I love France Vacations for its moderate prices and its innovative thinking. Right now, they're offering several packages to the Riviera, Paris, London and Rome, starting from as little as $599, roundtrip airfare, five hotel nights, and more included for departures out of NYC.
For their Riviera specials, which last through December 12, 2002 and then start again December 25, 2002 through March 31, 2003, you pay from just $599 to fly to Nice and stay five nights at the three-star Hotel Gounod, including daily breakfast. Air France gets you there and back. If you want to upgrade to the four-star Splendid, it's $699, while the four-star plus Hotel Plaza and Hotel Westminster are priced from $799.
In Cannes, you stay at the three-star Cannes Riviera for $649, the three-star Eden or Victoria for $679, the four-star Cavendish at $799 and the four-star Sofitel Mediterranean at $879.
All prices throughout this article are per person, based on two persons in a room. Airport departure tax and security fees are not included.
The packages from other Air France gateways include:
Boston or Philadelphia from $599; Washington DC (Dulles) or Chicago from $639; Houston from $669; Miami from $709; Cincinnati from $719; Atlanta from $729; Los Angeles or San Francisco from $769.
Valentine's Day Specials
If you book before December 31, 2002, you can treat your sweetie to a Valentine's Day in Paris, London or Rome--and make it a Christmas gift, perhaps?
Departures are on February 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2003. Each package includes roundtrip air on United or Continental Airlines, five nights' hotel room, airport-hotel-airport transfers and champagne in room on arrival.
The Paris package also includes a Seine River Cruise with lunch, a one-day Museum Pass and a five-day Metro Pass. You stay at your choice of two-star Prima Lepic, Roma Sacre Couer or Square d'Anvers, where an extra night is $30 per person. Sample prices: $619 from Boston or New York; $629 from Pittsburgh; $639 from Chicago; $669 from Denver or Miami; $679 from St. Louis; $709 from Birmingham; $729 from Houston: $749 from Atlanta or Dallas/Ft. Worth; $759 from Las Vegas; $779 from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle.
The London Valentine Package also includes a dine-around dinner voucher, a half-day sightseeing tour, and a three-day Museum Pass. You stay in the Radisson Edwardian Vanderbilt, and get a full English breakfast daily. Sample prices: $849 from Boston, New York or Philadelphia; $859 from Washington DC; $899 from Chicago; $939 from Minneapolis; $959 from Los Angeles or San Francisco; $969 from Miami; $979 from New Orleans, Portland (OR) or Phoenix; $999 from Dallas, Houston or Denver; $1079 from Seattle.
The Romantic Rome Package also includes a candlelight dinner with wine (and transfers) and a half-day of sightseeing. You stay at your choice of the three-star Verona, Globus, Paris or Nizza, with daily breakfast. Sample prices: $699 from Chicago; $759 from Los Angeles or San Francisco; $779 from Portland (OR), Seattle, or San Diego; $789 from Boston or Newark; $819 from Denver, Dallas or Houston; $829 from Philadelphia; $839 from Atlanta, Miami or Washington DC.
Add approximately $67 for airport taxes and fees.
For reservations or more information, phone France Vacations at 800/332-5332 or visit www.francevacations.net.