November 22, 2004 -- Traditional European winter destinations usually include your standard England, Italy and France or perhaps a ski trip to the Alps. Why not consider the Benelux region - that delightful triangle of French, Flemish, Dutch and Luxemburgish speaking folk that call Belgium, the Netherlands and the Grand-Duché of Luxembourg home.
If you don't want to be committed to a particular itinerary or locked into a package, consider one of the discounted airfares and then play it by ear. The three countries are so close together that you can literally drive, train or bus between them in a few hours (ie. Brussels to Luxembourg or Brussels to Amsterdam are both 130 miles). You'll only need one currency, the Euro, and English is spoken throughout. Some of the world's greatest art collections, museums and architecture can be found in this region, so immerse yourself in its inspiring history and culture.
The cheapest fares we found in December 2004 and January 2005 are through Airline Consolidator (tel. 888/468-5385; www.airlineconsolidator.com) starting at just $270 plus $87 taxes from New York to Brussels. Their flights to Amsterdam on US Airways start at $244 plus taxes of $98. From Los Angeles on Delta, flights to Brussels are $430 plus $94 taxes, and to Amsterdam on KLM Airlines for $408 plus $95 taxes. Flights to Luxembourg City, although not direct and not as frequent, are equally reasonable starting at $250 plus taxes from New York on Swiss Airlines. They also have discounted car rental if you handle the exorbitant fuel costs in Europe. Rates start as low as $202 per week with pick-ups from either Amsterdam or Brussels Airports.
Intra Tours (tel. 800/334-8069; www.intratours.com) is featuring special winter airfares to Europe for travel dates from now until December 14, 2004 and from January 10 to March 20, 2005. Round trip midweek (Monday to Thursday) flights only with a weekend surcharge. Minimum stay is a Saturday night and maximum stay is 30 to 60 days. Bookings must be completed by November 30, 2004. Taxes are additional.
Sample roundtrip fares include:
- New York to Brussels $270, to Amsterdam $309
- Atlanta to Amsterdam or Brussels $375
- Boston to Brussels $299, to Amsterdam $309
- Los Angeles to Brussels $435, to Amsterdam $440
- Dallas or Houston to Brussels $380, to Amsterdam $385
- Chicago to Brussels $375, to Amsterdam $395
Although 1800-Fly Europe (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com) also has discount airfares to Brussels and Amsterdam in December (from New York, $318 plus taxes, which goes up to $425 during the holiday season), the best deal is their seven-day airfare, car and cell phone rental packages.
Sample package prices (including roundtrip airfare, seven-day car rental and cell phone rental - taxes additional):
- Boston or New York to Amsterdam $349
- San Francisco or Los Angeles to Amsterdam $459
- Washington DC to Brussels $367
- Chicago to Brussels $437
- Miami or Orlando to Amsterdam $409
Valid for departures now through March 17, 2005 excluding December 13 to 24, 2004. Bookings must be completed and ticketed by November 30, 2004.
Gate1 Travel (tel. 1 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) always has low-priced independent or escorted travel packages to Europe. Its current pickings include an Amsterdam package including roundtrip airfare from New York, four-nights accommodation with breakfasts for $389 plus taxes for travel between December 1 and 15, 2004. The price goes up ever so slightly to $399 for departures between December 25, 2004 and March 11, 2005. Other departure cities are available for additional cost. You can get the land-only component (ie. hotel and breakfast) for a mere $139 per person based on dual occupancy.
Another great deal is their eight-day Amsterdam and Brussels independent package, which includes airfare from New York to Brussels and from Amsterdam to New York, reserved rail tickets from Brussels to Amsterdam, and three-nights accommodation with breakfast in each city (six in total) from $589 plus taxes. This package is valid for departures on December 2 and 9, 2004, only. Other Thursday departures available between December 2004 and March 2005 run from $629 to $879 plus taxes.
Go Today (tel. 425/487-9632; www.gotoday.com) has an Amsterdam Super Special starting at $399 plus taxes per person. For this low price, you get roundtrip airfare from New York, Boston or Newark, four-nights accommodation at the Tulip Inn Art Hotel, continental breakfast daily and all hotel service charges and taxes. This price is valid for departures from now until December 15, 2004 and from January 6 to March 25, 2005. Other departure cities available for additional cost.
Benelux Tourrail Pass
If you are planning on touring around Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and you would prefer not to drive, then you should consider the Benelux Tourrail Pass. The Benelux Tourrail Pass provides is very reasonably priced, giving you five days unlimited travel to be used within one month, a choice of first or second class, and Eurostar discounts for train tickets purchased. Extra Benelux Tourrail Pass discounts exist for under 26's traveling second class and for two or more people when traveling together
You can purchase your pass at a variety of different websites with slight variations in price. Among the cheapest is Raipass.com (tel. 877/7245-7277; www.railpass.com/eurail/passes/benelux.htm). For $217, you get five-days travel in first class, or $155 for second class. If traveling with a friend, the Tourrail Pass for two is $326 in first class and $233 in second class. The under-26 Youth Pass is $104 in second class only.
For more information and to help you plan your Benelux vacation, visit:
- www.frommers.com/destinations/belgium
- www.frommers.com/destinations/thenetherlands
- www.frommers.com/destinations/luxembourg