Witte Travel & Tours

Netherlands Waterway Cruise

Witte Travel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:28:55 +0000

Among the many exceptional features of this cruise tour is its one-of-a-kind itinerary designed to showcase parts of the Netherlands not open to the larger ships.

Ideal for first-time travelers and those who are returning for a second or third visit, this Netherlands Waterway Cruise is a unique opportunity to really see and experience all that Holland has to offer!

To add to your enjoyment, Henk Witte, President and CEO of Witte Travel & Tours, will join you on board the Salvinia. Henk was born in the Netherlands and he looks forward to sharing all the treasures of his native country with you! In addition, we will have a Witte Travel tour manager on board.

After the cruise, join us for an optional land tour to Germany and Switzerland.

A Journey to the Land of the Text

Witte Travel — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:53:16 +0000

A study trip to the land of Israel is the ideal experience to strengthen your spirituality and knowledge of the Biblical Text. Such a trip enables you to visualize the places where the key events in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts actually took place.

ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE
Imagine visiting and studying in the land where the events of the Bible actually occurred—an unforgettable journey of breathless views and spiritually uplifting experiences. This trip is not just a guided bus tour of church sites and souvenir shops. It is in-depth exposure to the country of Israel. Picture yourself reading about David slaying Goliath while standing at the spot where the event took place…gazing out over the Judean Wilderness where “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” announced the coming of Christ…looking over the Sea of Galilee from atop a cliff and reviewing the ministry of Christ along its shores. The study tour combines historical, geographical, and spiritual aspects, in hopes of providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the land of Israel.

NATURE OF THE TRIP
This trip is for Kuyper College students, friends of the college, and anyone who wishes to experience an inspiring adventure of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Word. Israel is a land of plains, hills, mountains, water, and desert. To fully experience all that Israel has to offer, walking, hiking, and a little bit of getting wet should be expected. Alternate routes, excluding any strenuous hiking, will be available; though some unpaved trail walking should be expected.

A Journey Through the Land: Israel ~ Palestine

Witte Travel — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:42:59 +0000

Ideal for anyone interested in combining mission and service with an in-depth experience of the Holy Land, this tour begins with five nights and four days as guests in the homes of Palestinian Christians. We’ll serve at Bethlehem Bible College, a refugee camp, a center for developmentally disabled adults, a home for the blind; and we’ll help local farmers and others.

Our mission and service time is followed by a vigorous spiritual and Biblical journey to each of Israel’s seven geographical centers where we’ll discover

Old Testament battlegrounds in the Shephelah
The desert wanderings of the Israelites and the land of Abraham
The wilderness area of David and Jesus stories and the Jordan Valley
The Sea of Galilee and Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee
The Jezreel Valley of Elijah, Ahab, Deborah, Barak, and others
The Coastal Plan and Caesarea
The Judah Mountains and Jerusalem

Chemins de Sante: Roads to Wellness

Witte Travel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:39:46 +0000

A longing for wellbeing and wholeness dominates many lives, and few activities reveal as much about the dynamics of this quest as travel and encounters with the arts. In this spirit of self-care and discovery, the Hektoen Institute of Medicine’s Nurses and the Humanities Program is pleased to present its second journey to France. We will visit important sites in Southern France along the pilgrimage routes of St. James. Our group will be limited to 18 participants.

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, also known in English as “The Way of St James” or in French as “Le Chemin de Saint Jacques” has existed for over a thousand years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages in the Middle Ages. In our times, over 100,000 pilgrims travel to Santiago, Spain each year from routes all over Europe. Our group will travel by bus from Lyon to Toulouse in the Southwest of France and stop in medieval villages and towns of artistic and historical significance along the pilgrimage route. There will be the option to hike parts of the trail at some of the sites. Regardless of this option, be aware that the tour will require a moderate level of walking each day.

