kgh8m

Courtesy of today's TravelZoo Top 20:

Air France to Paris: February: airfare starting at $428 roundtrip + $100 for a companion (price for the first person's roundtrip may increase with other airports). Depart Feb 1-28, return by March 15. Even covers Valentines weekend.

Must book by December 15. Sounds great!

Robespierre

Sounds great!

Except that the <i>reason</i> cut-rate airfares are offered in the off-season (indeed, the reason the off-season even <u>exists</u is because Europe in the winter isn't nearly as much fun as in the other three seasons.

$528 for two - a prime example of getting what you pay for.

allisonm

The dates I was looking at out of Boston were booked for this rate, am now looking at same dates out of JFK for $158 total more, so not TOO bad. Hurry up!

rex

Not really $528. Taxes take the lowest &quot;pair fare&quot; to $94. Some additional info on the thread two days ago where this was mentioned earlier... http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34544794

I'm not sure you can say that the destinations are less &quot;desirable&quot;. The airlines don't ake a judgment on that. They base decisions on <i>demand</i>, from passengers.

Best wishes,

Rex

allisonm

Robespierre, I have to come back here to say Paris is still pretty wonderful in the off-season. Readers, don't let him sway you. If you can get cheap tickets, GO!

Budman

We went to Paris in February for a long Valentine's Weekend (4 days). We had a wonderful time!!!

Robespierre

I didn't say it wasn't pretty wonderful. I said it's worth $528.

Margie

Fuel surcharge is included, but Government-imposed fees and taxes of approximately $85 are additional. So it's $428 + $100 + $85 1 person +$85 second person = $698, or $349 pp. Not Bad!

kgh8m

Well, I personally took advantage of an AirFrance deal earlier this year ($500 R/T + $5 for the companion). Of course, with taxes, it was about $650, but that was still a lot better than other fares.

We went in November, which is off-season in Paris, and found it to still be delightful. No spectacular sunshine (but no worse weather than DC, where I live) but no lines and warm enough to get by with a jacket and sweater.

Considering people flock to PAris in the summer, and I've heard the lines are horrendous, I'll sacrifice warmth for shorter lines.

rex

Whoops... typo... my post was supposed to say $<b>6</b>94...

Robespierre

That's funny - we go to Europe in the summer to be <u>cooler</u>. From Arizona &lt

And I've never had to stand in a line for anything. Not in April through September. And the Parisians abandon the place in August.

kfusto

I quite like Europe in winter. Living in Florida, the cold is a nice change and I like the hotel rates and the fact that there are less tourists overall.

I am on my way to Italy and Germany for ten days this Janaury. Last Janaury was Florence, Rome and Paris.

For those kinds of airfares, I am thinking of making a quick weekend trip myself.

rj007

I've been in Europe in all 4 seasons and I've enjoyed every trip there. I prefer the fall and winter over summer. July and Aug would be the 2 worst months to go.