TOO bad you weren't in Europe earlier this month. Ryanair -- Europe's largest low-fare airline -- gave away 5 million free trips. Or maybe it's good that you weren't. The promotional campaign caused a near-riot in Barcelona, Spain, when more people showed up to claim vouchers than Ryanair expected.
Airline representatives for the Dublin-based carrier said the giveaway stunt was necessary to win back customers after the Aug. 10 airline terrorism scare in London.
Other carriers aren't exactly lining up to do the same, but several have slashed prices and launched fare sales this month. And that's good news for Americans who want to cross the Pond.
Prices are so low that travelers who fantasize about visiting Europe can take their dream trip for about the same cost as three days of floating on a rented houseboat on Lake Powell or a week wearing mouse ears at Disney World.
Among the fall and winter bargains:
* Four nights in Dublin for $643, including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles and hotel accommodations.
* Four nights in Rome for $767, including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, sightseeing and hotel.
* Nine nights visiting European classics: Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, from $1,377, including round-trip airfare from LAX, transfers and hotels.
The off-season deals are especially welcome this year after a summer of sky-high prices.
"Some airfare prices to Europe peaked as high as 20% over where they were the summer before," said Amy Ziff, a travel columnist and consultant for the online travel company Travelocity (www.travelocity.com). "It's been a more expensive travel year than we've seen before."
Prices typically fall in October and November, with the lowest prices of the year available in winter. But the timing of the price cuts was disrupted in August, when London authorities said they had foiled a terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic flights, and some travelers canceled or postponed trips.
"It had a major impact on travel companies," said Aaron Brown of Travelzoo (www.travelzoo.com), one of the Internet's largest compilers of travel bargains. "They had to rush their deals to the market, so we're seeing the discounts earlier than usual. Europe is one of the best deals out there."
The terror alerts have caused headaches for travelers, forcing passengers to check more luggage and lengthening lines at some airports. According to a Harris poll conducted in mid-August, one in 10 said he or she had changed travel plans to avoid flying.
