How to save on summer travel to Europe

An excerpt from the International Herald Tribune

Tiffany M. Luck

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Forbes.com

The weak dollar doesn't mean you have to substitute "Roman Holiday" for "National Lampoon's European Vacation."

In Pictures: 10 ways to save on summer travel to Europe

Though it's more difficult than ever to travel the continent without going over budget, it's not impossible. By looking for incentive packages with added value, booking an apartment stay over a hotel room and exploring lesser-known regions, for example, travelers are able to overcome a lousy exchange rate and end up with a luxurious stay.

It's possible to visit Italy, France and the United Kingdom, which are the continent's most popular destinations, says Barbara King, co-president of Leawood, Kansas-based Great Getaways, if you're smart about your accommodations.

Exploring off-the-beaten track properties - such as a countryside villa instead of a city hotel - can offer great savings, especially when you factor in transportation, says Sandy Cutrone, president of European Connection, a Roslyn Heights, New York-based specialty tour operator and a preferred member of Virtuoso, a network of travel agents. Villa Olmi Resort - a luxuriously restored old farm estate on about 15 acres of land with 62 rooms - is one such place. It offers guests a heated outdoor pool, a restaurant and wine bar, and is located near the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, with complimentary transportation to and from the city. Cutrone says the villa is a third less expensive than a comparable stay in the city.

Those set on a hotel stay may find working with an experienced hotel booking company can help them navigate the exchange rate by negotiating better nightly hotel rates.

Virtual Tours

It's always wonderful to be able to preview a place that you might be visiting before you get there, so you can have some sort of idea on what to expect. If it's a virtual tour you're looking for, and since there's no fees involved in virtual travel, here's some sites that offer just that.

• Jerusalem I visit this site often and hopefully one day, I'll get to physically go there.
• Germany There's images as well as several virtual tours...simply beautiful.
• Beijing China This is really really cool as far as virtual tours go. You can even learn how to say "Great Wall of China" in the native language.
• Australia After searching for the best videos/virtual tours online, this one was my favorite and I checked out all the videos. Australia is also one of my favorite places!
• Real photos, video and things to do from real travelers

My virtual search hasn't ended since there are so many places I just have to see, but I hope this list can get you started on your own virtual tour around the world!

Regards

Christian Tours

As I research great places to go at great prices, I usually come across some pretty cool events as well.
I wanted to know about tours that mainly focused on Bible history. I ultimately found the perfect site. A blog called Christian World Travel. On their blog, the author spoke about the very popular, Oberammergau Passion Play which is only performed once a decade, so planning a trip for 2010 would be a good idea if you want to attend this special event in the Bavarian Alps.
You can set up a group travel there or join one of theirs. They offer a wide selection of tours that incorporates the play, with tours to Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic or they'll help you set up your own custom group tour.
This was a great find since it was exactly what I was seeking.
What a great blog!

RESERVATION DEALS

Now is a great time to get away and I found the most AWESOME DEALS for your hotel and transportation. You can TRADE YOUR POINTS, miles and rewards with others! If you’re a member of a frequent flier program, business travel, airline awards, mileage, travel, or any loyalty programs, just swap, redeem or trade them!!

Then make your reservations and bon voyage!