Ker & Downey Unveils New Brand and Website

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Updated website includes a private login for travel agents, itineraries categorized by Travel Interest, and larger images to spark the imaginations of travelers.

HOUSTON, TEXAS, December 14, 2011 – After months of behind-the-scenes preparation and planning, award-winning luxury tour operator Ker & Downey has officially debuted a new brand and website design. Having being ranked #2 among the World’s Best Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters by Travel + Leisure Magazine and  being named to National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime earlier in 2011, this facelift is another exciting milestone in the company’s constant growth.

“We cannot be more thrilled to show our new face to our clients and colleagues,” says David Marek, President of Ker & Downey. “We felt it was time to evolve and adopt an image and online personality that match the custom service and luxury experience for which we’re celebrated in the industry.”

“Our new website has been optimized to be even more accessible to our agent partners and clients,” says David Jones, Vice President of Ker & Downey. “Agents are already appreciating the Travel Agent Login feature, which allows them to download our fliers, e-mail newsletters, and other tools to increase their selling power.”

In addition to the Travel Agent Login, Ker & Downey’s new website features:

  • The Travel Interests page – a listing of suggested itineraries based on specific categories, such as Active / Adventure, Conservation & Philanthropy, Cultural, and Cruises.
  • BESPOKE Magazine and E-mail Subscriptions, simplified – a few simple lines of text replace the lengthy sign-up forms of the past, granting clients and agents faster access to the content they crave.
  • Bigger, better images – utilizing the cream of the crop of the image gallery, providing a more complete view of the deluxe destinations and accommodations.
  • Mobile optimization – the Ker & Downey website is now more accessible than ever for smartphone and tablet users.

 

View the new online home of Ker & Downey at www.kerdowney.com. For more information about the new website features and to request access to the Travel Agent Login, please contact us.

Experience the Marvels of South America

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Ker & Downey regional sales manager Wazha Dube recently returned from a trip to Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. He shared his luxury experiential journey with a small group of agents, and now shares it with us in his own words.


In October, I took a small group of travel agents on the trip of a lifetime to Peru as well as Argentina and Brazil. The vast wonders in a country rich in culture and heritage are innumerable. During our trip we had the opportunity to cross the Andes, hike Machu Picchu, fish for Piranha, swim in the Amazon, take culinary tours with one of Peru’s famous chefs, take boats under Iguazu Falls, and take various steps into history. The beauty of the country and the vibrancy of the people is immense and will draw you into a culture of colors, tastes, sounds, and experiences that draw you into a world mixed with old and new. Peru’s rich indigenous and colonial culture create a proud people who are always interested to tell you more about the history of the country and the diversity of its people.

With so much to see in such a large country, even two weeks felt like it wasn’t enough, nevertheless, we were able to see some of the most amazing sights the region had to offer. Dining is its own experience in Peru and with its vast array of seafood and other delicacies, we were able to try something and delicious each meal.

During our visit to Brazil and Argentina, however short, we had the opportunity to visit Igauzu Falls, the widest waterfall in the world – truly a marvel to witness by all standards of the word. Views from the walkways, helicopter, or boat are all breathtaking with their own individual flare that will truly have appreciate the wonders of nature.

Cusco is another beautiful city and with such a rich story that you’re sure to find history around almost every corner. As the center of the Alpaca and Vicuna fabrics and garments, a last minute shopping spree was well deserved and has me ready for yet another chilly New York City winter!

My last stop before the conclusion of my trip has been calling to me for some years now, a hot spot on many bucket lists, including my own. Thought to be a holiday escape for the Incan royal family, hidden for over two centuries in the mountains, Machu Picchu is truly an awe-aspiring place to see and walk around.

South America should always be on the travel lists of world travelers seeking new experiences, rich histories, and unforgettable sights. Peru has so much to offer to people, whether they are families, couples or groups, there is something for everyone and truly not enough hours in the day to see everything… I tried! Iguazu Falls by itself is worth a visit if you can make the time and will convince you that you owe it to yourself to journey more extensively through Brazil and Argentina on your next trip to the continent.

Wazha’s itinerary included stays at The Westin Lima, Hotel das Cataras, Country Club Lima Hotel, The Delfin I, Ramada Costa del Sol, Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa, and Inkaterra La Casona.

Site inspections included:  The Atton Hotel; The Swissotel; Miraflores Park Hotel; Casa Andina Private Collection; Libertador Hotel; Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge; Inkaterra Muchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel; Hotel Monasterio.  

