May 14, 2003 -- Wintertime travel to Rome just went on sale, and, Chef Boyardee, what a sale it is! For east coast departures out of Boston, New York, Newark and Philadelphia prices start from a tad under five C-notes; for flights out of the west, prices aren't really that much more considering the distance -- the lowest base price is just $679 from Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego and San Francisco.
This deal is being offered by Go-Today affiliate, Europe Express. The price includes your airfare, six night's hotel stay (including taxes and service charges) and morning meals in the hotel. Airfare taxes and security fees (around $99) are not included. Weekend flights cost an additional $25 as well each way, so stick with a Monday-Thursday departure. The booking deadline is June 30, but we wouldn't sit around on our duffs debating; you'll have a better chance at getting the exact dates you want the sooner you book. This offer is valid for travel from November 1, 2003 through March 8, 2004 with the period between December 6-January 11 blacked out. For full details, including add-on costs for additional gateways all across the U.S., go to www.europeexpress.com, and look for the "Rome Winter Supersaver."
And while you're on that site, you shouldn't fail to notice what looks like a typo -- the "London Spring Frenzy" from $369 just above the "London Winter Supersaver" from $399. What? It's cheaper to hit London now than in the off-season? In this rare instance, it is indeed. And it's not just for a shorty weekend either. That base price is for airfare and hotel for a full six night's in that Thames-split city all the way through June15. This, too, is a deal too good to pass up.
Several other companies have jumped on the we're-practically-giving-it-away bandwagon as well, so before you make your final decision on a springtime London package, be sure to check out the following affiliates and competitors. We suggest taking the booking process all the way through to the penultimate step so that you can compare the final tabs including taxes, ticket shipping fees, optional trip insurance and the like. You might be surprised.
- Go-Today (www.gotoday.com): 6 nights from $369
- EuropeASAP (www.europeasap.com): 6 nights from $409
- OffPeakTraveler (www.offpeaktraveler.com): 6 nights from $389
- Virgin Vacations (www.virgin.com/vacations): 6 nights from $369
All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.