Bargain Winter Package to Sicily

As it has for decades, alluring Italy draws Americans by the thousands -- but mosly to a handful of places. Rome, the Eternal City, is eternally popular. Art lovers, and those who think they should be art lovers, visit Florence to gaze at the unsurpassed Renaissance masterpieces. Venice's crumbling beauty continues to enchant. Foodies flock to Piemonte. Cinque Terrae on Liguria coast in the northwest and the Amalfi Coast in the Campania area in the southwest retain their scenic punch. They are beguiling, to be sure, but peak tourist season in these places are crowded, expensive (especially in light of the puny dollar) and hot.

But what of the less visited regions of Italy -- and what about off-season? Prices are lower to begin with, crowds are absent and temperatures are kindly. TourCrafters' Sicily Hot Deal caught my eye. In winter, this Mediterranean island off the toe of Italy's boot is comfortable (highs in the low 60s), so the "hot" part refers to the package price, not the temperature.

Seven days and six nights (three in Palermo, three in Catania) caught my eye. Accommodations in three-star hotels include breakfast, and the package includes a seven-day car rental and air from New York or Boston. It starts at $929 per person, double occupancy. Add $49 for Chicago departures. Upgrading to four-star hotels adds from $16-$44, but why bother? The weather is usually Mediterranean-mild, and there's so much to see that you probably won't be spending much time in your hotel anyway.

If the foods and wines of Sicily hold special appeal, TourCrafters' eight-day, seven-night Taste of Sicily package starts at $1,560 per person and includes four-star hotels, wine tastings and some additional meals. TourCrafters also packages winter bargains to other European destinations, but the Sicily offer seems especially seductive, because it includes significant air miles -- and because unlike much of Europe, this southern island is not blanketed in gray during the cold, short days of winter.

The operative word in these prices, as in all sales, is "from" when it appears before the dollar $ign. Airport taxes and fuel surcharges add more than $300 to these prices. You'd end up paying those no matter what, but they are a hefty percentage of these bargain deals. These offers are valid from January 8 (January 1 for the Taste package) through March 20. Departures on on Thursdays. Packages must be booked no later than December 31 and paid for within 72 hours. TourCrafters reservations, 800-482-5995.