NatureGirls- go to go-today.com and post your budget. This site will answer back when and where can you go within that budget.

While I realize that airfares are much higher now than they have been in the past couple of years, I think a $1500 budget per person for just airfare and hotel is quite doable ... and I would even say easy. The poster who suggested concentrating on those cities to which you can fly nonstop from Philadelphia is right on-target. I particularly like the idea of going to a place with a Christmas market. Prague has a good one. Or you could also look at Budapest, which has great deals in the winter months when Prague is still rather expensive. The other suggestion about Go-Today is also a good one, and it's not unusual for Go-Today to use USAirways for packages; look for packages where the base price is from Phila. (I recommend this with the caveat that Go-Today hotels are rarely charming in the way you want).

naturegirl,

I jokingly tell my husband that if he had a travel agency it would be called "Ulysses Travels" as no-one else would come back alive.

But for your trip - the Christmas markets in Germany can be magical. I also think Vienna or Prague would be lovely if you can get a non-stop flight for a reasonable price.

not sure if this is popular in the US but if i were taking a four night getaway, i would not even think to book the hotel separate from the flight. from london we can book a "city break" with hotel and flight much cheaper than separately. and you have a great choice of centrally located hotels.

...and no, this is not a "package tour" nor are you with a group in any way.

NatureGirl-

Is the $1500 for both of you or per person. I had the impression it's for both - but if it's per person, you'll certainly have much more flexibility.

Yeah, Im sorry I was unclear: Its actually $1,500.00 total.

This reminds me of the movie Father of the Bride when the wedding coordinator Franck calls the brides dad and gives the quote of the wedding. The dad hears some price, like 4 thousand and says "oh, 4 thousand isnt bad," and Franck goes, "hahah, nooooo, FORTY thousand!"



Anyway, definitely $1,500.00 total to cover the cost of the flights for both of us and the hotel stay…

Thanks again for the suggestions-they are so much appreciated!

OK these are only to give an idea, they're from an issue of Budget Travel's "40 Best" feature:

Budapest, 5 nights, leaving from Phili, $599 pp

Helsinki, 3 nights, leaving NY, $549 pp

Ireland, 6 nights w/ car, $679 pp out NY

My thought is that a budget package may be the easiest way to pull off 4 days in Europe for 2 people for $1500.

Have you considered Lisbon. Not only is it extremely reasonable (cost wise), it is a beautiful city with loads of history and culture. It has the beach and the mountains of Sintra.
Look at the Portugal thread and see for yourself.

Don't worry NatureGirl, It was pretty obvious you meant $1500 total. (Sometimes I wonder - oh, never mind)

I think $1500 is doable - of course it is your husband who has to figure out how to do it. Since there are soooooo many cities in Europe that meet your criteria, if it were me, I'd search for the veary best fare to any city. And then make a fabulous trip where ever that happens to be.

I'd probably check for London first off because it often has the lowest fares and there is the BIG plus that priceline is brilliant for London. 4* hotels for less than $100 - sometimes a LOT less than $100.

some husbands can plan great trips!! Mine did.....the night before our 20th anniversary he gave me an envelope with a plane ticket in it...the next morning we were in the air flying to Puerto Rico for a week!!! He planned the whole vacation...5 star hotels....everything i could possible want or need...next year is our 25th and i can't wait to see what he has planned....i'm hoping Europe!!!

You guys have provided so much helpful information that I feel confident that my husband cant possibly mess this up! Haha!

I started to look into some of the leads you guys posted-I couldnt help myself. But, janisi, youre so right that he has to figure it out-which is part of the beauty of this!

I think you guys are right on with the direct flight thing and the package deals of hotel and air which almost always decrease the total price.

Also, the 4 nights includes flight time, unfortunately, unless it was an overnight flight the day before. Like, Im looking to stay the nights of 14, 15, 16, and 17 (so it would be ok to leave the night of the 13).

Well, thanks again and keep your fingers crossed for me!



Ill of course let you know what happens

Ok .. I think I was kind of dense yesterday about the $1,500 budget. Still, as other posters have said, it's still do-able at this price level, but only if you buy a) a package or b) find a fare sale. However, I think you're going to have to accept the fact that you probably won't have a charming hotel.

Here are a few suggestions for places to look. For Prague/Budapest/Vienna/Krakow/Warsaw, check out Austrian Airlines specials. For Scandinavia, check on specials on SAS or FinnAir (and yes, Stockholm or Copenhagen are actually possible for this price if you look around, though you'll find food expensive once you arrive). For German cities, you may do better looking for USAirways packages directly with a travel agent. For a variety of major European cities, check out Go-Today.com. If you can deal without nonstop flights, British Airways sometimes offers good packages at this time of the year.

Tree-lined boulevards, in December? Perhaps you should be posting on the South American board!

The boulevards will still be tree-lined - just not "leaf lined"