NOW HIRING!

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We are searching for a personable, energetic, detail-oriented individual to assist one of our top travel advisors. Experience in the travel industry would be great and LOVE of TRAVEL a must! You'd be working full-time and your benefits include health insurance.

Great Getaways Travel, celebrating our 20th anniversary in business, is a boutique vacation planning company headquartered in Leawood, KS, and we are proud members of Virtuoso, Specialists in the Art of Travel.

Learn more about us at www.greatgetaways.travel and send your resume to Barbara@greatgetaways.travel Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends!

Enjoy this video of some of the places we've been: 

The trek to Base Camp in pictures

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Some of you have asked if we have photos of Michael’s trek to Base Camp Everest. We’ve included many photos with the blog posts. For those with an aversion to the written word or have a passion for the amazing beauty of nature, here are links to the photos Michael has sent from Nepal.

WARNING: THESE PHOTOS MAY ENTICE YOU TO PLAN A TREK OR, FOR THOSE WHO THINK ADVENTURE MEANS STAYING AT A HOLIDAY INN WITH A BLACK AND WHITE TV AND NO POOL (LIKE BARBARA KING), THESE PHOTOS MAY CAUSE YOU TO PLAN A PAMPERED WEEK AT CANYON RANCH MIAMI BEACH!

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/Katmandu

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/LuklaToPhakdingNepal

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/NamcheBazaar

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/NamehToThameAndThameToKhumjung

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/AinTNoMountainHighEnoughKhumjungToTengbocheThursdaySeptember22PublishOn9

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/TengbocheToPheriche

https://picasaweb.google.com/106122130844310214259/PhericheToLoboje

 

Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Khumjung to Tengboche Thursday September 22

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As we were leaving Khumjung the skies cleared a bit and we saw both Ama Dablam (21,670 ft.) and Kantega (22, 240 ft.) – both were spectacular in the early morning sunlight!  We headed down hill to the river Dudh Khosi (Milk River) so named because it is glacier runoff and not clear at all.  The going was not difficult and we made good time arriving at Phunki by 9:15 in the morning.  This was our designated lunch stop so even though it was early – we stopped and had soup, potatoes, and a cheese pie of sorts.
After lunch we had a hard climb gaining 1600 feet of altitude in just under 90 minutes to the top of the saddle between Ama Dablam and Kantega and this is our stop for the night.  I am now sitting here at about 1:30 typing this and we are all hoping the skies clear again so maybe we might see Everest.
More to follow

 

(download)

T-14 and counting

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In 2 weeks Barbara and Michael King will head to southern Africa to do what they love, go on safari! This time, accompanied by some of Great Getaways clients, the Kings of Travel will visit Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. A strong believer in rough luxe, Barbara quipped, "Who knew a city girl would LOVE adventure vacations? Of course, this isn't the down-and-dirty back to nature adventure Michael enjoys---mountain biking across the Rockies, rafting the Futuleufu River in Chile. I want a hot shower, great food, and comfy bed on my adventures!"

When asked about his favorite moments on safari, Michael responded, " I think I love the vistas-no, wait, the animals, definitely the animals---and the people! I can't choose! Safaris appeal to all my senses and I find them very spiritual, as well."

If an African safari is on your radar screen, consider joining us in June, 2012, when we will explore another favorite country, Tanzania and we will experience the beginning of the annual wildebeest migration! For the itinerary for that experience, contact Michael@greatgetaways.travel or 800 546 TRIP (8747).
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Travel Essentials: Judi's Top 10

by Kimberly Winter Stern, Contributing Editor, 435 South Magazine

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Judi Chaitman, Vice President of Great Getaways Travel and one of Conde Nast Traveler's Top Specialists, knows a thing or two about traversing the world and when she packs her well-traveled suitcase and carryon, they’re filled with things that an experienced globetrotter doesn’t leave home without.

                       iPhone

  
                                                            Kindle  kindle-2-review-1.jpg


                             MasterCard and American Express
 

                        
   us-passport.jpg Passport 

 

               Reference material on destination
 

                                                      19165.5.jpgConverter

 
 
                              Hanging toiletry bag

                                                               PashminaThepashminastore3.jpg

                                      bose_headphones.jpg Bose headphones 

                                Portable DVD player

Share your list of top travel essentials! Leave your comments below or email barbara@greatgetaway.com

Join Great Getaways' Michael and Barbara King on Safari!

