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Escape to the Mediterranean for warm (and cheap) winter vacations
Travel Feature
By Erica Silverstein, SmarterTravel.com Staff --- Date Posted: 10/27/05 Escape to the Mediterranean for warm (and cheap) winter vacations When the weather turns colder, airfare to Europe becomes much more affordable. But most people don't want to visit Europe when it's cold and gray. One secret to taking advantage of low-season prices is to book travel to Mediterranean destinations. Many southern European cities have relatively mild winter climates, but still see fewer crowds and cheaper airfare and accommodations prices from about November through March. If you want to see Europe on a budget and escape frigid temperatures at home, here are a few destinations you might like. Italy's Amalfi Coast For an Italian vacation, Italy's Amalfi Coast is one of the warmer regions of the country during the winter months. Low season runs from October through early April, with exceptions during Christmas and Easter, and temperatures at this time average in the 40s and 50s. Tourists should be prepared for occasional rainy days, and note that some hotels and restaurants shut down for the winter season. Should you choose to visit the Amalfi Coast in winter, there are still plenty of activities to keep you entertained. You can climb to the top of the cathedral in Amalfi, shop for ceramics in Vietri sul Mare, or explore villas in Ravello. Excursions to Sorrento, Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, Capri, or Pompeii also make for popular day trips. Plus, you can always hit the shops for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Stores in the Amalfi region often have post-holiday sales from mid-January through mid-February. You can quickly see how much you'll save on a winter vacation by comparing seasonal prices. For example, Go-Today.com offers a three-day Amalfi Coast package, including accommodations in Positano and car rental, that starts at $659 for travel from November 1 through February 26. The same package costs $819 for travel between April 28 and October 31. Hotel accommodations are also discounted. The Villa Felice in Amalfi offers rooms starting at $45 per person between January 11 and March 18, as well as October 4 through December 22. Summer rates for the same rooms go as high as $78 per person. The Hotel Olimpico, located near Salerno, charges $40 per person in the winter. Prices more than double to $90 per person in the summer months. Monaco Monaco is a tiny principality located on the Mediterranean just where France meets Italy. The country boasts more than 300 days of sunshine per year, and winter temperatures stay mainly in the 50s, occasionally reaching as high as the low 60s. Although Monaco's biggest tourist draw may be the Formula One Grand Prix in the spring, the principality offers many attractions for low-season visitors. The Oceanographic Museum, which is open year-round, is located in a beautiful building towering above the ocean and features exhibits on the marine sciences. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra is in session during the winter season, and performs several classical concerts each month. Low-season travelers can also attend the Monaco Dance Forum in December and the International Circus Festival in January. Because October through March (with the exception of Christmas and New Year's) is Monaco's low season, prices are at their lowest at this time. The following chart shows how rates for three-night packages, which include double-room accommodations, champagne and fruit, a newspaper, and daily breakfast, drop in the winter months. Hotel January 3 to April 7; October 3 to December 29 April 8 to July 21; August 21 to October 2 July 22 to August 20 Hotel de Paris $1,887 $2,141 $2,613 Hotel Hermitage $1,597 $1,779 $2,396 Hotel Mirabeau $1,016 $1,107 $1,416 Or, if you'd rather name your own price, you can find deals by bidding on vacation packages at MonacoAuction.com. Cyprus Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is dotted with mountains, beaches, and citrus and olive groves. It's another sunny spot, with winter temperatures averaging in the 60s for December and January and reaching as high as the 70s in November, February, and March. Unlike some smaller destinations, Cyprus does not shut down for the winter. Low-season activities can include visiting archaeological sites, hiking, cycling, bird watching, attending cooking lessons, relaxing at spas, rock climbing, and wine tasting. Many towns also hold cultural festivals during the winter months. Continued... Next Page Pages: 1 | 2 http://www.smartertravel.com/advice/...7&u=SL4F6B4DC5 ==== "I don't care (if I get booed). I don't know any of those people. As long as my kids tell me that they love me, I'm fine. My motto is, when people talk about me, I say, 'Who are they? They're not God.' If God was out there booing me, I'd be upset." -- Bonzi Wells, Sacramento Kings _________________________________________ Usenet Zone Free Binaries Usenet Server More than 140,000 groups Unlimited download http://www.usenetzone.com to open account |
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