Talk to just about any travel expert, and you'll hear about inexpensive airfares to Europe this summer. So where are all these cheap seats hiding?

Across-the-board deep discounts for travel across the Atlantic in July and August have not materialized. But signs strongly point to a gradual softening of fares.

''If you're paying more than $1,000, you're paying too much,'' said Rick Seaney, chief executive of Farecompare.com and author of popular travel blog Rickseaney.com.

Several recently launched sales indicate that fares to Europe are moving lower, although most still hover around $1,000. Rather than offer sales that extend through August, most airlines have taken a more cautious approach, reducing fares for travel through May or into mid-June.

''It's creeping down,'' Seaney said. ``Slowly but surely, they're extending dates.''

With summer fare trends still not set in stone, ensuring you don't wind up paying hundreds more than the guy in the next seat has become a challenge. Our advice?

• Stay informed. Sign up for general sale notifications on websites such as www.travelzoo.com and www.independenttraveler.com. Sign up to receive sale alerts on specific routes at multiple websites, including www.kayak.com, www.farecast.com, www.farecompare.com and www.priceline.com.

• Be willing to connect, and even to endure long layovers, instead of flying nonstop.

• Consider a package. Tour operators and airlines have been offering good summer deals to Europe that include air and hotel. Ask a travel agent to help, or go to the various airline sites for details on their packages.

• Fly in May or June instead of the height of summer.

• If you're going to a destination in Europe that doesn't offer much competition on flights from the United States, consider flying into London or another large city and then taking a discount European carrier, such as Ryanair or EasyJet, to your final destination. But you will probably have to switch airports to connect.

• Shop around. Airline websites don't always offer the cheapest flights. Sites such as www.vayama.com, www.orbitz.com, www.expedia.com and www.travelocity.com may have better fares.

• Watch and wait, but don't hesitate. When a sale hits, buy, especially if your travel dates are not flexible.

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