If you've ever read Don Quixote or listened to Man from La Mancha, you know that the weather in Spain isn't always sunny. But it should be no surprise that people enjoy the Iberian Peninsula year round, even in winter. Americans are just beginning to discover what most Europeans have known for sometime--that you can still enjoy a wintertime trip here--especially with these entirely affordable packages from Petrabax.
The outfitter is returning once again budget-priced trips to Madrid and the Costa del Sol for travel starting on November 1, 2002 and running through March 31, 2003 from as little as $599.
You can have a six-night package in Spain with airfare from New York on Iberia and first class hotels for that price, based on the usual double occupancy. but in Madrid it's at a four-star hotel, the Florida Norte, Tryp Alcala or similar establishment. For the holiday period of December 15-30, the price rises to $829.
For a trip to the Costa del Sol, you get a choice of four-star hotels such as the Cervantes and Melia Costa del Sol in Torremolinos from the same low $599 per person, departing from New York on Thursdays from November 1 through December 14, and $619 from December 15-31, 2002. Air Plus flies nonstop from New York to Malaga. Daily departures are also available to Malaga on Iberia, January 1 through March 31, 2003, packages priced at $679.
The firm is introducing a new six-night package to Barcelona from Newark on Continental (in code share with Air Europa) for $689 per person, from November 1, 2002 through March 31, 2003, except for the period December 12-24 when the price is $789. Your choice of hotels is the Tryp Apolo and Melia Barcelona. During 2002 Barcelona is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Antoni Gaudi, architect of the marvelously gaudy Sagrada Familia cathedral, among other wonderful sites, so there will be special exhibitions of art and design, not to mention the debut of a new musical about him.
Some restrictions apply on airfares, and airport taxes and fees of about $80 are additional. For more information on these one-week vacations, contact Petrabax Vacations at 800/634-1188 or visit their Web site, www.petrabaxusa.com.