Goodbye 2008!

Anyone sad to say goodbye to 2008? Today, the 31st of December is the last chance to talk about the best of 2008 and what to do in 2009, so articles are everywhere.

For travel, the predictions seem to be that 2009 will be a tough year. Airlines will continue to struggle (as if that mattered to anyone's travel plans anyway!); and credit will be tight. However, when I talk to people, especially people in the know like CPA's and other business and tax advisors, the overarching thing seems to be fear. There are problems out there, but there seems to be money on the sidelines and a pent up demand for services and goods that is not breaking free for now due to fear.

Travel consulting firm Xola believes that 'pent up' demand will continue to rise in 2009 and then explode in 2010 when the overal 'global climate' improves. What most are predicting is a slow 2009 and then late in the year things will start to change. Demand will take off in 2010 and so then will all associated services. What will make this change? Perception mostly, but that will be rooted in the general 'feeling' of businesses and consumers. Banks that feel ok to lend again will help business get rolling which will then reinvest and spend and when the media starts talking about these good things the consumer will start to feel like its safe to go out again. That is when the money will start to flow again.

So, that's the perception issue. How can you get a deal in 2009 if you want to go? I can only address what I think is applicable for Europe since that is what we study and sell. Will I go to Europe in 2009? You betcha. I plan to be at the Tour de France and ok, its business, but I will take the family too. So, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'm also lining up my air tickets now. Space and routing is the factor; and I'm going to know exactly what that is going to cost me now and then work on the rest over the next 6 months and find ways to save.

What can people do? The euro is back up again from previous lows; so be aware of what the valuations are and watch for a time to lock in some services. Just 3 weeks ago services could have been had, and prepaid, at 10% less than today. So, know what is a good rate. For 2009, I would say anything below 1.33 dollars US to Euros is good. Canadians, Aussies - you have to know your market likewise.

Deals will abound this year. Suppliers are cutting margins just to cover costs and 'stay alive'. Another idea, suggested by me - a tour operator/supplier: book the pre-packaged tour! The more customization requested, the more costs have to be increased to adapt and pass on. We offer self guided trips that can go any date; if you book a package as we offer it, you will get our best price which is posted. We spread certain costs of support and route development out and once its created, we have lower costs to reproduce it. If we have to create something new, then costs are higher. Now, perhaps it sounds less 'unique' to book the package off the shelf, but speaking of our product which is mostly self-guided, that couldn't be less true. Its not like 5000 people per week are doing this, like some stomp up the Eiffel Tower. You will most likely encounter very few others doing it on the same dates and so it will feel like your own personal program. Et voila, yet another reason Self Guided is superior. Don't forget that the cost is WAY less than a guided trip.

Bring on 2009! Happy New Year!

L

Cycling Costa Brava Spain - Go Now, Its Cheap!

Well, plan now, and go in early Spring when airfares are still cheap! Weather is great in Catalonia and we do offer this trip just about all year long. Value, low rates, sunshine, low crowds, off the beaten path; and what paths they are! These are all the reasons anyone wants to go on a cycling tour; so check it out!

994 euros per person/double occupancy to cycling for 7 nights and stay in charming farmhouses and country B&B's! That is about $1080US, $1630AUS, $1350CAD. From North America, I recently saw some rates to Barcelona from under $600US!

This trip includes: Farmhouse B&B lodging 4 nights, breakfast & dinner daily, luggage transfers, arrival meeting transfer, orientation and bike fitting, local traveler support, riding routes with maps and cue sheets, suggestions for visitation and discounts, departure transfer, bike delivery, pickup. We can also arrange additional travel services and stopovers. DETAILS

Venice Hit By Floods - Worst in 20 Years

According to the USA Today; Venice was inundated by a surprise high tide that brought flood waters into the city where water normally isn't found! This was the worst flood since 1986. Apparently, high tides can push water into all parts of the city, and in this case it was somewhat of a surprise because such an extreme was not predicted.

To read the full article: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-12-01-venice-flooding_N.htm

Will Lance race Le Tour in 2009? Lets go anyway!

Want to see the best cyclists duking it out on the most beautiful roads anywhere? We have finally posted our 2009 tours to follow the French Grand Tour, aka Le Tour, across France next July!

