Norway Celebrates Winter

Norway is an exciting country; there is always something for travelers to experience. The events throughout the year give visitors the opportunity to get lost in Norwegian history and culture. Winter is particularly an exciting time of the year with enjoyable festivals sure to please everyone.

This December winter is home to the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, Christmas Market, and Drekkedagsnatta. The largest gingerbread town is on display in the town of Bergen. The locals help with the town by contributing homes and buildings they made with there gingerbread. This is a sight not seen anywhere else.

In January and February, travelers can experience Tromsø International Film Festival, Ice Music Festival, Northern Lights Festival, Røros Fair, and Polar Jazz. Don't miss out on these exciting events. Click here for more information.

Hungary and Slovakia Cycling Tours - Press Release

This was a press release about two Pure Adventures Tours published awhile back, but still very relevant. Every has loved these tours, so check them out...you won't be disappointed!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Discover France/Pure Adventures
CONTACT: Loren Siekman
TEL: 800-960-2221
E-MAIL: info@pure-adventures.com
WEBSITE: www.pure-adventures.com


Discover Culture, Adventure, and Diversity with ‘Pure Adventures’

EUROPE—Pure Adventures, the progeny of Discover France, has announced it’s line-up of self-guided cycling tours. Understanding that modern- day travelers are continually looking for new and exciting travel destinations, the company has masterfully incorporated international adventure, cultural experiences, and a diversity of activities into its two new tours.

There is an ever increasing popularity amongst adventure travelers in visiting central European countries. The trend is caused by the fact that they are inexpensive, open to tourism, have well preserved historical interest and offer "off the beaten" path itineraries. As always, the new tours are supported by locals who really help the guests to appreciate the best there is to see and become fully immersed in the area’s culture.

The Hungary Cycling Tour is eight days and seven nights and takes guests into the heart of the Hungarian countryside where they will enjoy three and four star lodging while discovering the intriguing and mysterious history of the region including the city of Budapest.

Despite spectacular development, Budapest has preserved its old charm and magic. Not only is it the worthy holder of the title `Queen of the Danube`, it is a city where the pleasing harmony of different architectural styles and superb structures, the cuisine, culture, and legendary hospitality blend into an unforgettable experience for visitors

A sampling of the incredible itinerary includes cycling along the Danube River out of Budapest into the countryside of Western Pannonia. The cycle path begins at Batthyany Square, crossing the Danube at Kisoroszi, into Visegrad. Arriving in Visegrád guests will take a trip up to the “Castle in the Clouds” and enjoy the amazing panorama which unfolds before their eyes. Guests will pass through forests and open woodland along diminutive roads with little traffic along the way and will also visit the village of Tata, known as “the town of waters. Guests will then venture on to visit the millenary, Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma, where they may visit the church and library and taste the famous wines of the historical wine district. After a fashion, guests will arrive in Sopron, a town rich in cultural history and containing vast amounts of intriguing relics…..

Not to be out-done, the eight day/seven night Slovakia Cycling Tour takes cyclists from Vienna to Krakow. Slovakia has seen its tourism gradually increase since the late 1990’s, after its amicable split with Czech Republic,. Quaint and jovial with a surprisingly rich cultural life, guests will discover castles, artisans, and charming people along the route and certainly create cherished memories doing so.

A peek into the rich itinerary is sure to leave travelers yearning for more. The first leg of the journey leads straight to the town of Trnava, the oldest royal town in Slovakia. Its past wealth is reflected in its fortifications and rich assortment of monuments. The tour follows rolling hillsides around the most famous Slovakian spa town of Piestany, renowned for its successful treatment of arthritis. Guests will then be off to Beckov with its towering castle ruin of the same name and then on to view the majestic castle perched above the city of Trencin. After several days more, the tour culminates in the wonderful city of Krakow, a colossus of art and architecture…..

Both packages include all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, luggage transfers, arrival orientation and bike fitting, route book with maps, cue sheets, and site information, local emergency service, local support guides and experts that are available by phone to assist during the trip with any kind of emergency.

Itineraries can be adapted for longer ride options and extended stays (up to 9 days). Additional nights in Krakow or Bratislava, Vienna, and Budapest, are all possible and the Slovakia tour may be combined with the Hungary (Budapest to Vienna) trip for a spectacular two week journey.

For a complete itinerary, pricing, and booking information call 800-960-2221 or e-mail info@pure-adventures.com Photos available.

Czech Bike Tour and Beer Festival - The Perfect Combo

Traveling to the Czech Republic next summer? Make sure you stop in Prague for the largest tourist attraction of the year there --- Czech Beer Festival!!

Since its inauguration in 2008 the attendance has grown from 19,000 to 100,000 in 2010 and is expected to reach 180,000 in 2011. Many say it is "Oktoberfest of the Future." Come see what all the hype is about May 12-28. Admission is free and beers cost 3.60 euros.

Check out Pure Adventures Czech Republic Bike Tour. You can bike from Vienna to Prague exploring the amazing country and end the perfect trip with a beer festival you won't soon forget.

For more information about the festival visit www.ceskypivnifestival.cz

Czech Republic Tips

What's new in Czech Republic?
CzechTourism.com gives us the latest...

