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New Year's in London, From $899
Ring in 2009 the British way thanks to this early-bird discount for a week based in Islington, a lively north London neighborhood.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008;
The Real Deal Round-trip airfare, six nights' accommodations, and breakfast daily, from $899 per person—plus an estimated $185 in taxes.
When Depart Dec. 26, 28; add $50 for Dec. 27, $100 for Dec. 25.
Gateways New York City. Add $30 for Boston; $50 for Philadelphia; $80 for Chicago, D.C.; $130 for Detroit, Houston; $210 for Miami; $280 for Seattle; and $400 for Sacramento; additional cities available.
The Fine Print Does not include taxes and fees of $185 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $260. Price includes breakfast daily, hotel taxes and fees, and fuel surcharges. U.S. citizens need a passport to visit the United Kingdom, but no visa is required. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book By July 10, 2008.
Contact Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.
Why It's a Deal A recent Kayak search produced a $678 round-trip fare between New York City and London on Lufthansa leaving Dec. 26. The standard rate at the Jurys Inn Islington for late December starts at about $170 per night (£85). If you were to book this trip independently, the total cost would be about $1,188 per person. If you book the package through Go-today, the total cost, with all taxes, is $1,084 per person—a savings of about $104. You also get the convenience of one-stop shopping, and by locking in rates now, you're safe if the dollar continues to drop in value.
Trip Details The New Years in London package includes round-trip airfare to London on a major carrier (depending on your U.S. departure city, it might be Continental, United, or Virgin Atlantic). As an alternative to expensive taxis, you could take the Tube from Heathrow into downtown London; it's about a 45-minute ride, and you can buy an all-day pass for the Tube for zones one through six for £7—a little less than $14. (If you do plan to lug bags on the Tube, pack light!)
The Jurys Inn Islington, where you'll stay six nights, is near the Angel stop. Islington is a centrally located residential neighborhood with lots of open spaces and parks, plus a thriving theater scene, with two in the area—the Almeida and the Islington Arts Factory. It's also home to N1 Islington, a shopping center, which has a movie theater and restaurants.
London will be hopping with New Year's activities. You can revel in the city's fireworks on New Year's Eve, which will be shot over the LondonEye, a 443-foot-tall observation wheel. You can also check out the New Year's Day parade, one of the largest in Europe, with participants from dozens of countries and representatives from each borough of London.
Don't forget the classics, especially if this is a first-time visit. Over the six-night stay, you'll have plenty of time to visit Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral. The Natural History Museum has an ice rink and is open over New Year's.
"A foggy day" here is an understatement. It will be cold (highs of 43 degrees) and rainy in late December—all the more reason to stay inside the fascinating museums.
For more tips, visit the country's official tourism site and see the U.S. State Department's travel fact sheet.
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