Quest The Travel Guide Spring 2021

T H E T R AV E L G U I D E

ASIA

AF RICA

EU R OP E

L AT I N A M E R I C A

N O RT H A M E R I C A

SO U T H PACIFIC

MIDDLE EAST

Voted #1 World’s Best Tour Operator

by Travel & Leisure

From Travel + Leisure. © 2020 Meredith Corporation All rights reserved. Used under license.

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

In the early spring of 2020, I felt confident that COVID-19 would be a thing of the past by the fall. But as spring turned to summer and summer to fall, I realized COVID-19 was here to stay a bit longer than we all anticipated.

And yet, as we embark on our second year with COVID-19, I remain optimistic, grateful, and hopeful about travel in 2021 and beyond.

I am optimistic because the worry surrounding international travel in the midst of this pandemic now feels like a thing of the past. We have overcome some of the most fascinating challenges of my career and continue to overcome them with every new travel request and confirmation.

I am grateful because the experience and expertise of our Ker & Downey family continues to impress me, even after all of this time. From the National Parks of the U.S. to the private game reserves of South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya, our staff never stopped traveling in 2020 and 2021.

Their passion for travel allows our clients to explore so many parts of the world stress-free while we handle all the details. As a trusted international tour operator with firsthand insight, we offer everything from seamless COVID-19 testing during your trip to VIP arrival and departure assistance at international airports. We are also at your side to reconfirm and reroute any flight reservations booked through our wonderful air department.

Finally, I am hopeful, because more of our clients are ready to start planning their travel now that vaccines and tests are readily available. And as private accommodations, private tours, and remote destinations become the norm, we stand ready to deliver them all, just as we always have.

Whether your re-entry into travel is a big dream trip you have put off, or you are looking for something closer to home to dip your toes back in the travel waters, Ker & Downey is here for you. When you are ready to start traveling, contact us to help you plan a completely unique itinerary.

David Marek President

ON THE COVER: Portrait of a lion Photo courtesy of Jack’s Camp

WHY WE TRAVEL

By Haley Beham

Why do you travel? Is it to learn about a new culture or to discover your ancestry? Is it to follow your dreams or go in search of meaning? Is it to rest and reset, or simply because you love the thrill of travel itself? There is a myriad of reasons why we travel. After a year spent homebound, we’ve discovered that where you travel is less important than why you travel.

Throughout 2020, people put off seeing family or celebrating milestone events such as anniversaries, graduations, and honeymoons.

In this issue of QUEST Magazine, we’re highlighting how travel can make those delayed celebrations even more special this year.

TO GATHER TOGETHER We were made for connection and relationships. After a year of postponed events, less time with extended family, and low-key holidays, a trip simply to gather might be one of the best reasons to travel this year. Costa Rica is an easy getaway from the States and offers numerous private villa options to accommodate multiple family units or family groups that span multiple generations. However, for something more exotic and far-flung, take your crew on a safari in Botswana. It’s an adventure you will all talk about for years to come.

Photos courtesy of Singita | One&Only Nyungwe House | Chobe Princess

TO CELEBRATE Finding reasons to celebrate shouldn’t be difficult.

We travel to celebrate achievements, milestones, and the people we love. Did you postpone your honeymoon after a rescheduled wedding? Travel. Are you celebrating a 40th wedding anniversary? Travel.

Did your child recently graduate and you want to celebrate them? Travel. Maybe you were supposed to take a trip for your 50th birthday last year, but it was cancelled. Who says you can’t celebrate 51 in a big way? Do it with a trip! We’ve included a few of our favorite itineraries to celebrate honeymoons, graduations, and anniversaries within this issue. Keep in mind, each itinerary can be tailored to fit your specific desires and incorporate your reasons for celebrating.

TO DREAM BIG If we learned anything after a year of closed international borders, it’s this: don’t wait.

Don’t put off the trip you’ve been dreaming about any longer because you never know what obstacles life may bring. Now is the time to go. Because big dream trips often require a little more planning and thinking through logistics, now is the perfect time to start planning.

While these are just some of the reasons why you should make travel part of your celebrations this year, there’s no doubt 2021 will go down as the year to find any possible reason to celebrate. We know you don’t necessarily need a reason to travel, but just in case, here’s one more: travel because you can, and appreciate the freedoms you now enjoy that you missed out on last year.

Whether you travel across the sea or across town, we all have a reason to travel.