 

On Safari in Southern Africa 

 

 Barbara and I have had a love affair going with Africa and we want to share some of our best experiences.  To that end we have worked with one of the great Southern African companies – Wilderness Safari and Londolozi to offer a unique experience in safaris – we are traveling to the game parks in Botswana and South Africa and stopping along the way at one of the wonders of the world – Victoria Falls – the “Smoke that Thunders”  We are planning to leave the last week of March 2011 (dates may change a bit to try and insure we have the lodges we want).  The areas of these lodges are rich with wildlife and in Botswana we will probably not see other tourists at all – the lodges are that remote.  Please check out the websites for the properties we have selected – these can be found at the bottom of the email.  We can also help book air and of course you MUST have trip insurance and we can also handle this for you. 

 

Because we are only taking five couples we expect to have a full group within the next 45 day to 60 days..  Please call us with questions or comments – but please – if you can – do not pass up this unique opportunity.

 

Day one arrive Johannesburg – spend evening at Intercontinental Hotel at the Johannesburg Airport (we are met and greeted to South Africa by a Wilderness rep who will assist us to check in at the hotel)

Day two – Meet in lobby where a Wilderness rep will take us to check - in for our flight to Maun, Botswana; arrive in Maun and transfer to Sefofane for light aircraft transfer from Maun to Duba Plains; afternoon game drive at Duba Plains

Day three – full day at Duba Plains where we have sole use of the camp

Day four – after morning game drive and breakfast – transfer to air strip for light aircraft transfer to Savuti Camp; afternoon game drive at Savuti camp

Day five – full day at Savuti camp where we have sole use of the camp

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Elephants near Savuti Camp

 

Day six – after morning game drive and breakfast, transfer to air  strip for light air craft transfer to Kasane Airport; then again light air craft transfer from Kasane to Livingstone Airport; clear customs – purchase visa, then we’ll be met and transferred to the Royal Livingstone Hotel and in the evening take a cruise aboard the African Queen – sundowner cruise – on the Zambezi river above the falls.

Day seven – meet in the lobby after breakfast for a private tour of the falls; then collect luggage and private transfer to Livingston Airport; Commercial air flight (South African air) from Livingston to Kruger Airport – clear customs and transfer by light aircraft to Londolozi air strip.  (not sure if we will arrive in time for game drive)

Day eight and nine – spend at the Londolozi Varty camp

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A Leopard near Londolozi

Day ten after morning game drive and breakfast – transfer to air strip for flight to Johannesburg (those who are not going to Cape Town)

 End of these services

 

Total price is $10,968 per person plus $1790 internal air fights and air transfers

 

Deposit is 20% of the landed costs and in Africa, since most of the lodges book their rooms 6 to 9 months in advance – with very little chance of rebooking cancelled rooms – the deposit is non refundable.

 

Does NOT include:

  • INSURANCE (Mandatory)
  • STAFF GRATUITIES
  • ANY NEW GOVERNMENT TAXES, LEVIES, FUEL OR INDUSTRY INCREASES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
  • VISA FEES WHERE RELEVANT – VISA FEES MUST BE PAID IN U.S.DOLLARS (ZAMBIA)
  • INTERNATIONAL AIR (U.S. TO SOUTH AFRICA AND RETURN), DEPARTURE TAXES NOT INCLUDED IN TICKET PRICE
  • ZAMBIAN INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE TAX OF $25 PER PERSON AND $8 SOUTH AFRICA DEPARTURE TAXPER PERSON
  • ANY ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE.

 

 

Here are the websites for the camps and Royal Livingstone Hotel

 

Duba Plains – www.dubaplains.com

Savuti Camp – www.savuticamp.com

Londolozi – www.londolozi.com

Royal Livingstone - www.royal-livingstone-hotel.com

 

 WE HAVE A THREE NIGHT EXTENSION TO CAPE TOWN, A FOUR NIGHT EXTENSION TO CAPE TOWN AND THE STELLENBOSCH WINE COUNTRY; A TWO NIGHT EXTENTION IN JOHANNESBURG; AN EXTENSION TO THE SEYCELLES OR TO MOZAMBIQUE – PLEASE JUST REQUEST THIS FROM US.