Travelers will be encouraged to live this tour as a pilgrimage in its broad spiritual sense, like a journey to refocus on the important things in life, engage in personal reflections and maybe discover something about themselves. In addition to sightseeing and guided tours, we will engage in various activities to cultivate self-care and renewal such as journaling, hiking, group discussion, conscientious dining, and practicing the arts of looking and listening.

Luxury Resorts in Cabo San Lucas

Shelley Kohtz — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:57:38 +0000

Dreams Los Cabos

Dreams Los Cabos was our “home” for the first two nights of our stay. Dreams is located in the corridor just a few miles outside of Cabo San Lucas and is a very beautiful, all-inclusive resort. This property was formerly the Melia Suites and was rennovated in 2007/2008 and a new wing was also added to the property. This open-air, all-suite resort features a large, freeform swimming pool, health club and spa, and panoramic views of the ocean. This resort—the first and only 24-hour full-service, luxury resort in Los Cabos–is perfect for just about anyone…singles, couples and families! It’s also a great choice for destination weddings.

Zoetry Casa del Mar

The all-inclusive Zoetry Casa del Mar is located next door to Dreams Los Cabos and guests staying here have access to the amenities at Dreams. Zoetry Casa del Mar is a 42-suite, hacienda-style boutique hotel. There is a “desert feel” to this resort. Even though the resort sits on the beautiful Sea of Cortez, all the landscaping is rock and cactus. It has a very “zen”-like feel to it. This resort is great for couples looking for pampering. Zoetry offers their “Endless Privileges” program focusing on wellness, serenity and romance. NOTE: Children under age 2 are not permitted at this resort.

Capella Pedregal

The Capella Pedregal is probably the most unique resort I have ever visited! It opened in July, 2009 and has already been recognized by Conde Nast as one of the best hotels in the world. The resort was carved through the heart of the mountain that separates Cabo San Lucas and the Pacific Ocean. Guests arriving at the Capella Pedregal enter through a private tunnel lit with crystal chandeliers! The Capella Pedregal is just steps away from the shops, dining and entertainment of Cabo San Lucas. The rooms here (the smallest of which is 820 square feet!) all have fireplaces and private plunge pools. The El Farallon Restaurant was built right into the cliffs on the side of the mountain and features firepits along the outside dining deck. The resort has a very secluded feel, though it is only a short distance into town. This resort is good for couples, honeymooners and families looking for seclusion.

Marquis Los Cabos

The Marquis Los Cabos opened in 2003 and is a member of the “Leading Hotels of the World”. The Marquis is located near many of the great Cabo golf courses. The staff is dedicated to surpassing guests’ expectation with a passion for details, attention to service and excellence. Rooms are large (a minimum of 650 square feet) and offer complimentary breakfasts each morning delivered to your private in-room “nicho”.

The Marquis has a full-service spa and fitness center as well as 3 main pools.

This resort is good for couples, singles and families.

Villas del Mar

The Villas del Mar is nestled along a two-mile stretch of pristine oceanfront property. The Villas combine the best of both worlds…a luxury vacation home and the services and amenities of a full-service luxury resort! Two, three and four bedroom casitas are available and all offer private pools. Private chef service is included. Club Ninety-Six is Mexico’s finest private members only beach club exclusively for Villa del Mar guests. This resort also has one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo at Club Ninety-Six in Palmilla Cove. Guests staying here can also enjoy access to the One&Only Palmilla Spa, Golf Course, Agua Bar and Restaurant and C’s Bar and Restaurant. This resort is very spread out and some villas may be a good distance from the Beach Club. Golf Carts are needed to get around.

NOTE: A new development, “Espiritu”, is currently in development and under construction next to the Villas del Mar. These villas will be a bit smaller and not so “over the top”.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica

The Pueblo Bonito Pacifica was our “home” for the second two nights of our stay. It is Cabo’s first and only luxury wellness-oriented resort exclusively for adults (no one under the age of 16). Guests can try a yoga class on the beach, take a dip in the sparkling pool, indulge in a massage in the privacy of your room or private beach bed or enjoy the wonderful spa! There is complimentary shuttle service to the sister properties—Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Pueblo Bonito Rose, and Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos—and guests may reserve tables at the other Pueblo Bonito properties and also enjoy their pools, beaches and other amenities. Rooms here are more contemporary and stark. They have a full-service spa which was totally amazing! NOTE: This resort is completely non-smoking both in rooms and in all public area!

