Cheap summer airfare?
 

My family and I (2 adults, 2 "kids" 19 & 23))are planning a trip, flying into Venice and out of Rome on July 30 - Aug. 10, 2004 (can't change the dates). So far the "cheapest" airfare I have seen is through eltexpress for @ $1300. This adds up when purchaing 4!! Am I being realistic in hoping that there are more reasonable prices to be found? Where can I look? How soon should I book? This will be our 25th anniversary celebration, and I don't want to mess it up.
I would appreciate ANY help!!
Thanks.

Start looking in the winter--- specifically around Feb you may find some really good deals. Also consider a package, as you are planning for high season, multi-airports, and are specific about the dates (flexibility helps).

I agree that, at least for me, I've found the best deals between January and the beginning of March, leaving L.A. Where are you starting from?

We are starting from New York. Is it usual to book at that time? I am only used to booking the Caribbean, which is 10 months in advance for winter.

How about getting the cheapest flight possible to London and a discount carrier to an Italian city?

Cherylac, where are you flying out of?

I booked flights about 4 months ago out of JFK, (9 of them) from a consolidator, sky-tours. They are round trip, non-stop for $491 taxes included! Flying into Rome and 2 flying into Milan

I am flying into Milan and out of Naples in June. I found a flight last week for $611 out of Boston and booked it. I have never booked a flight so early. But, since my budget was $650, I preferred to buy it now rather than run the risk of paying too much later. I also got paranoid about whether or not I would get the hotels I wanted, so I have already booked those too. I actually think I have become overy obsessive about trip planning since I found this board!

We live in New York, so had planned to fly out of JFK or Newark. The Boston flight out is something I will look into. I'll have to check on flights from New York to get us up there and factor that in. I will also try the London connection. Thanks.

We've been happy with the best-fare deals arranged for us by John at Sunline Travel, 501 Fifth Av, NYC, 212 599 7246.