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...

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