Travelzoo: $499 for 6 nights in Ireland
Ireland is famous for the lush landscapes and incredible castles. How many of you, sincerely, thought of spending a vacation in such a romantic place but never had the financial means to do so? Now it’s possible to enjoy such a vacation without breaking your budget. $499 — Ireland: 6 Nights in Private Villa w/Car & Air — As seen on Travelzoo’s Top 20
The deal: what’s included?
The package includes round trip airfare to Shannon from New York City (Boston or Chicago also available), 6-night accommodation at Adare Manor, near Limerick, car rental and some additional travel services. The price is based on four travelers (making the offer excellent for a small group of friends or two couples). The travel dates are between Jan 7 and Mar 10, 2010 and you need to book by Nov 6, 2009.
What else you need to consider
If you don’t live in New York, Boston or Chicago, you need to consider the cost of travel to those cities. Cheap flights to New York are not hard to find regardless of when you travel but it’s a good idea to start looking for airfare as soon as you’ve got the vacation booked.
Also you should consider the cost of food, as the package doesn’t include the meals (except a coupon for tea at the manor). Since you’ve got the rental car included in the package, you can easily find excellent, cheap restaurants in the near-by city of Limerick.
Needless to say, you need to add the cost of fuel. And remember that in Europe, gas is more expensive than in the States.
Over all, the rule of thumb is to bring twice the money your planned budget calls for. You never know when you need them.
Paris is romantic as well
When it comes to a romantic getaway, Paris is definitely a good choice. Staying in the heart of the city is a great experience: you are close to everything and the surroundings are stunning. Room rates at a hotel between the Opera and Montmartre start at $144.67 per night. The rooms have AC, TV, phone, mini-bar and free wi-fi. Don’t forget to check out the airfare to Paris as well and plan your hotel stay around the best days to fly. Typically, if you fly on Wednesdays or Thursdays the fares are lower than during the weekends.