Jan 7, 2008
Valentine's Day approaches -- and so do those cheap, air-and-land packages to Europe ($599) for celebrating in an ultra-romantic setting
Vienna for Valentine's Day? The rates are so favorable that even jaded couples may want to consider this over-the-top, romantic splurge. February is the depth of the trans-Atlantic travel season -- its nadir -- and tour operators force sacrificial rates from the airlines for constructing such packages.
I'm reprinting verbatim, below, a communiqué from the people who operate such trips for Austrian Airways, confirming a really excellent price of only $599 (plus tax) for round-trip air and three nights in Vienna at a good Viennese hotel, from three different cities of the U.S.
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I'm reprinting verbatim, below, a communiqué from the people who operate such trips for Austrian Airways, confirming a really excellent price of only $599 (plus tax) for round-trip air and three nights in Vienna at a good Viennese hotel, from three different cities of the U.S.
Austrian Airlines Vacation Center ... has designed a bunch of heart-warming get-away packages to Europe for you and your sweetie. Check out the Vienna Valentine package, priced at a lovely $599 per person, double occupancy, consisting of round-trip economy class air between either New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD) or Washington (IAD) and Vienna, Austria, plus three (3) nights hotel accommodation in a double room in the Superior Tourist Class Albatros Hotel. This package also includes a full daily breakfast buffet, hotel service charges and hotel taxes. Note that the Vienna Valentine vacation package is available for travel between February 7-28, 2008 only, and that it needs to be booked between now and February 21st.Similar Valentines land and air packages are available to Budapest, Hungary and Prague, Czech Republic at slightly higher rates. Further details about these and other vacation packages may be found on Austrian Air's website or at tel. 800/790-4682.
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Labels: austria, budapest, deals, prague
Jan 2, 2008
Prague in a nutshell -- the reasons why you go there
I am constantly asked, "What's so special about Prague." "What exactly does it offer?"
You start with visual magnificence. Conventional wisdom has it that Paris is the most beautiful city in Europe if not the world. But when you lay eyes on "Magical Prague," your jaw will literally drop. The central parts of the booming capital of Eastern Europe's Czech Republic are a striking mix of medieval, 19th century, Art Deco, and cutting-edge mod (check out Frank Gehry's "Fred and Ginger" building).
A stroll across the Moldau River along the Gothic Charles Bridge, with Hradcany Castle looming on the hilltop before you, is like wandering a Brother's Grimm fairytale. You should, first, roam Hradcany's mysterious cobblestone "Alchemists' Lane" and witness its toy-soldier-like changing of the guard; marvel at the graceful Gothic tracery of St. Agnes Monastery; watch the city hall's astronomical clock's fanciful figures (human and otherwise) dance in the arcade-lined Old Town Square every hour; explore the Jewish quarter with its spooky-cool cemetery and ancient synagogues; quaff Pilsner beer (it was invented here) or sup on goulash and roast goose under the stone barrel vaults of medieval cellar restaurants and pubs; and sip mulled wine or Becherovka herb liqueur in magnificent Belle Époque cafés.
The Czech Republic's in the European Union but not on the euro till 2009, so for now, while lodging has gotten generally pricier, you can still find good deals (consider apartment rentals), and in many places meals and attractions are still thumping bargains. Don't forget to schedule some time for day and overnight trips through lyrical countryscapes to magnificent castles (Konopiste, Karlstejn) and towns (e.g. the gracious spa city of Karlový Vary, the beermaking centers of Plzen and Ceské Budejovice, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ceský Krumlov and Telc).
Most tour operators cover Prague; specialists include General Tours (tel. 800/221-2216; www.generaltours.com) and Paul Laifer Tours (tel. 800/346-6314; www.laifertours.com). But independent travel is a cinch, as well; there are direct flights via CSA (tel. 800/223-2365; www.csa.cz/en) and Delta (tel. 800/241-4141; www.delta.com). Get more info in the U.S. at 212/288-0830, in Canada at 416/363-9928, or at www.visitczech.cz.
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You start with visual magnificence. Conventional wisdom has it that Paris is the most beautiful city in Europe if not the world. But when you lay eyes on "Magical Prague," your jaw will literally drop. The central parts of the booming capital of Eastern Europe's Czech Republic are a striking mix of medieval, 19th century, Art Deco, and cutting-edge mod (check out Frank Gehry's "Fred and Ginger" building).
