Hotwire.com Notes Great Values to Former Olympic Host Cities

July 27, 2004 – As thousands descend upon Athens next month, millions will keep the Olympic spirit alive at home by watching the 2004 Summer Games from afar. For those who don’t want to spend a fortune to experience the Olympics firsthand, some of this summer’s best deals are to former Olympic host cities ranging from Atlanta and Los Angeles to Mexico City and Montreal.

Discount travel site Hotwire.com advises travelers who want a champion vacation without paying a premium price to consider vacations to the numerous former Olympic host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. In the past century, six North American cities have hosted the Summer Olympic Games including Atlanta (1996); Los Angeles (1984, 1932); Montreal (1976); Mexico City (1968) and St. Louis (1904).

“Some of the best Olympic host cities are right here in our own backyard – for many people, just a few hours away. The reason they were selected for the Olympics is the same reason these areas are great vacation destinations – there are numerous cultural and historic attractions, lots of great restaurants and hotels, and simply a lot to do,” said Amy Bohutinsky, consumer travel expert at Hotwire.com. “Even more exciting is that these places are affordable – the perfect excuse for a last-minute summer trip.”

Spirited Americans can revel in Olympic nostalgia and set a personal record in vacation savings. Below are examples of hotel rooms, packages and roundtrip airfares to former Olympic destinations, booked on Hotwire in the last 14 days.*

• $39/night 3-Star hotel, Los Angeles
• $54/night 4-Star hotel, St. Louis, Mo.
• $54/night 4-Star hotel, Atlanta
• $55/night 3.5-Star hotel, Montreal
• $219 Wyndham Hotel – Commerce (3.5-Star) Los Angeles – 3 nights hotel and flight from St. Louis, Mo.
• $433 Crowne Plaza Herald Atlanta – Buckhead, Ga. (4-Star) Atlanta. – 3 nights hot el and flight from Ontario, Calif.
• $461 Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel (4-Star) Montreal – 3 nights hotel and flight from Chicago
• $707 Hotel Del Angel (3-Star) Mexico City – 10 nights hotel and flight from Washington, D.C.
• $176 Chicago to Atlanta roundtrip
• $195 Denver to Los Angeles roundtrip
• $195 Minneapolis to St. Louis roundtrip
• $322 Seattle to Montreal roundtrip

“For those who still want to experience Athens, the best prices come to those who wait: airfares to Europe drop substantially in September after the summer rush. This is a great time to visit Athens and other European Olympic venues for a price that’s much easier on the wallet,” added Bohutinsky.

*Prices shown are for actual bookings made on Hotwire between July 13 and July 26, 2004. Vacation packages are per-person with double occupancy and roundtrip air. Packages and airfares shown include all taxes and fees, while hotel rates do not. Airfares may have required advance booking and/or Saturday night stay. All bookings are nonchangeable and nonrefundable. Because prices change all the time, Hotwire customers are encouraged to check prices for themselves.

For more information, visit www.hotwire.com.

Source: Discount travel site Hotwire.com