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Allegiant Air will begin offering nonstop flights from Fargo to Orlando on November 21st just in time to escape the winter cold!</p> <p>Although the departures are only scheduled for two days a week, the Monday and Friday departures offer a quick and relatively inexpensive alternative to those seeking the warmth of the sunshine state. The flights will depart Fargo at 11:50 a.m. and arrive in Orlando at 4:15 p.m. while returning flights are scheduled to depart Orlando at 8:40am and arrive in Fargo at 11:10am. (all flight times are local.)</p> <p>Fares are expected to start at $119.00 each way plus taxes. </p> <p>This announcement comes on the heels of the recent addition of a non-stop flight from Fargo to Phoenix beginning on November 15th. With service Thursday and Sunday, flights will depart Fargo at 11:40 a.m. arriving in Phoenix- Mesa at 1:50 p.m. Flights leaving Phoenix-Mesa will depart at 7:15 a.m. and arrive in Fargo at 11:05 a.m. (all flight times are local.)</p> <p>In addition to offering low-cost air fare to major travel destinations in the US, Allegiant Air also offers bundling packages which include hotel stays, rental cars and other travel related services. </p> <p>If you are interested in taking a break from the winter in the north, contact us and let us arrange your escape to Phoenix, Orlando or Las Vegas!</p> <h3><a name="2">Did you know?</a></h3> <p>Stavanger Cathedral (Stavanger domkirke) is Norway's oldest cathedral. It is situated in the middle of Stavanger, and is the seat of the Diocese of Stavanger. </p> <p>Bishop Reinald, who may have come from Winchester, is said to have started construction of the Cathedral around 1100. It was finished around 1125, and the city of Stavanger counts 1125 as its year of foundation. The Cathedral was consecrated to the Holy Trinity, and Saint Swithun was chosen for its patron saint. </p> <!--<img scr="../images/enews_church.jpg" />--> <span class="photo_enews_church"></span> <p>Stavanger was ravaged by fire in 1272, and the Cathedral suffered heavy damage. It was rebuilt under bishop Arne, and the Romance Cathedral was enlarged in the Gothic style. </p> <p>In 1682, King Christian V decided to move Stavanger's episcopal seat to Kristiansand. However, on Stavanger's 800th anniversary in 1925, king Haakon VII instated Jacob Christian Petersen as Stavanger's first bishop in nearly 250 years. </p> <p>During a renovation in the 1860s, the Cathedral's exterior was considerably altered. The stone walls were plastered, and the Cathedral lost much of its medieval looks. A major restoration led by Gerhard Fischer in 1939-1964 partly reversed those changes. The latest major restoration of the Cathedral was conducted in 1999. Andrew Lawrenceson Smith is famous for his works here.</p> <h3><a name="3">How do you want to see Scandinavia?</a></h3> <p> Wanting to travel to Scandinavia but don't want to travel with a group? Then let us help you build an Independent Tour Itinerary based on your interest or areas of heritage!</p> <!--<img scr="../images/enews_scan.jpg" />--> <span class="photo_enews_scan"></span> <h4>Norway</h4> <p>From one day excursions to week-long adventures, planning your trip to Norway has never been easier! We can book your airfare, hotels and activities in advance for a worry-free vacation!</p> <h4>Sweden</h4> <p>Whether you just want to stopover in Stockholm or start a collection of Dala Horses, let us plan a unique itinerary for you and your family!</p> <h4>Denmark</h4> <p>See why the Danes are the happiest people on Earth! Whether you want to take the kids to Tivoli Gardens or you want to feel like a kid again at Lego-Land, we can make all your dreams come true!</p> <h4>Iceland</h4> <p>Don't let the name deceive you, Iceland is anything but a large chuck of ice! From the Blue Lagoon to the majestic Golden Falls, Iceland is filled with natural wonders waiting to be discovered.</p> <h4>Finland</h4> <p>Explore Helsinki, the Finnish Capital, and all the treasures it holds. With convenient connections to Stockholm and St. Petersburg, Russia, this is a perfect addition to any independent itinerary!</p> <h4>Russia</h4> <p>Experience "Venice of the North" at your own pace or choose to travel with a guide on our multiple day St. Petersburg tours.</p> <p>When you let Brekke design your customized itinerary, YOU decide where you travel. Let us get the most value for your dollar and turn your summer vacation into a journey of a lifetime!</p> <h3><a name="4">End of an Icon</a></h3> <p>An historic landmark in the Norwegian consciousness, the Holmenkollen ski arena embodies more than a century of skiing tradition. Located in Oslo, Holmenkollen is host to the world's second oldest ski jump competition still in existence (the oldest being hosted by a small, local club named Medicinernes Skiklub Svartor in nearby Seterkollen). The first competition at Holmenkollen was on January 31, 1892. Watched by a crowd of 10,000, the length achieved by the winner, Svein Sollid from Morgedal in Telemark, was 21.5 meters. Since then the capacity of the stands have been increased to over 50,000 people and the jump has been extended 18 times, last time in 1982. Today's tower extends 60 meters above ground, and 417 meters above sea level. Every year, more than a million tourists visit the ski arena to get a panoramic view of Oslo and the Oslofjord.</p> <p>The Holmenkollen ski jump is one of the smallest hills in the World Cup tournament, and the International Ski Federation made it clear in September 2005 that the current hill does not meet the standards to award Oslo the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Options were to spend large amounts of money updating the ski jump, demolishing the jump and building two jumping hills in its place (large and normal hill), or building two new hills and keeping Holmenkollen as a historical monument. But in December 2005, Norway's Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Nils Marstein, approved the demolition of the ski jump.