Posts Tagged ‘Condor’

VIDEO: A day in Avignon, France

17th June
2010
written by scott

This is the first of several videos we’ll post from France. I had wanted to visit Avignon for some time. First, I was interested in the wonderful food and wine in the areas in and around Provence. Also, I was intrigued that Avignon once was a “Papal State” after being purchased from France. During the 14th century, the Pope left Rome and set up shop in Avignon. A palace was built by two successive popes on point overlooking Avignon and the Rhone River. Fascinating.

Tags: , , , ,
0 Comments
Adventure, Videos

LIVE from France!

30th May
2010
written by scott
Driving through the south of France, we’re doing our best to avoid the animals in the road and the rich desserts after dinner! So far, we haven’t hit any sheep, but I’ve yet to see a tart or a dessert that I didn’t LOVE! Above, Scott and Christy enjoy an anniversary lunch in Roussillon, France. Below, we’re standing on the bridge over the Rhone River in Avignon, France.
As many of you know, there are more moving parts involved with international travel. Let’s review:
a. Euro-phone. Your mobile phone may work over in Europe. It may not. Mine didn’t. But all of GCI’s phones are “unlocked”, so I got a new local France SIM card from Cellularabroad.com to get local service. MUCH less expensive than international roaming charges. For other calls, I use SKYPE.
b. Euro-dough. You cannot have too much! That said, you need less this week than you did last week because of the dollar’s improving exchange rate against the Euro.Get some foreign currency to take with you at Wells Fargo‘s office in the Fifth Avenue Mall. Then, take your debit card and credit card with you. Be sure and tell your bank that you are traveling so they do not “fraud-protect” your card, making it impossible to use overseas.
c. Euro-gear. Whether it’s the oh-so-essential power converters for your computer and hair dryer, or the specialty clothing for hiking, in flight comfort items or luggage, check out Magellans.com for all your travel gear.
d. Euro-Express. That would be Condor. Non-stop flights from Anchorage to Frankfurt and Fairbanks to Frankfurt. Sweet.
e. Euro-documents. Yes, you need a passport. I also recommend a fully-charged iPod and Bose noice-canceling headphones for the journey.
f. Euro-car. We found Autoeurope to be the best choice. Make reservations before you leave the U.S. These folks work with all the major operators to find you the best rate.
g. Francophile. Paris junkie? Check out Karen Fawcett’s all-inclusive site, bonjourparis.com for events, deals, accommodations, even airport pick-up and drop-off services from Paris-shuttle.com .
Tags: , , , , , ,
0 Comments
Adventure

It’s Condor season!

23rd May
2010
written by scott
It’s Condor season. It comes each Spring–and it’s the time Alaskans can fly non-stop in 9-10 hours to Europe. That’s a big deal, considering it’s a 22-hour trip in each direction through the Lower 48! I took the photo above on the tarmac at the Frankfurt airport.
Condor flies nonstop three times each week (Tue., Sat., Sun.) from Anchorage to Frankfurt and once a week (Thu.) from Fairbanks to Frankfurt.
I just spent a minute checking prices on their website: www.condor.com . From Anchorage to Frankfurt, you can fly June 1-12 for $913 roundtrip, including all taxes and fees. From Fairbanks? Fly between June 10-17 for as little as $692 roundtrip, all-in.
A couple of weeks ago I ran the numbers on what other airlines charge–about $1,500 roundtrip. Hmmm–which to choose. HAHAHAAA.
Condor flies Boeing 767s–and the planes just got refurbished in a three-class configuration. The bulk of the seats (217) are in economy. But there’s now a “premium economy” which offers about six inches of extra legroom, in addition to its Comfort Class.
Premium economy (pictured here) also includes:
a. Greater backrest recline.
b. Cocktail service with a snack
c. Free drinks served with meals
d. Premium Menu
e. Amenity bag
f. Blankets and extra large pillow
Remember–fly with Condor and you could be in Europe in less than 10 hours. Check the website for the lowest fares: Condor.com
Tags: , , , , , ,
4 Comments
Airfares

Euro-Bargains on Condor’s Euro-Express

8th May
2010
written by scott
Let’s do a little math, shall we? You can fly nonstop from Anchorage to Frankfurt in about nine hours on Condor. Fly over on June 1, returning June 12. The cost? $965 roundtrip, all-in (including all taxes and fees).
How does that stack up with other airlines? First, they all fly through the Lower 48. That means it takes about 20 hours in each direction. FUN! Here’s a little rundown for the same dates:
Delta Air Lines: $1,522 rt all-in
Continental: $1,550 rt all-in
American Airlines: $1,498 rt all-in
I didn’t bother checking USAir, but you get the idea.
To or from Fairbanks, the fare is even lower. Fly Fairbanks-Frankfurt nonstop on June 10, returning on June 17 for just $757 roundtrip, all-in. That’s cheaper than flying to L.A. !
Condor flies Boeing 767s–and the planes just got refurbished in a three-class configuration. The bulk of the seats (217) are in economy. But there’s now a “premium economy” which offers about six inches of extra legroom, in addition to its Comfort Class.
Premium economy (pictured here) also includes:
a. Greater backrest recline.
b. Cocktail service with a snack
c. Free drinks served with meals
d. Premium Menu
e. Amenity bag
f. Blankets and extra large pillow
Remember–fly with Condor and you could be in Europe in less than 10 hours. Check the website for the lowest fares: Condor.com
Tags: , , ,
0 Comments
Adventure, Airfares

Radio show Podcast: Bonjour Paris!

1st May
2010
written by scott

We had a wonderful visit on the radio with Karen Fawcett, publisher of BonjourParis.com . It’s the website all about Paris–with a generous helping of the rest of France on the side! Co-host Mindy O’Neall confessed that she’s ready to return to Paris. Same is true for me–and for Erin Kirkland of AKONTHEGO.com, our in-studio guest, who wants to take the whole family!

Listen to the podcast here. We’ll have more on Paris and France in the coming weeks, including a report on renting an apartment in Paris from Pascal (recommended by Karen!). Plus, we’ll be calling in LIVE from Paris for one of our radio broadcasts, courtesy of Condor Airlines!

Tune in next Tuesday on KUDO 1080AM here in Anchorage. The show airs between 2-3pm each Tuesday. Next week, we’ll have Pudge Kleinkauf in the studio, talking about getting women out there on the streams catching fish! Pudge just published a new book on Arctic Grayling (“Sailfish of the North”). She leads all sorts of trips in Alaska, to Argentina, Mexico and other exotic places–all to teach women how to fly fish!!

Tags: , , , , , ,
0 Comments
Adventure, Consumer, Shopping
Previous