The Epicurean

Fall travel in Europe … fewer crowds, shorter lines, cheaper airfares, more attention, and better service.  Temperatures are cooler to be sure, but for me the days are all the more inviting because of it.  Long walks through historic cities were made for crisp, sunny days.  Bring along a coat and scarf (and, yes, an umbrella for London), and you should be all set.

As part of their “Fall in Europe” travel special, The New York Times has published a list of 100 hotels in 14 European cities for under $150 a night.  All of the popular tourist destinations are there, including London, Paris,  Rome, Amsterdam, Prague, Dublin, and Barcelona.

Over the past three years, New York Times readers have been adding their travel tips and secrets to the Times Travel Web site destination guides.  The copious number of posts provided an initial list from which the travel editors culled the 100 recommended hotels which they believe represent the best value.

“All prices listed are for a double room for a weekend in either October or November, and are based on rates found on the hotels’ Web sites or on travel sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. (The $150 limit was based on the conversion rates of roughly $1.60 to the pound and $1.50 to the euro.)”

I finished reading the article and immediately conjured up visions of sitting outside at the Cafe de Flore drinking a double espresso, of “The David” in mid-afternoon, of a stroll through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, and a matinee at the Donmar Warehouse followed by drinks and an early dinner at a lively gastropub, of the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle lit up just after dark,  of …

Buon viaggio, Bon voyage, Buen viaje!