TourCrafters, the Illinois-based operator that churns out great deals, has another one in the hopper, and you'd better hop to it. The last time we reported on one of its exceptional ($399 to Venice), it sold out in less than a day. The new bargain is a $419 package to either Rome or Florence, including roundtrip air on Lufthansa, four nights in a three-star hotel, daily Italian buffet breakfast and hotel service charges and taxes, all for just $419 from New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Boston.
The same packages are also available out of Atlanta for $440, Chicago for $461 and from Los Angeles for $498. Not included in the price are airport/hotel transfers and airport taxes, the latter of which can be as high as $120.
Your lodging choices in Rome are the 3-star Hotel Brasile (available January 7 to February 10, 2003), close to the British Embassy, and within walking distance of the classy Via Veneto and the huge main rails station; and the recently-renovated Hotel Villa Borghese (available January 5 to February 28, 2003), birthplace of the author Alberto Moravia. It's near the Villa Borghese itself, with a marvelous view of the park surrounding the villa.
In Florence, your hotel is the 3-star Porta Faenza, located in a typical medieval street in the center of the city. It's an 18th-century building, but completely refurbished with private bathrooms, elevator, soundproofing and satellite TV. Free Internet and e-mail access is available to guests, too. The Florence package is valid January 5 to March 15, 2003, except during fairs at the Pitti Palace.
All prices are per person, double occupancy, and subject to availability. Space and seats are limited. A Saturday night stay is required, reservations must be made 21 days in advance and paid for within 72 hours. The surcharge for weekend travel is $31 each way.
For reservations, phone TourCrafters at 800/482-5995 or go online to www.tourcrafters.com. You can e-mail the company at info@tourcrafters.com.