</p> <!--<img scr="../images/enews_icon.jpg" />--> <span class="photo_enews_icon"></span> <p>The tower's dismantling began on October 16, 2008 and will continue until December 2008 using traditional demolition techniques instead of building implosion. The lower part of the ski jump deconstruction began in September with the current start house. Implosion of the jump was not done in an effort to not impact the Ski Museum, located at the bottom of the hill.</p> <p>The Ski Museum, the world's oldest museum specializing in skis and the history of skiing, is situated inside the actual jump, where visitors can experience the magnificent view of Oslo. The Ski Museum illustrates 4000 years of skiing history with rock carvings, skis from the time of the Vikings, and skis from all various parts of Norway that show local handicraft skills and traditions. The entire dismantling process will take a few months, due to be completed by the end of the year. Then reconstruction will begin. The new ski jump needs to be finished by 2010, when World Championship preliminaries are scheduled to be held at Holmenkollen.</p> <h3><a name="5">How to Pack like a Pro</a></h3> <p>With airline fees for overweight bags and additional pieces of luggage setting new records, now is the time to learn how to pack light and pack right! Below are some tips to help you on your next venture to the friendly skies.</p> <h4>Leave the heavy bag at home</h4> <p>If your suitcase is heavy when it is empty, it may be time to get a new bag. Duffel bags, back packs and other cloth bags are not only lighter, if they can usually be replaced for less when they become worn.</p> <p>Another tip is to get a bag that has a compartment big enough for your needs. Using a bag that has too much space remaining after you have packed leaves room for your items to move around, get wrinkled or break (having your clothes covered in your favorite perfume is not a good way to start a vacation).</p> <h4>Do the fridge test</h4> <p>Before you get on the plane, put your carryon luggage to the fridge test. Pack your carryon and for the ladies, put on the shoes you are planning to wear (heels, flats, etc), then make sure that you are able to lift your carryon on and off the top of your refrigerator.</p> <p>Bags that fall or are dropped as they are being placed into or taken out of the overhead bins account for the most injuries on airplanes. From my own experience, falling bags never seem to hit the people trying to get them in or out of the overhead storage, it's the people sitting in the seats directly below the bins or people in front or behind the person in the aisle, so be courteous to your fellow travelers and give your bags the  fridge test before you fly! </p> <h4>Be choosey and roll with it</h4> <p>When trying to decide which shoes to take with you on your trip, first determine what kind of activities you have planned. Most men can get by with walking shoes, dress shoes and maybe some slip-ons for the flight (makes going through security much easier). For the ladies, don't worry about changing your shoes for every occasion. Choosing shoes that you will actually use is the key. If you do want to bring along those shoes that you may or may not wear, create some extra room in your suitcase by rolling your clothes.</p> <p>Rolling your clothes can save you precious packing space, especially when you are limited on the number of pieces you can bring. Roll your T-shirts and pack them in your shoes or roll whole outfits together to save time and space. The ultimate time and space saving technique: take all of the shirts you plan to pack, and hang them next to each other in your closet, largest or heaviest shirt on the left to the lightest shirt on the right. Then hang your pants to the right of your shirts. Take all of the hangers together in one bundle and move them from the closet to the bed, taking care to lay them out so the biggest/ heaviest shirt is now on the bottom and your pants are on top. Lay out any ties, belts, or scarves on top of the pile, then fold the arms of the shirts across so they seem to be  hugging' the pants. Finally, start at the top with the coat hangers, and roll/fold down toward the base. You should get two solid folds in and your hangers will be in the middle of the bundle. Drop your bundle in your suitcase and you're ready to go. When you get to your destination, unroll your bundle and hang up your clothes on your own hangers. You'll be unpacked and wrinkle free in seconds.</p> <h4>Hold your liquids</h4> <p>The Transportation Security Administrations 3-1-1 rule limits each of us to carrying on liquids in 3 ounce bottles (or less) that fit into one quart-sized bag, yet many travelers fill it with unnecessary items, like powdered makeup. Some things that DO go into your zippy: toothpaste, liquid lip gloss, roll-on deodorant. Things that do NOT go in the zippy: toothpowder, toothbrush, lipstick, solid deodorant.</p> <p>For additional travel tips, visit our website at: http://www.brekketours.com/escortedtours/travelhints.aspx.</p> <h3><a name="6">Wedding Wishes for Jennifer</a></h3> <!--<img scr="../images/enews_wedding.jpg" />--> <span class="photo_enews_wedding"></span> <p>For those of you that have recently booked a trip to Disneyworld, a cruise on Hurtigruten or an escorted tour to Scandinavia, you may have had the pleasure of creating your dream vacation with Jennifer Behr. Jennifer recently got engaged and on February 21, will be getting married in Las Vegas, NV.