Finland + Winter= An Unforgettable Vacation

By Marty in Destination Highlights | on August 20th, 2010 with No Comments

With summer starting to wrap up and school getting back into session, its time to start looking into those winter travel plans. You’ve probably done the island escape or the Disney trip with the family in the past, so why not think of something new this year. Winter breaks don’t have to be spent basking in the sun as there are countless ideas for a winter break that will be sure to last a lifetime in your memory. Finland in particular is host to a few activities that you probably never thought of, and are still under the tourist radar.
Finland is a great place to visit during the summer, but the true character of this Scandinavian country really comes out when the mercury starts to drop and the first snow touches the ground. There is so much more to do in Finland than skiing. Take for example dog sledding.
That’s correct; dog sledding is an activity that can be enjoyed by anybody. Finland offers dog sledding safaris that take you deep into the wilderness and is an experience that you will never forget. No prior dog sledding knowledge is required as you will be briefed by an expert guide on the basics of how to handle the dogs and the sled. After the lesson in dog sledding, your journey commences.
The length of the journey all varies on what you are looking for, whether it is a short 5km tour through the snow or a longer, 20km ride that takes you deep into the Finnish wilderness or even a weeklong safari covering great distances. All safaris include at least a campfire lunch served with tea and coffee to warm you up and the tour companies usually provide thermals to keep you extra warm.
The atmosphere of a dog sled ride through the winter wonderland of Finnish backcountry will leave you breathless the entire time. Whether it’s the scenery that leaves you speechless, the utter silence that nature emits or the dogs that seem to always find their way into the hearts of the travelers, this activity is something that will forever resonate in you.
While Finnish backcountry is amazing to be seen in the daylight, a whole different scene comes out at night. Taking a nighttime northern lights snowmobile safari will also be a memorable experience that you will never forget. While the tour guides cannot guarantee that you will see the Aurora Borealis, Northern Finland is one of the better places on Earth to see this random natural phenomenon. The journey itself is an experience to be remembered. There are few places on Earth that offer a night skyline like in Northern Finland where the stars seem to go on forever and the sounds that nature produces is unlike anything you’ve heard before. You may even see a few wild reindeer or Elk on your journey as well. And don’t worry if you are afraid of the dark as an experienced guide leads the way and maintains the safety of the group.
So forget the beach this winter and try something new, something that the whole family will enjoy and never forget. Book your airfare to Finland now and surprise your family with a vacation out of the ordinary!

sledding 1543129c 300x187 Finland + Winter= An Unforgettable Vacation

End of Summer Airfare to Europe

By Marty in Travel Deals, Travel News | on August 18th, 2010 with No Comments

Think you missed your opportunity for the summer vacation to Europe that you meant to take? Well think again because 1-800-FlyEurope has announced end of summer airfare to Europe with American Airlines. Act now while the weather is still warm and these fares are still low.

Relax beside beautiful Lake Zurich and watch the time go by or venture into Brussels for some world class cuisine. Madrid just became more accessible with these low fares. Dine street side in a Madrid café and watch the people go by in the Plaza Mayor or visit the largest palace in Europe, the Palacio Real located just outside Madrid. Now is a great time to visit Europe when a lot of the tourists are starting to end their vacations and head back to the real world.

These fares are only valid for travel through August 31st and must be purchased by August 20th. So book now for incredible savings. Call us now at 1-800-359-3876 to speak with a travel expert and book that vacation that you’ve always wanted.

07 PlazaMayorMadrid Web 300x229 End of Summer Airfare to Europe

Munich: Germany’s Cultural Gem

By Marty in Destination Highlights | on August 16th, 2010 with No Comments

Munich is a city in southern Germany that truly has a lot to offer the traveler. A must see destination of Europe, Munich is a seamless blend casual modernity with timeless history. Ageless buildings sit inconspicuously next to modern skyscrapers, cafes scattered amongst historic squares all contribute to the feeling of comfort that Munich emits.

The best place to start your exploration of Munich is at the Marienplatz, located at the heart of historic Munich. Exploration of the city is easy from here as all important locales are easily within reach. Here you will find a number of cafes, restaurants and museums to entertain. The main feature is the Mariensaule, a large column topped with a magnificent gold statute of the Virgin Mary. You will also be impressed by the sights and sounds of the 43 bells of the 280ft tall automated glockenspiel.

