enhanced by many certifications through Wellesley College in MA with ICTA (Certified Travel Industry Executive, Certified Travel Counselor, and Destination Specialist for Africa, Western Europe, South Pacific, Pacific Rim, to name a few). Other designations she holds are: Premier Aussie Specialist with Tourism Australia, as well as Luxury New Zealand and Kiwi Specialist with Tourism New Zealand. She'll soon be completing the India Specialist with ICTA/Cox & Kings.

Susan specializes in customized complex itineraries for Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia which normally include land arrangements and cruises, tours, rail, and luxury properties. These itineraries include the personalized needs and interests of each client so that their time is maximized and their experience is most memorable.

Her travels include cruises with Regent Seven Seas and Lindblad. Favorite trips have been to East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), South Africa (including Victoria Falls, and Kruger National Park), The Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Outback, Tahiti, Fiji, Italy, France, Ireland, and may other destinations.

Notes Susan: "I truly enjoy the challenging aspects of my work, and I love working with my great clients who have been with me for many years. It is a pleasure to work with Cox & Kings who provide excellent service for my valued clients!"

Susan is pictured atop Mount Tarawera, North Island, New Zealand.

peaktravel.com

 

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.

 

Travel Advisor of the Month: Nicole Converse

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.

Travel Advisor of the Month: David Schooler

Town & Country Travel

David Schooler is president of Town & Country Travel, located in lovely German Village in Columbus Ohio, a Virtuoso agency. He considers himself an avid Equatorial Travel specialist, with favorite destinations of North Africa, Ecuador, and Southeast Asia.

Product manager Megan Bryant has worked with David on several Africa trips. Says Megan: "He is always very easy-going, but exceptionally detail-oriented. He cares a lot about his clients and their complete experience."

Originally from Coshocton Ohio, David and graduated from Mt. Union College. He has spent time in both Venezuela and Brazil for the Peace Corps. David currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Mt. Union College and the Columbus Museum of Art.

E-News, April 2011

Asian Odysseys: From Vietnam to Sri Lanka

The New York Times has just published 37 essential experiences not to miss when visiting Asia — from shopping in Hanoi to a river cruise in Phnom Penh. Based on their suggestions, we've noted select Asian countries below, including a recommended Cox & Kings journey for each, easily customized to your personal interests. Read the full article here.

• Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap – Indochina Sojourn

• China, Hong Kong – Beijing, Chengdu, Mount Emi, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Peak Tram – Classic China

• India – Cochin, New Delhi, Kovalam, Mumbai, Mysore – Essence of South India

• Japan – Kanazawa, Kawagoe, Osaka, Tokyo – Treasures of Japan

• Laos – Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang: The Crown Jewel of Laos

• Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Penang – Malaysia & Brunei: Crossroads of Asia

• Myanmar – Bagan – The Burmah Trader

• Sri Lanka – Elephant Orphanage, Kandy – Sri Lanka: The Spice Island

• Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket – Northern Thailand & Krabi

• Tibet – Lhasa – Timeless Tibet

• Vietnam – Hanoi – Classic Vietnam & Cambodia

For more information contact Denise Gogarty (Southeast Asia, China, Tibet and Japan) or Seema Prakash (India, Sri Lanka) at 1-800-999-1758.


Egypt on Sale — 2 for 1 through Sept 30, 2011

We are delighted to announce that Egypt is once again welcoming travelers to come and enjoy its treasure trove of incredible ancient wonders. Our 11-day Egyptian Sojourn private journey was specially created to entice those who have always wanted to experience Egypt first-hand.

For a very limited time, we are making this tour available at $4995 for two people double occupancy (book one trip for $4995 and your companion travels free).* Just book your trip by May 31 and travel by Sept 30, 2011.

This is a great opportunity to take the kids or grandkids — see 13-year-old Peter Bitman's story of his Egypt trip last summer. With private guides in Cairo and Abu Simbel, and small group touring while on the Nile cruise, 5,000 years of incredible history will unfold before you.

Contact Nicole Beattie at 1-800-999-1758 to book your travel to Egypt.


Cox & Kings relocates its offices — May 4th Grand Opening in Los Angeles
We are moving our U.S. operations (from Tampa) to Los Angeles, and celebrate the grand opening of Cox & Kings' North American headquarters on May 4, 2011. Read more on our blog.

The new address is:

Cox & Kings, the Americas
The Cox & Kings Building
8060 Melrose Ave., 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90046-7017

The toll-free number (1-800-999-1758) and e-mail addresses remain the same.

Experience Ethiopian Music at 1,000 Stars Festival
Set in Arba Minch in the heart of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia every December, The Festival of 1,000 Stars is a spectacular experience for travelers with a passion for music. The relaxed, three day music celebration features more than 1,000 performers, representing over 56 ethnic tribal groups from southern Ethiopia. A visit to the festival can be arranged as part of our Omo Valley: Cultures of Southern Ethiopia private journey — a front row seat to a unique, beautiful festival of music and tradition. The 11-day, 10-night journey starts at $4,235 per person, double occupancy. Cox & Kings can take you to festivals around the world — read more here.

Contact Megan Bryant at 1-800-999-1758 to book your journey.

Cox & Kings Launches New European Destinations
We now offer both Private and Discovery Group Journeys to Europe! Check our website soon for new tours to Croatia, Iceland, Russia, Swedish Lapland and Turkey. More destinations will continue to be added, culminating in the launch of our 2012 Europe brochure.

Contact our Europe destination manager Thor Forsberg at 1-800-999-1758 to book your trip or to customize your European journey.

