Europe sets out stall

Canny travellers could round off the year by enjoying a discounted short-haul city break, as airlines and hotels try to boost revenue before the end of the year.

Joel Brandon-Bravo, UK managing director of Travelzoo, says: “After a high proportion of people put off booking summer travel due to the Olympics, there are some great deals available at the end of 2012.

“It may also be that tour operators are discounting to encourage holidaymakers to actually go away this year, rather than skipping holidays altogether.”

Travelzoo reckons winter city breaks, even to Christmas market destinations, are being cut by up to 50 per cent as operators seek to bolster business before the year ends.

Travelzoo’s flight search engine Fly.com shows European flight prices tumbling as low as £32 return, as low-cost airlines launch sales in an attempt to fill aircraft during winter months.

Brandon-Bravo points out that it isn’t only lesser known destinations that are being discounted; top Christmas destinations such as Berlin are seeing prices slashed, as well as warmer 
city break destinations in southern Europe.

“Anyone keen to fit in one last break before the end of the year would be well advised to book now,” he says.

According to discount travel website Hotwire.com, European hotels are discounting by significantly more this year than last.

Some destinations are dropping prices as much as 30 per cent on last year, with the biggest price drops in Prague, Geneva and Budapest, each at least 30 per cent. Major destinations like Berlin, Paris, Barcelona and Rome are seeing their lowest hotel prices on Hotwire in six years.

The depressed economy, frugal European travellers and more hotels built in anticipation of higher demand are driving prices down.

“Many European cities have opened new hotel rooms in anticipation of record visitor numbers in 2012, and now that the summer games are over, they’re discounting heavily on sites like Hotwire to attract business,” says Fulvia Montresor, travel expert at Hotwire.com.

Travelzoo offers a three-night four-star Belgian Christmas market break from £185, saving £100. Even a three-night B&B break at a four-star hotel in Venice comes in at just £149, saving £180, through Crystal Travel. This offer includes accommodation, half-day boat tour of the city and return flights ex-Stansted and East Midlands on departures between October 15 and December 15.