The real deal: Round-trip international airfare on Air France (arriving in Paris and departing from Barcelona), a continuing flight from Paris to Barcelona, six nights' accommodations split between the two cities, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes, service charges and airline fuel surcharges, from $1,099 — plus estimated taxes of $120.
When: March 30–May 15, Sept. 1–Oct. 25, 2009; add $250 for July 5–Aug. 25; $350 for May 16–July 4, Aug. 26–31.
Gateways: Newark, New York City; add $60 for Chicago; $70 for Boston; $80 for Philadelphia; $110 for Baltimore, D.C.; $130 for Buffalo, Detroit; $150 for Fort Lauderdale; $160 for Charlottesville, Harrisburg, Houston, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Richmond; many other cities are available.
The fine print: Based on weekday departures; add $35 per person each way to fly Friday–Sunday. Airport taxes and fees are an additional $120 per person. Optional airport-hotel transfers start at $32 per person each way in Paris and at $37 per person each way in Barcelona. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $310. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Air France Holidays, 800/237-2623, airfrance-holidays.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, the lowest multicity fares from New York to Paris, Paris to Barcelona, and Barcelona to New York, for travel during the second week of April, start at $921, including taxes (Air France).
For an additional $298, the Air France package covers international airfare as well as six nights' accommodations split between Paris and Barcelona, breakfast daily, and all taxes and charges.
Highlights: This trip doesn't include sightseeing tours, so you'll be free to explore Paris and Barcelona on your own.
Lodging: Three nights in a standard double room at the 66-room Comfort Hotel Lamarck in the heart of the Montmartre neighborhood in Paris and three nights at the 208-room Hotel NH Numancia in the financial district of Barcelona. Add $140 per person to stay three nights at Hotel Le Royal Montparnasse in Paris and three nights at the H10 Marina Barcelona hotel; $170 per person for three nights at the Comfort Hotel Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter of Paris and three nights at Hotel HCC Open in Barcelona; $490 per person for three nights at Hotel Mayfair in Paris and three nights at the Gallery Hotel in Barcelona; and $750 per person for three nights at the Hotel François 1er (Premier) in Paris and three nights at the boutique hotel Granados 83 in Barcelona.
More: Optional sightseeing tours in Paris range from $9 per person for a one-hour open-excursion river cruise to $225 per person for a 12-hour excursion to the Loire Valley castles. Sightseeing tours in Barcelona can be added for an additional $16 per person for a two-hour walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. Or book an eight-hour tour of the city with a private chauffeur for an additional $254 per person. See the complete list of optional tours. If you'd like to extend your stay, additional nights start at $48 per person at the Comfort Hotel Lamarck in Paris and at $101 per person at the Hotel NH Numancia in Barcelona.
Before you go: For more information, visit the official tourism Web sites of France and Spain.