Ready to go now? Check out our suggested itineraries to Peru, Brazil, and Argentina or contact a Ker & Downey travel expert and begin planning your journey.

Travel + Leisure Magazine Ranks Ker & Downey the #2 Tour Operator in 2011 World’s Best Awards

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Ker & Downey climbed from the #6 position in 2010 to rank #2 among Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters.

Houston, TX -  July 7, 2011 – The prestigious Travel + Leisure Magazine has named Ker & Downey #2 in their search for the World’s Best Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters in 2011.  Based on a perfect score of 100, Ker & Downey received an outstanding 96.85 from the combined scores of readers’ surveys taken from January to March of this year.  Tour Operators were judged on staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food and overall value.  Readers also rated Top Operators, Top Cities and Islands, as well as Top Hotels on differing criteria covering all aspects of quality service.

“We are once again absolutely honored to have won such an esteemed award from Travel + Leisure Magazine,” says David Marek, president of Ker & Downey.  “T+L has long been recognized as an industry standard for showcasing the best of the best in luxury travel and to be counted a world leader among such an audience validates the time and effort our staff have devoted to making each journey a life-changing experience for our clients.”

With this third consecutive World’s Best Award, Ker & Downey continues to prove its excellence in providing truly customized, luxurious and experiential travel to destinations all over the world. “The real heartbeat of Ker & Downey traveling lies in our dedication to signature, hand-crafted journeys,” says vice president David Jones.  Ker & Downey owes its prominent place on the list to a unique commitment to a flawless client experience. When crafting a Ker & Downey journey an array of destinations and properties are cherry-picked by the client, under the trusted guidance of expert travel professionals, to create the perfect itinerary for any traveler.

The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Award accompanies several Ker & Downey accolades including the Best Adventure Travel Company award for Luxury Tour Operators by National Geographic Adventure.  Several of Ker & Downey’s itineraries have also won prestigious recognition including National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime awards for Uncovering Alexander’s Egypt: A Desert & Diving Expedition, Splendors of the Cape, Australian Dreamtime, and Namibia Explorer.

The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards were announced live on NBC’s Today Show. The lists will also appear in the August issue of the magazine and can be found online at www.travelandleisure.com.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine Ranks Ker & Downey’s Newest Itinerary a 2011 Tour of a Lifetime

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National Geographic Traveler Magazine (NGT) has voted Ker & Downey’s newest itinerary to Egypt a must-do for 2011 in their annual search for the 50 Tours of a Lifetime. The journey includes off–the-beaten path excursions in the Western Desert and exciting underwater diving in some of Egypt’s ancient ruins.

Houston, Texas, April 20, 2011 – World-renowned National Geographic Traveler magazine has included Ker & Downey in their 2011 list of 50 Tours of a Lifetime. Now in its sixth year, the annual 50 Tours of a Lifetime list includes a select few from thousands of possible destinations, combinations and tour operators world-wide. When compiling the list for 2011, Traveler looked for tours that offer experience, immersion, sustainability and cultural connection.

Added to the fray for 2011 is Ker & Downey’s Uncovering Alexander’s Egypt: A Desert and Diving Expedition itinerary. The 14-day adventure features surprising locations and experiences, among them a sustainable and eco-conscious stay in the Western Desert and a chance to dive back in time in the harbor of modern Alexandria, where ruins and shipwrecks date back to the age of the pharaohs. The journey is bookended by several days in Cairo exploring the Great Pyramids and other relics from Egypt’s past, and diving excursions in Sharm El-Sheikh, another of the world’s most coveted dive sites.

“We are absolutely honored to be included among the best tours in the world,” says David Marek, president of Ker & Downey. This honor marks the fourth inclusion in the 50 Tours of a Lifetime list for Ker & Downey, with Splendors of the Cape, Australian Dreamtime and Namibia Explorer all preceding Uncovering Alexander’s Egypt on past lists. Other accolades for the company include being twice named among the top 10 Tour Operators on Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards; receiving the Best Adventure Travel Company award for Luxury Tour Operators by National Geographic Adventure; and an itinerary selected to be featured in the June issue of Elite Traveler Magazine.

With inclusion in 2011’s Tours of a Lifetime, Ker & Downey continues to prove its excellence in providing a truly customized, luxurious and experiential travel experience to destinations all over the world. “The real heartbeat of Ker & Downey traveling lies in our dedication to signature, hand-crafted journeys,” says vice president David Jones. With any Ker & Downey Journey of Distinction, an array of destinations and properties can be mixed and matched to create the perfect itinerary for any traveler.

