Deal of the Week

Fifty Sofitel hotels in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain and Switzerland are participating in a summer discount program that guarantees singles and doubles from $118 to $138 per night. The rates include a full buffet breakfast, service charges and most taxes. (Standard published rates at the Sofitel Belvedere in Vienna are about $200; at the Sofitel Lisboa in Lisbon, about $220; at the Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe, $338, and the Sofitel Firenze in Florence, $270. All are $138 in the discount program; rates in other cities, such as Lyon, Marseilles and Versailles, are $118 a night.) The program runs from June 30 to Sept. 3 and is subject to availability, which is especially limited in Paris. Reservations must be prepaid. There is no minimum or maximum stay. There is no penalty for reservations canceled 72 hours in advance. Sofitel hotels, which cater to business travelers, are generally located in city centers. Reservations: (800) SOFITEL.

Free for the Asking

New from the Southern Yosemite Visitors Bureau is the 1995 Madera County Visitors Guide. The 52-page booklet includes a calendar of events, lodging and dining guide, and information on fishing, hiking, attractions and tours, and art galleries and music. For a free copy, contact the bureau at 49074 Civic Circle, Oakhurst, CA 93644; tel. (209) 683-4636.

This Week’s Holidays

Banking and government offices will be closed or services curtailed in the following countries and their dependencies this week because of national and religious holidays:

Monday: Czech Republic, France, French Guiana, French W. Indies, Kiribati, New Caledonia, St.-Pierre, Tahiti, Western Samoa

Tuesday: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Fed., Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine

Wednesday: Guatemala, Indonesia, Singapore

Thursday: Cameroon

Friday: Denmark

Source: J.P. Morgan