This week's Smart Deal takes you to Europe in the off-season, when crowds are thin and prices are lower. TourCrafters (tel. 800/ITALY-95; www.tourcrafters.com) has a few so-called "market packages," which emphasize the local color, food, and culture as a way to provide an authentic travel experience. We especially like the "Vucciria Market Package," which you can find by clicking on "special offers" and then "Markets of Europe" on the company's website.
With a starting price of $965, this Sicily package includes airfare and four nights at the Artemesia Hotel, a comfortable spot in Palermo about a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
Sicily's unique cultural mix reflects past invasions by Greeks, Arabs, Spaniards, Normans, and Byzantines. Spend time at the Vucciria Market, which is open every day except Sunday and is known for its fresh fish, cheese, and more. You may need to bring an extra bag to carry back some treats -- pasta, grains, beans, capers -- for friends and family members. If you have time, plan day trips to the towns of Cefalu and Monreale, which both have beautiful cathedrals.
This four-night Sicily package offers six other hotels to choose from if you're willing to pay a bit more. For example, for a starting price of $1,039 with air, you can upgrade to four nights at Hotel Porta Felice, a new building constructed on 18th-century foundations in the city's old town. Modern conveniences abound, and there's a bar providing panoramic views on the rooftop terrace.
If you want to splurge a little more, two Art Nouveau hotels are priced at the higher end of the spectrum: The Excelsior Hilton is a restored historic property surrounded by greenery (from $1,090 for four nights with air) and Villa Igiea Hilton is a five-star luxurious property with terraced gardens and a swimming pool right next to the sea (from $1,145 for four nights with air).
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Round-trip airfare from New York to Palermo, Italy on Alitalia, four nights in Palermo at Artemesia Hotel; fuel surcharges; breakfast daily; a hop-on, hop-off tour of Palermo; and brioche with gelato at Caffetteria La Giada.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: Government taxes and fees of about $116.
Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability.
When: Nov. 1, 2010-March 31, 2011, with blackout dates between Christmas and New Year's.
Other Details: Departures from other gateways besides New York are also available -- Miami (add from $150); Chicago (add from $155); Los Angeles (add from $250).
All prices are per person and, if lodging is a component of the package, based upon two people traveling together (unless otherwise noted). The prices listed are general starting rates; see "What Else You'll Have to Pay" for details about associated taxes and fees. Base-prices, taxes, and fees can vary based on point of departure and time of travel. Blackout dates may apply. Trip add-ons like sightseeing tours and meal plans may also increase the price. Check with the tour operator for additional gateways and any single supplements, which is the extra cost that a solo traveler would pay to book the deal.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Italy Forum.