The 50 Tours of a Lifetime 2011 list will appear in an upcoming issue of National Geographic Traveler and can be found online at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/tours/.

Exploring the Best of Dubai & South Africa

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Several members of the Ker & Downey family recently returned from a trip to the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Our regional sales manager Wazha Dube recalls his journey and the luxury properties that welcomed him along the way.

 

On my most recent FAM trip I spent two weeks enjoying the opulence, thrills, and adventures that exist in Dubai and South Africa. Arriving in Dubai, I spent my first two nights at the Armani Hotel located in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The modern hotel’s minimal opulence in design and bare tones offer a distinct but discreet sense luxury that will have youDesert experience outside Dubai. entranced.

I checked into the Address Hotel Downtown for my last night in Dubai. This hotel is very comfortable and offers great dining along with a lounge on the 63rd floor – the perfect place to watch the nightly fountain show. The desert experience was a highlight that every visitor to Dubai should experience. The desert safari will soon have your driving up, down and sideways along dunes and mountains all the way to a Bedouin style camp where I was able to go dune boarding, smoke shisha and relax while watching a belly dance performance.

The next morning we were off to South Africa. Our first stay was at Grootbos Nature Reserve in Gaansbai. Forest Lodge, the newer lodge, boasts amazing views of the mountains and Atlantic Ocean from the comforts of your suite or from the restaurant, Red Indigo. Garden Lodge in contrast, is surrounded by fynbos and the forest garden, which I walked through on one of their many hiking trails, and is a perfect destination for families with children. The Villa was my home for the last night, and I say home because that’s really what it felt like. With six bedrooms, a pool, two BBQ grills, a full kitchen, bar, gym and private staff; you’ll quickly settle in. The staff members are great, the accommodation is superb and the cuisine was absolutely extraordinary… what else could you ask for?

Shark expedition at GrootbosGrootbos is a nature reserve unlike any other I’ve visited when it comes to experience. In just three days I was able to go shark cage diving, watch seals and penguins, fly over Hermanus, hike AND drive though the fynbos and milkwood forests, have lunch on the pristine beach of Walker Bay and explore the ancient caves. Although I wasn’t able to see the rest of the “Marine Big 5” or spend some time in the local vineyards, Grootbos is sure to offer something unique, whether you’re visiting South Africa for the first or fifth time.

My next stop was The St. James Manor for an overnight stay. A quaint seaside retreat located in the artsy district of Kalk Bay, the property is an elegant hotel with only ten rooms, all suited for the very best in relaxation, easily removed from the hustle and bustle but close enough that you can be in the city of Cape Town within minutes.

Next on the journey was Savanna Lodge in the Sabi Sand reserve. Savannah Lodge is a great hideaway in the wilderness, and with only nine suites it’s easy to settle right in. We were treated to game drives filled with amazing sightings, so much that leopards were seen regularly as well as the elusive wild dogs. With attentive guides and staff that take time to sit with you and make sure you enjoy every second, we were treated to an unforgettable experience.

A one night stay at the world-famous lodge, Royal Malewane, was next on our list. For anyone who has stayed at any of the Royal Portfolio properties, many know to expect a mix of African chic elegance, grand luxury, custom experiences, and invigoration with their spas. More so, one’s palate will enjoy an experience in itself with the culinary masterpieces created here.

Wazha and his new cheetah palsCamp Jabulani would be the last location for game experiences, and the trip wouldn’t have been complete without it. What sets Camp Jabulani apart is the incredible game experience. Rather than focusing on game drives, guests get a hands-on experience with the elephants, Jabulani included, by spending time with them, riding them, putting them to bed and watching them on a daily basis. As well as the elephant experience, guests also get visit the Hoedsprut Endangered Species Center to enjoy interactions with various endangered animals, especially the cheetah which are bred and raised here. Needless to say, getting the chance to play soccer with baby cheetahs will not be forgotten by me anytime soon.

After a week in the bush we were bound for Jo’burg, and stayed at the famous Saxon. Their new villas are a great addition and offer a whole new experience for large groups. The Saxon has a reputation that needs no introduction and is the epitome of African elegance with world class service.

Taking a walk with a new friendThis was the perfect Ker & Downey experience. Enjoying such a myriad of luxury experiences and accommodations, I have now found it harder than ever to settle back into real life in a city such as New York City, but I just keep thinking that this is just an urban safari. Perhaps sooner or later, the recipes I brought back from the properties will taste the way they did when I was in South Africa.

