kelsey22

I have been planning this trip to either The Netherlands or Ireland. I am still on the fence about both of those for a number of reasons. In any case, with the change in the pound, I wonder if I would be smarter to just abandon all plans and go to the UK. I would love to hear your opinions on the subject. Often the exchange rate is only one part of the equation with other factors. I am travelling solo so it is not as if I am paying for a family to travel. I am also fairly flexible because I haven't decided. Any thoughts?

janisj

I visit the UK at least a couple of time every year -- but my decision is never based on the exchange rate.

What is happening though is BA and some other airlines are promoting REALLY good fares to the UK.

What is 'smarter' depends on what you want to see and do . . .

kelsey22

Hi Janisj,

I have been to France, UK, Spain, Portugal and Italy. I love art and architecture, art and literature. For whatever reason this trip is giving me a hard time and I can't quite decide (possibly because I want to see and do so much).

I agree with you on the exchange though. I haven't ever looked at it before but as I am on the fence anyhow, I thought I would ask what the consensus is on travelling to the UK now.

danon

I have always found the exchange rate C dollar / B pound prohibitive .
I have preferred the euro zone . Still do.
Also, the fall of the Russian ruble gave me an incentive to visit ST. Petersburg and Moscow.

janisj

>>I have always found the exchange rate C dollar / B pound prohibitive .
I have preferred the euro zone . Still do.<<

One can't compare the € vs. the CAN $ to the £ vs. CAN $ and because the 'numbers look bad' conclude that the € exchange is better

Today the £ is CAN$1.71 while the € is CAN$1.44 -- re purchasing power that is almost identical. Or if anything the £ rate is <i>slightly better . . .

Macross

danon, I agree with you, London is so expensive to begin with and we stay for a couple of days and back to the euro. Every penny counts with us. I know we have seen the drop off in Canadian tourist here and my own family pinches pennies when they visit from Canada. They are doing staycations this year and the ones from Alaska are visiting the ones in the Yukon. There are some great flights from Montreal though.

danon

I like London very much ( lived there long ago) , we would love to visit again.

The cost of good hotels we prefer is just ridiculous.
Perhaps , the purchasing power is better is small British towns ( not interested )than, for example, Paris .
We just find that our dollar goes further in many eurozone
places than the pound in London.

kelsey22

@Macross You are right to a point. People are travelling but perhaps not as often or at the height of the season. I visited London in April a few years back and it was perfect. I wouldn't travel this time of year if I didn't have to so I really can't count pennies. I just wondered if there is a noticeable difference.

I saw some flights through Montreal but the cost to fly (or train) from one place in Canada to another is ridiculously high.

janisj

>>Perhaps , the purchasing power is better is small British towns ( not interested )than, for example, Paris .
We just find that our dollar goes further in many eurozone
places than the pound in London.<<

I'm not talking about some little villages. Hotels of the same quality do (generally) cost more in London -- but my guess is that will change because the airbnb/illegal apartments in Paris will eventually raise hotel rates across the board as apartments are taken off the market.

But all-in-all (using US$ for comparison) my trips to London usually cost the same as trips to Paris, or are slightly cheaper. Partly because of all the free museums and galleries in London.

Macross

Belfast for example is very inexpensive and your money goes very far. I don't think certain areas of the UK are bad but London is like NYC or Boston, just a lot of money, more than I have to spend. We are going to Suffolk this year and we can do that ok but my husband wants to stay out of London.
I have relatives that can fly from NYC or Montreal and there was a 600 rt ticket recently to Milan. But if you aren't close to Ottawa or Montreal it is a mute point.

janisj

>> just a lot of money, more than I have to spend.<<

London does not need to be expensive at all -- or it can cost an utter fortune -- but that is up to personal choices.

kelsey22

Is there any benefit to flying into Shannon?

Macross

I fly in and out of Dublin. Some like to fly in or out of Shannon but I would do it out if I did that option. I like Dublin for first day because you can at least leave your luggage at hotel, get your bearings and if you are jet lagged you aren't driving. You can have breakfast, get a second wind and hit the city. Shannon, you have to drive somewhere and half your day is gone and that is a waste to me. The museums are open in Dublin, Guinness is opened, the churches and shops. No car needed.