DEAL OF THE WEEK

Paris-based Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, which runs 145 upscale hotels in 48 countries, offers a “Winter Sale” at nine U.S. hotels and more than 60 European ones. The discounts, which vary widely, are good through March 11, subject to availability. Examples include Sofitel Chicago (two miles from O’Hare International Airport), rated four diamonds by AAA, where sale rooms are priced at $149 per night versus $255 at published rates; and Sofitel Venice (Italy), at $219 versus about $340 at published rates. Ask for the lowest available rate, which may be cheaper than the “Winter Sale” rate. For instance, the Sofitel Chicago last week offered rooms at $129 per night for Jan. 12 to 13; the “Winter Sale” rate was listed as $149. See a travel agent or call (800) 763-4835..

For more deals, see our Web site, http://161.35.110.226/travel.

FREE FOR THE ASKING

“America’s Byways: All-American Roads & National Scenic Byways” locates all 81 such routes, as designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, on a national map and provides a mini-map of each one, along with a thumbnail description and a scenic photograph. It folds to 4 by 9 inches. To order, call (800) 429-9297 or visit Internet https://www.byways.org.

This Week’s Holidays

Banking and government offices will be closed or services curtailed in the following countries this week because of holidays:

Monday: Burkina Faso, Sri Lanka

Tuesday: Kenya, Mexico, Russia, Turkmenistan

Wednesday: Malta, St. Lucia

Friday: Nepal

Saturday: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, South Africa

Sunday: Bhutan

Source: Thomson Financial Publishing