</p> <p>The staff at Brekke Tours wanted to wish Jennifer and her fiancé, Chris, the best of luck on their upcoming nuptials and hope they have a great time in Las Vegas! </p> <p>Jennifer has worked for Brekke Tours since 2007 and has shared her love and knowledge of travel with us in the office as well as all the clients she interacts with on a day to day basis. We hope that you will join us in wishing them both the very best!</p> <h3><a name="7">Budget Friendly Escapes</a></h3> <p>Looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life without breaking the bank? We have some perfect opportunities for you both abroad and right here in the US!</p> <p>For those of you interested in traveling to Scandinavia, take advantage of the stronger dollar and get more value for your money. You can turn your savings into an extended stay, upgrade your amenities, or add some extra excitement to your journey.</p> <p>Brekke's Fjord Retreat: If you are traveling as a family or group, try renting an apartment for your stay. For instance, the Brekke Fjord Retreat is an apartment located along the Aurland Fjord and can accommodate 5-6 people. With a full kitchen, fireplace and living room, this can be your cozy home-away-from-home. With a variety of free outdoor activities, save your money while treating the whole family to some fun!</p> <p>Stop in London: Why not extend your vacation to Scandinavia with a stop in London? Spend the Spring in London and save up to $200 on city center hotels! London is not the only great stopover destination. Relax at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, take the kids to Lego Land in Denmark or enjoy a night on the town in Stockholm! We have a wide variety of stopover packages or pre and post-tour options to make your tour the perfect vacation for you and your family.</p> <!--<img scr="../images/enews_budget.jpg" />--> <span class="photo_enews_budget"></span> <p>Sail along the Norwegian Coast: Sail along the Norwegian Coast in style and save a bundle! Hurtigruten, formerly Norwegian Coastal Voyage, is offering 2-for-1 specials, 25% off plus free hotel stays, senior discounts and more! These offers expire soon, so don't miss out on this opportunity to see Norway's beautiful coastline for less!</p> <p>Alaska CruiseTour: For those wanting to stay a little closer to home, but still want an adventure, make it a summer to remember with an exciting Alaska cruisetour on Princess Cruises. With their unprecedented 2-for-1 fares you can do more for less! With exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service you'll enjoy seamless transportation giving you more time to be thrilled by Alaska's dramatic scenery - stunning Glacier Bay National Park, dazzling Denali National Park and spectacular untamed wildlife. With cabin pricing starting at $889 for an inside cabin and $1152 for a balcony cabin, space is filling quickly!</p> <p>To book any of these budget-friendly escapes or for ideas on new places to explore, contact our office or visit our website. Let us plan your adventure for 2009!</p> <h3><a name="8">Remembering Abraham Lincoln</a></h3> <p>February 12 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of America's greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. To commemorate this historic event and to reflect on the impact that Lincoln's leadership had on North Dakota and Norway, join "North Dakotans to Norway," June 20-30, 2009.</p> <p>In addition to discovering the beauty of Norway on this 11-day cultural tour, you will also participate in several special events.</p> <ul> <li>Sarpsborg, Sister city of Grand Forks: The Mayor of Sarpsborg (on behalf of the city of Sarpsborg) has extended an invitation to a special dinner at a newly restored home (originally built around 1850 for people who worked in the harbor of Sarpsborg exporting sawmill products to Europe) located at the Borgarsyssel Museum, a principal museum for the region of Østfold. The home-fare food with fresh raw materials will illustrate the diet at the time the emigrants left for America. There will be a short presentation about issues relating to the emigration from Sarpsborg to the Midwest and a discussion about finding one's roots in Eastern Norway. The morning of Day 7 begins with a sightseeing tour around Sarpsborg ending at City Hall with an informational forum. The Mayor once again welcomes you and hosts a lunch for our group at City Hall.</li> <li>Reception at the U.S. Embassy</li> <li>Festive arrangements in Frogner Park: Participate in American Independence Day events held the weekend before the 4th of July at Frogner Park along with the annual ceremony around the bust of Lincoln. Enjoy music, dancing, food, games and more!</li> <li>Special tour of the Norwegian Parliament: A tour of the Norwegian Parliament is scheduled for the morning of Day 9. Special permission has been requested to view the Parliament archive which house the documents which was given to the Parliament at the dedication of the Lincoln monument.</li> </ul> <p>For a complete itinerary, please contact Brekke Tours at 1-800-437-5302 or email our office at <a href="mailto:Tours@BrekkeTours.com">Tours@BrekkeTours.com</a>. You can also view an itinerary online at <a href="http://www.BrekkeTours.com/">www.BrekkeTours.com</a>.</p> </div> <div id="news_footer"> <p>&copy; 2009 Brekke Tours and Travel&nbsp;&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;Phone: 1 (800) 437-5302</p> </div> </div><!-- container end --> <!-- tracking tag --> <script src="https://ssl.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-173746-3"; urchinTracker(); </script> </body> </html>