After an absolutely glorious June (sunshine and temperatures in the 70s and 80s), London remains at picture-perfect peak heading into July and August, with bargains from the USA still topping the potential traveler's list of must-do items. We'd like to remind you of some of the best deals out there.
Leading again is Europe Express, with summer packages starting as low as $649 per person, double occupancy, air included. The travel dates for this deal are now through August 26, with booking required no later than August 18. The price is from New York's JFK on Air India and includes six nights of hotel lodgings, daily breakfast and more. The only other departure city for this special is Chicago for an additional $80. Contact Europe Express at www.europeexpress.com or phone them at 800/927-3876.
Matching them is Virgin Vacations, affiliated with the ever-innovative Virgin Atlantic Airways. They have a six-night package, with airfare from New York's JFK, costing as little as $649 in a budget-category hotel. This London Summer Budget Fling includes continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges. The travel dates are from now through August 31, with a booking deadline of August 21. Upgrade your hotel to either tourist, standard, superior or deluxe and the prices range from $679 to $999 for the same package. Other departure dates and gateways are available, check website for details. From Chicago, for instance, the same package is $729 and up. For Virgin, contact them at www.virginvacations.com or phone 888/YES-VIRGIN (same as 888/937-8474).
For both deals above, prices are per person, double occupancy, and do not include airline departure taxes or surcharges. Other restrictions may apply and the prices are subject to change without notice.
London doesn't have to be expensive. We suggest you check out www.londonelite.com. A new section, called London for Less, provides information (much of which is already in the Frommer's guidebooks covering the city) of interest to budgeters. One of their suggested itineraries covers a walk past Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, St. James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, ending up at Kensington Palace in the morning, followed by a visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum. They recommend places for lunch ($19) and dinner ($21), and seats at the Royal Opera House for $10. (Orchestra stalls for a recent performance of Lohengrin there went for £160, about $256!) Most of the website is free, but you can pay $20 to become a "Friend," and get access to the special offers, concierge and visit planner sections, they say, claiming you could thereby save "hundreds of pounds."
