europe sato vacations travel

• Partner With Us
• Eligible Patrons
• My Installation
• Partner with Us
• Army Community Services (ACS)
• Child & Youth Services (CYS)
• Home Based Business (HBB)
• Civilian Employment Assignment Tool (CEAT)
• Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC)
• National Suicide Crisis Lines
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Auto
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Food
• Health & Fitness
• All Home Life
• Arts & Crafts
• Camping & RV Parks
• Entertainment
• Tickets and Attractions
• All Army Sports
• Fitness Centers

Outdoor Recreation

• All Recreation

AN OFFICIAL ARMY FAMILY AND MWR SITE

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ National Suicide Crisis Lines

Recreational Leisure Travel

Countless opportunities for fun and educational leisure travel exist at garrisons throughout Europe.

The primary source is your nearby garrison Outdoor Recreation program. 

Please visit your local garrison's Outdoor Recreation program:

• Grafenwoehr
• Kaiserslautern

Armed Forces Vacation Club ®

The  Military Vacations for Families from Armed Forces Vacation Club®  (AFVC) is a "Space Available" program that offers military and other Department of Defense-affiliated personnel the opportunity to enjoy vacations at popular destinations around the world - for $349* USD per unit, per week.

For more information on AFVC opportunities, please go to   Armed Forces Vacation Club

Sato Vacations

For leisure travel interests and needs that require commercial travel, consider CWTSatoTravel "SatoVacations Europe" as a first-choice option.

SatoVacations  Europe operates in-person service centers at several garrisons within IMCOM Europe Region. The Europe Vacations Fulfillment Center provides quick and professional service throughout Europe Region via phone-call and internet bookings. Their modern system ensures each caller is assigned to the next available agent as soon as possible.

Contact:   +49 (0)6302-923717   

For more information on SatoVacations opportunities, please go to   SatoVacations .

Bundeswehr Sozialwerk 

Another excellent source for reasonably priced vacations in Europe is the German Army's  " Bundeswehr Sozialwerk "  program.

Bundeswehr Sozialwerk  offers discounted bookings for hotels and campgrounds throughout western Europe.

" Eigene Häuser "  and  " Vertragshäuser "  refer to vacation resorts that are either owned by or contracted for use by Bundeswehr Sozialwerk e.V.  

For best use of this program, skills for reading and writing German language are recommended. 

You are now exiting an Army MWR NAF-funded website and linking to a commercial advertiser's website.

Leaving U.S. Army Family and MWR

We're taking you over to a different website and it may have a different privacy policy than ours. We just needed to let you know.

For more information regarding our Linking Policy and Endorsement, click here.

For more information regarding our policy on the use of third-party websites and applications, click here.

For more information about protecting your privacy and personal information, click here.  

If you want to head back, hit cancel.

OFFICE HOURS AND RESERVATION TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern

Office hours/availability.

Office hours are local and open for business Monday - Friday, unless otherwise specified.

Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Local Europe

Reservation Telephone Numbers

Local: 0631-34165-0

Fax: 0631-47457

Chat with a Representative

Chat with a representative to assist with the followings:

• Cancel Reservations
• Car Rentals
• Early Ticket Request/Ticket status
• Invoice Request
• Refund Request/Status of Refund
• Submit back to DTS

Manage your travel plans

General information

• Secure Flight Program
• State tax exemption forms
• DOD Travel Regulations Overview
• U.S. Department of State - Passport services
• U.S. Department of State - Travel warnings

Lodging and meals

• Per diem - domestic maximum rates
• Per diem - outside the continental United States
• Meals and incidentals breakdown

Transportation

• Government contract airfares - program office website

• eNewsletter
• Planning Tools
• Travel Insurance
• Offers & Deals
• Build Your Own
• Groups & Weddings

Travel the world's waterways.

See the world from another vantage point. Just sit back and ride the wave to relaxation and fun. There are so many exciting and unique waterways to explore, from the picturesque landscapes of Alaska, to the colorful cultures of the Caribbean. Let CWTSatoVacations find the perfect cruise line, destination and budget for you. Whether cruising for luxury or with the family, give us a call and speak to one of our highly knowledgeable and friendly CWT Travel Advisors .

Let's talk about cruises.

Add Some Sunshine to Your Inbox

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy & Data Protection
• Copyright 2024

• Help Center
• 1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

• Packages  
• Hotels  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Vacation Packages

Choose your european adventure, choose your own european adventure; discover secret beaches in greece, explore ancient castles in ireland or hunt down the best wine in france..

Explore the museums of Madrid, sip espresso by the canals of Venice and witness the Changing of the Guard in London. Europe has something to offer everyone.

• Netherlands

Limited-Time Deals

Rome, florence and venice: limited-time package.

