Today's best airfare deal will take you across the big pond and to Frankfurt and other cities across Germany for a base rate of just $165! That price is slightly less than today's going rate to get to Charlotte, N.C. So where would you rather be this winter? Another plus, at least for the time being, is that Europe is experiencing an ultra-mild winter with mild temperatures by day and never quite reaching the freezing point at night.

You'll find most of the best routing to the available destinations across Germany with Northwest Airlines and its partner KLM. Or, try finding available sale seats from American Airlines.

Choose from these destinations: Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, Hannover, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne or Nuremberg.

Give at least a one-week advance notice of your travel dates. Try to stick to mid-week flights. Prices are $20 more each way for trips taken Fridays-Sundays. Include a Saturday night stay and return within a month of your departure. Start trips on or before March 31. Today is the last day to purchase tickets at this rate.

Remember that the base ticket rate of $165 is exclusive of taxes, fees and fuel surcharges. Add all of those 'extras' in and ticket price totals are around $380.

If you plan to head out on the autobahn, look for rental car deals from $30 a day from Auto Europe, http://www.autoeurope.com

One trip itinerary idea is to follow the trade route used during the Middle Ages - Germany's Romantic Road. The route today is still charming and facinating. Get tips on touring and accommodations at this link: www.germany.info/relaunch/info/publications/infocus/travelroad/romantic.html.

The above link also provides details on the 372-mile Fairy Tale, the Wine Routes and other roads worth going down.

Clara Bosonetto Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Sale fares listed here are subject to change and do not include taxes and fees.

Every seat on every flight is not offered at sale prices you read about here. Since a limited supply of seats is offered, act fast to make a purchase on Web sites or with a travel agent. Airlines can discontinue a sale without notice when the offer is deemed "sold out,"or when sale airfares do not have a "buy tickets by" date.

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