Summer in Paris for $608 R/T

By Clara Bosonetto Maerz

For ajc.com

You've got to see and experience Paris at least once! And with today's hot travel deal, you can get there this summer on American Airlines for about half what the hometown carrier will charge you!

The published round-trip airfare rate is $216, but wait. Factor in all of the extra fees, taxes and fuel surcharges for total ticket rates of about $608.

If you believe that's too high, consider that Delta will charge you $1,295 for the same travel period. So don't let this offer slip away; it is outstanding!

It's valid on departures started on or before Aug. 29 and on trips finished on or before Aug. 31.

The lowest rate is good on Sunday-Thursday departures and Monday-Thursday returns. Other travel days are just $12.50 more each way.

A one-week or more advance purchase notice and a Saturday night stay are mandatory.

Airfares are subject to change without notice. To ensure that this special rate is still valid when you get around to buying tickets, first visit Kayak.com and enter your city pairs. Next, start to fill in your travel dates. You should instantly see a calendar pop-up on the right side of your monitor with this sale price indicated on specific dates. If you don't see the special rate, try changing your dates/month of travel using the pulldown just above the calendar. If you still don't see this rate, it is highly likely that it no longer exists.

If You Go

Expect a few surprises when visiting Paris during the month of August. In the height of summer, many Parisians vamoose the city for the country and seasides. Also, some local establishments such as bakeries, butchers and florists might be closed. In fact, some residential pockets of town can be relatively quiet. All the better for those all-day strolls in and going out from town.

Stay in the center of Paris and live like a local by renting a self-contained apartment.

Apartmentparis.fr is offering a 10 percent reduction on all three or more night stays during August. Select apartments are offering discounts of up to 20 percent for summer, and others offer a free night with a minimum stay.

With an apartment, guests benefit with the services and guarantees provided by a management company.

The firm offers 65 apartments that can accommodate from 2 to 8 people. Most are in the liveliest districts of Paris, close to metro stations and the main tourist attractions: the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, Montmartre, Le Marais, St. Germain des Prés.

Stays come with basic services (fully-equipped apartments, domestic linens, cable/sat TV and wifi) with no add-on services, making the price more accessible than most hotels. For instance, studio apartments (bedroom, kitchen facilities in the same one-room) rent for about 60 euros, per night ($85.35); and a two-room apartment (usually refers to a separate bedroom) from 70 euros, per night ($99.55). Guests can of course add a la carte services such as airport transfers, maid services, tours of the city and more.

Book stays at Apartmentparis.fr (click at the Union Jack flag in the upper right corner of the homepage for English language), and refer to promo 10. Telephone assistance in English is also available.