Off-season travel has its advantages. Expecially in price.
Flying off to Europe between now and spring means great savings in air fares and packages. And it doesn't mean a lack of things to do or see.For example, Copenhagen's famed Tivoli Gardens plans its first winter season in its 151-year history. From Nov. 18 to Dec. 31, the gardens will feature magical lighting with a Christmas twist, along with a market, fair and performances of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." Even Santa will be there. Sorry, no rides, but plenty of Danish holiday fare will be featured, and fireworks will explode on Dec. 31. To keep you warm, there will be lots of glogg - hot burgundy with almonds, raisin and spices.
And, if you'd like to be a jet setter and take Tivoli in some weekend, SAS offers a $395 package from New York that includes air fare, two nights' accommodations in Denmark and the Copenhagen Card, which offers access to more than 60 museums and other attractions.
Should you want to do your holiday shopping while in Copenhagen, Bing & Grondahl, creator of the oldest Christmas plate series, will be offering its 100th edition this year. And making shopping all the more pleasant is the news that the Value Added Tax (which can represent up to 19 percent of the purchase cost) will now be refunded on purchases of 300 Dutch kroner (about $46.15), which is 50 percent less than before.
Virgin Atlantic Airways has just introduced a Holiday Gift Fare beginning at $298 to London round-trip from Boston or New York (higher from Miami and Los Angeles). The fares are good for travel from now through Dec. 24 (fares are higher for Dec. 15-24), and travelers can stay for up to three months to thoroughly enjoy the holidays. Combine these fares with Virgin's new travel packages in England and Europe, and you have quite a combination.
Sabena is featuring Eurostarters, which offer an excellent, and low-cost, way to discover Europe. For example, the Euroweekend package begins at $499 a person and includes round-trip air fare, accommodations at a five-star hotel, lavish meals and more. Another idea is a Sabena Eurodrive, beginning at $699 a person; it includes air fare, and a brand-new Renault Clio for 23 days of travel. Since Brussels is in the heart of Europe, it's a great place to begin a tour of the continent.
Another possible winter destination is Toronto, which has great theater and musuems. At the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto visitors can check in with great rates beginning at $135 a night from Nov. 1-April 30. This five-diamond AAA rated hotel is just one of the many hotels in the city participating in the Toronto Value Plus Program, which also includes special rates at theaters, restaurants and even a spa. Upon checking in, guests receive a coupon book filled with up to hundreds of dollars in savings. With the American dollar buying up to 40 percent more in Canada, there's a lot to save by heading north. For information on the Four Seasons, call (800) 332-3442.
If temperatures are on your mind this winter, check out the deal Bermuda is offering. From January to March, 29 hotels from luxury resorts to small guesthouses on the island are participating in Bermuda's new Temperature Guarantee program. If the temperature anytime during these months fails to reach 68 degrees, a minimum of 10 percent will be deducted from your hotel rate and you'll also receive free admission to a choice of cultural attractions and a transportation pass for travel to these attractions. To learn more about Bermuda and the temperature guarantee, call (800) 223-6106.