Look Like a Butterfly

Do you know what "to do a butterfly" means?

The last time I was in Costa Rica I wanted to try one of the canopy zip trails. So, while in Monteverde, I signed up for the zipline tour through the Cloud Forest. I have to admit after signing up the night before I had a tremendous amount of apprehension. They told me at the hotel that if they didn't get enough people to sign up the trip would be canceled. So I kept hoping that it might be canceled and I could at least say that I tried to do a canopy tour!

Well, no such luck. The following morning there was a small group going and they were all pretty gung ho, jock types and could not wait to get there. This is so unbelievably well organized when you get there, they explain all the safety features and put you in a harness like a window washer. You climb up some trees (there are pegs in the side of the tree) and also cross over some swinging rope bridges en route to a platform which is built high up around the tree. Keep in mind that it is also hilly so from one tree platform to another in the rain forest there is an incline which is what actually makes you go flying Tarzan style along the zip line from one tree top platform to another! Also, when you land there is another person waiting for you on that platform and helps you brake (hopefully not break!) as you are going quite fast, also there is something like a gym floor mat wrapped around the actual tree.

I was quite nervous and I guess the staff sensed this as they chose me to be the first person to go! In a way, it was the best thing as I didn't have time to think. It was exhilarating. Most people get to walk in a rain forest but to be up in the canopy seeing everything from this vantage point is really something. Monkeys, birds, etc.

Oh, back to the butterfly. Although I did see actual butterflies, "doing the butterfly" is something quite different. One of the staff members asked me "mariposa?" I didn't understand him until he explained that we go down the zip line together, with my legs wrapped around his waist, hanging upside down so that from the air, we look like a butterfly. Pretty cool, huh? I can't really believe iI did this, actually twice! The first time the person taking my photo jammed their camera. I thought if I am going to do this , at least let me get it on film. So I had to do it a second time. If the tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it..... the rain forest that is!

I can't wait to go back and do it again! (Fran Gellar - Area Sales Manager, Midwest)

Cheetahs - Up Close & Personal

On one of our staff educational trips to South Africa I had one of the best experiences of my life. We were exploring South Africa's beautiful Cape Winelands area located about an hour or so outside Cape Town. We visited the university town of Stellenbosch - looks just like an English university town with all the charm you would expect. Then on to the Spier estate that includes a world class hotel and conference center for an exceptional wine tasting experience and tasty lunch. We selected the wines we would like with our excellent lunch and then after our feast walked over to their small wine store to purchase the vintages that excited our palate... so good! After walking throughout the beautiful Spier grounds I thought we were then going to head back to Cape Town for a little shopping and dinner on the V&A Waterfront.

Well, that would have to wait for a little bit because we were in for a big surprise...

The Spier's family donated land to the Cheetah Outreach Project - a small group of people that volunteer to hand raise baby cheetahs (how's that for a fun job!) to be "ambassadors". The staff shared their extensive knowledge with us and we had an opportunity to see some very young ones up close and personal.Then the surprise... the opportunity to pet one of the amazing cheetahs. Thinking it would be one of the babies... I said sure. Well, we were led over to a large run pen and there was a full grown very large (as compared to the babies) beautiful male cheetah. He was in a good mood (thank goodness) so we were advised to come into the enclosure slowly, get down on our haunches and pet him on his back... NOT the head or feet as we could lose a digit or two! His fur is not soft kitty cat like but rather more rough like a Brillo pad! As I was petting him he turned his head to look at me... yikes, what pretty yellow eyes you have kitty! We were only in the pen for a few minutes but what a thrill... just amazing! This was one of many fantastic experiences on this trip of a lifetime... (Jim Kivlehan, Vice President Sales & Marketing)

Guilt-Free Getaways

United Travel Group blasts the myth that an Africa vacation is only for the rich with our Guilt-Free Getaways, a collection of short getaways to East and Southern Africa that start as low as $1,695 per person, including airfare from New York (departure taxes and fuel surcharges are additional).

"We focus on making safaris affordable," says Jeannie Rodgers, company president. "By putting our buying power to work, we're able to design safaris that don't skimp on amenities but are extremely affordable. The collection features something for everyone: independent travelers can use our Cape Town Breakaway (starting at just $1,695 per person) as a quick relaxing break or the foundation of a longer, pan-African adventure. Honeymooners can venture to the idyllic Indian Ocean island of Mauritius and history buffs will enjoy our Glimpses of Egypt journey which includes a 3-night Nile River cruise. One of the most popular tours is our 9-Day Highlights of Kenya which features Mt. Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara -- starting at $2,595 per person. There are currently six Guilt-Free Getaways all starting at less than $3,000 per person, including airfare from New York (add-ons are available from other cities). You can find full details on our website at www.unitedtravelgroup.com."

United Travel Group's experienced Tour Consultants work with travelers from start to finish, creating a personalized vacation within their budget. UTG's flexibility not only gives travelers the option to mix and match different hotels to splurge in some places and "conserve" in others, but in most cases, tours can be designed to depart on almost any day of the week. And because United Travel Group arranges tours throughout East Africa and Southern Africa, travelers can arrange a full pan-African experience with just one phone call.

Guilt-Free Getaways give back to the community as well. For each passenger who takes a Guilt-Free Getaway, UTG makes a donation to one of several wildlife conservation efforts.

"Our Guilt-Free Getaways are extremely popular. With the built-in flexibility, many travelers extend the tours to other destinations or substitute a favorite lodge. Guilt-Free Getaways allow travelers to indulge in the ultimate vacation - and not break the bank," said Rodgers.