Whether you've dreamed of sipping Italian wine in Chianti, finding your way through the labyrinth of catacombs in Rome, studying la lingua Italiana in Florence or you're just itching to overpay for a gondola ride in Venice, the current slew of discounted airfares and deals to Italy should make your decision to book that trip to Italy a bit easier.
Italian discount carrier EuroFly (tel. 800/459-0581; www.euroflyusa.com) flies a non-stop route from New York to Milan with connecting sectors to Rome, Naples, Bologna and Palermo. Sample round-trip fares for travel until May 24, 2007 start from $739 (including fuel surcharges) plus taxes of approximately $69 to either Milan, Rome, Naples or Bologna and $839 to Palermo. But if you are willing to travel on very specific dates, EuroFly currently has the cheapest airfares I have seen from New York to Rome. Depart on April 21, 25, 26, 28 and May 3, 5 and 8, 2007 and pay an incredible $299 (including fuel surcharges) plus taxes of $69 for a round-trip flight. I imagine that this super low fare will not last long -- so book early. All travel for this deal must be completed by May 13, 2007 and the last purchase date is February 28, 2007. All reservations must be made online.
British Airways' (tel. 800/AIRWAYS; www.ba.com) current special allows you to book a round-trip airfare to Rome and receive two free nights hotel accommodation based on double occupancy. Stay at the two-and-a-half-star Hotel D'Este including continental breakfast for two nights and pay the following for the airfare and hotel deal for midweek (Monday to Wednesday) departures in February, 2007:
- From New York to Rome -- $345 plus taxes of $268 per person
- From Boston to Rome -- $348 plus taxes of $268 per person
- From Chicago to Rome -- $424 plus taxes of $268 per person
- From Los Angeles to Rome -- $448 plus taxes of $288 per person
Of course there are several terms and conditions to abide by including that you must book online by January 24, 2007, outbound travel must occur between January 23 and March 25 (stay until March 31), 2007. Seven-days advance purchase required. A booking tip -- when you press "Special Offer" hotels on the price quote screen, make sure that you insert two nights only in the "change search" box on the left hand side of the hotel display screen, otherwise all hotels shown will have prices attached.
Spring in Italy is considered close to peak season, especially with so many people choosing to spend Easter in Rome, so 1800 Fly Europe's (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com) current spring airfare special is a welcome respite in the world of traditionally high airfares. These deals are valid for travel from April 1 until May 25, 2007. Tickets must be purchased by January 31, 2007. Round-trip fares include the following:
- New York to Milan -- $509
- Boston to Rome, Milan or Venice -- $537
- Washington DC to Rome, Milan or Venice -- $557
- Los Angeles to Rome or Venice -- $689
- Miami, Atlanta, Detroit or Dallas to Rome, Venice or Milan -- $617
Speaking of peak season airfares, late spring and summer are notorious for price hikes that often you're your airfare alone well in excess of $1,000 Alitalia (www.alitalia.com), Italy's national carrier has an early bird special for those who want to get a jump start on their summer vacation planning. These low summer fares to Italy must be purchased by January 31, 2007 and are valid for flights from New York (JFK airport only) to Rome, Naples and Palermo on the specific. A Saturday-night minimum stay is required and the maximum stay is 30 days. To Rome on all days except Monday and Wednesday
- May 6 to 24, 2007 -- $759
- May 25 to June 14 2007 -- $869
- June 15 to August 31, 2007 -- $1,019
To Naples departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- May 6 to 24, 2007 -- $729
- May 25 to June 14 2007 -- $839
- June 15 to August 31, 2007 -- $989
To Palermo departing Thursdays and Sundays
- May 6 to 24, 2007 -- $829
- May 25 to June 14 2007 -- $929
- June 15 to August 31, 2007 -- $1,129
From the package deal perspective, Tourcrafters (tel. 800/621-2259; www.tourcrafters.com) presents a series of Spring Break specials for Italy. Their four-night "Ravello Splendor" trip is priced from $879 plus taxes per person based on double occupancy. It includes round-trip airfare from New York to Naples (departures from other cities are available at additional cost), four-nights accommodation at four-star Hotel de Charme Villa Maria, breakfast daily, hotel taxes and four-days car rental. The "Romantic Countryside in Tuscany" deal is priced from $669 plus taxes and includes round-trip airfare from New York, four-nights in a four-star property in the Tuscan countryside (either La Canonica de Fungaia outside Siena or La Badia di Pomaio in the Arezzo Valley), hotel taxes, breakfast daily and four days car rental. Add $30 from Philadelphia $40 from Boston, $55 from Washington $65 from Chicago and Detroit and $ 75 from Miami or Los Angeles. There are several other packages available including Rome and Florence, Sicily, Venice and the Amalfi Coast.
All these Tourcrafters deals must be booked by January 29, 2007 with travel valid from now until March 31, 2007. Buon Viaggio.
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