Penny-Pinching Prague: Packages Start from Just Over $100 a Day

August 4, 2003 -- One of Europe's most beautiful capitals, Prague, is still less expensive than its better-known capital sisters. It's long since dried out from last spring's horrific floods; heck, it even survived Sean Connery, who filmed the so-so The League of Extraordiary Gentlemen there (based on the superior comic book series). Several autumn packages from competing tour operators have started popping up.

You can get a five-day/three-night air/hotel package from $569 for starters, from Austrian Airlines Vacations during September and October when the weather should be nearly perfect, not too hot, not yet frigid. Out of New York JFK and Washington DC's Dulles airports, this trip gives you the roundtrip air (with one stopover in Vienna either direction), three nights in the hotel, daily breakfast buffet, hotel service charges and hotel taxes. In addition, you get a Prague Card, giving you unlimited free travel for three days in Prague via public transport plus free admission to 40 museums and tourist sites. The hotel is the Alfa, in the city center, a three-star, superior tourist class establishment. Extensions are available, too. You must book at least 14 days in advance of travel. Contact Austrian Airlines Vacation Center (based in Atlanta) online at www.imtc-travel.com, by phone at 800/790-4682 or via e-mail at info@imtc-travel.com.

For an even better price point, look to Tatra Travel, specialists in the Czech Republic, which has an eight-day (six-night) package starting at just $789, if you travel between September 1 and October 31, or again from December 12 to 28, all in 2003. The package includes lodging in the three-star Hotel Orion in the town center, roundtrip air from New York's JFK or Newark to Prague, hotel/airport transfers, buffet breakfast daily, half-day city sightseeing trip, a free sauna at the hotel, guide/map and discount book for 30 restaurants, shops, etc. Add-ons from Atlanta $139, Boston $59, Los Angeles $299, etc. All rooms at the Orion have bath, shower and toilet, satellite TV, phones, completely equipped kitchen. For more information and to book, phone Tatra at 800/321-2999 and ask for the "Orion" special deal. Local phone is 212/486-0533, e-mail info@tatratravel.com, website www.czech-vacations.com.

Paul Laifer Tours, another old hand at Central European travel, has a similar deal for eight days (six nights), starting from $929 for the months of September and October, 2003. Their package includes roundtrip air on Czech Airlines from JFK daily, thrice weekly from Newark, as well as the hotel, transfers, daily buffet breakfast, half-day city tour, and more. You can extend your stay, of course. The hotel is the Ibis City (part of a French chain), in the city center, rated superior tourist class. There are 210 rooms, each with air-conditioning, bath or shower, phone, satellite TV, and more. Contact Paul Laifer Tours at www.laifertours.com or 800/346-6314 or 973/887-1188, e-mail travel@laifertours.com.

Prices do not include taxes and security fees and are per person, based on double occupancy.

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