The price is right for this package deal to colorful, open-minded Amsterdam, and the timing is good, too. Virgin Vacations (tel. 888/937-8474; www.virgin-vacations.com) has an Amsterdam Escape priced from $899 for four nights for travel this fall and through spring 2009. The price includes roundtrip airfare, four nights of accommodations in Amsterdam, continental breakfast every morning, hotel taxes and service charges, along with fuel surcharges. It reflects the November 16-December 11 travel period, and is again valid for travel January 4-February 24, 2009 as well. Keep in mind, however, that airport taxes and fees are not included and will add $40 (or more) to the purchase price. The purchase deadline is November 26 and you can even book the trip without airfare (if you have other means of arriving, for example), from $399 through the site as well.
The lowest advertised price for each departure period typically represents the most no-frills option -- standard, double occupancy accommodations in tourist class hotels -- but you can upgrade to deluxe rooms for deluxe pricing. If you need some incentive to consider Amsterdam, it is home to many museums including the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House, the Heineken Brewery (which you can tour), canals and lots of bicycles. For other suggestions, consider a visit to the Netherlands Board of Tourism site (tel. 212/370-7360; http://us.holland.com), and click on "Amsterdam" in the word cloud on the left-hand side.
There are some restrictions to be aware of: The trip is nonrefundable and cannot be changed once you've booked it; a Saturday night stay is mandatory, full payment is due within one day of booking, and a 21-day advance purchase is required.
