As the US economy gradually recovers, Europe is still knee-deep in its debt crisis. What does this mean over here? Europe is finally affordable for American tourists. According to CNN Money, the Euro has dropped by 17 percent against the US dollar. There are all sorts of trip-planning deals out there. Here are some of the best:
Kayak helped us find six-night across-the-pond packages for the fall, starting at $749—airfare included!—through EuropeVacations.com, searchable by destination, trip type (cruise, food-and-wine, golf), or holiday package. Destinations with flights from Washington include London, Prague, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. The “London at Its Best” package and “Prague at Its Best” package both start at $749. Most travel is for September and October, packages must be booked by May 24. You can save $50 if you use Kayak.com’s promotion code EVKK1 when booking any of the EuropeVacations.com deals.
EuropeVacations.com also has a Thanksgiving in London package—which includes airfare, six nights of accommodations, and daily breakfast—starting at $649. The same package over New Years in London starts at $679. The same conditions and promotion codes apply.
How can you get the most bang for your buck? Budget Travel reminded us that Dealbase.com has a deal-analyzer feature, which compares package prices to a vacation’s individual components. It also searches flight deals by departure airport; take a look at Washington’s flight sales here.
Tired of being tired when you arrive at a new destination? The iPhone app Jet Lag Fighter—designed by Virgin Atlantic—is $1.99 and tells you when to get and avoid light, exercise, and sleep based on your flight times. There really is an app for everything.
There’s a last-minute deal at Warrenton’s Poplar Springs, the Inn Spa: If you book a room with from May 25 to 27, nightly rates are $179—a savings of $100. If you mention the Washingtonian, the $179 rate also applies for the next week, from June 1 to 3. The property, a boutique hotel on 200 acres of countryside, is about a 50-minute drive from DC. The rate includes breakfast. To get the reduced deal, call 800-490-7747 and mention the “Hot Flash” promotion.
The world’s largest Beatles-inspired festival, Abbey Road on the River, is coming to Washington September 2 through 6. The music festival, which debuted in 2002, now includes around 60 Beatles-tribute bands over five days. The family fun takes place in National Harbor with more than 40 concerts a day. There are seven Web-only packages for the Labor Day-weekend celebration, including five-day or single-day VIP, “best,” and “second best” tickets. If you purchase tickets before August 31, you’ll get free admission for one 21-or-younger guest. You can also call 216-378-1980 for tickets.
