November 17, 2003 -- Staying in a European castle doesn't have to be a quixotic dream. Your dream can be a reality when even a commoner can get a taste of royal quarters -- as long as there are enough pesetas in the pouch. Tour operators, well aware of our hidden Cinderella fantasy, can now transport us from our prosaic reality to the enchanted land of fairy-tales.
Globus, one of the world's biggest tour operators, is probably the good-witch to turn to when the mood for out-of-the-ordinary strikes. It offers Castle & Villa Stays, which range from a château in Provence to a villa in Tuscany, royal lodgings in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Scotland. Here are some samples of Globus' magic.
- Eight-day/six-night Scottish Majesty from $2,195
- Seven-day/five-night German Romance from $2,101
- Nine-day/seven-night French Grandeur from $2,645
- Nine-day/seven-night Andalusian Luxury from $2,712
- Eight-day/six-night Portuguese Splendor from $2,137
- Nine-day/seven-night Tuscan Opulence from $2,612
All prices include roundtrip airfare out of New York City area airports, your accommodations, most meals and daily tours specific to the region where you'll be staying. Prices are per person based on double occupancy, and -- as usual -- do not include taxes or security fees. Departures are available out of any number of domestic gateways at additional cost.
Globus is also offering a $500 savings per couple on all six 2004 Castle & Villa Stays air-inclusive vacations. That's if you book and pay your deposit by December 31, 2003, for travel in 2004. Better yet, if you are an AARP member, you get an extra $50 discount.
To book a Globus trip, contact your local travel agent. For a brochure and further details, phone Globus at 866/313-2855 or log onto www.globusjourneys.com/castle_and_villa.aspx.