The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare and three nights' accommodations, from $729 per person — plus taxes of $165.
When: Through March 20, 2008; add $270 for March 21-May 15 and Sept. 8-Oct. 31; $520 for May 16-Sept. 7.
Gateways: New York City. Add $80 for D.C. through March 20; $105 for Chicago. No additional fees for D.C. or Chicago beginning March 21.
The fine print: Fuel surcharges and hotel taxes are included. Airport taxes and fees are $165 per person. Breakfast daily is included. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $50 until Mar. 20, $75 starting Mar. 21. Minimum stay is three nights or one Saturday overnight; maximum stay is 30 days. Package must be paid in full within seven days after reservations are confirmed, and no later than 14 days prior to departure. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Austrian Airlines Vacation Center, 800/790-4682, austrianair-vacations.com.
Why it's a deal: The winter departure dates provide the best deal for this package, with the added convenience of booking airfare and hotel together. A recent search on Kayak yielded a lowest round-trip fare of $647 for late February. For about $80 more, Austrian Airlines covers your plane ticket plus three nights' accommodations and hotel taxes.
Trip details: The Kraków City Steal package includes round-trip airfare to Kraków on Austrian Airlines. There is an option to stop over in Vienna, Austria, on either leg of your journey at no additional cost.
Upon arrival in Kraków, you will spend three nights at the 57-room Hotel Rokk, located 1.5 miles from the city center. The hotel's restaurant serves up traditional Polish cuisine mixed with dishes from around Europe. Additional nights at the hotel cost $40 per person per night through March 20 and $49 after that date. Starting March 21, you can upgrade to the Hotel Amadeus for an extra $260 per night (add $330 for single occupancy).
Once the capital city of Polish kings, Kraków today is Poland's most popular domestic tourist destination. In the old city and surrounding area, you'll find sights like the Wawel Royal Castle and St. Mary's Basilica, both dating from Kraków's medieval glory days. For a glimpse at Poland's more recent history, it's a short train ride to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
To get the best deal for this package, you'll travel in the winter months, when temperatures average around 32 degrees. Hope for beautiful snowfalls during your visit — but be sure to pack a warm coat and an umbrella in case it rains. Check the weather forecast before you go at BudgetTravel.com.
For further help planning your trip, visit Kraków's official Web site. You can find the latest exchange rate and the local time at BudgetTravel.com.