June 25, 2004 -- Many moons ago, tourism from the US to Europe alternated from year to year, the larger number of travelers going one year to France, the next year to England. But Britain has taken first place for the past 34 years now, and for good reason. Fares are usually lower than to France, more airlines fly the routes, and the "Sceptred Isle" has always been a logical steppingstone to the continent itself. Add to that the marvelous abundance of low cost airlines radiating out of London to other European cities, and you have the formula for continued tourism success. One should not overlook the City of Love, though, as deals are still to be found there.
London
Off Peak Traveler has a high season London package of five nights, with departures from July 1 through August 21, 2004, costing as little as $699 per person, double occupancy. There are daily flights from New York on Virgin Atlantic, then five nights at the Mina House Hotel with continental breakfast daily. You have to pay service charges and taxes of $149 per person in addition, and there are weekend surcharges of $30 in each direction for Friday, Saturday or Sunday flights. Typical add-ons: $50 from Boston or Newark, $80 from Washington DC, $160 from Miami, $270 from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Contact Off Peak Traveler at their website, www.offpeaktraveler.com
In addition to packages like these, the official site of Visit Britain (www.visitbritain.com) has specials, including local ones such as that for the Novotel London Euston, which is giving what they say is a discount of 62%. They want £79 (about $145) from you , instead of the rack rate or "normal price" of £209 ($384), and the deal is good through December 31, 2004. The rates are for up to two adults and up to two children under 16 sharing a room, valid Fridays through Sundays only, including full English breakfast. Limited number of rooms available. Please quote PRO2 when booking. This lodging, with 312 rooms, is near the new British Library, and is accessible from both Euston and Kings Cross stations and major tube lines. Contact them at 800/221-4542 or at www.accorhotels.co.uk, e-mail H5309-SB@accor-hotels.com.
Paris
OPT has a six-night package starting from $759 per person, double occupancy to Paris. You get roundtrip daily flights from Newark on Air India, six nights at the Classics Tour Eiffel Hotel, continental breakfast daily. Service charges and taxes are an extra $149 per person, but there are no weekend surcharges. Departures from July 1 through August 25, 2004. Contact Off Peak Traveler at their website, www.offpeaktraveler.com
Another pair of decent offers to Paris comes from France Vacations. The first, a Paris Summer Special, is good for six nights in an air-conditioned room, roundtrip air from New York City on Air France, daily breakfast and city taxes. At the lowest price of $769, your hotel would be the Roma Sacre Coeur in the 18th arrondissement, valid dates from July 1 through September 7, 2004. They say prices may be different on special days, such as trade shows or weekends, so be sure to ask.
A second package from France Vacations takes you from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui to Paris for as little as $1,089, again during the high season (from July 1 through August 31), with roundtrip air, five nights in the same Roma Sacre Coeur hotel as mentioned above, daily breakfast, and a ten percent discount for the Galleries Lafayette. In both packages, prices are per person based on double occupancy, and special days may be higher in price. Contact them on the web at: www.francevacations.net or call 800/332-5332.
Note that in none of the packages mentioned above are airport taxes and security fees are not included. Be sure to ask about other departure cities, too.