The Breakaway Travel Blog

Air France Makes the Skies More Friendly

2008-04-15T09:19:00.001-04:00

Don’t put away that cell phone just yet on your next flight over France. You may soon be able to talk with friends and family or whomever you desire while flying the friendly skies. AirFrance, with partner OnAir, are launching a trial of inflight voice calls in what is the first full mobile phone service onboard a commercial aircraft.

The trial started several months ago, allowing passengers to send and receive unlimited SMS text messages and emails, including attachments. The company recently added to that the ability to make and receive up to six simultaneous calls. The service is activated above 3000 metres and is charged according to your phone company’s agreement.

Air France, founded in 1933, operates 1,700 daily flights with a fleet of 393 aircraft, including 134 regional aircraft operated by its subsidiaries Britair, CityJet and Régional.

Calling All Winos!

2008-04-11T15:45:00.002-04:00

What’s better than a great trip paired with fine wine? We can’t think of much! So we’re offering all our guests a free bottle of Tuscan wine with every tour dinner when you book our Gastronomic Walk in Tuscany.

Just imagine sipping a great bottle of red or white after a delicious day meandering through the hills of Tuscany. This tour is set in northern Tuscany between Bologna, Faenza and Florence. You’ll travel through a landscape of sunflower fields, flower-filled woodlands, ancient mule tracks, deserted stone farmhouses and panoramic hill towns set below the Apennine hills.

Heck, you might even save a bottle for an impromptu picnic with a majestic view. Cheers!

British Airways’ Heathrow Fiasco

2008-04-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

No doubt you’ve heard about the mess created by British Airways at their new highly-touted terminal at Heathrow in London. Starting with the first flight out of the terminal, the luggage system did not function properly, causing thousands of lost bags and an equal number of frustrated travelers, one irate Naomi Campbell included (later arrested for her tirade).

Sure, one never expects international travel to be fun (the good stuff starts when you arrive at your destination), but it should never be this unpleasant. We here at Breakaway Adventures are very disappointed with British Airways and the handling of this fiasco.

Were you affected? What do you think of how they managed the mess? Let us know!

Say Goodbye to Leg Cramps on Long Flights

2008-04-04T08:14:00.000-04:00

Tired of cramped seats on long overseas flights? Finally, an airline has come up with a reasonable option to give squished flyers a little more space.

JetBlue, already known for its legroom, announced recently that’s it has reconfigured its A320 fleet so that there are six rows with even more legroom! So, for a fee as low as $10 extra bucks you can get a full 38 inches (their regular seats have 34 inches, still above the standard) of legroom.

"Lots of Legroom, free TVs, generous snacks and friendly service are all part of the core JetBlue Experience, and these in-flight perks will always be provided at no extra cost to the customer," says Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "Our new value-added legroom product gives customers the option to make their flight even more comfortable and enjoyable with Even More Legroom, but not at the expense of other customers."

Hooray!

Which Trip Suits Your “Taste”?

2008-04-01T15:31:00.002-04:00

Food is a big part of many Breakaway Adventures trips from sidewalk cafes, to elegant sit-down meals to picnics overlooking beautiful views. But when sorting through all of our tours, many of which are centered around food and wine, which do you choose?

Those looking for the finest of the fine are a perfect fit for France. Our favorites include Brittany for seafood, the Lot and Dordogne for its rich, powerful menus -- foie gras, confit de canard and world-famous truffles -- and Provence where the air is heavy with the scent of wild herbs, garlic and lavender.

If home-cooked meals are a little more your style, consider Italy. Known for their straightforward menus relying on fresh, seasonal and local produce, Alto Mugello, Chianti, and Piedmont offer the most gastronomic options. You've also got some fantastic wines here, including full-bodied Barolo's, Barbaresco's and Dolcetto's.

If the meal is all about getting to know your fellow diners, try Spain, Greece, Turkey and North Africa, where mealtimes are very much a social occasion with many dishes served to share. You have tapas in Spain, mezze in Greece, and Turkey and fragrant tajines in Morroco with lots of choice for vegetarians too. And, wherever you visit in the Mediterranean, you'll come across wonderful outdoor markets selling sun-ripened fruits, colorful vegetables and pungent spices.
We’re certain with all these choices you can find just the right fit for your palate – the hardest part is choosing which to try first!

Wine and Wheels

2008-03-27T16:50:00.001-04:00

Make your dreams of rolling golden hills, sumptuous wine and superb cycling come true on one of our most popular tours: Tuscany Cycling.

This 8-day, 7-night cycling tour takes you through some of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages and lets you make plenty of stops to sample the region’s sumptuous wines.

On the tour, you’ll see ancient monasteries, vineyards, museums and more and cycle through Siena, Volterra and Monteriggioni. Dates run from April to November, so book soon before your dreams of Italy fade away.

