The Valentine’s Day: Best Romance get-away deals of this week for your Valentine.

The Valentine’s Day is around the corner and it’s still one of the most anticipated (at least by women) day of the year when one can show a true love, or a true lust, for the significant other.

(A Hungarian couple practicing a kiss.)

While there are many couples that are concerned with the economy and are looking for the more affordable romantic “deals” this year, still – a trip overseas is an option, if not on the Valentine’s Day itself, than as a ‘rain check’ for the vocational getaway to come.

(Rent a scooter in Europe)

This in mind, incorporating many useful sites that offer best travel deals that any kind of a romantic, search sites like Travelzoo and Kayak post every week the deals that can be affordable and fun. These offers are available for booking as of today, February 3, 2009. Courtesy of Travelzoo, the most outstanding travel deals this week.

Athens, Greece

$899 - Greece: Athens in Spring, 6 Nights w/Air*

Travel dates: Feb. 1 - March 8; March 26 - May 14. Book by Feb. 13.

I thought there is no another paradise after Italy, but there is a place, which is as warm and welcoming as Italy – it is Greece, or Grece, or Griecheland, or Grecia or ЕЛЛАДА as the locals tenderly call it.

Visit Athens, the birth place of Greek Mythology and philosophy – the cradle of Western civilization, for just $899 per person. Go-today.com is offering this 6-night package, which includes airfare, hotel and breakfast daily.

This offer is valid over spring travel when deals are still reasonable, there are not many tourists yet and the weather is still mild. During peak summer dates, not that you want to be in a 110 F heat anyway, airfare alone can go as high as $1500. According to Frommer's, late April and May are some of the best times to go.

This 'ЕЛЛАДА' Package includes:

• Roundtrip flight from New York City (JFK) or Newark (see additional departure cities below)


• 6 nights hotel accommodations in Athens


• Continental breakfast daily


• Hotel taxes and service charges


• Airline fuel surcharges

Departure cities: New York City, Newark; Boston, Philadelphia (add $30); Baltimore, Washington D.C. (add $50); Chicago, Miami (add $120); Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle (add $220); see web site for more departure cities.

To book: click here to book online or call 800-227-3235 and mention Travelzoo.

A tip from Travelzoo: To get the lowest price, depart on a Monday. You can travel other days of the week for $35-$70 more. This package is also available on other dates through October, but will be priced higher.

For additional information to make up your mind, check out Matt Barrett’s Survival Guide to Athens, or see what your favorite travel guides say about it: Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Let’s Go.

You can also view my personal photos of Athens and the Greek islands.

Prague, Czech Republic or Budapest, Hungary

$799 Luxury Escapes to Europe over Valentine's Day*

Travel dates: Feb. 11 for Prague; Feb. 10, 11 for Budapest.

If you have not been to Eastern Europe, this might be a great time to visit due to the fact that dollar has been very strong in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe where Russian oil prices have fallen, dragging down the value of Euro benefiting the value of dollar. However, this should not be the main reason to visit the old and beautiful capitals of Czech Republic and Hungary with very rich history, art, architecture and social customs.

This Valentine's Day, treat your sweetheart to a 5-star hotel getaway in lovely Budapest or Prague, courtesy of a new offer from Gate 1 Travel.

For $799 including air, you may choose between 5 nights at Budapest's posh Corinthia Hotel or 4 nights at the swanky Intercontinental in Prague. Both regularly command nightly rates of $300.

To receive this package, depart Feb. 10 (Budapest only) or Feb. 11:

• Roundtrip air to Prague or Budapest from New York City (other departure cities available)


• A 4-night hotel stay in Prague with complimentary room upgrade, welcome drink and access to the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym --OR--


• A 5-night hotel stay in Budapest with FREE access to the hotel's Royal Spa (a $55 value) and 10% discount on all spa treatments


• Daily breakfast


• Hotel taxes and service charges


• Airline fuel surcharges

To help you choose between these 2 fabulous destinations, consider the following summaries:

The Corinthia Hotel in Budapest, voted one of the Top Ten Luxury Hotels in the World by Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards in 2008, offers an easy walk to the Opera House and the St. Stephens Basilica, it features Internet access in all guest rooms, 5 on-site dining options and a full-service spa.

The Intercontinental Prague, near the city's historic Old Town, Charles Bridge and shopping on "Paris Street," has a health and fitness center, a spa, an indoor swimming pool, and two restaurants. Its rooftop Zlatá Praha Restaurant offers fine dining and sweeping views of the city.

Click here for more information or to book directly with Gate 1 Travel, or call 800-682-3333 and mention Travelzoo. Additional taxes of approximately $130 per person apply.

For additional information to make up your mind, check out official tourism sites for Prague and/or go to Experience Prague online. For Budapest, click here or go to Budapest Info. Or see what your favorite travel guides say about it.

Travel gudes on Prague: Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet

Travel guides on Budapest: Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Lonely Planet

ITALY

$799 - A Week in Italy: Flights, B&Bs and Rental Car*

Travel dates: Select March dates; +$60 additional dates. Book by Feb. 6.

Special Offer from Sceptre Tours; phone: 1-800-221-0924. Click here for more information.

Explore Italy while staying in bed & breakfasts throughout the country's most popular areas. Whether you choose to stay in a Tuscan villa or a guest house in Rome, this flexible package allows you to go at your own pace and save hundreds in the process.

This 'AMORE' $799 offer from Sceptre Tours includes the following:

• Roundtrip airfare from New York to Rome. Newark and Boston are $90 more; Chicago and Miami just $145 more. Flights are also available to/from Florence, Naples and Palermo.


• 6 nights in your choice of B&Bs throughout 5 of Italy's most popular regions: Lazio (Rome), Tuscany (Florence), Umbria, Campania (Naples), and Sicily
  
• Economy rental car with unlimited mileage
  
• Unlimited rental car mileage means you can explore on your own schedule. This is an ideal package for independent travelers who want to see popular sites and discover hidden treasures along the way.

Travel is valid select February and March dates. Additional departure dates start at just $60 more. (For New York departures, the sale price on Feb. 15, 22 and March 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29.) For as little as $80 additional, you can fly into one airport and depart from another - a rare perk with vacation packages that can help you get the most out of your time abroad.

Click here for more information and to book online with Sceptre Tours, or call 800-221-0924 and mention Travelzoo to book by phone. Note: There is a $25 charge to book by phone. The final price will includes $105-$140 in taxes per person.

And always check for special terms/conditions.

* Terms/Conditions:

Visit http://www.sceptretours.com/ or call (800) 901-4042 for full details on change/cancellation policy, detailed land offering. and additional terms and conditions (they do offer Trip Cancellation Waiver, because all bookings are non-refundable.)

Bon Voyage!