2009 Italy Savings Up To 25% Over Last Year

Italy has placed first as the most popular foreign destination for tours and vacation packages six years in a row, according to a survey of companies belonging to the U.S. Tour Operators Association. This year, thanks to a stronger dollar, Italy-bound travelers can save from $85 to over $200 per person over last year on select tours and vacation packages.

Whether it’s a quick getaway to Rome using frequent flyer miles, one week to Rome and Venice with air fare, or a longer tour of the Amalfi Coast, USTOA member companies offer a variety of savings.

Rome Escape: 4 Days

Couples can spend four days/three nights in Rome for $483 (versus $568 in 2008) on a “Rome Escape” package from Travel Bound. Offering a savings of $85 per person –or 15% over last year – the package is valid through December 31, and offers 3 nights’ accommodations at a selected hotel, round-trip private transfers between airport and hotel, breakfast daily, and a Rome monument tour. Reservations are available exclusively through travel agents.

Rome and Venice by Rail: 7 Days

Travelers can save $130 per person over last year on a “7 Day Rome and Venice by Rail” custom itinerary from Gate 1 Travel. Valid through October 22, 2009, the7 day/5 night itinerary is priced from $1,099 per person vs. $1,229 in 2008, and represents a 10% savings over last year. Included are round-trip flights from New York to Rome and return from Venice to New York, 3 nights Rome and 2 nights Venice with choice of hotels, breakfast daily, and reserved-seat rail transportation between cities. Add-on fares for additional departure cities are available. For reservations phone 1-800-682-3333.

A Week in Rome, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast: 8 Days

Through October, mature travelers can enjoy a week in “Rome, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast” on an 8 day, 7 night tour from Tauck World Discovery. Priced at $3,700 per person — a savings of nearly $200 over the 2008 price of $3,890 — the tour includes accommodations, sightseeing, entertainment, most meals, admission to all attractions, luggage handling, and airport transfers. For reservations phone 1-800-788-7885. Air fare is additional.

Rome, Florence, and Venice: 10 Days

Families and mature travelers can explore Rome, Florence, and Venice and save from $205 per person over 2008, on a 10 day/ 9 night “Rome, Florence, and Venice” custom vacation from Avanti Destinations, Inc. Priced from $2,115 per person, land only, the vacation includes 3 nights at each destination in three star accommodations (additional for four and five-star), arrival and departure transfers, first-class rail travel with reserved seating between cities, daily breakfast, a 3-course dinner in each city, and a Tripbuilder Guidebook, when booked by October 1, 2009. The package also features city tours of Rome and Florence, and a private gondola ride in Venice. Valid for travel through November 1, 2009, the package represents a savings of 10% to 25% over last years’cost, which began at $2,319. For reservations phone 1-800-422-5053. )

More Information

All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices generally include service charges; however restrictions and additional security fees, departure and local taxes and fees may apply.

USTOA members have met the travel industry’s highest standards, including participation in the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program, which, among other things requires each member company to set aside $1 million security to protect consumers’ payments in case the company goes out of business.

For a list of USTOA member companies serving Italy visit www.ustoa.com or www.ustoa.travel. Or see your travel agent.

July 22, 2009   Posted in: Italy