Iceland Air – Cabin Class Reviews

Iceland Air is scheduled to begin service from Denver to Reykjavik on May 11, 2012. With this non-stop service comes a new generation of cabin structure and service.

Economy class will offer no meal service on a complimentary basis. Customers who travel in this cabin will want to purchase meals on board or bring something with you to sustain you during the flight. Of course, the airport menus offer many choices to indulge your taste buds.

Economy comfort offers a meal choice for your dining pleasure, as well as seats in the front of the economy cabin. While their seating is 3×3, the center seat is left open for your “comfort”, giving you additional space to enjoy during your time in the air.

Saga Class is a play on business class, but it is not quite as luxurious as traditional business class over the water. Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Long Term Travel, Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Traveling with dietary restrictions?

Are you vegan?  Vegetarian?  Gluten-free?  Traveling for those with dietary restrictions can be difficult, especially in foreign countries…  but it is getting easier!  Here are some tips for navigating these tricky waters – including planning in advance, bringing your own snacks, understanding cultural differences regarding what a vegetarian or vegan is, and more.

Research your options

Planning is key to the success of your trip. If you’re allergic to common foods or ingredients that hide in sauces or soups, you know which foods to avoid and which foods to ask for. And if you’re traveling to a foreign country, research the right words to communicate to a restaurant staff or grocery store clerk. Continue reading

Posted in Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Iceland: Think Beautiful

An Icelandic view from my helicopter flight

Thermal hot spring, waterfalls, glaciers, rugged terrain and unspoiled beauty abound in this seldom visited country called Iceland. About the size of Kentucky with a population at something close to 300,000, this island nation offers adventure, scenic amazement and people who are very proud to be Icelanders. Many have left to visit other countries, but most return home to continue the lifestyle of their past with a renewed pride of family and home.

The dramatic landscape replays stark scenes of mountains and thermal pools with a sense of style and magnificence. The interior is untouchable, but the distinct regions of North Iceland, South Iceland, West Iceland, East Iceland and Reykjavik each offer their own personality and local heritage. There is outdoor activity everywhere and their imagination is endless when inventing ways to enjoy their landscape and seasons. Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Use A Travel Advisor?

Our new ad campaign answers that question:

Posted in Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Swoon-worthy Hotels

Presenting the 2012 Guide to the World’s Best Hotels:  Virtuoso’s Best of the Best Hotel Directory

This award-winning publication gives you an inside look at the world’s best hotels and resorts. Every property included in this collection is Virtuoso-preferred and known for its unique setting, exceptional service and remarkable attention to detail. And when you book your stay through your Andavo travel advisor, you’ll enjoy exclusive amenities including preferred rates and availability, breakfast for two daily, room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout and complimentary extras that will make your travel experience extraordinary.  Take a peek!

Posted in Adventure Travel, Beach Travel, Family Travel, Vacation Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dream Trip: Flavors of Indochina

The Flavors of Indochina Dream Trip,

by the Director of Group Sales at Cox & King

Indulge all your senses on this entrancing journey through Indochina — and stay in graceful, accommodations every step of the way. Savor the temples and French colonial legacy of little-visited Laos. In Vietnam, cruise through the Mekong Delta, dine like a king in Hanoi and go underground to explore the Cu Chi tunnels. End your travels by discovering the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia with a Khmer scholar. Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Long Term Travel, Vacation Travel | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Who says travel isn’t fashionable?

Photo courtesy of Reuters

Did you see this?  Chanel’s recent haute couture runway show was decidedly airplane-themed.  Not only is the fashion very Pan-Am glamorous, but the runway show took place on a set that looked like a commercial airplane – complete with drinks served from a trolley.  Oh Chanel, how I love thee – what a fun idea!

For those of you looking to rekindle the fashion of your travel, the first thing you need (and I’m only slightly biased) is a travel advisor!  May I include an excerpt from two recent Forbes articles, entitled “Why You Need A Travel Agent”:

The bottom line is that they know more than you do, they are better connected than you, they have access to benefits you can’t get otherwise, they can often beat any other prices available (even online, yes), and after you have planned everything, they provide a safety net during your trip that you simply won’t get by booking yourself or buying insurance. Having a top travel agent can also make you an instant VIP – free room upgrades, hard to get restaurant reservations, cutting lines, access to otherwise closed stores and exhibits, private guides, and cheaper – often much cheaper – premium airfares. Here’s the best part: even though most top agents charge fees, in almost every firsthand experience I or my friends, family, and acquaintances have had, travel agents have saved money, often a lot of money, thousands of dollars, and in every case, more than paid for themselves.

I couldn’t agree more!

Posted in Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Six Ways the Concordia Disaster Will Change Cruising

Cruising will become much safer due to the Concordia disaster, I believe.  Cruise ship captains are truly the masters of the ships they operate, and mishaps are rare. At the same time, however, there must be an effort to learn from the Concordia tragedy, and while the investigation will be ongoing for some time, here is a Conde Nast Traveler journalist’s prediction of six ways in which cruising will be safer: Continue reading

Posted in Family Travel, Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cruise Savvy: Be safe and have fun

With the recent Costa Concordia tragedy, cruising has been in the news quite a bit lately – and not in a good way.  One of our Andavo Travel advisors appeared on the CW’s Daily Dish talk show to discuss cruise safety and what you can do to be safe and have fun on your next cruise.

Continue reading

Posted in Vacation Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Travel guide ranks best, worst airport terminals

Hajj Terminal

For many travelers, an airport terminal provides the first impression — and the final word — about a destination. It’s also a place where travelers spend a lot of time, waiting for departing or connecting flights.

The world’s best, according to Frommers.com, is Hajj Terminal at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It covers 120 acres and is only open during the six-week Hajj, when millions of Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Continue reading

Posted in Vacation Travel | Tagged | Leave a comment