Winter Getaway to Vienna

Prices from New York start at $599 for a few days in Austria's lively capital -- including air.

Austrian Airlines is offering an economical package of roundtrip air between New York's JFK Airport to Vienna (VIE) and three nights in the Hotel Albatross (including breakfast) starting at $599 per person from New York. The price includes fuel surcharges (I suppose it isn't really a surcharge since it is included), but airport taxes and other fees are additional). You need to add $80 from Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Chicago's O'Hare (ORD).

This package is available Febrary 7-28, so the airline is promoting it as a Vienna Valentine. Still, there's a single supplement of $110 quoted. Some Valentine! Extra nights are, of course, available. The three-star Hotel Albatross is a 10-minute subway ride from the city center and not far from the airport either. For details or to book, call 800-790-4682.

If you are an opera buff, this is the time of year to enjoy the Vienna State Opera -- and if you've never been, this is a perfect opera house to set the standard for you. Last-minute tickets are available at the "standard price" of € 30, offered on the day before the performance at the ticket office between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on weekends and until 12:00 noon on weekdays and holidays. You can also get them by phone (+43 1) 51444/2950. If you can't stand the thought of opera, can't afford to go or just want something else, know that winter is high culture season in Vienna and other European cities.