Untours is unique among companies that assemble package tours for the cost conscious traveler. While they do combine airfare and lodging like the rest, there are no forced tours that only scratch the surface of any real understanding of the place you're visiting and there are no cookie cutter, basic, boring budget hotels to choose from. Instead, you'll be living like an actual denizen since your accommodation is a fully furnished apartment or cottage. If you feel like you need a little extra support, Untours operates fully-staffed offices in each city to answer questions, help with reservations, and, yes, set you up with guided tours if that's what you want. Simply put, they offer the best of both worlds of fully supported and truly independent travel.
And now they've made it even easier by trimming $100, $200 or even $300 per person on their already budget-priced trips in early spring to parts of Tuscany, Portugal, Spain, Provence, Prague, Budapest and Vienna. The only catch is you have to be able to depart on very specific dates. It's a great time of year to travel to any of these parts as winter sloughs off to make way for a budding spring and warmer temperatures.
The lowest-price package comes in at a stunning $1,179 per person (before taxes, based on two people traveling together). Why stunning? For this you get airfare, ground transportation and a full 14-days apartment rental in Sintra, Portugal for departures out of Boston, Newark or New York to Lisbon on March 26. For April 9 and 23 flights, the price goes up to $1,379 Additional departure cities are available wherever served by British Airways for additional fees. You can reduce your per-person costs even more since many of these apartments (but not all) can accommodate up to 6 people (especially if they're willing to roll out the ol' sleeping bag and crash on the floor). If you're planning on travel with a larger group, be sure to ask about the available occupancy rates.
Packages for a stay in Provence include a car rental in addition to your flight and apartment or cottage stay in L'Isle-sur-Sorgue, only half an hour so from Avignon. This is priced from $1,489 for March 26 departure. April and May departures start from $1,809.
For more information on any of these spring flings, go online to www.untours.com or call 888/868-6871. You can find specific information on destinations, pricing and even view pictures of some of the apartments and cottages.