A stroll across the Moldau River along the Gothic Charles Bridge, with Hradcany Castle looming on the hilltop before you, is like wandering a Brother's Grimm fairytale. You should, first, roam Hradcany's mysterious cobblestone "Alchemists' Lane" and witness its toy-soldier-like changing of the guard; marvel at the graceful Gothic tracery of St. Agnes Monastery; watch the city hall's astronomical clock's fanciful figures (human and otherwise) dance in the arcade-lined Old Town Square every hour; explore the Jewish quarter with its spooky-cool cemetery and ancient synagogues; quaff Pilsner beer (it was invented here) or sup on goulash and roast goose under the stone barrel vaults of medieval cellar restaurants and pubs; and sip mulled wine or Becherovka herb liqueur in magnificent Belle Époque cafés.
The Czech Republic's in the European Union but not on the euro till 2009, so for now, while lodging has gotten generally pricier, you can still find good deals (consider apartment rentals), and in many places meals and attractions are still thumping bargains. Don't forget to schedule some time for day and overnight trips through lyrical countryscapes to magnificent castles (Konopiste, Karlstejn) and towns (e.g. the gracious spa city of Karlový Vary, the beermaking centers of Plzen and Ceské Budejovice, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Ceský Krumlov and Telc).
Most tour operators cover Prague; specialists include General Tours (tel. 800/221-2216; www.generaltours.com) and Paul Laifer Tours (tel. 800/346-6314; www.laifertours.com). But independent travel is a cinch, as well; there are direct flights via CSA (tel. 800/223-2365; www.csa.cz/en) and Delta (tel. 800/241-4141; www.delta.com). Get more info in the U.S. at 212/288-0830, in Canada at 416/363-9928, or at www.visitczech.cz.
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Labels: prague
Sep 11, 2007
From $549 per person, including round-trip trans-Atlantic airfare: "Mini Weekends" in Eastern Europe!
We're approaching the time of the "Mini Weekends" (4 days, 3 nights) in Europe, those fall/winter dates when trans-Atlantic airlines and tour operators create new formulas for enticing people onto planes. This year's pattern: leave Wednesday evening, return Sunday. Or leave Thursday evening, return Monday. And though numerous promoters will eventually offer special rates for such abbreviated air-and-land packages (we'll announce them as they appear), the distinguished Paul Laifer of Paul Laifer Tours (tel. 800/346-6314 or 973/887-1188; www.laifertours.com), a specialist to central and eastern Europe, is the first to announce the exact rates and features for such tiny trips. Provided only that you're able to cope with an inevitable jet lag, you can enjoy such a holiday (airfare, hotel, buffet breakfast daily) for as little as $549 per person.
To Prague, from November 15 to December 10, and from January 2 to March 31, Laifer will fly you round-trip on Czech Airlines from New York (add-on fares from most other major cities are only slightly more), put you up for three nights at the Hotel Charles, and serve you a full buffet breakfast every morning, for only $549 per person (taxes, security fees, and fuel surcharge add another $225).
To Budapest, this time from November 1 to December 10, and from January 2 to March 31, 2008, he'll again fly you round-trip from New York on Czech Airlines and put you up at the Hotel Radisson Beke for three nights, with full buffet breakfast daily, for $599 per person (plus taxes, security fees, and fuel surcharge totalling $264).
Studies show that many Americans divide their meager, two-weeks-or-so of vacation (Grrrr!) into several long-weekends. If that's your lot, you might want to consider a trip and a stay as exotic (Prague, Budapest) as these shortened weekends provide.
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To Prague, from November 15 to December 10, and from January 2 to March 31, Laifer will fly you round-trip on Czech Airlines from New York (add-on fares from most other major cities are only slightly more), put you up for three nights at the Hotel Charles, and serve you a full buffet breakfast every morning, for only $549 per person (taxes, security fees, and fuel surcharge add another $225).
To Budapest, this time from November 1 to December 10, and from January 2 to March 31, 2008, he'll again fly you round-trip from New York on Czech Airlines and put you up at the Hotel Radisson Beke for three nights, with full buffet breakfast daily, for $599 per person (plus taxes, security fees, and fuel surcharge totalling $264).
Studies show that many Americans divide their meager, two-weeks-or-so of vacation (Grrrr!) into several long-weekends. If that's your lot, you might want to consider a trip and a stay as exotic (Prague, Budapest) as these shortened weekends provide.
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Labels: budapest, deals, prague
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