ME by Melia Cabo

This resort is located on one of the only swimmable beaches in Cabo San Lucas! ME is a fairly quiet resort Sunday through Wednesdays, but is “the” place to be on the weekends! Thursday is “Ladies Night” and the drinks are free! The Passion Club is the hottest scene in Cabo where Mex-Med cuisine is served along with Cabo’s best cocktails, tapas, and dance tunes. This resort is very high-energy and is perfect for the young, sexy, “beautiful” people crowd! The “Level Floor” (concierge floor) is adults ages 18 and up only.

The One&Only Palmilla

The One&Only Palmilla was my favorite resort we visited! This resort was origianlly built in the 1950’s. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were two of the partners that owned this resort and they promoted heavily to the Hollywood crowd. Today, many celebrities (including Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and John Travolta) seek out this tropical hideaway. Conde Nast currently lists this resort as #15 in the world! This serenely private and sensually elegant resort features expansive ocean-facing rooms, each with a private veranda, sun beds, and indulgent amenities. The resort has a ratio of 5 employees to each room! Although this resort will allow families and children, they do try to keep the rooms on the south side of the resort for adults only (near the adult only pool) and put the families on the north side (closer to the children’s pool and Agua Pool). There is a pool concierge available to provide complimentary iPods, audio books, afternoon snacks, Evian Spritzers and other services. The north side of the resort does have a swimmable beach. The grounds at this resort are beautiful, lush and tropical. The spa features 13 private treatment “villas” offering a beautifully appointed air-conditioned massage pavilion and open-air garden. Double villas include rain showers, Mexican daybeds and whirlpool baths as well as private vanity areas fully stocked with all locker amenities. There are no elevators at this resort and some rooms are on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors. The resort has an on-site Chapel. This resort is good for singles, couples, honeymooners and families—anyone looking for a luxurious experience!

Pueblo Bonita Sunset Beach

This spectacular getaway provides incredible views from hacienda-style villas overlooking a magnificent expanse of private beach and sparkling blue seas. Luxurious all-suite accommodations offer a relaxing escape. This resort also features an on-site Chapel, wine cellar and cigar bar. The unique infinity Sky Pool high above the golden sand provides incomparable ocean views. The resort sits adjacent to the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort. All suites offer kitchen facilities and there is even a small “grocery store and deli” where you can stock up on food and snacks. There are 5 pools, a children’s pool and swim up bars. Each pool has a different atmosphere. The spa at Sunset Beach has 22 treatment rooms and an extensive fitness center. NOTE: This resort is not recommended for the physically challenged due to it’s location on a hillside. The hotel complex is spread out, and employee-driven motorized carts are used to get around to the different areas. These could be difficult for persons with physical limitation to board.

Cabo San Lucas

Shelley Kohtz — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:49:48 +0000

This FAM was sponsored and escorted by MLT (Delta) Vacations. There were 22 agents from across the country that participated in this site-intensive FAM focusing on their luxury products.

Cabo San Lucas is basically an extension of the State of California into Mexico on the Baja Peninsula. Los Cabos is basically comprised of three distinct areas: Cabo San Lucas, The Corridor and San Jose del Cabo. Although most of the resorts in Cabo sit directly on the water and have beautiful beaches, few of them offer swimmable beaches. Cabo is also one of the safest destinations in Mexico with a nearly non-existent crime rates!

The city of Cabo San Lucas boasts large hotels on almost every available piece of land. The city is very walkable and restuarants, bars and shops curve around the entire perimeter of the Cabo San Lucas Harbor. Most of the hotels in this area are “non-inclusive” resorts.

