November 5, 2004 -- Why settle for A Christmas Carol on TV when you can actually visit Dickens' city of inspiration in winter -- without having to scrimp like Ebeneezer Scrooge -- through one of the many London package deals available in the coming months?
As London gears up for the holidays, cold-weather pleasures abound: Streets smell of roasting chestnuts, and restaurants ply mince pies and dark Christmas puddings. Skaters cut fine figures in the ice at Hampton Court, cross-dressing pantomimes thrill children from December through January, and the West End twinkles with lights and yuletide trimmings.
On the cultural tip, winners of the equally controversial and prestigious Turner Prize for fine art are announced and exhibited from October 20 through January 23 at the Tate Britain. And many of the city's most enduringly popular stops for visitors -- the theater district, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the National Gallery -- are indoor treats, sheltering visitors from the London fog and cold. "The attractions don't change in winter," says Paul Chibeba of Visit Britain. "But hotel prices plummet along with the temperatures."
Accommodations are nicest for the price, with a broad window of travel time, through 1-800-flyeurope (tel. 800/359-3876; www.1800flyeurope.com). Their "London Calling" package, with flights departing from Boston, offers three nights for $299 at the three-star Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth (Smugglers Way, London, SW181EG; 011-44-20-73004300), south of the Thames, near the Wandsworth Town train station, which links to the Waterloo tube. 1-800-flyeurope President Nigel Osborne says, "It's fine if you want a cheap hotel to hang your hat in, but if you're looking for something romantic, it's best to upgrade to the four-star Chelsea Village Hotel." For $379, this package is one of the best values to London in winter. Near the home of the Chelsea Football Club, Chelsea Village (Stamford Bridge, Fulham Rd., London SW6 1HS; 011-44-2075651400; www.chelseavillage.com) is an elegant hotel emporium, with multiple restaurants and bars sprawling over 12 acres in the tony, historic Chelsea district, near Knightsbridge and Kings Road shopping.
Departure from cities other than Boston costs more, ranging from $30 extra from New York, $60 from DC, and $130 from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Prices are based on double occupancy and don't include taxes and surcharges of $100 to $170 per person, or weekend travel penalties of $20 to $30, depending on the carrier. All packages must be ticketed by November 15 for travel now through March 17, excluding December 13 through December 24.
Act fast for the cheapest package to London, from GoToday (www.gotoday.com). Their "London Supersale" -- available only for travel from January 9 to January 25, 2005 -- offers six nights in London starting at the unbelievably low price of $299. The lowest fare, which is available from Boston, JFK International, and Newark, buys you a room at the plain but clean, conveniently located Garden View Kensington Hotel (tel. 011-44-20-78351900; 29-31 Nervern Square, London, SW5 9PE). Go-today describes this two-star, family-run property as merely "adequate for a traveler on a tight budget," but it's accessible to transportation throughout London via the Earl's Court tube, a few stops from Piccadilly Circus.
With an upgrade to a three-star room, go-today's package rate is still a fair deal at $439 per person for six nights at The Holiday Villa, a converted Victorian townhouses with a halal Malaysian restaurant on the premises (tel. 011-44-20-72580269; 37 Leinster Gardens, London, W2 3AN). Six nights at the four-star Millennium Gloucester Hotel (tel. 011-44-20 7373 6030; 4-18 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4L), is a fabulous value, in the heart of Kensington, rivaling the Chelsea Village package at $619.
Prices don't include a $180 fee per person for taxes and surcharges or the $100 weekend travel surcharge on travel between Thursday and Monday. Packages from Philadelphia are $50 more. From other cites, the extra charge ranges from $100 to $280. Purchase is non refundable and non-changeable, and full payment is due within one day of booking by 2pm. Travel must be booked by November 23. If you'd like to negotiate the level of accommodations by phone (tel. 425/487-9632; 7:30am to 4:30 pm Pacific standard time), be prepared to pay an extra $20.
Virgin Airways Vacations (tel. 888/937-8474; www.virgin-vacations.com) is offering package rates comparable to 1-800-flyeurope's for a broader range of slightly less plush accommodations: $369 for three nights in two-star and budget lodgings, for travel from now until December 15, and from December 26 through March 25.
British Airways Vacations (tel. 877/428-2228; www.baholidays.com/packages/index.jsp) is also offering a three-night shopping package deal, for accommodations in a 2- to 4-star central London hotel starting at $399 from New York, $419 from Boston, $460 from Washington, $512 from Chicago, $560 from Miami, and $574 from Los Angeles. Travelers must book tickets by December 31 and travel by March 31. This offer is not valid from December 17 to December 23. Price includes Harrods shopping vouchers worth 20 pounds and a traditional afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason.
Remember that many attractions maintain limited visiting hours in the off-season, so be sure to check ahead. For an excellent London events calendar, see www.londontown.com or Visit Britain (tel. 877/899-8391; www.visitbritain.com).
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