October 7, 2004 -- While we don't advocate family dysfunction, Thanksgiving can be a great time to take advantage of international and domestic travel deals. Hotels are empty and restaurants are craving diners. Europe is always a better deal in the fall, and because travel is light there Thanksgiving weekend, fares and stays are abnormally cheap.
The word for turkey in French is "dindon." France Vacations (www.francevacations.net) offers a five-day trip to Nice, France for $599. Roundtrip air from New York on Air France (other departure cities are available) is included as are your five-nights' hotel accommodations and a Thanksgiving dinner with wine. While the weather might not be perfect, the croissants, the cheese, and the antiques are. You must purchase this by October 15, 2004.
Take Wing Travel (www.takewingtravel.com) has a slew of four-night European jaunts to the Costa del Sol, London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Venice & more that start from $399 per person, based on double occupancy, and run up to $749. Most of the trips have accommodations in mid-level hotels along with the airfare. Security fees and taxes are not included in base prices.
If skiing is your thing, take note that Stratton Mountain offers an excellent deal with lift tickets included. Stratton's official Website () offers $59 three-day lift passes and lodging specials that start at $44. Turkeys should be large and the Ben and Jerry's ice cream plentiful.
Ever spent Thanksgiving in New York? The Macy's Day Parade is better than Disney World for kids and adults who love floats and hotel specials. While you have to get New York yourself (try www.sidestep.com), the hotel and additional perk packages start at $549 for centrally located hotels. Perks for the four-night packages include free admission to either the Empire State Building Observatory or the Rockefeller Center Tour, free admission to your choice of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History, shopping discounts at Macy's and Bloomingdale's, 24-hour emergency travel assistance (this is New York), and optional tickets to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, Disney's The Lion King, and Gray Line Holiday Lights evening tour. The Parade is exceptional and watching the floats get blown up at 72nd and Columbus is a traditional favorite, even for New Yorkers. Visit www.nycvp.com/frames/theater/thanks2004PH.html for details.
