The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare and three nights' accommodations from $570 per person — including taxes.
When: Nov. 1, 2007-Mar. 31, 2008; blackout dates are Dec. 10-24.
Gateways: New York City.
The fineprint:Airport taxes and fuel surcharges (totaling $135), daily breakfast, and hotel taxes are included. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $164. Read these before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Picasso Tours, 800/995-7997, picassotours.com.
Why it's a deal: In comparison, a recent search on Kayak yielded the following lowest round-trip fares from New York City to Hamburg: $520 in early November (Swiss Air), $590 from early December through February of next year (multiple carriers), and $630 in mid-March (multiple carriers). In other words, by booking the Picasso Tours package you'll get three nights' accommodations for an additional $50, if you're departing in November, or pay $20-$60 less than the cost of airfare alone if traveling from December through March.
Trip details: The Hamburg Emirates Special 2007-2008 includes non-stop round-trip airfare between New York City and Hamburg on an Emirates Airline carrier and three nights' accommodations at the Stella Maris hotel, about nine miles from the airport. Picasso Tours doesn't provide airport-hotel transfers, so expect to pay about €20 ($29) each way for a 30-minute taxi ride.
The 50-room hotel doubles as a Seamen's Club, a part of the worldwide Apostleship of the Sea network found in major harbor cities that provides social activities and religious services for traveling seamen. The hotel allows guests access to the seamen's kitchen, the common TV area, and the club room, which has foosball and pool tables. Each bedroom has a private bathroom and shower.
The hotel is located close to the city harbor, the largest in Germany, with easy access to all major public transportation. Nearby attractions include the Hamburg History Museum, the Reepenbahn, the Old Town, and the market square. Take a harbor tour, stroll down Speicherstadt (in the warehouse district) or, for nightlife fun, visit the bar- and restaurant-laden Portuguese Quarter.
If you'd like to extend your stay, expect to pay $56 per person per night for a double room or $112 per night for a single room. Hotel upgrades are available from an additional $40 per person for a stay at the 30-room City House close to the main train station.
For more tips on what to do in the area, visit Germany's official tourism Web site. Before you go, check the latest exchange rate, the local time, and the at .
Getting there: The Picasso Tours package only provides international airfare departing from New York City. However, if you live in another city, it may still make sense for you to book the package and then book a separate domestic flight to New York City. Here are some sample round-trip fares to New York City in early November: $167 from Miami (US Airways), $299 from Chicago (JetBlue) and $352 from Los Angeles (Spirit), according to a recent search on Kayak.