Why Paris in the off-season? Why not? There are so many reasons to visit the City of Light and weather has very little to do with it. Sure it can be a little rainy or chilly in the fall and winter, but what a small price to pay for visiting one of the most magical cities in the world.
So much awaits you -- arguably the world's best museums and galleries (Musée du Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou to name a few), the euro-tastic shopping, the views from Paris's iconic buildings and structures (the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, the top of Notre Dame), the romance that is walking around the Left Bank hand in hand with someone special, strolling through the falling leaves in the Jardin du Luxembourg, sipping a glass of wine at one of the hundreds of traditional Parisian cafes, and did I mention the food (when I say food, I mean the pastries, the cakes and the desserts of course)?
Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235é www.go-today.com) has some of the cheapest packages to Paris at the moment with a six-night air inclusive deal during the fall and winter from $499 per person plus taxes from New York. Stay at the Comfort Hotel Lamarck for six-nights including continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges. Upgrade to the Waldorf Montparnasse for an additional $70 or the Mercure Ronceray-Paris Opera Hotel for an additional $120. Purchase must be completed by November 17, 2005 to take advantage of these deals and certain blackout dates apply. Add $20 from Boston, $30 from Philadelphia and $40 from Washington, D.C..
Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) currently has a "Hot Deal" to Paris with their "Six Day Paris Value Vacation" from $349 per person plus taxes, which is in most cases, cheaper than airfare alone. This price includes round-trip airfare from New York to Paris, four-nights accommodation at the Kyriad Bercy Village and daily breakfast. The $349 rate is good for departures on January 19, 25 and 26, 2006. Depart on November 2, 16, 17 and 30, 2005; January 4, 5, 11, 12 and 18; February 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23; and March 1, 2, 8, 9 and 15, 2006 for $369. Other departure cities available for additional cost. These prices represent a discount for payments in cash rather than credit card. The same package is also available over the Thanksgiving period, departing November 21, 22 or 23, 2005 for $399 plus taxes.
Tourcrafters (tel. 800/621-2259; www.tourcrafters.com) still has some availability on its "Thanksgiving in Paris and Nice" special packages. Choose between two options -- one staying at the Hotel Pavillion Republique Les Halles in Paris and Hotel Alexandra in Nice (for a total or six-nights) for $709 per person or the other staying at Hotel Kyriad Republique in Paris and Hotel Regence in Nice (for a total or six-nights) for $669. Both packages include round-trip transatlantic flights from Boston, New York or Philadelphia to Paris, three nights in Paris, three-nights in Nice, three days car rental, breakfast daily and hotel taxes. You can also choose to spend an additional night in Paris and one less night in Nice. Valid for departures on November 20-24 only. All prices are per person, double occupancy and subject to availability. Taxes are additional.
France Vacations (tel. 800/332-5332; www.francevacations.net) has a Los Angeles to Paris supersale with five, six or seven-night packages available. The five-night package starts from $569, the six-night from $599 or the seven-night from $639. Packages include round-trip airfare from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, select number of nights hotel accommodation in Paris, daily breakfast, city taxes and 10% discount coupon at shopping paradise in the form of Galeries Lafayette. Price does not include airport taxes, fuel surcharge and security fees of approximately $196. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Valid for particular departures dates from now until January 23, 2005 with some blackout periods. Extra nights and hotel upgrades also available.
Air France Holidays (tel. 800/2-FRANCE; www.airfrance-holidays.com) is offering you an "Escapade to Paris" this fall and winter seasons from as low as $599 per person. Enjoy round-trip flights from New York, Boston or Philadelphia, three-nights at the Comfort Hotel Lamarck, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges, and a Seine River cruise. Add $20 from Washington, D.C., $70 from Chicago or Miami and $200 from San Francisco or Los Angeles. 30-day advance purchase is required. Thee prices are valid for departures from November 12 to December 15, 2005 and January 3 to March 28, 2006. Slightly higher rates apply for mid December 2005 to early January 2006. A Saturday night stay is required.
For flights only, Faremax (tel. 877/359-2387; www.faremax.com) has fall specials to Europe with some low round-trip prices to Paris, like $298 from New York or $488 from Los Angeles. You must book by December 23, 2005. Subject to availability and restrictions apply. Weekend surcharges and blackout dates may apply.
1-800-Fly Europe (www.1800flyeurope.com) always has low-priced options when it comes to Paris airfares and this fall and winter are no exception. Another great feature of this website is that you can see the difference in price between non-stop and one-stop flights so you can make an informed decision. Sample round-trip fares include:
- From New York: $320 (one-stop)/$344 (non-stop)
- From Philadelphia: $335/$335
- From Miami: $406/$434
- From Chicago: $414/$437
- From Dallas: $437/$459
- From Los Angeles: $478/$478
As an added bonus, receive a free cell phone rental for the duration of your trip (although you are liable for the cost of calls) or combine your flight with car rental, book for four-days and pay for three or book for seven-days and pay for only five. The catch is that you must book by October 30, 2005 for departures from December 16 until December 25, 2005 -- perfect if you a fancy a Christmas break in Paris. Taxes and fuel surcharges are additional.
Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) is currently running a "Fall and Winter Escapes to Europe and Beyond" airfare special but prices remain slightly higher than some package options. Tickets must be purchased by November 3, 2005, with a seven-day advance purchase required. Sample round-trip prices to Paris flying United Airlines or Lufthansa including:
- From Chicago: $511
- From San Francisco: $503
- Hartford: $503
- New York: $531
Travel is valid Mondays through Thursdays (with a Saturday night stay requirement) from now until December 15, 2005 and from December 26, 2005 to March 31, 2006. Subject to availability
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