There’s no better time to visit Tuscany than springtime. But then again… there’s no bad time to visit Tuscany. After all, it is Tuscany. That said, Springtime is when the days turn sunny, vineyards sprout their first green, markets display their gorgeous produce and sidewalk cafés and restaurants come to life.
And—difficult as it is to believe—spring is coming. TourCrafters, a tour company specializing in affordable European vacations, has made a spring trip even more appealing with their one-week Florence and Tuscany Countryside package, which starts at $739 from New York and includes round-trip air from New York, three nights at the 4-star Hotel Roma in Florence, three nights at the 4-star Villa Aurea in Cortona, daily buffet breakfast, three days’ car rental, a free spa course (with sauna, Turkish bath and tea) at the Villa Aurea, a free gelato at Florence’s famous Vivoli, service charges and taxes.
Florence, as everyone knows, is the world’s greatest repository of Renaissance art, but it also boasts great restaurants and fabulous shopping (everything from designer shops on via Tornabuoni to the San Lorenzo Market). Cortona, a hilltop town of steep, narrow streets and the setting for the popular memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun, also has its art and architecture. Between the two lies the Chianti region with its hillside vineyards, olive groves, medieval towns and picturesque castles—easy enough to explore with a three-day car rental.
All prices are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability and do not include airport taxes of approximately $115 and a fuel surcharge of approximately $360. Reservations must be paid for within 72 hours of booking. Add-on air fares are $40 from Boston and Washington, D.C., $135 from Miami and Chicago, and $250 from Los Angeles.
For additional information about this and other Hot Deals of the Week, visit www.tourcrafters.it
This just in from the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism for travelers interested in an affordable Fall vacation in St. Croix (home of one of Jaunt Magazine’s closest cohorts, the illustrious Mundi Morning Male).
“St. Croix Fantastic Flight” Promotion
Perk: $150 per-person airfare credit and a fourth night free at participating hotels
Booking deadline: October 5, 2009
Travel deadline: November 15, 2009
Participating hotels: The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix Beach & Tennis Resort, Colony Cove Beach Resort, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Resort, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel, The Palms at Pelican Cove and Sand Castle on the Beach
How to book: Promotion must be booked through one of the participating tour operators – AA Vacations, CheapCaribbean.com, Delta Vacations, Expedia, GoGo Worldwide Vacations and Travelocity
About St. Croix – St. Croix is a unique island with a rich culture and colorful past, as evidenced by its Danish architecture, historic landmarks, vibrant botanical attractions, diverse culinary landscape, music and traditions. Visitors may choose to explore Frederiksted – a town replete with historical significance, embark on a culinary tour of Christiansted ’s outstanding restaurants, visit the island’s museums and public gardens, or sail to Buck Island, rated one of the world’s best snorkeling spots. The island also boasts the region’s only certified organic farm – The Creque Dam Farm – which hosts an array of fun culinary and sustainable-agriculture programs for visitors and popular “slow down” BYOB dinners.
For more information visit:
www.VisitUSVI.com
This just in from the folks at TravelZoo! Fares from Long Beach, Burbank and San Diego have been reduced to $29-$99 each way in a 1-day sale announced by JetBlue today. Flights to the East Coast are as low as $79. The sale is for travel April 30 – June 10, but only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and tickets must be booked by 11:59PM MST tonight.
Sample fares from Long Beach (each way):
– Las Vegas … $29
– Oakland … $29
– San Francisco … $29
– Sacramento … $39
– Seattle … $39
– Portland … $49
– Boston … $79
– Fort Lauderdale … $99
– Washington, D.C. … $99
Sample fares from Burbank (each way):
– Las Vegas … $29
– New York City … $99
Sample fares from San Diego (each way):
– Salt Lake City … $49
– Seattle … $59
– New York City … $99
To book directly through JetBlue Airways, click here:
JAUNT MAGAZINE 