The Corridor is where you will find most of the glamorous and ritzy hotels! Developers are deliberately keeping this area very high-end and private. Most resorts are guard-gated, luxury developments and have amazing views of the Sea of Cortez.

San Jose del Cabo is closest to the airport and also has the most authentic feel. Here you will find a downtown area that is quaint and appealing. Just outside the city is the hotel zone where you will find the hotels, resorts (both all-inclusive and non-inclusive), and time-share properties.

University of Alabama: 2011 Organ Study Tour

Witte Travel — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:50:04 +0000

The University of Alabama’s 2011 organ study tour is the fourth in a series of distinctive tours designed and led by Faythe Freese and Keith Cole for organists, students, and organ enthusiasts. On the 2005 journey, Faythe’s and Keith’s group visited numerous Baroque and Romantic instruments in former East Germany. Immersing themselves in all things French, participants on the 2007 tour were thrilled with visits to organs in Paris, Chartres, Poitiers, and Versailles. The 2009 tour was another extravagant feast for the ears and eyes, this time in some of the most delightful spots in England.

With a view to topping their previous tours, Faythe and Keith have chosen Northern Italy and its wealth of Renaissance 18th- and 19th-century organs as their focus for 2011. Of course, they were also thinking about this area’s beautiful scenery, cultural and historic heritage, and its amazing food and wines!

Our tour will begin with arrival in Milano, Italy’s second-largest city and the capital of Lombardy. From here, we’ll travel into Emilia-Romagna for a three-night stay in the Colorno area. Touring here will include visits to Mantova and Bologna. And then it will be time for the almost-mythical island city of Venice, where we’ll have two nights and a whole free day. Next on our agenda is Verona, legendary home of Romeo and Juliet, after which we’ll headquarter ourselves in or near the beautiful medieval city of Bergamo for our last three nights in Italy.

peace…love…yoga

Melinda Rowe — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:38:30 +0000

Join Michele Fife from Seva Yoga in Ubud, Bali for the opening celebration of Stay Human…a beautiful Yoga and Retreat Center dedicated to bringing people together to practice Yoga, Meditation, Art and Music! Founded by Michael Franti and Carla Swanson, the exquisitely-designed property offers tranquil lodging for a total of 24 guests in the Main House or the Ashram. The lush grounds are filled with tropical gardens, waterfalls, and ornate ponds. An open-air Yoga studio, covered by a traditional Balinese thatch roof, is located on the third floor of the Main House… imagine practicing Yoga with spectacular views of rice terraces, temples, and one of the greenest jungles in the world! After your Yoga practice, enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool and pick fresh fruit from the abundance of mango, jackfruit, banana, mangostein, rambutan, papaya, and coconut trees. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is open to just 22 guests. Be one of the privileged few to bless the Retreat Center with Shakti and Prana as you connect with nature and your true self during this unique adventure!

Treasures of Vietnam and Cambodia

Witte Travel — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:42:55 +0000

Johannes and Lynda Witte invite you to join them on an intriguing and wondrous journey to Vietnam and Cambodia. This tour will include visits to Hanoi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, the Imperial City of Hue, the 16th century trading center of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, the Chu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, and a boat ride up the Mekong River from Vietnam to Phnom Penh. The tour will end in Angkor, Cambodia with a visit to the celebrated temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Don’t miss this opportunity to travel with a small group and experience the culture of these two countries!

In the Steps of Jesus: Pilgrimage to Israel

Witte Travel — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:35:05 +0000

In the Steps of Jesus is planned as a “disciple’s pilgrimage,” following in the footsteps of Jesus to not only understand the Gospels and the early church in its historical, geographical, and cultural context, but to also increase our commitment to wholeheartedly respond to His invitation to “Follow Me.” While some Old Testament sites will be visited, the pilgrimage will focus mainly on visiting New Testament sites in Galilee, along the Jordan Valley, and Jerusalem.

View the website Pastor Bill and Lyn Vanden Bosch have put together for their Israel Pilgrimage.