$299 a night at the Gritti Palace?

Are you planning to visit Italy for at least seven days sometime in the coming year? Would you like to stay in five-star hotels? Are you convinced you can't afford them?

Well, this is an opportunity well worth considering.

Starwood Hotels' Welcome to Italy promotion includes some of the finest hotels in Italy.

• The rates are extremely attractive.
  
• They are guaranteed in U.S. dollars.
  (no currency fluctuations).
  
• They include buffet breakfast, taxes, and service charges.
  

You need to stay at least seven nights in any combination of the participating hotels, but those nights don't have to be consecutive. In other words, you can fly into Rome and spend four nights there, take the train to Florence and spend two nights there, spend a few nights on your own in Cinque Terre, then take the train to Milan and spend your final night there. All sorts of itineraries are possible (this was just an example), and of course you can spend more than seven nights in these hotels.

Here's the fine print! You need to prepay 35 days prior to arrival, but your reservation is fully cancellable more than 14 days before arrival, with one night's charge within that deadline. Some properties have supplements for rooms with certain views, and the Venice properties have supplements for weekends during Mid and High season. Blackout dates may apply.

You can stay at some of finest hotels in Italy!

• Rome: St. Regis Grand, Westin Excelsior, Hotel Eden
  
• Venice: Hotel Gritti Palace, Hotel Daniele, Westin Europa & Regina
  
• Florence: Westin Excelsior
  
• Asolo (a charming town 40 miles N.W. of Venice): Hotel Villa Cipriani
  
• Milan: Westin Palace, Excelsior Hotel Gallia
  

Prices vary by season and by the type of room requested (single, double, or suite). As an illustration, double rooms are $379 in low season, $489 in mid season, and $599 in high season with breakfast, tax, and service included. Compare this to advertised room rates of 290€, 375€, and 460€.) And you can actually book a single room at the Gritti Palace for only $299 this August ... or anytime between Nov. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

As this offer is subject to availability, I encourage you to make your bookings as soon as you know your dates. Please email me if I can help you plan your trip and make your reservations.


If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

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