What’s your reason going to be this year?

F A M I LY S A F A R I J O U R N E Y

PRIVATE SOUTH AFRICA 1 2 D AY S / 1 1 N I G H T S From the wilds of the South African bush and the Kalahari down to Cape Town and Walker Bay, guests enjoy outstanding luxury properties and various opportunities to explore and experience the richness and diversity of South Africa on full display.

Photos courtesy of Sabi Sabi Tswalu | Grootbos

S U G G E S T E D J O U R N E Y AT A G L A N C E : DAY 1-3: SABI SAND GAME RESERVE | SABI SABI EARTH LODGE DAY 4-6: TSWALU KALAHARI RESERVE | TARKUNI DAY 7-8: CAPE TOWN | ELLERMAN HOUSE VILLAS DAY 9-11: GROOTBOS PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE | GROOTBOS VILLA DAY 12: DEPARTURE

F A M I LY R E U N I O N J O U R N E Y

Photos courtesy of Nayara Resorts | iStock

COSTA RICA FAMILY VACATION 1 0 D AY S / 9

NIGHTS

Ker & Downey’s Costa Rica Family Vacation is an adventure for all. Visit the Northern Plains of the Arenal Volcano, the South Pacific Highlands, and the sunny Northern Pacific Coast of Guanacaste.

S U G G E S T E D J O U R N E Y AT A G L A N C E : DAY 1: SANTA BARBARA DE HEREDIA | FINCA ROSA PLANTATION RESORT DAY 2-4: ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK TABACON THERMAL RESORT & SPA DAY 5-6: SAN ISIDRO DE EL GENERAL HACIENDA ALTAGRACIA DAY 7-9: GUANACASTE | LAS CATALINAS DAY 10: DEPARTURE

M I L E STO N E J O U R N E Y

INTO THE RWANDA WILD 9 D AY S / 8 N I G H T S Journey Into the Rwanda Wild, where mountainous forest habitats are home to some of Africa’s most elusive primates. This nine-day chimpanzee and gorilla trek takes you to luxurious, intimate lodges on the edge of the wild rainforest.

S U G G E S T E D J O U R N E Y AT A G L A N C E : DAY 1: KIGALI | KIGALI SERENA HOTEL DAY 2-4: NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK | ONE&ONLY NYUNGWE HOUSE DAY 5-7: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK | SINGITA KWITONDA DAY 8-9: KIGALI | KIGALI SERENA HOTEL DAY 10: DEPARTURE

Photos courtesy of Bisate | One&Only Nyungwe House

ANNIVERSARY JOURNEY

WINE AND ROMANCE IN SLOVENIA AND CROATIA 1 3 D AY S / 1 2 N I G H T S Romantic cities, fairytale castles, and overflowing wine glasses await in Slovenia and Croatia.

These two Eastern European countries offer an unforgettable wine and romance journey filled with tantalizing flavors, local producers, and undeniable luxury.

Photos courtesy of iStock

S U G G E S T E D J O U R N E Y AT A G L A N C E : DAY 1-3: LJUBLJANA | HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL DAY 4-5: ROVINJ | GRAND PARK HOTEL DAY 6-9: SPLIT | HOTEL PARK DAY 10-12: DUBROVNIK | THE PUCIC PALACE DAY 13: DEPARTURE

ADVENTURE JOURNEY

ECUADOR HORSEBACK RIDING ADVENTURE 9 D AY S / 8 N I G H T S This nine-day Ecuador horseback riding adventure leads you through the breathtaking shadows of the Andean Mountains to uncover the unique artisans, farmers, landscape, and hospitality indigenous to Ecuador’s spectacular highlands.

Photos courtesy of Hacienda Zuleta | Casa Gangotena

S U G G E S T E D J O U R N E Y AT A G L A N C E : DAY 1: QUITO | CASA GANGOTENA DAY 2-6: HORSEBACK RIDING DAYS, OTAVALO HACIENDA ZULETA DAY 7-8: QUITO | CASA GANGOTENA DAY 9: DEPARTURE

Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Stanleys Camp

TH R E E WAYS T O CON TACT US 1. CALL US AT: 800.423.4236 2. GO TO OUR WEBSITE - PLAN YOUR TRIP: W W W. K E R D O W N E Y. C O M 3. EMAIL US AT: L U X U R Y @ K E R D O W N E Y. C O M

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