Originally Posted by
krystle920
We are interested in exploring more of Europe but March seems to be an off time. Greece and Istanbul are still relatively cold. Madrid and southern Spain are appealing but flights are currently ~$800. Prague and Budapest are too cold. Also interested in possibly going back to Rome and maybe doing Bologna or other foodie areas, but flights also seem high. We have just recently been to most of Italy and major cities like London, Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, and Amsterdam.
Yes, it's a bit of an off time, but that's precisely why Europe in March is awesome. @:-)
I wouldn't let weather risk scare you off from Prague or Budapest...you won't get anything there in March that a New Yorker can't handle. If those cities interest you the most, then do it!
Spain will be downright pleasant in March. I could plan a 2-week itin there and not get bored in the slightest...probably wouldn't need more than a light jacket for most of the country. During the day you probably won't need a jacket at all, especially if you skew much of your itin to the south.
My last U.S.-MAD trip (via Philly on US Airways) was in December two years ago at $775 R/T. If you're seeing $800 R/T in March 2014, I'd personally consider that a reasonable fare for the market and season and be willing to buy it. I'm not too familiar with how aggressive fare sales get on NYC/PHL-MAD these days, but maybe folks on the Iberia or other airline boards would know more there. I'm just saying that $800 feels like reasonable value...I've paid in that range on multiple trips to both Spain and Italy over the course of the past decade.