Europe

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.

Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

Travel solo for less Overseas Adventure Travel is now waiving the single supplement on more than 20 itineraries as long as you book by January 31 (800/873-5628, www.oattravel.com).

Deal of the Month
Take Off the Pounds
Sure, London is hardly at its peak this time of year, but that's precisely why you'll find such a good deal. Go-today.com will fly you to the British capital on which­ever airline has the best rate for your dates and departure city and then put you up at the Apollo Hotel, two blocks from Hyde Park and a five-minute walk from the Queensway Tube station. The weather may be gray, but you'll find plenty of color in the holiday markets in Covent Garden, Greenwich, and on the South Bank, as well as at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland festival, which has the city's largest outdoor ice-skating rink. If that isn't enough to keep you busy, there are about 90 museums and galleries that don't charge admission.

London from $789
Air from New York, six nights at the Apollo Hotel in Bayswater, and breakfast daily. Add $68 for round-trip airport transfers. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 17, Jan. 6–Mar. 22 (from $789); Dec. 18–Jan. 5 ($889). Other Gateways: Boston (add $40); D.C. (add $50); Atlanta, Chicago (add $70); Miami, Orlando (add $310); Denver, L.A., San Francisco (add $330). SS: $170. Information: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.

Amsterdam from $999 Air from New York, six nights at the HEM Hotel Amsterdam, and breakfast daily. Add $139 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday departures until Dec. 10; Jan. 7–Mar. 18. Other Gateways: Chicago (from $1,049); Miami ($1,089); L.A., San Francisco ($1,149). SS: From $390. Information: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Berlin & Prague from $1,099
Air from New York to Berlin (returning from Prague), three nights at the Mark Apart Hotel, an onward flight to Prague, three nights at the Hotel Kavalir, and breakfasts. Add $139 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Midweek departures until Dec. 10; Jan. 7–Mar. 18. Other Gateways: Boston (from $1,109), Chicago (from $1,179), San Francisco (from $1,289), L.A. (from $1,309). SS: From $290. Information: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

Ireland Tour from $1,279
Air from D.C. to Dublin, a five-day car rental, seven nights' lodging, and breakfasts. The itinerary includes two nights in Dublin, four nights of B&B vouchers, and one night at the Cabra Castle Hotel. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Until Dec. 11 (from $1,279); Dec. 12–24 (from $1,469); Dec. 25–Jan. 3 (from $1,484); Jan. 4–Mar. 25 (from $1,289). Other Gateways: Boston, New York (add $40); Chicago (add $110); L.A. (add $190); San Francisco (add $230). SS: From $360. Information: Brian Moore International Tours, 800/982-2299, bmit.com.

Paris from $575
Air France or Delta Air Lines flights from New York; four nights at the Hotel All Seasons Paris Voltaire Republique, in the 11th arrondissement; and breakfast daily. Add $330 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 11 ($640); Jan. 2–29, Feb. 3–Mar. 31 ($575). Other Gateways: D.C. (add $35), Boston (add $55), Chicago (add $67), Miami (add $109), San Francisco (add $143), L.A. (add $177). SS: $304. Information: TourCrafters, 800/482-5995, tourcrafters.com.

Turkey Tour from $1,999
Turkish Airlines flights from New York to Istanbul and an 11-day tour round trip from Istanbul. The price includes eight nights' hotel, an over­night train, and most meals. Spend two nights each in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Kusadasi, and one night each in Çanakkale and Pamukkale. When: Thursdays Dec. 4, 11 ($2,299); Dec. 18, 25 ($2,599); Jan. 1, 15–29, Feb. 5–26 ($2,299); Jan. 8 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $85). SS: $999. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Venice, Rome & Florence from $2,049
Austrian Airlines flights from D.C. or New York to Venice (via Vienna, returning from Florence); transfers; nine nights' hotel split among Venice, Rome, and Florence; and breakfasts. Includes fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 11; Jan. 4–Mar. 15. Other Gateways: None. SS: $665. Information: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.