Quickie vacation to Paris -- how to find
 

Boy do I need a Paris fix! I'm looking for an air/hotel package for any 5 nights/6 days in October in Paris for under $1000 a person. You would think this would be easy. The only stipulations I have are to leave from Boston and if I have to connect, connect somewhere in Europe (nothing worse than flying to Newark or Philly and flying back over Boston on the way!) and I want a hotel somewhere somewhat central, not Montmartre or out by the airports.

Is this possible? How would you go about finding it? I've tried Expedia, Travelocity, airline sites. Would I be better served to wait to see if airfares come down in later July/August and find hotel on my own?

Thanks for any ideas.

Try searching for "Paris Vacation Packages"... You may have some luck.

I've done that, here and on the web. What I come up with is either via Detroit, Philly or over $1000. Looking for personal experience here.

Amy, I think you might want to take a look at the website www.go-today.com as they have several reasonable packages with either an air/car or air/hotel combo. I found out about them years ago by reading Arthur Frommer's Budget Traveler magazine. It's a reputable company.

amyb:

You also might check out www.offpeaktraveler.com. A friend used this company last winter to go to Paris and had some good things to say about his experience. His rate for 4 or 5 days in Paris (air/hotel included) was something like $500-600. I'm sure you could get something now for under $1000

Good luck,
Jennie

If you're looking for personal experience, I can recommend gotoday.com. I took a trip I purchased from them in March, leaving from Boston, and all went smoothly. I had a nonstop flight to Paris. Very well priced, check out the different hotel options. I stayed at the Waldorf Montparnasse in Paris and was very happy with the choice. I believe the choices are all for six nights, though (which works out to a week when you figure in the night on the plane), and I see you are looking for five nights.

I have used Virgin-Atlantic vacations for some reasonable air/hotel packages. They do have packages for Paris, and you can safely book on-line or call the customer service number provided on the site. Check the website: http://www.virgin-vacations.com/vav_ac.asp#Paris

I totally understand you need for a "Paris Fix"

Ok, twist my arm...make it 6 nights if need be! ;-)

I will look in to any and all options. I just really need to go back! Thanks everyone so far...

Not sure if these would come in on your budget or not, but a couple of other places to try would be

http://www.frenchexperience.com/
www.francevacations.net/
http://www.airfranceholidays.com/

www.11thhourvacations.com/
www.lastminutetravel.com/
www.site59.com/

The afore-mentioned go-today or lastminutetraveler may end up being cheapest, but it's worth it to check out all sources to see who's got the best price from your point of departure and/or the nicest hotels for the cost.

Since I often travel solo, I'm usually able to do better than a package deal by booking airfare and hotel separately.

I would keep searching and wait a little longer for fares to come down. I would basically search airline sites for their packages. I'd be surprised if you can't get that package for that price. One problem with early October however is that it is fashion week and hotels will be crowded. I'd try for second half of October.