This week's smart deal comes to you courtesy of Austrian Airlines Vacation Center (tel. 800/790-4682; www.austrianair-vacations.com) and it's a getaway to the middle of Europe -- specifically, Budapest. Priced from $999 based on double occupancy for three nights of accommodations, roundtrip airfare, airline fuel surcharges, and daily buffet breakfast, the trip reflects departures from either New York-JFK or Washington-IAD . It also permits you one stopover in Vienna on the way to or from Budapest, for no additional charge. The valid travel period starts soon -- November 1-December 11, and then picks up again after the holidays -- January 4 through March 19, 2009.
Although the hotel choice varies depending on seasonal availability, currently Hotel Hungaria is advertised as the property associated with this deal. It is a four-star Best Western property in an historic building with 499 rooms, located a few minutes from the historic old downtown, along with many of the major shopping and business centers. The same package is available for a three-night stay in Vienna, priced from $999, also based on double occupancy accommodations at the Hotel Savoy Garni, located not too far from the Museumsquartier. Finally, it is also available for Prague, priced from $999, for the same travel parameters. The accommodations listed are for either Hastal Hotel, located in the city's Old Town, or Hotel Victoria, about a 15-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. You can customize this somewhat by upgrading to a four or five-star property if you like, or add extra dates. There are a few blackout dates, too, so read closely when you're planning.
For a little bit more money, a six-night, multi-city winter or spring package is available, starting from $1,199 for airfare, accommodations, airline fuel surcharges to a variety of cities: Budapest, Vienna, Prague, or some combination thereof. Look at the lower portion of the page, where it says, "combo city steals."