From there a trip to the Frauenkirche is a must. The Frauenkirche is Munich’s Church of our Lady and also one of the more impressive sites Munich has to offer. This church was built between the years of 1468 and 1488, but was almost completely destroyed by World War II. The church was then rebuilt following the war in 1953. The highlight of the Frauenkirche is the two red brick towers that rise up 1065 feet to offer one of the best views of Munich.

Munich is also home to numerous museums that offer a variety of exhibits. Claiming to be the world’s largest science museum, The Deutsches (German) Museum boasts an 8 story building packed with exhibits that range from windmills to space probes. Seeing everything the museum has to offer would take at least a few days, but organized tours can be arranged to view the highlights of the museum in just one trip. Children will be particularly amused with the interactive displays and exhibits that encourage active learning and fun.

Another place worth noting is the Bavarian Museum. It is a little smaller than the German Museum, but still has 3 stories of exhibits. The displays range from all eras of European art and culture, but have a main focus of Bavarian items and exhibits.

It’s not worth talking about Munich if you don’t mention Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest has quickly grown to be the world’s largest public festival, attracting more than 7 million people each year. The festival is centered on what Munich is best known for, beer, but also offers a lot more to the visitor. Elaborate costumed parades, dancing, concerts and as much sausage and oompah music that one can handle, plus all the beer from all over the world that is on hand to sample. The 2010 dates of Oktoberfest is September 18 through October 4th.

If you have never been to this wonderful city, now is the time. Book your cheap flight to Munich and experience what this Southern German city has to offer!

Dresden Frauenkirche 300x215 Munich: Germanys Cultural Gem

How to Pack for a European Vacation

By Marty in Travel Tips | on August 10th, 2010 with No Comments

The airfare has been booked, the hotels reserved and you just finalized the car rental for pick up at the airport. Now that the easy part is over, it is time to pack. For those who have never been to Europe, this can be a difficult task. A European vacation is much different than the last holiday your family spent at Disney Land, and you need to pack with this in mind. What to bring and what not to bring can often be difficult questions to answer. Here is a list of things that you should not leave home without on your trip to Europe.

In this day and age of technology and the major role it plays in our lives, one thing that should be included on your packing list is a universal adapter. European plugs are different than ours in the states, so a universal adapter is important if you plan on bringing your camera or any other electronic device with you. Also research on each specific country that you plan to visit as sometimes electrical outlets vary from country to country, so be prepared when crossing borders. Bringing a power outlet or extension cord can also be a good idea as some hotels have poorly placed outlets that can be a hassle more than a help.

As for the clothes that you bring with you, avoid packing white clothes. White shirts and pants do no justice in hiding stains, so just avoid bringing them with you. Pack clothes that can be worn a few times, as well as clothes that match up with multiple outfits. Being able to mix and match with a limited wardrobe can reduce overall luggage weight and leaves more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. It doesn’t hurt to do a little research about each country you plan on visiting to find out what the locals are wearing. Not looking like a tourist reduces the risk of petty theft crimes.

When it comes to bringing money and how you will make purchases in Europe, there are a few options here. The easiest and safest way to carry money around is to obtain a Visa gift/cash card or similar, upload a set amount on it and use that as your currency. These work great as they have a unique PIN number that only you know, so if it gets stolen you’ll have some time to cancel it. They are also handy as some ATM fees in Europe can be pretty steep, and the prepaid gift card usually has a no fees or a smaller fee for each transaction.

Another handy monetary tip when traveling is to invest in a cheap, decoy wallet. This wallet should be carried in your back pocket and contain a few small denominations of the local currency, some business cards that don’t’ have any significant meaning as well as any other cards/calendars that can normally be found in a wallet. A handy idea is to clean out your real wallet of anything you don’t need anymore, and place it in the decoy wallet. If you happen to fall victim to a theft, just give the thief your fake wallet and continue on your way with your real wallet hidden on you or even back at the hotel room safe.

Other items that are handy for a trip to Europe are a language book for the local language, a small flashlight, zip lock bags, padlocks for your luggage and duct tape, as there is always a need for duct tape. Instead of taking the entire roll of duct tape, simply wrap a desired amount of tape around a pencil for easy transport as this won’t take up as much space. You’ll never know what you might need it for, and it is handy when you do need it.

While this list doesn’t include everything that you need for a vacation in Europe, it should give you an idea of what are the essentials to take when traveling oversees. Book your fall vacation to Europe now and save money!

packed suitcase 300x180 How to Pack for a European Vacation

Departure Information
Depart: 
From: 
To: 
Return Information
Return: 
From: 
To: 
Fare Type Round Trip     One Way
Passengers  Adults
  Children under 11
London