 

Contact us today to begin planning your amazing journey with these properties included.

The Okavango Delta’s Last Lions, in Theaters February 18

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In The Last Lions, a feature film opening nationwide February 18, National Geographic Entertainment peers into the lives of a mother lion and her cubs as they struggle to survive alone in the Okavango Delta. This remarkable documentary was filmed over six years by National Geographic’s renowned photographers Beverly and Dereck Joubert.

To celebrate the release of this epic, enter The Last Lions Sweepstakes presented by Botswana Tourism for your chance to win a private 12-day safari in the beautiful Okavango Delta.

Click here to watch The Last Lions trailer – for every trailer viewing on YouTube, National Geographic will donate 10 cents to lion conservation efforts in Botswana.

For more on the film, visit The Last Lions on Facebook.

Browse Ker & Downey’s journeys in Botswana to get started planning your own safari in the Okavango Delta.

Vote for Ker & Downey to Win a Trip of a Lifetime from Travel + Leisure Magazine

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Help Ker & Downey vault to the top!

Ker & Downey are pleased to announce that we have been nominated by Travel + Leisure in the 2011 World’s Best Awards – Tour Operator category! This great honor, the third in as many years, has been a culmination of hard work from our staff of experts who have been designing custom Journeys of Distinction for over four decades.

We treasure the opportunity to provide our clients with completely custom itineraries – journeys that deliver unforgettable wildlife encounters and thrilling adventures, explore conservation and philanthropic endeavors, or simply allow the weight of your world to retreat, if only for a few days.

Please consider taking a few moments to cast your vote for Ker & Downey. Those who complete the survey are registered to win a $10,000 Dream Trip, in addition to two First Prize awards for $5,000 value trips, one Second Prize award for a $2,500 value trip and other fantastic prizes. No cost, no strings, just a little of your time.

Voting is simple:

  1. 1. Visit www.TLWorldsBest.com
  2. 2. Complete the questions from Travel + Leisure
  3. 3. Check Tour Operators/Safari Outfitters and click “Begin Voting”
  4. 4. Check Ker & Downey and click “Continue”
  5. 5. Tell T+L why you love traveling with Ker & Downey

The voting closes on Thursday, March 31 – every vote counts and every trip winner can choose their own amazing destination. With your fond support, we look forward to continuing our tradition of crafting Journeys of Distinction.

The Mystery and Beauty of Majestic Chile

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From the verdant wine country to the barren Atacama Desert, Chile is a country of diverse landscape and endless surprises. Discover Majestic Chile, an 11-day journey throughout the country’s many personalities, where ample adventure and experiential travel await.

Colchagua Valley Wine Country – Casa Lapostolle Residence

Learn about the growing Chilean wine industry in Santa Cruz, staying adjacent to the Clos Apalta Winery. The Colchagua Valley vineyards boast some of the country’s most revered Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Carménères and Syrahs. Tour the wineries that craft these fine wines for tastings, and discover pre-Hispanic artifacts and history in the valley’s museum.

Easter Island – explora en Rapa Nui

Explore beyond the shore to Easter Island, the most isolated inhabited island in the world. With a mysterious past rich in Polynesian culture, the island continues to thrive with a pleasant year-round climate and endless views of the Pacific. Encounter the moai, the famous stone faces of the island that are often the subject of cultural and spiritual study world wide. The island’s caves, decorated with ancient petroglyphs, and the two volcanic craters are among the sites to discover among the modern Polynesian culture.

Atacama Desert – Hotel Awasi

The Atacama Desert, though remarkably close to the Pacific, is considered the driest area in the world. Geography and trade winds combine to leave the area with rainfall of roughly .04 inch annually. The only other moisture to keep the few species of succulents, cacti and trees nourished comes in the form of occasional fog from the ocean. The salt and sand terrain is almost alien when compared to the lovely Pacific coast and old-growth forests – so alien in fact that NASA has tested Mars vehicles in the region. Jeep excursions and llama treks across the desert reveal colorful canyons, hidden oases and geysers among the vast salt basins.
Contact our travel experts to begin planning your luxury travel journey to Chile! Look for more on Easter Island and the explora en Rapa Nui in the Winter edition of Ker & Downey’s BESPOKE Magazine. (click here for the Fall issue of BESPOKE)

Discover the Wonders of New Zealand

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From the snow-capped Southern Alps to the undulating farmlands, New Zealand is an exhibition of natural wonder and adventure that will capture your imagination. It’s no wonder that the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in this diverse, magical country. Embark on Ker & Downey’s latest experiential travel offering: the Wonders of New Zealand. This 11-night itinerary showcases the best of the two-island nation, with unforgettable treks, breathtaking scenery and exclusive accommodations included.

