European Hotel Deals

Inter-Continental Hotels is offering discounts at 30 hotels in 23 European cities from July 1 to Aug. 31.

The discounts vary from hotel to hotel, but can be as much as 60% off regular rates. The average discount is 36%. The discounted rates are fixed at $45, $65 and $85 per person per night, double occupancy.

There is a 50% surcharge for solo guests. For example, a $45-per-person room occupied by a single guest would cost $67.50.

These rates include taxes and service charges, and are also guaranteed in U.S. dollars so there will be no surprises due to currency fluctuations.

The discounts are available throughout the week, with no restrictions for weekends. Reservations have to be made seven days in advance.

Under the chain’s family plan, one child under 18 can stay free in a room with parents.

You can get the $45 rate at hotels in Athens, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Helsinki, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Munich, Sorrento, Vienna, Wiesbaden and Zagreb.

The $65 rate is available in Amsterdam, Geneva and two hotels in Paris, while the $85 tab is extended at four London hotels as well as single properties in Amsterdam, Paris and Rome.

Contact a travel agent, or Inter-Continental at (800) 327-0200.

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On the domestic front, Amtrak has come up with new rates for a special version of its All-Aboard America program. The national rail system is divided into eastern, central and western regions. You can ride round trip for $118 within any one region, for $158 within two contiguous regions and for $198 coast-to-coast. Children under 12 travel for half-price.

The fares are good for any Amtrak train except Metroliner Service and Auto-Train. Sleeping cars are extra.

There are no advance purchase or minimum-stay requirements, and you have up to 45 days to complete your trip. But no stopovers are allowed.

If you want to make stopovers, you can take the regular All-Aboard America fares, which allow one stopover in each direction.

These round-trip rates, for trips to be completed by June 30, are $150 in one region, $200 in two regions and $250 coast-to-coast. After June 30, the fares go up to $159, $239 and $299.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Amtrak at (800) USA-RAIL.