TRAVEL TALK - - VOLUME 4 - - SPRING/SUMMER 2011

EUROPEAN SUMMER - FALL DEALS

Sky high airfares in peak season have slowed travel to Europe. Escorted Tour Vendors, River Cruise Companies and Cruise Lines have reacted with discounts to keep people moving and the slowdown has generated some pretty good off season rates. Given the fuel surcharges many airfares are running $1500 if you have to go between mid June and Labor Day but we are seeing fares around $1000 starting in October. One strategy if you are thinking of Europe this year is to wait until the crowds go home and travel in the fall. Usually entrance to museums like the Vatican, the Lourve or the Uffizi Gallery are less crowded with shorter wait times plus the weather in Europe is delightful in the fall and hotel rates are lower. We have also gone back to using "bulk" tour operator fares in peak season that we have not used in a few years as they are sometimes under published fares and the tour companies have put support money or discounts into the market to help offset the airfares. I recently sold a Viking River Cruise on the Danube where the clients got 2 for 1 cruise fares and a $500 discount on the bulk airfare.

European Tours and River Cruises
As John is an Avalon River Cruise Specialist, he has a list of Avalon (Globus) departures that are $1000 Off Per Couple. You could look at that as $500 per person towards airfare. These are Selected departures in late June until August so call soon as there will be limited cabins on each sailing. They include departures on the Danube and the Rhine. I recently sold a Viking River Cruise on the Danube where the clients got 2 for 1 cruise fares and a $500 discount on the bulk airfare. Globus/Cosmos is also offering $100 per person off of many selected departures in July and August. Call for dates as many of the companies consolidate departures to every other one when the economy slows down so we try to work only with "guaranteed" departures at this late stage of the game for summer travel. Collette Tours is offering FREE Limosine Transfers Roundtrip ($160 value) on any guaranteed departure this summer. Trafalgar sends us a list every week of guaranteed departures that are heavily discounted but are coming up quickly. Call to check this week's list if you are flexible about country or departure date.

Cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe
As the economy looked like it was improving, many cruise lines moved extra ships to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Right now we are trying to clear the inventory and there are some pretty good sales. Celebrity Cruises has 12 night cruises starting at $1199 and Airfares starting at $999 on a special Mediterranean Fly and Sail Event. Silversea Cruises has up to 60% savings, FREE Air and $500 spending credit starting at $4273 per person. Oceana Cruises has 2 for 1 fares with FREE Airfare and $500 shipboard credit starting at $4999 per person. Regent Seven Seas has 14 night all-inclusive cruises this fall from Athens to Rome for $7499 including FREE Airfare. The brand new Carnival Magic has 7 night Barcelona sailings starting from $999

MSC Criuses has had some last minute departures at $599 inside cabin (plus tax). Check out the new program they have on selected ships for the Yacht Club experience starting at $3999 (fall, $5229 peak season) including Complimentary airfare from Miami, NYC, Boston, Atlanta Chicago and other cities, $200 onboard credit, Complimentary Wines and Spirits in the private enclave, Complimentary Airport Transfers and One Night Hotel Stay included with your package. Live Italian Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous while you sail the Mediterranean on one of the newest vessels available.

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10/23-11/4
Deluxe Suite YC1 with Air
$4789
$5099
$5229
$4799
$4349
$4219
$4199
$3999
$3999
Air credit in lieu of FREE air
$1500
$1500
$1500
$1000
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