|
|
A Week in Portugal
Air/hotel package for the happening capital Lisbon and the lovely northern city of Porto, surrounded by vineyards along the Douro River.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007;
The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, seven nights' accommodations, and sightseeing tours from $1,044 per person.
When: Nov. 1-Dec. 13, 2007; add $164 for Apr. 1-June 15 and Sept. 1-Oct. 31; $249 for Dec. 14-24; and $620 for June 16-Aug. 31.
Gateways: New York City; add-on fares are available from other U.S. cities, but they aren't a good deal. You'll save money by purchasing the land-only package (from $587 per person) and searching online for airfares.
The Fine Print: Hotel taxes, airport/hotel transfers, and breakfast daily are included. Additional airport taxes and surcharges total about $200 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement $528. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.
Book By: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Abreu Tours, 800/223-1580, abreu-tours.com.
Why It's a Deal: Note that the package's starting rate of $1,044 per person breaks out to $587 for the land portion of the trip and $457 for the airfare. In comparison, the lowest round-trip fare we found in early November (NYC-Lisbon and Porto-NYC) was $649 per person (TAP), which is $192 more than you would pay if you booked through Abreu.
Trip Details: The package includes round-trip airfare on TAP, arriving in Lisbon and departing from Porto, and seven nights' accommodations. The first four nights are spent at the 262-room Hotel Mundial in Lisbon's historic heart. The Tower of Belém, the Royal Coaches Museum, and the Jeronimos Monastery are highlights of a half-day sightseeing tour.
A half-hour connecting flight on TAP brings you to Porto, Portugal's second largest city, for three nights at the Hotel Mercure Batalha, whose contemporary-style rooms are decorated in earth tones. You'll take a half-day city tour (including a visit to the Offley Port Wine Cellars) and have the rest of the time to explore on your own. Add extra nights from $151 per person per night in Lisbon and from $51 per person per night in Porto.
The package is cheapest for late fall and winter travel, but it's worth spending the extra $164 or so per person to make your trip in the spring, when the weather is sunny and temperatures are in the upper 60s and flowers are blooming. For more on what to expect in any season, see the official tourism website, visitportugal.com.
More on Portugal:
Chiado, Lisbon's Shopping District
Trip Coach: Portugal, Spain, and the Azores