Paris is most popular in the spring, when the jardin are coming into early bloom and the romance that Paree is so famous for fills the air. Of course, popularity goes hand in hand with high prices. Going in the deep off-season of January into March saves you dollars, and it saves you time--the crowds are thinner, the lines are shorter, the demand is less. The average daily temperature hovers around 36 °F, but this shouldn't stop you from enjoying brisk strolls in starkly beautiful parks and the faster access to some of the world's best art work in museums across the city. Now is the time to take advantage of the cheapest prices of the year being offered by a slew of the usual frugal suspects.
Go-Today is currently offering seven-day/six night packages to Paris for travel from January 7 through March 15. The cheapest base-price, before taxes, is $469 per person (based on double occupancy) for daily departures out of Boston, Newark and New York that puts you in the tourist-class Batignolles Villiers hotel near the Sacre Couer Cathedral in Montmarte (add between $50-$250 for departure out of other cities). Taxes and fees run an additional $95 or more per person. Upgrades to a variety of hotels, many closer to the city center are available. Many dates for particular hotels are selling out, but Go-Today is maintaining a current listing alongside the detail page for this deal. For more information, go to www.gotoday.com/FR_FGAE.ASP, or call 425-487-9632. Be warned that you'll be charged an extra $20 if you decide to reserve over the phone.
Starting from $399, you can stay for five days and three with Sunnyland Tour's "Paris Supersaver," which flies you out of the Boston, Newark or New York on Lufthansa and puts you in the bare-bones-but-decent Timhotel Gare du Nord way out in Montmarte, but still a train ride away from the heart of Paris . This deal is good for travel through February 28 (with the period between Christmas and January 4th blacked out.) After that date, prices go up to $469 through June 15. Other gateways are available for additional fees. For complete details, call 800/783-7839 go online to www.europehotdeals.com/FIT/Paris/Paris.htm.
A company called Gate 1 Travel is serving up a similar five-day/three-night getaway for the same base-price of $399 for departures out of New York through the end of February. This deal puts you in the Ibis Paris Porte de Clichy, near the Metro and the RER for transportation into Paris proper. Gate 1 also has eight-day/six-night packages starting from $499. Call 800/682-3333 or go online to www.gate1travel.com.
Finally, there's France Vacations, with five-day packages starting from $449 out of New York or Boston; departures out of Los Angeles start from $539, all good for travel from January 1 through February 8. They've knocked these prices down between $30-$50 from the original, and you have to book by December 31 to get the deal.
You get roundtrip air to Paris, five nights in a hotel (sharing a double room), a one-way airport/hotel transfer, daily hotel breakfast, and a Seine River Cruise. You'll sleep at either the Prima Lepic or Roma Sacre Coeur hotels. There are 13 more hotels available at higher prices, all the way up to $709 (out of NYC or Boston) or $779 (ex Los Angeles). Flights from the east coast gateways are on United or Continental, those from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui. Prices are per person, double occupancy. Airport taxes/fees are not included, and some restrictions apply. The prices are subject to change without notice.
For more information and reservations, phone France Vacations at 800/332-5332 or visit their Web site, www.francevacations.net.