RESTAURANT TIP:

CAFE BRAUN
Sokolska 31, Prague 2

Café B Braun is the newest addition to Prague’s stylish dining scene. The restaurant boasts sleek design by the renowned Czech architect Eva Jiricna. Filled with glass, steel and practically all white in color, Café B. Braun is decorated by Jiricna’s famous glass staircase spiraling up to the second floor. Read More

CULTURE TIP:

PLZEN-THE CAPITOL Of CULTURE IN 2015

The Bohemian town of Plzen just won the competition to be the European Capitol of Culture in 2015! Every year two cities are selected from the EU countries to become the European center for cultural events. Plzen is building new theater, gallery and library to host these important events. In the future Plzen won’t be known just for its famous Pilsner beer, but also for its great contemporary architecture. www.plzen2015.net

SPA TIP:

SPA RESORT TREE OF LIFE

The 4-star Spa Resort Tree of Life is located 90 minute outside of Prague, offering hundred year old spa tradition combined with modern amenities of luxury resort. From dozens of procedures offered by the resort, you can choose from a wrap in local natural fen peat, therapeutic massages, reflexology or oxygen therapy. In your free time you can take a stroll through the resort’s park and enjoy magnificent views of the lake. www.treeoflife.cz/en/Homepage/

Tips For Bicycle Tour Travelers

Tips for the Holiday Cyclist

If you've made the decision to embark on a cycle tour of France, or any foreign destination for that matter, one of your bigger decisions will be whether you want to bring along your own bike or not. There are pros and cons on each side.

Some things to weigh in your decision...

To Rent or Not to Rent?
What is The availability and quality of a rental bike from either your tour operator or from a shop you found while researching your planned cycling program.

Note that tour companies usually have better bikes that what you'll find locally. This is especially true in France where it can be hard to find high quality rental bikes in a local shop. There are sources of rentals, but options may be limited and they will come at a price. More to the point, can you get there to get it and return it? Can it be reserved in advance? These are all considerations you need to take into account.

Bring It
One way to get around the rental question is to bring your own bike from home. Of course, there are a few things to think about if this is the option you want to go with.
If you decide to bring along your own bike, the following is a short list of important considerations:

• Do not bring a brand new bike! You should be comfortable, fitted and have more than 500 miles on any bike you travel with.
• Have a new chain that matches your cassette, i.e. if you haven't changed your chain in less than 2000 miles don't change your chain and forget the cassette. You need to change them both.
• Make sure your brake and gear cables are tightened.
• Make sure you have a stock of spare parts with you: tubes, special wrenches, chain links, flat tire materials, etc.
• Bring your sturdy wheels with clincher rims and consider leaving the ultralight carbon wheels at home. Many a crushed wheel has been found in bike boxes at Charles De Gaulle airport.

Airline Surcharges
The cost of bringing your bike over by air is something you should also look into. Different airlines will have different rates for oversized luggage. Best to find out how much the airline will charge you to bring along your bike before you get to the airport!

Bike Boxes and Setup
Do you already own a bike box or will you have to purchase one? A good quality hard-sided case may cost you upwards of $250, so if you need to buy that's something you should figure into your cost calculations. Just as important as getting your bike there is knowing how to break it down for travel and put it back together (properly) in France when you arrive. Is this something you're going to be able to do on your own or will you need professional assistance?
Transporting

Another consideration is whether or not you'll be able to travel on the train with your bicycle. The French National Railway (SNCF) has vague rules on this. However, one thing that is for certain is that on the high-speed TGV train there is seldom extra space available to take along a bike box.

So if you won't be able to travel on the train with your bike, are you prepared to rent a car? If that's what you decide, be sure to get something big enough to carry a bike, box and luggage. Car companies do not rent bike racks to mount on your car.

Travel Maintenance
Whether you decide to rent or bring your own bike along, it goes without saying that you MUST know how to fix a flat tire! All cyclists worth their salt should know how to fix a flat tire. But don't even think about leaving home for a cycle tour in a foreign country if you can't do this simple and routine maintenance task.

European Car Rental Tips

From the Independent Traveler:

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=665&category=2

Need wheels for your next trip abroad? There's more to consider than driving on the "other" side of the road. From international driving permits to liability insurance, renting a car in a foreign country can be a bit more complicated than renting one stateside. Here are some tips for getting a great deal, making sure you have the right documentation and driving safely while abroad...

Buy Your Airfare Now - or Wait?

From USA Today Online:

European travel will be more expensive

International airlines have also cut capacity and therefore are charging more for their seats. According to British Airways spokesperson John Lampl, his airline has slashed seats between London and New York/Newark by a staggering 23% this year compared to last. Making matters worse, the U.K. government has increased airport fees and other taxes tacked onto fares, and these are scheduled to increase further later this year.

Lampl also points out that historically there has been a 50/50 balance between passengers departing from London vs. those departing from the U.S. on BA flights, but now that has shifted to 60% leaving from Europe. That means those shopping-bag-toting Europeans are taking the seats that we were hoping to buy on the cheap.

Another ill omen is that this past winter was the first in memory that the airlines didn't have dead-of-winter, panicky sales to Europe. Last winter, and even last summer, we saw fares as low as $250 round-trip, including taxes, to many European destinations. I'd be shocked if we saw a repeat this year. Even so, some European destinations will be cheaper than others, in part thanks to lower taxes and fees. We've already seen some scattered sales in the $500 range to Spain and Ireland. But most destinations for summer travel this year will cost well over $1,000 round-trip with tax.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/hobica/2010-03-30-airfare-buy-now-or-wait_N.htm