July 15, 2004 -- Say the word "Paris" and often, perhaps because of its fame as the "City of Love", the season of spring comes to mind, thanks to songs, poetry and sheer repetition. But even while spring and summer have there charms, I think a Parisian autumn is best of all. Budget lovers should find the fall a great time to travel to London as well.
Let's start by looking at San Francisco-based EuropeASAP (415/750 5449; www.europeasap.com, which is offering eight-day/six-night air/hotel packages to Paris starting from $529 per person, based on double occupancy. That base-price is for departures out of the New York area between September 1 through October 31 and places travelers in the tourist-class Hotel Nation in the 12th Arrondisement, southwest of the city center. The 12th is known for the family-friendly Bois de Vincennes, a park featuring lakes, a zoo and a formal palace; and the Parc Floral de Paris, whose gardens should be chock-a-block with fall-blooming dahlias during this period. Packages include air, hotel, security fees, taxes and morning meals; ground transportation is $29 per person each way. Additional departure gateways are available at varying prices.
France Vacations has a deal that starts from just $499, taking you to Paris for a six-night stay, with the airfare, daily breakfast, city taxes and a 10% discount coupon to Galeries Lafayette, the city's best department store, included. Travel dates are from November 1 through December 15, 2004, ideal for Christmas shopping. When traveling out of New York, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., you stay at the Roma Sacre Coeur, in the 18th arrondissement. Pay more and you can stay at fancier hotels. Add-on airfares are available from major departure points in the US. Contact them at www.francevacations.net.
Go Today, as can be expected, is vying to have the lowest possible costs for its offerings. They have many packages to destinations throughout Europe from $399, even less for land-only arrangements. The purchase deadline for these is July 29, 2004, but you travel in the fall and winter. Packages include fly/drives, six-night specials, four-night "escapes", three-night "getaways" and other holiday packages. Destinations include the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Spain and Switzerland. To book any of these, go to www.go-today.com or phone 425/487-9632 (booking on the phone costs an extra $20).
Off Peak Traveler, another favorite of ours, has an interesting deal from late summer through mid autumn (September 1 through October 31, 2004, to be exact), using Air India (www.airindia.com) on flights from New York to London, and giving you three nights there. This costs just $349, and if you are a student it could be $329. Should you want to fly American Airlines, the same deal comes out at $389. (From my own past experience, you might have more room on Air India to move around the cabin in their Boeing 747 daily flights. The package includes the airfare, three nights in a hotel with private bath or shower, and continental or buffet breakfast daily. You'll stay at the Mina House Hotel or similar. Contact the organizers at www.offpeaktraveler.com.
Note that in none of the packages mentioned above are airport taxes and security fees included.