In case you missed the release of the route about 2 weeks ago, check it out on the official website at http://www.letour.fr/ Some really great and surprising changes we made for the 2009 edition. This route allows us to offer a number of tours in conjunction, some that will challenge the strongest cyclists and one that will accommodate more moderate cycling.

Our tours are VERY well priced too! We are pretty proud of the fact we are able to offer fully guided trips, quality accommodations, and sell it at the rates we do. Of course, we are supplying services to wholesalers around the world, but in this case you go direct to the source!

We have trips that cover the Alpes, the Pyrenees, Mont Ventoux, Spain, and the French Riviera to Provence. These are truly the best places to ride and take in the race. The Euro has lost value over the last month so that it is more and more affordable. Contact us with questions, the groups are small, and will fill up quickly. First come, first served!

All tours are listed in detail here:

http://www.cyclingclassics.com/grand_tour.php

Discover France Selected Best Trip for 2009

Our Provence Multisport has been awarded by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Trips for 2009 ! See link on NGA site Not only is this a very important reward and great honor, it says something about the state of travelers currently:

Self Guided is Gaining in Popularity!
Value Matters!

We launched this tour in 2008 but really did not promote it much as we worked to perfect it. We have made a few changes to get the cost down and we have what we think is an even better trip. Included in this 2009 version are:

road biking - hybrid cycling routes in the provence countryside
canoing on the Gardon river at the Pont du Gard
Hiking around the Alpilles and Baux de Provence
Adventure Park activities including zip-lines in the Luberon
Mountain biking in the Luberon area of Provence

In option: an afternoon of Via Ferrata. Not sure what is via Ferrata? Check out the tour description for details: Provence Multisport

To clarify, this isn't a trip for hardcore athletes, nor is it a trip for beginners or persons who aren't getting at least 4-6 hours of exercise per week. It takes a little bit of skill in several areas. But, the mountain biking isn't technical, and the canoing is mostly on flat water, so these are manageable by fit and active people - something we have a lot of in our customer base!

This recognition by NGA will appear again in upcoming press releases and company promotions throughout the coming year. The magazine is on the news stands this week. It is only 1 of 25 trips, so if you are curious - go pickup a copy and check out all the great adventures out there!!

Full trip details: http://www.discoverfrance.com/regions/provence_cycling_tour_sgp2.html

NGA website: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/25-best-new-adventure-travel-trips-text



L

Free Book From Lonely Planet

Hey, its low season for travel to Europe - aka - the planning season! SO, to help you with pretty pictures and great inside info, check out this offer from Lonely Planet guide books. Buy 3, Pay for 2.
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/content.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673252186&bmUID=1224018954107

Whether you are a 'budget' traveler or not, the info about sites, visits and such is useful.

New Romania Hiking Tours in 2009!

Yes, Romania! The demand is low, but for real adventure seekers, Romania is a great destination! Not because its dangerous or something like that - Dracula isn't real - but because the nature is really phenominal and well preserved!

We can offer a 11 day hiking trip through the Faragas Mountains in Transylvania that would also include incredible cultural cities such as Sibiu and Sighisoara, Brasov, Predeal, Sinaia and more. The hiking is on trails between trees and above tree line. Beautiful mountain lakes, green pastures, and charming rural life accent the experience. Lodging on this trip goes from 4 star hotels in the cultural cities to mountain huts and even tents.

This is a real hiking trip, actually a Treking Tour. It is guided by local Romanian guides who are perfectly bilingual and the nicest and most welcoming hosts. For full itinerary and details, send an email to info@pure-adventures.com

Prices start from 700 euros when the group is full at 10 persons, and goes up slightly as the number of participants goes down, but the trip can go with as few as 2 persons! Therefore NO chance of CANCELLATION ! Dates are from June through October 2009!

Cycling Tuscany in Winter?

Uhh, yes, you can do it. It is a rather unusual request but several have come up in the last few days requesting cycling in December and January. It is cold, wet, and sometimes snowing in Tuscany. I've been in November and the fog was as thick as soup. But, the afternoons get warm when the sun shines and it can be nice cycling if it is sunny.

So, if you have a wild urge, give us a shout. There is also Catalonia, but in Catalonia where we use a lot of B&B's, availability can be harder as they often close around the holidays and into January.

