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Be Captured by Ireland: Viking KingdomsSeptember 10—17, 2008
Ireland is a land filled with history, beauty and just maybe a little magic because no one who has traveled to its shores has failed to fall under its spell. This year we invite you to be captured by Ireland’s enchantment and join us on an 8-day journey to the Emerald Isle. Travel back in time as you are escorted through the three major Viking Kingdoms established in Ireland.
You depart the U.S. on September 10 and arrive the next morning in Dublin, Ireland where you are greeted by your driver/guide. From there it is on Dunboyne Castle Hotel where you can relax in your room or maybe take a stroll around the formal gardens before meeting your group for a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. The next morning, you leave Dunboyne and travel through Kildare, which is prime horse-breeding country. Stop to visit Brownshill Dolman. This portal tomb has the largest capstone of any megalithic monument in Ireland. Afterward, continue your drive to the medieval town of Kilkenny where you will take a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls, and Dukes of Ormonde. Built in 1192 and now restored to 1830s splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. Browse around the town, which is known for its winding streets and medieval merchants’ houses. Your drive ends in Waterford, which was established by Vikings in 914 as Vedrarfjord and is Ireland’s oldest city. After dinner at Dooleys Hotel, take a short walking tour through the older sections of Waterford with a local guide. Walk along Merchant’s Quay where ships docked in former times and see the Clock Tower. Pass the Norman stronghold of Reginald’s Tower and stroll along the Mall to see the City Hall, Theatre Royal and many other places. The morning of Day 4 begins with a visit the Waterford Crystal Factory where you will get to see how skilled craftspeople create masterpieces of glass. Watch all stages of production from the blowing of molten crystal to the final polishing. In the showrooms you can see a wide range of tableware and special trophies and you will have an opportunity to purchase items. Next visit Reginald’s Tower on the quayside in Waterford. A tower has stood on this site for over 1,000 years but the present one dates from the 12th century. It has been restored to its medieval glory and over the years has been used as a fortress, a prison and a museum. After your visit, enjoy the balance of the day at leisure before joining your group for dinner at the hotel. Say goodbye to Waterford and travel along the south coast via Dungarvan and Youghal to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Tour the Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the former train station, site of emigrant embarkation to the United States. Continue on to Blarney where you may climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence,” visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, and browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and cross the wide River Shannon to Bunratty, where you will enjoy an evening of fun and feasting at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. On Day 6, travel east through the Golden Vale to the Rock of Cashel, which was the seat of early Kings of Munster. Visit many of the impressive ecclesiastical buildings including Cormac’s Chapel, built around 1130, and view the surrounding countryside from the high outcrop on which the buildings are gathered. Continue your drive northeast to Kildare which is in the heart of Ireland’s horse country. A visit to the Irish National Stud will show you the history and current trends of horse-breeding in Ireland. You will also have the chance to take a walk around the Japanese Gardens which were established in 1908 and represent the “Life of Man” from cradle to grave in the traditional Japanese style of gardening. Afterward, drive into the metropolitan region of Dublin, where the rest of your afternoon is free to explore. Start your next morning with a sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. An early Viking settlement, Dublin has been Ireland’s primary city since its founding and in 2003 was voted “Best European Capital City.” Tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathon Swift. Next visit the Old Jameson Distillery where you can learn about distillation processes for this “water of life.” The afternoon is free for you to browse, shop and sightsee. End your stay in Ireland with a festive farewell as you travel to Rathfarnham and The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner and a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music. Say “slán” to Ireland after breakfast the next morning. Our guide will return you to the Dublin Airport for your return flight home to the U.S., or if you wish, stay on for a few more days in the Emerald Isle on your own! Summer Travel Special Offer !Experience Ireland in 2008 with Brekke Tours!
Sign up by June 27th and save $50 per person on our Ireland: Viking Kingdoms Tour! To take advantage of this offer, just include promo code of "SSIRE8" on your application form. For more information, a complete tour itinerary and online application form, visit http://www.brekketours.com/. You can also contact us by phone at 1-800-437-5302. Airline Luggage Regulations - New Policies, New Fees, New Frustrations
Major airlines have recently been making changes to their free luggage policies in order to offset rising fuel costs. Before you travel this summer, it will be especially important to check with your airline to see what policy they currently have in place regarding luggage.
