Lavish Summer Trips for Less
Enjoy Croatia's chic coastline for less this summer.
Photo: Julien Capmeil for Condé Nast Traveler
In Condé Nast Traveler's July issue, we highlight 14 destinations around the globe that represent a particularly good value for your dollar right now, compared with what they cost last summer. We thought we'd share a handful with Perrin Post readers, too.
Croatia: The next St-Tropez is in the Adriatic. It's the Croatian island of Hvar, and, thanks to the weakened euro and third-night-free deals at its top hotels, you can enjoy it for far less than it cost last summer. The three best hotels on the island--the Riva (doubles, $200-$316), the Adriana (doubles, $387-$523), and the Hotel Amfora (doubles, $213-$316)--are all offering a third night free. Book through: Eastern Europe travel specialist Greg Tepper of Exeter International (800-633-1008; greg@exeterinternational.com), as his connections can secure upgrades and even better deals than you can find solo.
Iceland: The U.S. dollar will buy you about 60% more there than it did last summer. After a discounted flight (see icelandair.com for deals, including a $479 fare from New York), check into what was once one of Reykjavik's most expensive hotels, the Park Inn, for about $190 a night, and dine at the formerly exorbitant Seafood Cellar, where an over-the-top dinner and drinks for two is less than $200.
Ireland: Aer Lingus's fleeting sales have been dropping fares to as low as $238 round-trip from New York (versus $850 last year), $538 from Chicago, and $738 from San Francisco. Book through: Ireland specialist Kathleen Sheridan of Altour (201-477-7002; kathi.sheridan@altour.com), who has negotiated rates at charming properties around the country that are approximately 25% less than last year's. She can also get you a guaranteed upgrade at Adare Manor in County Limerick (doubles, $604) and Hayfield Manor in Cork (doubles, $230).
Alaska: Imagine a week of coasting past glaciers and the Pacific Northwest's loveliest islands on a cruise line luxe enough to make Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List 15 years in a row. Sound expensive? It's not: Celebrity Cruises is offering a weeklong Alaska cruise in July for $449, which translates to less than $70 per day (not including taxes and fees). Book through: Alaska specialist Margret Propper of Brownell Travel (205-414-1656; margretp@brownelltravel.com).
You'll find the basics on deals for ten more summer destinations here, but only the July issue of Condé Nast Traveler has all the details.
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I take issue with the comment that the Euro is weaker. What is your source? The Euro I follow is $1.40 - if my math is correct for every $100 we exchange we get back 72.00 Euros??? And that's been consistent for a very long time. A few months ago... the Euro 'dipped' to maybe 1.30 and in Feb or Mar is was $1.36.
On a brighter note - I will be spending some time on the Dalmatian cost in August... but I don't expect to find many bargains.
Posted by: deannadv | June 24, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Hi deannadv,
Glad to hear you'll be enjoying the Dalmation coast come August. You're right, the euro is climbing a bit, but the currency analysts we've spoken to for an upcoming feature in our August issue say that the upswing is temporary. Soon, the euro will dip again to $1.30--or even $1.25.
But even with the dollar at $1.40 against the euro, that's still better than last June/July, when 1 euro = $1.60. What with the greenback's rally and the great deals this summer, you've picked a good time to enjoy Europe!
Posted by: juliabainbridge | June 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Chiming in with a quick comment: I've stayed in Adare Manor (it's near my husband's parent's home) - with kids.
It's a beautiful spot and very, very family-friendly.
If the price is too high for your budget, check out B&Bs in Adare.
Posted by: wandermom | June 24, 2009 at 04:32 PM