Frankfurt and Munich, air/car, from $769

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updated 11:11 a.m. ET Feb. 4, 2009

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on a major carrier; a six-night car rental from Alamo, Budget, or Hertz; and unlimited mileage, from $769 per person — plus about $149 in taxes and fees.

When: Through March 31, 2009; add $320 for April 1–May 14 and $560 for June 20–Aug. 30.

Gateways: New York City; add $60 for Boston; $130 for Dallas, Miami, Orlando; $230 for L.A.; additional gateways available.

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The fine print: Taxes and fees are an additional $149 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $150. The $769 price is based on an economy-class manual-transmission rental car. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book by: Feb. 23, 2009.

Contact: EuropeASAP, 415/750-5449, europeasap.com.

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Why it's a deal: For about $153 per person per night, EuropeASAP takes care of your airfare and car rental, leaving you free to find accommodations at your own pace along the road. Consider that airfare alone for this multicity itinerary (New York City to Munich, Frankfurt to New York City) would cost $547 in early March (American). For $371 more, including all taxes, this package also covers your six-night car rental.Itinerary: You'll pick up your rental car at the airport — you choose whether to arrive in Frankfurt or Munich — and then be on your way. Because there are no accommodations associated with this package, you're free to go at your own pace along the 295 miles between the two cities. One option is to follow the Romantic Road, a Medieval trade route. Stops could include Nürnberg, Rothenberg, Stuttgart, and Würzburg. You might also want to make a detour about an hour and a half southwest of Munich to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, just outside Hohenschwangau, which made our list of the world's most beautiful castles.
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More: Upgrade to an automatic transmission rental car from $80 per person. Add nights from $40 per person for the rental car; there is no fee to extend the airfare.

Before you go: U.S. citizens will need a valid passport for travel; a visa is not required. For more ideas on what to do, visit Germany's official Web site.

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