Exclusive Costco Member Savings Daily Breakfast Book by 5/17/24

Included Extras Valued at $150

London and Paris: Starhotels Limited-Time Package

Daily Breakfast, Food and Beverage Credit $400 London Tour Credit Book by 5/24/24

Edinburgh: Cheval Limited-Time Package

Daily Breakfast Private Airport Transfers, Exclusive Savings Book by 5/24/24

London and Edinburgh: Limited-Time Package

Daily Breakfast, London Tour Credit Food and Beverage Credit, Private Airport Transfers Book by 5/24/24

Barcelona, Seville and Madrid: NH Limited-Time Package

Daily Breakfast Book by 5/19/24

Featured Deals

Rome, florence, venice and milan: your way.

Daily Breakfast

London and Paris: Your Way

Daily Breakfast $400 London Tour Credit Rail Tickets on Eurostar, Executive Member Benefits

Madrid, Seville and Barcelona: Your Way

Daily Breakfast Airport Transfers and Rail Tickets on RENFE Additional Executive Member Benefit at Select Hotels

Athens, Santorini and Mykonos: Your Way

Daily Breakfast Choice of Accommodations

Venice, Florence, Rome and Sorrento: Your Way

Daily Breakfast Executive Member Benefit at Select Hotels

Ireland: Your Way Package

Dublin, Killarney and Galway Daily Breakfast Self-Drive Countryside

Amsterdam, Paris and London: Your Way Package

Daily Breakfast $400 London Tour Credit Rail and Private Airport Transfers

Athens, Santorini and Central Crete: Your Way

Edinburgh and scottish countryside: your way.

Daily Breakfast Self-Drive Countryside

The Costco Traveler Blog

Eating through italy, amazing amsterdam, epicurean paris, more about europe.

Europe blends its rich history and modern innovation seamlessly. From the catwalks of Paris fashion week to the awe-inspiring ruins of Greek temples you'll find it hard to fit everything into one vacation. The vast expanse of Europe is covered in numerous cultures, languages and landscapes that can make you feel like you've been transported onto the set of a movie. Sit down for a cup of tea in London, learn how to make your own pasta in Italy or simply take time to stare in wonder at the amazing Highlands of Scotland. Whether you're traveling with family, friends or your special someone, a trip to Europe will be a vacation to remember.

Content provided by Costco Travel experts. Copyright © Costco Travel. All rights reserved.

Before You Go

• To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
• Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
• Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
• Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
• If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
• For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers' tips, public announcements, travel advisories and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.
• December through February: 49° to 49° (Winter)
• March through May: 54° to 66° (Spring)
• June through August: 72° to 76° (Summer)
• September through November: 70° to 54°

Explore More Travel

Island getaways.

Relaxation Awaits

Explore Deals to Hawaii, the Caribbean and More

Vacations of a Lifetime

For an Experience as Unique as You Are

Exclusively for Costco Members

Rental Car Savings

Book Now, Pay at the Counter

No Cancellation Fees

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

See Europe as the Europeans do this summer with these pro tips | Cruising Altitude

Americans are heading to Europe for vacation as much as ever these days, and that means the typical tourist spots like Venice, Paris and London are sure to be crowded this year. But, because this is Cruising Altitude, we’ll look at the aviation angle first.

First and foremost: If you’re really determined to go to Europe this summer and haven’t booked yet, stop reading now and get on it. 

“I’ve never seen a year like this … We’re at the point where there’s no more availability,” Brigitte Armand, President of Eurobound , a tour organizer that specializes in European packages, told me. “Book as quickly as possible.” 

How to get around

According to Armand, trains are generally a great way to get from place to place within Europe, but for farther-flung stops, the continent’s network of low-cost airlines offers travelers a reliable alternative.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

“Don’t think of one airline as being your network and entry point within Europe,” Laura Lindsay, public relations director at online booking platform Skyscanner told me.

She said if you’re flying to Europe from the U.S., you may well rely on a large network carrier like British Airways, KLM or Lufthansa to get across the Atlantic and then book your intra-European flights separately.

“You’re suddenly opening up Europe in a different way if you search for different airports and multiple airlines,” Lindsay said. “It’s pretty straightforward to get around, so don’t feel put off by jumping through a few different countries or trying a few different destinations.” 

Tips for European airlines

According to Lindsay, European low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizz Air often have stricter baggage policies like American ULCCs Spirit and Frontier.

“(The) top tip would be always make sure you understand the luggage allowance that is part of your ticket,” she said. “More often than not, don’t book the basic fare without checking.”

It’s also a good idea to be flexible with your airports and dates of travel if you want to get the best deals on those shorter flights.

