Editors' Travel Deal Review

European city breaks discounted up to 30%

Munich, Madrid and Barcelona packages from $762

By ShermansTravel Staff

August 13, 2008 04:22 pm EDT

Book By: 30 days prior to desired travel dates

Travel By: November 30, 2008

Brush off your passport. Expedia is offering a Book Early and Save promo on air-lodging packages to select European cities. With savings of as much as 30% on your hotel, you can almost counter the exchange rate. The offer is valid from September to November, but the lowest rates tend to fall at the end of the season. Three particularly eye-catching offers we like take you to Munich, Barcelona and Madrid, where you’ll stay close to transportation and all the action. Four nights plus flights start at $762. Important: To cash in on these discounts you must book at least 30 days in advance of your desired travel dates.

Four nights in Munich from $762
If you’d rather spend your dollars out on the town than on your hotel, this deal to Munich is for you. Four nights in the Bavarian capital with a roundtrip plane ticket from New York, valid between November 1 and 30, starts at just $762. Accommodations are in the 55-room Rivoli Hotel, located just three subway stops from the Marienplatz – the city’s main plaza. You’ll receive a 15% discount on your stay at this neat three-star property booking through Expedia. Rates for travel during the possibly more pleasant month of October start at $886. To get a taste of Oktoberfest, which begins in September, you’re looking at rates of $861 and up.

Barcelona four-star savings of 15%
Perhaps Spain is more your style. Whether you’re a foodie, soccer fan or Gaudí aficionado, Barcelona will deliver. And with Expedia’s Book Early promo, you get 15% off accommodations at the Casanova by Rafael Hotels, as part of a four-night flight-hotel package to the Catalan capital. The four-star property, near Plaza Catalunya and a short walk from Las Ramblas, features 124 rooms appointed with modern furnishings and a spa for extra pampering. The starting package price - from $1171 departing between September 1 and 30 - actually rises minutely from October 1 to November 30 to $1179. All quotes are based on roundtrip travel from New York.

Stylish stay in Madrid from $1092
Prefer a Madrid getaway? Roundtrip airfare from New York plus four nights at the sleek ME Hotel Madrid can be had for $1092 and up. With its proximity to landmarks including Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol and the Prado, the hotel is a fantastically central option. Although, with the Rande Gerber-styled Midnight Rose lobby bar/restaurant and The Penthouse rooftop lounge, plus in-room free WiFi and plasma TVs, you might not feel compelled to venture out. The quoted price is based on travel November 1-30 and reflects savings of 30% on accommodations with the Expedia early booking bonus.

All quotes are per person and based on double occupancy. The prices will vary based on departure dates and city.

There could be a serious nip in the air by November, but hearty German beer and Spain’s famous churros y chocolate are bound to warm you up.