Book by: ASAP
Travel by: Various through spring 2008
The deal
The summer sun will soon set over the Greek islands and so will travel costs to the land of Homer. But we suggest you skip the hordes and the roaring prices. Fall is the ideal time to visit the gems of the Aegean — the weather’s beautiful, the sea still warm, the beaches blissfully free of crowds. Case in point: we found a trio of stellar deals that will allow you to go Greek at a bargain price next fall! Air-inclusive packages to the islands and mainland start at just $1,599.
Island-hopping special for $1, 599
Virgin Vacations currently offers a whopping island-hopping special for fall departures, for a song. The one-off Homeric journey in question costs just $1,599. Available for September departures, this nine-day package covers round-trip airfare from New York and hotel stays on two stunning islands — Mykonos and Santorini — plus legendary Athens to boot. Count on eight-night lodging split between Athens and the islands (at simple but pleasant midrange properties); daily breakfast; and transfers, including the ferries between the islands.
Athens & a cruise from $2,129
Another excellent deal comes courtesy of Homeric Tours. They’re selling an Athens and four-day cruise combo from $2,129! This terrific six-night special is good for travel on four October departures. Included is round-trip air from New York; three breakfast-inclusive nights at three-star hotel at the heart of Athens; and a four-day cruise around the Greek islands (in an inside cabin, with all meals and entertainment). Ports of call on this voyage include Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Santorini and Crete, plus Kusadasi, the gateway for Ephesus in Turkey.
easyCruise odyssey from $1,599
We also spotted a fantastic deal on Friendly Planet, for an eight-day Greece adventure priced from $1,599. In addition to round-trip air from New York to Athens, it covers seven nights aboard the sleek easyCruise Life (with breakfast and lunch or dinner daily); a night of lodging in Athens before departing; and a discounted optional touring program for five days. The itinerary covers visits to the islands of Kalymnos, Kos, Samos, Mykonos, and Paros, as well as the town of Bodrum on the Turkish coast. This price is valid for one departure, on September 12, if you book by June 6.
The dollars
The above rates are quoted per person, based on double occupancy. The first package saves you a serious bundle over summer stays. In fact, trips cost an astronomically high $2,099 for the same inclusions — that means you will pocket up to $500! The second deal, the Athens and a cruise package, is priced at a wallet-busting $2,769 for summer departures — you save $640. The easyCruise special on Friendly Planet must be booked by June 6; otherwise the price goes up by $300.
The catch
You better brush up on your Cyrillic.
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