“You’ll get a number of places that have more than one airport,” Lindsay said, noting that Skyscanner has a tool that allows travelers to search for flights to or from nearby airports when choosing a destination. “Just getting a map out and actually looking at where exactly you want to travel and where the nearby airports are.” 

Armand added that if you take the train instead, you may need to secure a reservation in advance, particularly for some of the more tourist-heavy routes like panoramic trains in Switzerland. 

Last week's Cruising Altitude: There was no Golden Age of flying. We're in it now.

Where to go

If you really want to summer like a European, you should consider places a little more off the radar for most Americans.

“Albania is somewhere that broke through a couple of years ago as somewhere that people recognized as offering a huge value for money,” Lindsay said. “Sarajevo is reporting its busiest April on record for travelers.”

Armand said it can also be a good idea to try different parts of countries that are already popular if you want a more authentic, less crowded experience.

“We recently arranged a whole trip for some clients in the Abruzzo region of Italy,” she said. “The Abruzzo region, it’s on the Adriatic, people don’t know this region, and I think this is the first time ever we put together a package to get to that region.” 

Data from Skyscanner shows that some destinations in Europe are picking up in popularity with travelers on the continent. Here are some of the trends that are bubbling up year over year from 2023 to 2024.

• Ljubljana, Slovenia, saw a 188% increase in searches from Spanish travelers
• Tromso, Norway, saw a 130% increase in interest from Italian holidaymakers
• Dusseldorf had a 122% spike in interest from Brits

According to Armand, the best last-minute availability seems to be in eastern Europe, like Bulgaria and Poland.

“There are some good deals there perhaps, even the Czech Republic I’m finding some decent space,” she said.

So go on, get packing.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

• Planning Tools
• Travel Insurance
• Offers & Deals
• Build Your Own

CWTSatoVacations Travel Advisors work tirelessly to provide you with the best travel experiences. We’ve cultivated relationships with leading travel suppliers across the globe, which means you have access to our exclusive partnerships and perks – so you can get the most out of every moment of your trip. With CWTSatoVacations, your world starts here.

CWTSatoTravel, the U.S. military and government division of CWT, is the nation's leading provider of travel management and fulfillment services to the U.S. government.

Explore all your world has to offer.

We love to talk about travel.

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy & Data Protection
• Copyright 2024

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

In Paris and Beyond, 6 Sumptuous European Hotels

For Olympics-goers and just plain vacationers, here are new accommodations that offer a special taste of France, Italy and Greece.

By Stephanie Rosenbloom

If you’re planning to attend the Paris Olympics and see a bit of Europe this summer, you have a variety of plush new hotels from which to choose (though they’re likely to fill up quickly). Whether you’re going to the Games or simply going on vacation, you’ll find fresh boutique properties in Paris and many more that are an easy flight away, be it to the French Riviera, Rome, or fittingly, an island in Greece, the birthplace of the ancient games .

Hôtel Balzac

Beginning June 1, after a two-year renovation, Hôtel Balzac , a member of Relais & Châteaux , the luxury hotel and restaurant network, is planning to open in the Eighth Arrondissement, within walking distance of the Champs-Élysées. Meant to feel like a Parisian home and inspired by 1930s style, the hotel is a sister property of the cozy Relais Christine in the Sixth Arrondissement, as well as the Saint James Paris in the 16th Arrondissement.

With interiors designed by Festen Architecture , there will be 58 rooms and suites in soothing neutral hues, some with views of the Eiffel Tower. Beyond your room you’ll find a lounge where you can enjoy breakfast before strolling the famous boulevard; a Japanese-inspired spa for treatments upon your return; a cocktail bar; and Pierre Gagnaire , a Michelin-starred restaurant with modern French cuisine. Prices from 590 euros, or about $630 a night.

Maison Proust

Like several of the latest hotels in Paris, such as Hotel Norman and Le Grand Mazarin , this hot spot in the Marais is an intimate affair with just 23 rooms and suites. A homage to the novelist Marcel Proust , the hotel features sumptuous spaces that conjure the Belle Époque and in them you’ll discover objects linked to the hotel’s namesake, including an autographed copy of “Swann’s Way.”

Designed by Jacques Garcia , the French interior decorator known for luxurious spaces like the Hôtel Costes in Paris and La Mamounia in Marrakech, Maison Proust is a member of the Collection Maisons Particulières , a group of hotels designed to feel like mansions. Each of the glamorous rooms are inspired by personalities from Proust’s world, including Colette and Monet.

If you can’t manage to nab one, you can still visit the bar where on Fridays, Colin Field , formerly the head bartender at Bar Hemingway at the storied Ritz Paris , is now creating cocktails (from 25 euros, or about $27) like L’Élixir de Proust, with raspberry essence and Champagne. You can also unwind at Spa La Mer , where there’s a hammam and pool.

