SWITZERLAND IN A SNAP
Citing the desire for shorter getaways to Switzerland, Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com) has debuted a Swiss itinerary it thinks will perform well in the U.S. market, which is known as having a penchant for shorter vacations. The 10-day "Glorious Switzerland" itinerary includes a ride on the Glacier Express train, a cruise on Lake Geneva and transport by luxury motorcoach. Other sightseeing highlights include a visit to Chillon Castle and a cable car ride to the summit of Aiguille du Midi for a panoramic view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Land-only prices start at $2,125 per person twin. The itinerary features such hotels as Hotel de la Paix Lugano and Hotel National in Zermatt. Contact reservations manager Alicia Gradillas at 800-582-8380 for more information. Insight Vacations pays a minimum 10 percent commission on land travel and also pays commission on air bookings.
Austrian Alps Hotel Nets Accolades
In its short six months of operation, Capella Hotels and Resorts' Schloss Velden in Austria (www.schlossveldencapella.com) has earned a star from Michelin for its fine-dining restaurant, Schlossstern, while its Auriga Spa was awarded 17 out of a possible 20 points by Gault Millau, a European travel guide publisher. "The recognition from Michelin and Gault Millau at Schloss Velden is a true honor," said Horst Schulze, president of Capella. "To receive such accolades so quickly validates Capella's commitment to providing customized and bespoke experiences for our guests." 
Located near the Italy and Slovenia borders in the southern Austrian village of Velden, next to Lake Woerth (the largest Alpine lake in Europe), the property has 66 rooms and 45 private residences, which all offer views of the lake, gardens and mountains. Contact Kit Pappas, vice president of sales for Capella Hotels and Resorts, at 404-649-7032 for more information, or call 877-247-6699 to make reservations.
SEASONAL SPANISH ESCAPES
Through March 13, TourCrafters (www.tourcrafters.com) is offering a wintertime deal for travel to Spain's most visited cities, Madrid and Barcelona. 
Prices for Madrid, pictured below, start at $569 and include four nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, hotel taxes and fees and roundtrip airfare from New York. In Barcelona, four-night packages with the same inclusions start at $595. Flights to Madrid and Barcelona are available from 11 other cities for a supplement—Miami, for example, costs $15 more; Philadelphia, $20 extra; and San Francisco, an additional $155.
All prices are per person double, and exclude airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Agents can contact Joe Crocilla at 800-482-5995. TourCrafters' commission payments start at 10 percent.
Deal Showcases New Eastern Europe Tour
CIE Tours International (www.cietours.com) has set an introductory rate for travel though March on its new 11-day escorted tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Land-only prices are $1,399, with air-inclusive rates starting at $2,072 from New York or Boston and $2,153 from Chicago. (The higher land-only rate of $1,958 goes into effect April 3.) The package covers nine nights of accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, three dinners and some sightseeing, including admission to the Royal Castle of Hradcany and St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, St. Stephen's Cathedral in Budapest and more. Agents can contact any reservationist at 800-243-8687 for details. CIE pays a 10 percent commission.