To assist you with your luggage concerns, below are the checked-baggage regulation for some of the major airlines: United Airlineshttp://www.united.com/If you are traveling on or after August 18, 2008 on an Economy ticket or Economy award ticket purchased on or after June 13, 2008, a $15 service fee will apply for your first checked bag. Also, as previously announced, a $25 fee will apply for a second checked bag, depending on when you purchased your ticket and when you are traveling—check online to determine what fees (if any) you may be subject to. Customers who have attained Premier Associate status or higher in Mileage Plus or Silver status and above with a Star Alliance partner are exempt from this policy change. American Airlineshttp://www.aa.com/Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after May 12, 2008, but before June 15, 2008, may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way. Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008, will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. Exceptions to this policy include customers who purchase First or Business Class tickets, AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® and AAdvantage Gold® members as well as customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class. Northwest Airlineshttp://www.nwa.com/For domestic travel (within the U.S./ Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean) Coach Class: Effective May 5, 2008, each ticketed passenger is allowed one (1) piece of checked luggage. Each piece: 50 pounds (23 kg) with linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches (158 cm). A second piece of checked luggage is $25 and an additional fee of $100 will be charge for each additional piece up to six pieces total. Delta Airlineshttp://www.delta.com/You can check one bag per passenger free of charge when traveling in the U. S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. If traveling outside the U.S. you can check two bags free of charge. Each bag must:
Continental Airlineshttp://www.continental.com/Continental has implemented a $25 fee for customers checking a second bag when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after April 5, 2008 for travel within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. The $25 fee also applies when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after May 8, 2008 between Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America* (excluding Brazil and the Dominican Republic) and the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Before departing on your flight this summer, we suggest checking with your airline carrier to see if any additional changes have been made to their policies. Checking your flight status is also as good idea as some airlines have cut back on their flight departures in order to save on expenses. With all these changes, frustrations are bound to increase, but by staying informed, you can help eliminate some of the stress. Wherever your travels take you this year, we at Brekke Tours wish you a safe and happy flight! 
Norwegian Summer Recipe — Strawberry Cake Roll (Rullekake)Strawberry cake roll is delicious with a cup of coffee or topped with ice cream!
Don’t Take a Vacation From HealthyWhether you're taking a trip with your family abroad or just getting away for a long weekend, traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body isn't used to. Here are some tips for keeping your travel experience as healthy as possible.
Get VaccinatedAlthough vaccinations are not necessary for travel in Europe, if you are traveling to other destinations, the first thing you should do is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.Common Travel TroublesThree of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea.Jet lag results when you fly across time zones and the differing amounts of light change your internal body clock. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness. There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive. Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home. The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road. Safe Eats and DrinksSo what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving. Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure the water is safe.You Can Take It With YouWhen you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to.Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. It's a good idea to pack some over-the-counter allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances. Write It All DownEven if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you may still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's a good idea to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly. Before you leave your home sweet home, create a medical history form that includes the following information:
Basic SafetyIt's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to your personal safety, you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street - look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way over-seas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!If you practice these healthy hints you can focus on the scenery - not medical emergencies - and return home with nothing more troubling than some tacky souvenirs! CURRENT TRAVEL SPECIALS
1-800-437-5302 for more information on these and other exciting travel offers to your dream vacation destination! What’s going on at Brekke Tours?June 4th marked our official start to this year’s tour season with our clients traveling to Norway on our “Best of Norway Tour A!” The weeks leading up to this moment have been filled with excitement, hard work, and lots of paper cuts!From making sure that all of our clients have the information they need for a pleasant trip to actually dropping the packages off to the mailman, everyone in the office pitches in when it comes to sending out our tour packet information. Our next tour is set to depart on Sunday, June 15th (which is also Father’s Day—what a great present!). These folks can also look forward to getting a mailbox full of information as well as some items to helps with their travels. In each of our tour packets, our clients not only receive information, they also receive luggage tags, document holders, and a nice travel bag perfect for taking with them on the plane. For other travel needs, we recommend visiting our Brekke Store. There you will find books, DVD’s, travel gear, and clothing that will help you stay comfortable throughout your trip! A new item to the store that we’ve just recently added is the Brekke Bandana! What a fun way to commemorate your trip, highlight that you are part of a group, and should you get separated from the group, will help you in locating them! Sarah, our front desk receptionist and office nurse, was nice enough to model the bandana for us. 
Other news from around the office:
Char just recently returned from a trip to Washington state where she said “with forests, water, snowcapped mountains and beautiful flowering bushes, the state reminded me a lot of Norway.” Amanda is going to be an aunt again and can’t wait to spoil her new niece or nephew. Teri is excited about exploring camping sites in ND and MN in her new camper with her two grandsons that are spending the summer in Grand Forks. Jo is getting ready to head to Shakopee, MN for the 2008 Spring conference of the Blue Knights International Motorcycle Club. All law enforcement, all with bikes, 3 days, good food, great fun, wonderful people—it’s her favorite trip! Alex plans to keep busy this summer with many activities such as rock climbing, playing bluegrass and blues with a band, volunteering at a food co-op and gardening. Sarah has a busy summer planned too! She is currently finishing summer school, then she plans to go camping, visit San Francisco with her cousin from Norway, go home to Norway to visit family and friends, then she'll be back at Brekke Tours and ready for school! Jennifer is busy entertaining her two growing sons this summer, one of which is as tall as she is and is only 12! Arne is planning a trip to Norway in conjunction with our "Sogn/Voss/Valdres Heritage Tour" and he also hopes to spend some time at his lake home in Park Rapids, MN. Molly and Ken are currently out enjoying their summer vacation—lucky them!! |
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