Yet even without all that, the hotel’s location in the Marais — amid restaurants, shops and destinations like the Musée National Picasso-Paris and the Musée Carnavalet — makes it an enviable spot from which to step out and explore one of the world’s most walkable cities. Prices from €950 (with slight seasonal variation).

St.-Tropez, France

Arev saint tropez.

Within walking distance of the colorful village of St.-Tropez, this 43 room-and-suite hotel opened in March with flowering trees, a pool surrounded by striped umbrellas, and an outdoor bar where frozen rosé awaits. The popular Pampelonne Beach and its beach clubs are a brief drive away, while smaller nearby beaches offer the opportunity for a quick dip. Or stay put and indulge in a massage at the spa, head outside for a sunrise Pilates or yoga class, or hop on a Peloton bike at the fitness center. Unlike the Olympics, games at AREV Saint Tropez, like pétanque and padel , can be played in between glasses of rosé.

The rooms (some with private terraces and patios with flowers) were designed by Luis Bustamante , with splashes of blue, white and red, creating a nautical feel even when you’re not lounging by the sea. Explore outside your room and you’ll come across the Strand Restaurant and Champagne Lounge . The original Strand, a local crowd-pleaser, closed years ago, though this reincarnation at AREV Saint Tropez hopes to bring back some of the joie de vivre of its predecessor with live music, French wines and contemporary takes on regional dishes such as thon de Méditerranée, red tuna atop crispy risotto. For dessert, try the rice pudding or the chocolate soufflé. Prices from €1,440 June through August, and starting at €590 from October through March.

Nice, France

Hôtel du couvent.

Set in a convent dating to the 17th century, this 88 room-and-suite hotel plans to open in June, when it will offer guests glimpses into its monastic past. The property’s restoration is being spearheaded by Valéry Grégo, who founded Perseus , a builder and operator of hotels, including Le Pigalle in Paris. There will be a vegetable and herb garden, a bakery and an herbalist shop where you can stop in for custom-made teas with herbs from the garden.

Vegetables, fruits and eggs from both the garden and an off-site farm in Touët-sur-Var may be served at the hotel’s restaurants: Le Restaurant du Couvent, Le Bistrot des Serruriers and La Guinguette Café, where you can sip a drink in the garden near the lap pool. Wander the grounds and take advantage of the studio for yoga, exercise and meditation, or partake of a series of thermal “ Roman baths .” The baths are a nod to the remains of the Roman baths in nearby Cimiez , where you can also visit the Musée National Marc Chagall and Musée Matisse .

Return to the hotel, part of the Luxury Collection from Marriott, with interior design by Festen Architecture, and to the serene colors of your airy room. Prices from €390 a night.

On May 31, Leitmotiv — the group behind the buzzy, garden-themed La Fantaisie boutique hotel in Paris — is planning to open their first property outside of France: Casa Monti, in Rome.

The hotel is in Rome’s Monti neighborhood, dappled with cafes and restaurants, and takes its inspiration from the area’s artists, encouraging guests to think of themselves as artists in residence. Past its 18th-century facade are frescoes and 36 rooms and suites that are awash with color and bold patterns by the interior designer Laura Gonzalez . You’re within walking distance of must-see sights like the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. And upon returning from a day of exploring you can drop by the spa, linger over dinner — indoors or al fresco — at the hotel restaurant and then watch night fall from your perch on the rooftop bar. Prices from €450 a night.

Paros, Greece

Rising from the Greek island of Paros, this escape on Piperi beach blends soft sand with Cycladic cubic style architecture. The hotel has 38 rooms and suites, including some with private plunge pools. If you can manage to leave yours behind to explore the grounds, you’ll find the wellness area , where you can get a massage or body treatment outdoors in a private curtained chamber. Avant Mar’s name joins the French word for “before” with the Spanish word for “the sea,” highlighting the hotel’s location “in front of the sea,” and there’s an open-air theater that can be used for yoga and Pilates upon request, as well as an Olympics-worthy, 55-meter-long swimming pool.

Back on dry land, a gin-and-tonic bar called the Bridge plans to open the end of this month with views of the Aegean Sea. And mark your calendar for July 10 to 13 when the Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa will be at the hotel’s waterside restaurant, Matsuhisa Paros , for the Nobu Food Festival. (The restaurant is scheduled to open for the season on June 7). For Greek fare at the hotel, visit Thymes for breakfast, lunch or dinner by the pool. And don’t forget dessert. Stop into Figs, the hotel’s pastry shop, to get your fix of traditional Greek sweets. Prices from €715 a night.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .