Thursday, 20 July 2017

Amazing Deal in the Azores

If you've always wanted to visit the remote Atlantic islands known as the Azores, there is what sounds like a great deal available now with TravelZoo http://www.travelzoo.com. You can spend a week on the island of Terceira in a four star hotel with breakfast and transfers and flight from Boston for just $499 per person, double occupancy.

This price applies to certain dates from October through December, and if you want to go from January to April the price goes up by only $100. The package must be booked online by July 28.

I have not visited the Azores, but at this price I am tempted. If they are anything like Madeira (and I suspect they are, since both are Portuguese,) they are well worth a visit. Madeira has perhaps the scariest airport I have ever seen, but the airport in Terceira looks a lot tamer since the island is less mountainous.

Attractions on the island seem to be mainly of the outdoor variety--hiking, horse riding, etc., but there is also a town with some old Portuguese colonial architecture of note.

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

More Fall and Winter Savings

You can save big on travel to Europe this fall and winter if you are willing to book ahead. My favourite tour operator, Gate 1 http://www.gate1travel.com, has some great prices for short trips to various parts of the continent.

For example, an eight-day trip to Vienna, Budapest and Prague starts at less than $1200 U.S. with air fare from New York in late October. This includes first-class hotel breakfasts and two dinners, transportation between the cities by coach and some sight-seeing.

Norway is noted for being one of the most expensive countries in the world, but you can enjoy a five-day scenic coastal cruise during a 10-day trip from New York for as low as $2200 U.S. per person in January. You should be aware that you may not actually be able to see much during the cruise, since days are very short in such northern latitudes.

There are a number of other interesting sounding trips to destinations in Western, Central and Southern Europe at prices that are hard to believe--there are even options for Israel and Morocco. I know from experience that the hotels Gate 1 uses are nice but may be somewhat remote from city centres, but I think it is worth it for the price.

Land-only rates are also available, as are other gateways. To get the low prices, you need to book by July 21.