Gold Performance by Silverjet

2008-03-24T16:05:00.001-04:00

In an era where airlines continue to do things wrong, it seems one at least is doing some things right. Silverjet, a British airline offering a private plane experience for significantly less cost, recently released some impressive statistics for February, showing 87% of their departures were on time and that they had filled 10% more seats than the previous month.

“We are delighted to report that Silverjet is the most punctual airline on both our London to New York and London to Dubai services,” says Lawrence Hunt, chief executive of Silverjet.

“Official data published by the Civil Aviation Authority this week confirms that Silverjet, for the third consecutive month in a row, is the top on time performer on the London to New York route and the top performer on London to Dubai for the second month in a row, which is extremely gratifying after only two months of operation. For the year as a whole, Silverjet was the top UK carrier flying from London to New York. We are very proud of this excellent performance which demonstrates our focus on service delivery. We look forward to maintaining our pole position throughout 2008."

Save on Your Next French Adventure

2008-03-21T14:01:00.001-04:00

Dying to wander through the French countryside, but finding the price a bit too steep? We’ve got the answer. We’re offering 20% off the per person price on several of our walking tours to France.

The tours include:

The eight-day Valleys & Volcanoes Walk in the Massif Central region of France, departing on May 18. This tour is based in the traditional mountain village of Les Estables and offers views of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Mont Ventoux.
Our eight-day High Pyrenees Walk, near the Spanish border of France, departing on May 31. This independent tour is an ornithologist’s dream – you’ll see eagles, vultures and grand tetra set against a backdrop of high peaks, mountain streams and passes, lush meadows and picturesque villages.

Just think, you can put that extra money toward next year’s trip or save it to purchase some special mementos of your French getaway. Contact us now to book one of these money-saving adventures.

Lovin’ the Lake!

2008-03-18T11:27:00.001-04:00

One of our newest cycling tours has proven to be a hit with many dates now sold out. So, we’ve decided to give you more opportunities to explore the beautiful country around Lake Constance. We recently added several new dates from May 4 to Sept. 28 to accommodate demand for the 11-day Lake Constance Cycling tour.

The tour takes you through several countries in Northern Europe, including Austria, Switzerland and Germany, cycling past fairytale palaces, romantic castles, cherry orchards and café-lined waterfronts all with amazing views of the snow-capped Alpines. There are plenty of beautiful beaches all around the lake, as well, if you feel like catching some rays or taking a dip.

Contact us now to book your lake journey before these dates fill up, too!

Get Going to Gozo!

2008-03-13T21:17:00.002-04:00

Where in the world is Gozo, you ask? You may never have heard of it, but it’s a beautiful island in the Mediterranean definitely worth checking out. It’s popular with British tourists, but mostly unknown to Americans.

We offer a cycling and walking trip to this island jewel that is part of the Malta archipelago. Travelers take a ferry boat to the remote island best known for its “azure window,” an archway which frames the crystal blue sea and sky. The natural formation is often used in movie shoots and was featured in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Clash of the Titans” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”

On the trips, guests walk or cycle past beaches, fishing harbors, small hilltop villages, windmills and Baroque churches throughout the island. You can even schedule an appointment at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Spa, one of Europe’s leading spas, for a little post-walk or ride muscle massage.

We highly recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere truly off the beaten path! Check out our blog that follows one person's journey on our cycling tour and watch a video about the Gozo tours.

The Three P’s of Safe and Healthy Travel

2008-03-10T15:39:00.001-04:00

There’s nothing more important than being safe when you travel overseas. Check out this Podcast from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that gives international travelers simple tips on how they can be proactive, prepared and protected when planning a trip abroad.

How Slow Can You Go?

2008-03-06T15:55:00.001-05:00

Too often on vacation, we hurry, hurry, hurry, trying to fit in everything possible every day of our trip (think Disney World). Well, a new movement is encouraging travelers to take a different mindset, and instead, slow down and enjoy the ride.

The slow movement, which extends beyond travel, is about taking the time to do things properly fully and effectively. It started with the slow food movement in the 1980s.

Slowness absolutely something all of our trips at Breakaway Adventures are about. Forget racing from landmark to attraction to museum before the sun sets. We want you to wander, pedal through the back roads of places you’ve never been, stop and chat with the locals, have a picnic in the grass overlooking a spectacular view, discover a roadside café, take a dive in the hidden lake, hike through thick forests.

Forget hopping on the bus and looking at your destination through a window as you journey to the next stop on your itinerary. Get out and explore, at your own pace on your own time, and make your own fun.

If you want to find out more about how to go slow, check out these links:

Are You Ready for Spring Break?

2008-03-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

Let the festivities begin! Spring break is almost here and that means college students and families will be heading out on trips across the world. If a spring break adventure abroad is part of your plans this year, make sure you have all the documents you need to travel in time for your departure date.