L

Planning your next Europe Adventure - Airline Fee Chart

Here is a great site that will give you some insight into fees the various airlines charge. This could help you decide about what airline to travel with and what to bring along. It isn't too early to start planning for 2009 and air travel. Though it may be far off, for those who know they will go in 2009, now is the time to book. The old method of waiting for last minute deals doesn't work anymore with most airlines and classes of service.

http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees

Using the Trains with Your Bike

To follow up to the article about taking your bike on the plane, here is one for the trains. First, here is a link to a site that seems to have studied this through and through:

http://www.frenchentree.com/travelling-around-france/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=19003

Now, I have traveled extensively on the TGV and on trains throughout France. There are some things I know:

1. there are often exceptions to rules if conditions permit
2. there are rules for everything
3. sometimes people don't know the rules who should know the rules

The linked article is very good, but its mostly about how to take your built up bike on a train. Meaning, you don't use a bike box. That might be important for Europeans going out their front door to the train station, or maybe even for a traveler who wants to use a local TER train to get a little bit beyond the local ride scene. But that pretty much never applies to long distance travelers bringing their $5000 bikes to Europe for a trip.

My advice, keep it simple: if you can get a good rental with your tour - do it! TGV and high speed trains in general have very little to no space for built up bikes and same even for boxed bikes. Most high speed trains are crowded. Go first class, its quieter and a better chance of less luggage in the small racks.

None of this applies if your bike fits in a suitcase size box. Couplers and folding bikes can meet this, and its worth it if you plan to travel alot. We have a client in Chicago who had his bike frame cut and fitted with couplers. Anyone looking to do that can contact us for a reference to his shop.

Happy travels,

L

Taking a Bike To Europe

Lots of talk lately about bicycles on airplanes and excess baggage charges, etc. Its real, and it really adds up! Our cycling team recently got tagged with about $600 in round trip charges just for 3 guys to fly a short 2 hour domestic flight! Well, what are the airlines doing exactly?

Here is Delta's policy on bicycles from their website:
"Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats are accepted as checked baggage, with certain limits. Any bicycle in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62" or 157.5cm (length + height + width) and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. Bicycles exceeding 62" are subject to standard oversize baggage charges. Your bike must be packaged in a cardboard or canvas container in one of the following ways: Handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed Handlebars and pedals encased in plastic, Styrofoam, or other similar material Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limits. "

What is not mentioned here is a weight limit. Delta also says that you can check 2 bags FREE for travel outside the USA; but then they say that each bag has a weight limit of 50 lbs/22.5 kg. There are some higher limits for Business and First Class ticket holders.

Excess fees: Delta says it will charge a fee EACH time an allowance is exceeded. Possible fees therefore include:

If your bike box is a 3rd piece of checked luggage for international: $150 Overweight limit of 50 lbs/22.5 kg up to 70 lbs: $80 Over 70 lbs up to 100 lbs: $150 Over size fee: $150
Avoiding any fees seems pretty hard, but being assessed multiple fees seems very possible. Don't think you can pack extra gear in your bike box either - see weight limits!

Does this apply only to Americans? No. For example, Air France's Australia website had more or less the same restrictions as Delta above with very similar fees and limits. Nobody is immune, even if foreign carriers are more solvent than the American companies, the chance to make money on this is too tempting. Expect to pay.

What else should you expect in traveling with your bike box?

Train troubles: in France and most of Western Europe, high speed trains have very limited luggage space. Most trains only offer space at the end of the car or overhead racks. Bike boxes don't really fit, and you could be subject to the whims of the conductor of the moment. Smaller regional trains usually do take bikes even in built up condition. Travel in July and August when trains are packed is very likely to be difficult. Regardless, you schlep your box on and off the train by yourself, among the people who will not make room for you.

Lost luggage? Every year when we have groups that go to watch the Tour de France, at least 1 in 10 persons will have their bike box mishandled enroute. On these kinds of tours where the lodging is remote and the traffic is difficult, getting a bike redelivered and caught up is a problem!

Storage? Where will you store your bike box when you visit Paris or some other big city? Will it fit in the hotel elevator? How much will the taxi add on for an oversize bag - if the taxi will even take it!

Build that bike up - you better know how to do it and bring the tools to get it done! On our trips we do help with that of course, but if you are winging it on your own; be totally self contained wiht tools and parts and a mechanical inclination!

What's a vacation worth? A lot - advice - don't muck it up with unnecessary troubles. PLAN AHEAD!!