Everyone knows tourism to Europe is down this year, what with the lower buying power of the American dollar and the still-lingering effects of Sept. 11 travel phobia, even though most tourist organizations are adjusting prices downward to entice more Americans across the drink. But it is still surprising to see a land-only cost of just $199 for five nights in five of Italy's most revered spots.
You might want to use your frequent flyer mileage or just look for a cheap airfare on your own in order to take advantage of this fantastic bargain from Tourcrafters, a highly respected tour operator based in Illinois and Rome. The price of $199 is good for lodgings for five nights, with daily breakfast, hotel taxes and service charges included, in one of the following places: Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples or Sicily.
The packages are available from November to February (March, in some places), except for the Christmas/New Year period.
In Rome and Florence, conveniently-located hotels are used, include the 3-star Brasile in Rome, near the Via Veneto, and the modern Meridiana in Florence, close to the old city. The deal in these two places is good from November 16, 2002 through March 15, 2003.
In Venice, you will stay at the Hotel Hesperia, a charming spot on the Cannareggio Canal, valid from November 11, 2002 through February 21, 2003. In Naples, it's the central Hotel Garden, valid from November 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003.
As for Sicily, you stay in one of three 3-star hotels. One is the Hotel Excelsior Palace Terme, in the gorgeous baroque town of Acireale, a few miles from Catania and its airport. Both the Hotel Zagarella and the Sea Palace overlook the Gulf of Porticello, not far from Palermo, if you want something different. The Sicily packages are valid from November 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003.
For more information, phone 800/482-5995 or visit the Web site, www.tourcrafters.com. Please note that while the Tourcrafters Web site states that the $199 stay is valid in conjunction with their best airfare deals, a representative assured us that this does not mean you are required to buy airfare from them. She explained that particular statement as having lost something in the translation.