According to the US Department of State:

As of January of last year, everyone traveling into and out of the US by air must have a passport. If you don’t have one, apply as soon as possible!
As of this January, US residents 19 and older traveling to Western Hemisphere countries by land or ferry must show proof of citizenship. This includes a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, and a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport.

So get all your documents in order and have a safe journey.

Share Your Thoughts With the TSA

2008-02-28T15:57:00.002-05:00

Got something to say – good or bad – about the Transportation Security Administration? Check out their blog at www.tsa.gov/blog, which started Jan. 30, and let them know your thoughts.

According to a New York Times article, Kip Hawley, TSA director, started the blog titled Evolution of Security, “to harness the amount of energy that’s out there, and our need to get the passenger and us on the same side.”

And it’s not a bunch of promotional talk, either. They allow real back and forth, including plenty of complaints, between Hawley and his readers. On the blog, you’ll also find the latest news and updates about the TSA and its procedures, as well as links to other independent bloggers, personal blogs by five TSA employees and news reports.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll even encourage change. Says the New York Times: “Last week, readers scored a point after some complained about a security procedure. At some airports, screeners had been ordering passengers to remove all electronics from their bags, rather than just laptops. There is no such rule. ‘We learned that this exercise was set up by local T.S.A. officers,’ the agency reported back on the blog. By Monday afternoon, the word had gone out to T.S.A. screeners nationally: BlackBerrys, iPods and other electronics stay in bags.”

New Date for Provence Coastal Walk

2008-02-25T10:44:00.002-05:00

Have you been dreaming of a trip through the lavender fields of Provence? Apparently, you’re not alone! The guided Provence Coastal Walk has been one of our most popular trips this year with many dates already sold out. So to meet demand, we’ve decided to add another departure date on May 18, which is a great time of year to see the exotic Mediterranean flora.

So why has it proven to be such a hit? You’ll get to wander through quiet coves, sheltered creeks, coastal paths and lush hill valleys with orange trees, peaches, almonds, corks and Aleppo pines. You'll also visit traditional Provencal villages, have the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean and walk in the glamorous Cote d'Azur. To finish off the week, there's an unforgettable champagne lunch on a private sailing yacht around millionaire’s bay!

If that sounds right up your alley, call soon, as each tour is limited to eight people.

Continental Goes High Tech

2008-02-21T09:55:00.001-05:00

If it’s entertainment you’re looking for on your next flight, then you should consider booking with Continental. The Houston-based airlines just announced that beginning in January 2009, it will offer in-flight satellite television and Wi-Fi Internet access through an agreement with LiveTV LLC, a unit of JetBlue Airways Corp.

The new features will be available on US flights at every seat on next generation aircraft. Satellite television will be free in first-class, and will be available for $6 to economy-class customers. They are also working with LiveTV, testing Wi-Fi connectivity services that will allow access to e-mail and instant messaging while onboard. Imagine the work you could get done!

Click here for more details.

New Tours for '08

2008-02-18T16:53:00.001-05:00

Planning your vacation for 2008? Now is the time! And we’ve got lots of new tours you can choose from.

New for this year include more than 20 tours from Africa to Portugal. We won’t go through them all (you can visit our Web site to see the complete list), but some of the highlights include:

Back Roads of Provence Cycling – A self-guided cycling tour that takes you past the Gothic Popes’ Palace in Medieval Avignon, the Greco -Roman Arles, as well as forests, vineyards and olive groves.
Wicklow Way (Ireland) – Stroll along the Wicklow Way, Ireland's oldest way marked trail that goes from Marlay Park in Dublin to Clonegal on the borders of Wicklow and Carlow, covering a distance of 127 kilometres.
Hills of Hungary Walk – An independent walking tour through Baroque towns and past Ottoman ruins, castles, caverns and war graves with optional extra nights in Budapest.

Our new 2008 brochures are also available. If you’d like one, send us your information here and one will be on its way to you very soon.

Know Before You Go

2008-02-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

When you travel, it’s always better to do a little research on what’s going on at your destination. From the weather to the current exchange rate and even what’s going on in the news, you should be prepared for what might come your way when traveling. Of course, at Breakaway Adventures, we’re always here to answer any questions you might have about your destination and what to expect.

Here are a few of our favorite links that offer a variety of helpful travel information:

River Sports Outfitters – We recommend this site for purchasing supplies.
ABC of Hiking.com - Hiking, trekking and camping information.
World Weather Update
Currency Exchange Rates
U.S. State Department
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Travel health advisories
U.S. Passport Office
Travelex Travel Insurance Services

Let us know if you have other suggestions!

