October 22, 2004 -- As the capital of western Europe's most heavily populated nation, Berlin is becoming more of a magnet to American travelers. Vibrant and innovative, it is getting to be the intellectual capital of the continent as well, and as for free expression, young Germans here act like they invented it. (Think the annual Love Parade in July, for instance, a rival to any Mardi Gras.) If you're intrigued, consider one of these packages for the coming fall and winter.
To assist our readers by giving them more planning time, the nice folks at Go Today have extended their deadline for a "Berlin Special" package so that you now have through November 13, 2004 to book. This great deal costs from just $569 per person and gives you roundtrip flights from New York or Newark, six nights of hotel accommodations, daily continental breakfast and hotel taxes and service charges (airfare taxes and fees and document "handling" fees are extra). Naturally, the package is available from many major gateways, with this kind of sample add-on: $80 out of Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.; $100 out of Atlanta, Chicago or Detroit; $150 from Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Tampa; and $180 out of Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle.
At the basic price, the hotel is the Park Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz, but you can upgrade all the way to the ritzy Adlon Kempinski, if you feel like it (total cost $1349 per person!). Travel dates are from November 1 to December 15, 2004, and again from January 6 through February 22, 2005. Contact the sponsors at www.gotoday.com or (for a $20 fee) book on the phone at 425/487-9632.
The "Berlin Express" is ready from just $599 per person out of New York City (regular price $799 to $899), for a four-night package in the bustling capital of Germany. Organized by Friendly Planet (tel. 800/555-5765; www.friendlyplanet.com), this features departures from November 24, 2004 through March 16, 2005, at the rate of about once per month. The deal includes the roundtrip flights on Lufthansa/United or SWISS, four nights at the Hotel Berlin (a superior first class place), daily buffet breakfast, and more. You can also arrange a pre-tour visit to Amsterdam, London or Paris at just $100, details on request.
Transfers aren't included in this program to Berlin as it is "easy and inexpensive to get from the airport into town" by taxi for around €15 ($19), or by public transport for around €2 - €4 ($2.50 - $5) depending on which method you use.
"Best Buy Berlin & London" is the name of a promotion offered by Off Peak Traveler, starting from $649 out of New York for six nights in those cities (three nights each). You get the roundtrip air between New York City and London, ditto between London and Berlin, three nights in each city with private bath or shower, and continental or buffet breakfast daily. There are 18 additional departure cities, not just New York. You may have to pay holiday air surcharges for travel December 16-24, 2004, and there may be surcharges in Berlin during fairs there from March 11 to 15, 2005. Otherwise, the program is valid from November 1, 2004 through March 25, 2005.
In London, you stay at the Tria Hotel, in Berlin at the Euro. You can upgrade for more money to other hotels if you wish. There are plenty of optional tours in and about London if you care to take advantage of them. You have until March 22, 2005 at 5 PM EST to book this one.
For Thanksgiving only, Off Peak has a special trip just to Berlin, costing from $479 out of New York City. Departure is on November 22, 2004 with your return on November 26. A slight hitch: "a Saturday night stay may be required...we will advise you prior to confirmation." If that happens, you'll have to stay an additional two nights. The package includes airfare, three nights in Berlin with private bath or shower, and continental or buffet breakfast daily. The basic hotel is the Euro Best Western, but you can upgrade to more expensive places if you wish. You fly British Airways via London, so a stopover is possible in the British capital at an additional charge ($189), giving you an extra three nights there, same deal as in promotion noted earlier. For booking or more details, go to www.offpeaktraveler.com.
