April 18, 2003 -- One of the best deals in European travel is coming to you from the nicest group in the travel business -- Untours, which really believes in people everywhere and wants them to get together to understand each other. (Not a bad thought in these times of mutual mistrust between too many countries around the world.) And, after lowering prices from between $100 and $400 per person, they're doing this at costs that risk making them a non-profit organization, to boot. How about less than $88 a night for two weeks in Switzerland, including roundtrip airfare and your own apartment across the Atlantic?
You'll pay just $1,229 to $1,329 per person, double occupancy, for two weeks in Switzerland, staying in a fully furnished, private apartment there. Included: airfare roundtrip from New York's JFK, Newark or Boston (other airports available at additional cost), ground transport (rail pass or car rental), and support services including transfers, on-site orientation and optional group activities.
A few years ago, I enjoyed an Untour bicycling trip to Switzerland (and, no, it wasn't all up hill) and lived above a family-owned butcher shop in their rental apartment, fanatically clean and very cozy, in a lovely Alpine town. I can personally recommend Untours without hesitation.
The departure dates for the Swiss vacations are May 7 and 21, and June 4. (Note that not all apartments in this country's Untours program qualify, as is the case with several other spots mentioned below.) The prices here represent a $300 or $400 reduction from the usual charge.
Other trips include:
- $1,379 to Portugal
- $1,410 to Prague
- $1,699 to Prague and Budapest
- $2,299 to Prague, Budapest and Vienna
- $1,699 to Paris
- $1,259 to Holland
- $1,699 to Spain
- $1,569 to Alsace in France
- $1,499 to Austria
- $1,589 to a castle in Germany
- $1,679 to Umbrian in Italy
- $1,929 to Venice
- $1,629 to Germany's Rhine River
These trips are all a minimum of two week's long; however three-city combos can be extended to three weeks. For more information, phone Untours at 888/868-6871 or visit their site, www.untours.com.