Air travel is a mess at the moment. Flights to, from and around Europe are up in the air (pun intended).

The Chateau

Hopefully this will soon blow over (sorry, couldn’t resist).  The travelers and all the service industries tied to tourism are suffering and anything we can do to help would be appreciated.  One thought would be to try and travel off-season this year when the properties and people are less busy to make up for the vacant rooms and cancellations they are now experiencing. They gain by the additional business and you the traveler benefit usually by better service and in many cases better prices. I would encourage anyone thinking of a trip to Europe, particularly in the next few years, to do so this year if possible. I think that starting in 2011 travel and consequently prices will start to rise dramatically with improving economies.  So save a dollar and help small businesses by traveling this year.

Many of the properties affected by the volcano are offering specials for visitors in the near term. It never hurts to ask for best rates. We just received an email from Chateau de la Barre, a wonderful Chateau in the Loire Valley, owned by the Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay. The Chateau is offering three nights for the price of two and complimentary champagne for those that are stranded because of the lack of air travel. The Chateau de la Barre is accessible in less than 90 minutes by taking the TGV to Le Mans from the airport. For more information about the Chateau and to contact them please visit the Chateau de la Barre page on the Karen Brown Travel Website.