Treetops Lodge & Estate – Rotorua, North Island

Nestled on 2,500 acres of native old-growth forest, the picturesque Treetops Lodge and Estate invites you to relax in this natural wonder. Trout-filled lakes, chilled streams and cascading waterfalls dot the grounds – a haven for local birds and wildlife. Named by Conde Nast Travel + Leisure readers as one of the best lodges in the world, Treetops welcomes you their uniquely New Zealand lodge. Fish for rainbow trout in the many streams found throughout the property, or take a drive to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, for sightseeing and fishing.

 
Grasmere Lodge – Southern Alps, South Island

This traditional New Zealand high country station, set amid towering 7,000 foot peaks, offers a richness of traditional New Zealand hospitality. Built in 1853, the original homestead still stands at the heart of this impressive lodge, a hub of activity and effortless relaxation in New Zealand’s quiet countryside. Tour the vast farmland and venture off to Arthur’s Pass National Park for kayaking, hiking and sightseeing.
Blanket Bay – Queenstown, South Island

Blanket Bay sits at the north end of Lake Wakatipu against a backdrop of New Zealand’s finest scenery. Travelers come to Blanket Bay in search of peace and solitude. Just 45 minutes from the bustling resort community of Queenstown, Blanket Bay is a quaint destination offering peace and solitude at the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Blanket Bay has been touted by Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic and actor Sir Ian McKellan as one of the best places from which to discover the beauty of New Zealand. During your stay here, enjoy an exclusive helicopter ride over Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most famous landmarks.

Contact our travel experts today and start planning your luxury travel journey to New Zealand!

Luxury Travel in Morocco and the Hollywood of North Africa

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Since the turn of the century, filming in Morocco has exploded with dozens of blockbusters and foreign films alike having been shot in the country, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and the Sahara. The country is quickly becoming a favorite filming locale, enticing the Hollywood elite with low production costs, a supportive and open-minded national government and a number of desert locations that can adapt to anything the filmmaker’s imagination can dream up.

Ouarzazate, a town just beyond the Moroccan Sahara, is aptly nicknamed “the Hollywood of North Africa”. Le Berbère Palace, featured in A Journey Back in Time itinerary, is often occupied by famous casts and crews while filming in the desert or making use of the city’s state-of-the-art movie studio. Body of Lies, The Jewel of the Nile and Babel are among the many movies that utilized Ouarzazate as their home base while filming.

Director Ridley Scott has also shot several of his popular epics here, including Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator. A partial replica of the ancient city of Jerusalem was constructed in the desert for the filming of Kingdom of Heaven, and Scott commissioned local laborers to build a traditional 30,000 mud brick arena to represent the gladiator training facility where Russell Crowe’s Maximus learns to battle.

The first two installments of Brendan Fraser’s The Mummy flicks were shot in Erfoud, where director Stephen Sommers fell in love with a cave-like dormant volcano in the Atlas Mountains. Cast and crew spent 17 weeks between Marrakesh and the mountainous locations, constructing the fictional Hamunaptra city in and around the volcano.

Most recently, the 2010 summer blockbusters Sex and the City 2 and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time were filmed in Morocco. Though Abu Dhabi is featured in the plot, the city scenes in the film are actually in Marrakesh, including the massive Jemaa El Fna marketplace. The desert camp where the fab four spend an evening is not unlike the camp featured in A Journey Back in Time, shot in the dunes of Erg Chebbi outside Merzouga. Prince of Persia’s production crew spent eight weeks in the Sahara, using over 3,000 Moroccan locals as extras in the film.

Movie buffs may be surprised to hear that one film not shot in Morocco was the 1942 classic Casablanca. Though it shares the name of one of Morocco’s most notable cities and the architecture of the tiny cafes and markets endemic to Morocco is evident in the scenes, it was filmed entirely in studio in Los Angeles. One epic that did make use of the desert was Lawrence of Arabia, featuring Moroccan army guards substituting as Turkish soldiers during a battle scene shot outside of Ouarzazate.

Travel to Morocco will offer many surprising experiences in locations you may recognize from your favorite movies. This experiential travel destination boasts ancient ruins from a plethora of cultures, colorful cuisine and bustling markets. Contact us to learn more about traveling to this diverse region.