 

Sincerely,

Michael & Barbara 

Michael and Barbara King

Email michael@greatgetaway.com or barbara@greatgetaway.com for details

 

 

 

7-Night Sailings from $649 with Royal Caribbean


  
Contact me to book your cruise today!
Barbara King
Great Getaways Travel
913-338-2244
barbara@greatgetaways.travel

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Offer is Valid for NEW Individual cruise bookings made between May 6 - June 6, 2010. Valid on select 2010 sailings. Applicable to Outside and above categories only. Groups cannot be applied. This offer is not combinable with any other National Account Offer. Offers are per stateroom. Dinner offer: Each stateroom booked will choose from one of the Specialty Restaurants onboard. 150 Central Park, Izumi and Johnny Rockets are excluded from this offer. Not all ships contain all specialty restaurants. Spa offer: Once onboard you may choose from: La Therapie Hydrolift facial; Swedish Massage; Reflexology including massage. Spa offer is limited to one per booking. Gift redemption email must be completed by booking agent no later than 4 weeks prior to sailing and after final payment is posted. Offer will not be applied until redemption email is received. Please note Royal Caribbean Reservations is not aware of these promotions, direct all questions to your Virtuoso Travel Advisor. Unless otherwise stated, prices are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. All itineraries are current at the time of printing and subject to change without notice. ©2010 Royal Caribbean International® ships registry: The Bahamas. 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. Restrictions may apply. Virtuoso is not responsible for errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL and RETURN ON LIFE are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. All rights reserved. CST#2069091-40 350068 5/10


 

MUST SEE TV - well, not tv really - but such a cool website!

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I have spent 45 minutes trying to cut and paste screen shots into this post so I could show you OUR COOL NEW UPDATED, IT SLICES,  IT DICES, MAGNIFICENT, UNBELIEVABLE WEBSITE ( and where is the infomercial replacement for Billy Mays when I need him?) and I've discovered I'm screen-shot challenged!!! I have one image to show you but there is so-o-o-o-o much more! Then it hit me---why not just suggest you visit our new site???? DUH!
 
Check it out and let me know what you think! We have a lot more copy to add and I'll enter it as quickly as my arthritic little fingers can type!
 
 

Google and Great Getaways thanks you!

We just were notified that Great Getaways is a "Favorite Place" on Google maps! You found our business listing 1113 times and requested driving directions 54 times etween July 1 and 30 September 30, 2009! So whether you visit by phone, email, website, or in person, many thanks from all of us at Great Getaways! Welcome home!
 
The Great Getaways Family
Barbara, Michael, Judi, Becky, Ken & Shelly

 

And the reason you did it was???

Sometimes I just don't get it. Aren't you worth it---worth receiving a vacation that is practically seamless? Why did you book that vacation to Hawaii online? Are you sure you got the best value? Whose recommendations did you use---hopefully not the photos supplied by the resorts nor the manipulated advice offered on some consumer-based travel website??? Did you know that the villa you booked sorely needs a "facelift?" Of course, you didn't. When was the last time you saw it? Is it your ego that's the problem? Is your goal the bragging rights of "I can do it all by myself" or the quality of the experience---sometimes they aren't the same thing.

Why am I ranting on and on this morning? Because of yesterday----yesterday proves the worth of a trusted travel advisor. Let me explain:

I was sitting in my office working on the text for our new website when I noticed the door to our business open. In walked Judi Chaitman, one of the best examples of the ultimate travel professional. "Judi," I scolded, "Why are you here? It's Saturday! Do you have clients coming in?"

"Hi Barbara, I know it's Saturday. Why are you here? Oh, right, computer network maintenance, I forgot! Am I able to use my computer?" Assured she could access the Internet, Judi went on to explain, "I was working from home and decided to come in because it's just faster and easier. I have clients on the East coast who leave tomorrow for Hawaii and I'm concerned." [Note: As of December 19, 2009 and into December 20, 2009 the East coast of the US was blanketed in heavy snow].

Judi checked the flight cancellations, called the hotels in Hawaii to alert them that the guests may arrive late due to weather, to please hold the specially requested rooms, and that Judi would keep the property updated on the situation. She discussed options with the airlines and finally called the client. "Hi, it's Judi. I want to touch base to tell you what your options are for your departure tomorrow..."

The client was amazed. They had all the information they wanted and needed AND they hadn't even asked for it! They were relieved to know how to proceed and so appreciative that their travel advisor cared enough to interrupt her weekend plans to address their probable trip delays.

This is NOT a rare occurence at Great Getaways. We are a small (but mighty) company and each of our clients becomes a friend, even part of the Great Getaways family. We all care about your vacation and want you to have the best experience possible. I am not bragging---I am stating a fact. We care---we are experienced travel advisors who provide amazing journeys. What we do is NOT our job---it is our career, our passion! Can the travel website you used make that claim? Didn't think so!