The Breakaway Travel Blog
Air France Makes the Skies More Friendly
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.
Labels: air travel, France
Calling All Winos!
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!
Labels: italy, walking
British Airways’ Heathrow Fiasco
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!
Labels: air travel, British Airways
Say Goodbye to Leg Cramps on Long Flights
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!
Labels: air travel, jet blue
Which Trip Suits Your “Taste”?
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!
Labels: africa, food, France, italy, Spain, wine
