Paris & Nice, Air/6 Nights, From $749
Save big on this winter getaway to two of France's most popular destinations.
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It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.
Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.
From Start to Finnish
This Go-today.com package to Finland takes care of the nitty-gritty aspects of trip planning but gives you full control over your itinerary. The price covers airfare and a seven-day car rental. Your accommodations, however, are up to you, whether they be hotels, B&Bs, or a cabin in the middle of the scenic Lake District north of Helsinki.
$1,199 Air from New York to Helsinki, a seven-day car rental, and airline fuel surcharges. When: Until Sept. 7 ($1,459); Sept. 8–Oct. 26 ($1,199). Other Gateways: Baltimore, D.C. (add $50); Chicago, Detroit (add $110); Atlanta (add $150); Miami (add $180); Denver, L.A., Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle (add $210). SS: $270. Information: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Athens & Aegean Cruise from $2,075
Air France or Lufthansa flights from New York to Athens (via Frankfurt, Munich, or Paris); three nights at Polis Grand Hotel, by the Omonoia Square metro station; and a four-day Aegean cruise with all meals (shore excursions are extra). Cruise stops include Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, and Patmos, Greece; and Kusadasi, Turkey. Price includes airline fuel surcharges. When: Thursday departures until Sept. 18. Other Gateways: None. SS: From $499. Information: Homeric Tours, 800/223-5570, homerictours.com.
Kraków & Warsaw from $1,869
Austrian Airlines flights from Chicago, D.C., or New York to Kraków (returning from Warsaw), intercity train transportation, six nights' lodging split between Kraków and Warsaw, and breakfast daily. When: Until Sept. 7. Other Gateways: None. SS: $600. Information: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.
Prague from $959
Czech Airlines flights from New York, transfers, six nights at Hotel Orion, a half-day city tour, and breakfasts. When: July 1–31 ($1,149); Aug. 1–Sept. 9 ($1,189); Sept. 10–30 ($959). Other Gateways: D.C. (add $180); Atlanta, Chicago (add $280). SS: $299. Information: Tatra Travel, 800/321-2999, tatratravel.com.
Scotland Road Trip from $879
An eight-day road-trip itinerary round trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh with seven nights' lodging and breakfasts. Spend one night in Loch Lomond, two in Ullapool, and one each in Scrabster, Inverness, Perth, and either Edinburgh or Glasgow. This price doesn't include airfare. When: July 1–Aug. 31 ($1,109); Sept. 1–Oct. 31 ($1,019); Nov. 1–Dec. 31 ($879). SS: From $350. Information: Scotland Experience, 800/661-3830, scotland-experience.com.
Transatlantic Cruise from $1,358
A six-night sailing from Hamburg, Germany, to New York on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. The itinerary is also available in the reverse direction, arriving in Southampton, England. The price includes port charges, but not airfare or taxes. When: July 30, Aug. 27 (from $1,358 inside cabin/from $1,759 ocean-view cabin). Southampton-bound sailings: July 22 (from $1,938 for all cabins); Aug. 19 (from $1,358 inside cabin/from $1,759 ocean-view cabin). SS: From $1,290. Information: eCruises.com, 800/223-6868, ecruises.com.
Tuscany Apartment from $2,464
Air France flights from New York to Florence (via Paris); a two-week car rental with unlimited mileage; two weeks in a private farmhouse apartment near the village of Montalcino, a two-hour drive south of Florence; and a tour (a visit to Monte Oliveto abbey with lunch or similar). You must mention Budget Travel when booking. When: July 2, 16, 30, Aug. 13 ($2,574); Aug. 27 ($2,753); Sept. 10, 24 ($2,464). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $153), Atlanta (add $261), L.A. (add $380), Seattle (add $398). SS: $906. Information: Untours, 888/868-6871, untours.com.