Lighting up Abroad

2008-02-01T10:38:00.000-05:00

Gone are the days of enjoying a delicious croissant, cup of coffee and cigarette at sidewalk cafés in France. As of Jan. 1, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs joined a nationwide ban on smoking, just 11 months after smoking was banned in workplaces, schools, hospitals and shops throughout the country. Even though the country is trying to become more health conscious, it’s going to be a difficult habit to break for France’s estimated 13.5 million smokers. But with a hefty fine, 450 euros (about $645 dollars), the French will have to find a way to quit.

This ban comes six months after Great Britain decided to make its pubs smoke-free and four years after Ireland banned smoking in public spaces, the first to take such a stance in Europe.

Read the full article.

Short on Vacation Time?

2008-01-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Aren’t we all wishing we had more time to travel! Even if you don’t have many vacation days left for the year, we offer a “taster” tour-- five-day/four-night versions of some of our more popular walking and cycling tours through France and the Swiss Alps, which typically last from seven to 11 days.

The tours, all self-guided or fully-supported independent, include the same level of service, such as well-maintained bikes for cycling tours, accommodations at charming inns and daily continental breakfast and dinner. A representative is also always on call to answer questions, move luggage each day and even deliver wine purchases to the hotel.

You can take your pick of the following tours for your work-week getaway:

Heart of Provence
Loire Gastronomic Cycling (the quality of cuisine is emphasized on "gastronomic" tours)
Abbeys and Vineyards Cycling in Burgundy
Hidden Valleys Cycling in Lot
Bays of Brittany Cycling
Walkers can choose tours of varying levels of difficulty in the Loire Valley and Alsace and Burgundy regions of France, as well as the Bernese Oberland in the Swiss Alps.

*Click on “additional information” for each trip to find information on how to shorten the trips.

Prices start at $995 per person for double occupancy and do not include airfare. Call us at 1-800-567-6286 for more details!

And Another Aviation Update…

2008-01-22T10:19:00.000-05:00

If you’re a frequent flyer like us, limits on the number of flights to an airport makes us cringe a little. So when we heard about new caps on flights to New York City, we were concerned. Although congestion is problem in the skies around New York City and we are all for improvements to air travel, all of our international trips require travelers to fly to major hubs, including New York City. As scheduling flights can be tricky, we hoped this wouldn’t negatively impact our client’s schedules.

Then we saw this article in the Wall Street Journal about British Airways planning to fly new routes between continental Europe and New York City—whew! To do this, the airline said it will create OpenSkies, a subsidiary that will start flying a Boeing 757 jetliner in June from New York to either Brussels or Charles de Gaulle in Paris. So if you’re making travel plans for this summer, keep British Airways in mind!

New for 2008

2008-01-18T11:30:00.001-05:00

Yes, 2008 has finally arrived and so have lots of new tours from Breakaway Adventures!

New for this year include more than 20 tours from Nepal to South Africa. We won’t go through them all (you can visit our Web site to see the complete list), but some of the highlights include:

Back Roads of Provence Cycling
Lake Como Walk in Italy – Heck, you might even run into George Clooney as you traverse this beautiful landscape!
Everest Panorama -
Highlights of Peru guided walk – An 18-day guided tour of the best of Peru including the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

Our new 2008 brochures are also available. If you’d like one, send us your information here and one will be on its way to you very soon.

Watch out for your batteries…

2008-01-15T10:10:00.000-05:00

Concerns that batteries on board planes could overheat and catch fire resulted in new regulations that took effect Jan. 1 for travelers who carry batteries on flights. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, travelers are no longer allowed to pack loose lithium batteries in their checked luggage. Instead, passengers can pack spare batteries in plastic bags or original retail packaging in their checked luggage.

Now if you’re wondering about your laptop, camera, cell phone, etc…don’t panic. The new rules allow travelers to bring these devices on board or in their checked luggage if lithium batteries are installed on the item.

For detailed information about these new regulations, please visit http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html.

See us on Camera!

2008-01-07T15:39:00.001-05:00

Online video is definitely one of the hottest things on the Web these days, so we decided to join the club. New this year on our Web site (and you might find them on YouTube and a few other video sharing sites, too) are video previews of some of our tours.

You’ll get an overview of what to expect on our trips, and hear feedback directly from real clients. We’ll also give you a sampling of our accommodations, the landscapes of your journey, as well as a taste of the yummy cuisine that awaits.

Check the new videos out here.

Malta, Cyprus Go Euro

2008-01-03T13:55:00.000-05:00

Two Mediterranean countries that our tours visit have joined other European countries in adopting the Euro, making it easier for you to travel with a single currency.
According to the BBC, they have both been members of the European Union since May 2004, and will be the 14th and 15th members of the eurozone.

For more information about the changeover and exchange rates in Malta, visit http://www.euro.gov.mt/ or visit the National Website for the Euro.

We offer both walking and cycling tours of Cyprus and Gozo, a small island that is part of the Malta archipelago.