Peru: Beyond Machu Picchu
Pisco, Peru is just a short flight south from Lima, and where an ancient people created 100's of shapes and figures on the desert floor. Fly by private plane over the Nazca Lines, take an all-wheel drive trip or sandboard in the dunes. End your stay with a champagne lunch aboard your private yacht while cruising dramatic Paracas Bay. The extention is an easy addition to our Classic Peru or Peru & the Galapagos.

Contact Viviana Gaeta at 1-800-999-1758 to book your journey.


 
Just Back From: Bahia, Brazil
Our West Coast Sales Director Dianna Upton recently returned from Brazil. Read about her tips for visiting Bahia and the luxury beach resort of Trancoso on our blog, or download the pdf. See also the private journey Rhythms of Brazil for more ideas on traveling to Brazil.

Contact our resident Brazilian Renata da Silva at 1-800-999-1758 to book your journey.


UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Ethiopia

Simien National Park
Massive erosion over the years on the Ethiopian plateau has created one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex.

Aksum
Long after its political decline in the 10th C, Ethiopian emperors continued to be crowned in Aksum. The massive ruins, dating from between the 1st and the 13th C A.D., include monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs and the ruins of ancient castles.

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region
The fortress city of Fasil Ghebb contains palaces, churches, monasteries and unique public and private buildings marked by Hindu and Arab influences. It was later transformed by the Baroque style brought to Gondar by the Jesuit missionaries.

Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town
This fortified historic town contains 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th C, and 102 shrines, but the interior design of the townhouses are some of the most spectacular of Harar's cultural heritage.

Lower Valley of the Awash
The remains found at the site provide evidence of human evolution which has modified our conception of the history of humankind. The most spectacular discovery came in 1974, when 52 fragments of a skeleton enabled the famous Lucy to be reconstructed.

Lower Valley of the Omo
A prehistoric site near Lake Turkana, the lower valley of the Omo is renowned the world over. The discovery of many fossils there, especially Homo gracilis, has been of fundamental importance in the study of human evolution.

Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, and a place of pilmigrage and devotion. The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings.

Tiya
Tiya is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Soddo region. They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined.

Visits to Ethiopia's UNESCO World Heritage sites may be easily added to our private journeys Northern Ethiopia: The Historic Route or Omo Valley: Cultures of Southern Ethiopia. Contact Megan Bryant at 1-800-999-1758 to book your journey.

 

 

Travel Advisor of the Month: Ellen Rubinfeld

Stellar Travel, Bellevue, WA

Ellen Rubinfeld’s love of adventure and passion for photography led her into the travel industry in 2002. Since 2005, she has been serving clients worldwide as an outside consultant for Stellar Travel in Bellevue, WA. Ellen specializes in high-end, customized travel for discerning clientele.

Says Ellen: It has been as pleasure to do business with Cox & Kings. Thanks to Megan's good advice and the efficiency of the C & K team, we were able to put together a fabulous trip for my clients.

Travel Advisor of the Month: Vicki Boyle

Lawrence Travel Center
Lawrence, KS

Vicki Boyle began her career in the travel industry with Maupintour for many years as an international tour planner and operations supervisor for special interest groups. Vicki entered the retail market in 1989 and worked as a full-time travel consultant until 2000. Since that time, she has managed two full time careers, one as an outside consultant for the Lawrence Travel Center while pursuing another career by day. 

Vicki worked with our Africa Product Manager Megan Bryant on an extraordinary Dubai and Seychelles booking for her long time clients. Megan said she really enjoyed working with Vicki and she was very professional with her clients and with Cox & Kings. She was very easy going and yet always looking out for the best interest of her clients.

 

Travel Advisor of the Month: Beatriz Kalb

Viajes Excelsior
Mexico City, Mexico

I feel very lucky to have been born in Mexico City, Mexico, a beautiful, multi-cultural and free country. I studied both in Mexico and the United States, thus helping me to be fluent in English and Spanish. I also lived in Detroit, Michigan for six years, and my youngest daughter, Vanessa was born there.

My interest and knowledge of our world started when I was a little girl, as I was fortunate to have a father who travelled with us to many beautiful places around the globe. I started working in the travel business about 25 years ago, after I returned from a trip to Europe and Israel. By that time my daughters were in school, and I began to feel interested in what to do where I could apply the knowledge that I had from my past years. As history and geography always thrilled me while I was in school, I had my answer—to apply myself to the travel business!

I started out really knowing nothing about planning a trip, but I had to learn fast if I wanted to work in this field, so there started all the courses with rates, airlines, cruises, tour operators, hotels and after came the wonderful world of technology, enabling us to work with computers and different reservation systems. The world of travel is a thrilling world, always something new, always something to learn, always some wonderful place to visit, and always new people to meet!

This travel world fascinates me and even though it is very stressful, it is also a very rewarding challenge. I am lucky to have excellent clients and when I am sitting at my desk and working on their trips, I do feel that I am travelling with them. I love to work with honeymooners because they are always happy and seem to be dreaming!

My husband, three lovely daughters and four beautiful grand-daughters make my life a most wonderful one. I am fortunate also to have all this and my job in the travel business, where I have wonderful people as my directors and have made many friends. The world and traveling fascinate me, and I hope that I will be able to work in this field for many years to come, God willing.

www.viajesexcelsior.com

 

Travel Advisor of the Month: Fran Moskovitz

Fran Moskowitz
FROSCH, New York City

With 28 years of travel industry experience, Fran works with high profile individuals who are drawn to her complete array of services ranging from hotel and air arrangements to dining reservations. Fran's commitment and devotion to her work is evident by the service she provides in an unparalleled manner. When asked what is most important to her clients, Fran will say, "an immediate response." Fran's detail-oriented work style, her sincere caring for her clients and the support provided by FROSCH, enables her to find solutions for the unexpected. She provides a personal service that is not typically available in today's busy world.

www.frosch.com