When planning a trip I usually buy individual components (flights, hotels, etc) vs. a package deal from a travel company. I am currently planning a trip from St. Louis going to Rome, spending some time in Italy and ultimately returning from London. The Open Jaw airfare is a little over $1000. I'm currently looking at a package that would get me the same flights and 3 night’s hotel in Rome for about the same price. Seems like a no brainer. I realize that $1000 for the airfare is no bargain, but the airfare for the package works out to be about $800, which I think is OK for June. My question is would I be wise to book all my hotels with a package (I still have 8 nights unaccounted for). Most hotels offered are generally nicer than I usually stay at, do any others find hotels are also cheaper if you buy packages? Thanks Dave

The question re hotels booked through a package is, are they conveniently located? If so, and the rates are better for nicer accomodations than you customarily book, then I'd say, go for it. But check the locations, because a lot of hotels that package tours book are not in the historic center of the city in question.

For the same price, I myself would rather stay in a 2-star within walking distance of what I want to see than a 3-star that's way out of the way. However, you may feel differently, and it is of course your call.

Either way, it sounds like the airfare and 3 nights hotel in Rome is a good deal for you.

1)As you point out, $1000 is not a great price for your air fare. Have you checked discounters/consolidators like Travelhub.com, Justfares.com? <BR>2)It's also a bit early for best fares for June.<BR>3)If you are not traveling alone you will be paying double what you think for a hotel room. (ie if you've figured $300 of the $1000 is for hotel then for 2 you're paying $600. Hotels charge by room, not per person)<BR>Finally, check it out. See what pkg. price they can offer for the other nights &amp; compare it to what you can get on your own.

I booked the package today. Actually there are 3 of us going together and it worked out to about $800 for air if you figure $200 a night for the triple room (which is below what their web site quotes as a price). The bonus is FF miles, which you usually don't get with consolidator fares. The best Consolidator fare was about $800 anyway. Now it is early and fares may go down but my vacation time is set in concrete, so to speak, so I didn’t want to wait and risk losing seats on the only direct flight from London to STL. I had an option of booking all my hotels with this package (my vacation will last 12 days) but decided I could do better on my own. All in all I think this works for me, Thanks to all who responded.<BR>Dave<BR>

Dave:<BR>Could you tell me the agent/website where you got your package. My sister, brother-in-law and niece live in St. Louis and are also going to Rome and Venice this summer. I could suggest the same thing that you did.<BR>Thanks in advance.

I used a travel agent thru Orbitz, call the number on thier website. I think most any travel agent can do this for you, but the lady I worked with at Orbitz was very nice.<BR>Dave<BR>