THE EURO - deals in Europe are gone!
#1
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THE EURO - deals in Europe are gone!
I was in Europe last April and again this January. Prices are up substantially between that time. Businesses have used the Euro introduction as an opportunity to raise prices. The deals I use to get in Italy are no longer there and mediocre meals for two averaged $35-$65. I could do better in the U.S.!!! One small example, luggage cart at Munich train station use to be one DM now cost one Euro which I think is a raise in price. However, the overpriced gelato stand near the bridge in Florence use to charge 10,000 Lira ($4.50) for one scoop of Ice Cream and now only charges 5 Euro ($4.30) for the small scoop. That is actually a reduction in price. I think countries with very low valued currency such as the Lira are most affected by the Euro. Citizens don't seem to be complaining (only concerned about all the change instead of carrying a stack of bills) so the price hikes may only be taking place in tourists areas. Restaurants that felt guilty charging several thousand Lira now have no problem charging 5, 10 or even 15 Euro. I don't think I want to return to Italy any more...
#2
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I don't know if the deals are gone but I know in Italy the hotel room prices have gone up. Last year, at the Amalfi Coast we spent 6 nights at a hotel for ~$111/night(250.000L) for a triple. This year, we booked the same hotel on the same dates of the season with the same number of people and the price became $146/night(170Euro).
#5
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Well that was part of the attraction of Italy. Good food, really cheap. If I want an overpriced Italian restaurant (that tastes good too) I can find that in the U.S. or London (hmmm maybe doesn't taste good there). Paying 4,000 Lira for my pasta and 10,000 Lira for a fresh Swordfish platter. Now those were the days (and not that long ago). I certainly DO expect these countries to be cheaper than here. I am not sure what this is so offensive to expect better value when visiting countries with cheap currencies like Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and France. I am pretty aware of prices during my traveling. Even Santa Maria Novella Perfumia had raised their already overpriced stuff. I try to go to Europe from the westcoast at least every year (sometimes twice) and I do not make that much money. I certainly do not want to overpay for things but I also want (and get) the nicest hotels and food I can get for my money. Hotel Mozart for $85 in Rome, Florence Doumo for $67, German Marriott for $40, plus a few free Hiltons along the way. I am not into hostel traveling at all so I do not understand why someone would get so defensive about expecting value in Europe. Is it because you pay a lot when you go and you expect everyone else should have to do the same.
#6
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There are 45 countries in Europe, and only 13 of them have adopted the Euro as the official currency. If you really feel it's had a substantial negative impact, then change your venues. No need to lump all of Europe together as if it were one administrative unit!
And if you're as happy with the Italian food in the USA as you are with the Italian food in Italy ... yes, you probably are wasting your money by visiting the latter.
And if you're as happy with the Italian food in the USA as you are with the Italian food in Italy ... yes, you probably are wasting your money by visiting the latter.
#7
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Surely this is a troll. If not, "Bill," it may come as a surprise to you that Italy is not some third-rate, bargain country that exists to provide you with a cheap vacation. You wonder why people are defensive; your attitude is condescending and whiney.
#8
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Bill, please disregard the infantile behaviour of some postings. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. And, no one likes overpaying, no matter where they are. I would agree that the euro has changed certain countries, and not entirely for the better.
#9
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bill
i wonder where you paied only 4'000 lire for a plate of pasta.....?? surely not here in florence. o.k. maby at casalingha... but i tell you, a plate of pasta under 10'000 lire is hard to find, even in the non touristy areas of florence - for example - you had to pay between 10'000 and 15'000 lire in suburbs. and you mention the gelato stand on ponte veccio....... it's one of the toursttrapps in florence. gelato is awfull and cost a lot....
but it's your desicion where you eat and what you spend. the usa are expensive for "europeans" as well....
and the price of your luggage cart: we payed 500 lire (coin) as a desposit for our shoppingcart. now it's 1 or even 2 euro. and i tell you what: the more such a cart cost the more possibility you have that people bring it back to there place, that's the miracle behind it.
tanti saluti
christina
i wonder where you paied only 4'000 lire for a plate of pasta.....?? surely not here in florence. o.k. maby at casalingha... but i tell you, a plate of pasta under 10'000 lire is hard to find, even in the non touristy areas of florence - for example - you had to pay between 10'000 and 15'000 lire in suburbs. and you mention the gelato stand on ponte veccio....... it's one of the toursttrapps in florence. gelato is awfull and cost a lot....
but it's your desicion where you eat and what you spend. the usa are expensive for "europeans" as well....
and the price of your luggage cart: we payed 500 lire (coin) as a desposit for our shoppingcart. now it's 1 or even 2 euro. and i tell you what: the more such a cart cost the more possibility you have that people bring it back to there place, that's the miracle behind it.
tanti saluti
christina
#10
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bill
i wonder where you paied only 4'000 lire for a plate of pasta.....?? surely not here in florence. o.k. maby at casalingha... but i tell you, a plate of pasta under 10'000 lire is hard to find, even in the non touristy areas of florence - for example - you had to pay between 10'000 and 15'000 lire in suburbs. and you mention the gelato stand on ponte veccio....... it's one of the toursttrapps in florence. gelato is awfull and cost a lot....
but it's your desicion where you eat and what you spend. the usa are expensive for "europeans" as well....
and the price of your luggage cart: we payed 500 lire (coin) as a desposit for our shoppingcart. now it's 1 or even 2 euro that's even a matter of size, 1 euro is similar in the size to 1 dm. and i tell you what: the more such a cart cost the more possibility you have that people bring it back to there place, that's the miracle behind it.
tanti saluti
christina
i wonder where you paied only 4'000 lire for a plate of pasta.....?? surely not here in florence. o.k. maby at casalingha... but i tell you, a plate of pasta under 10'000 lire is hard to find, even in the non touristy areas of florence - for example - you had to pay between 10'000 and 15'000 lire in suburbs. and you mention the gelato stand on ponte veccio....... it's one of the toursttrapps in florence. gelato is awfull and cost a lot....
but it's your desicion where you eat and what you spend. the usa are expensive for "europeans" as well....
and the price of your luggage cart: we payed 500 lire (coin) as a desposit for our shoppingcart. now it's 1 or even 2 euro that's even a matter of size, 1 euro is similar in the size to 1 dm. and i tell you what: the more such a cart cost the more possibility you have that people bring it back to there place, that's the miracle behind it.
tanti saluti
christina
#12
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"And if you're as happy with the Italian food in the USA as you are with the Italian food in Italy ... yes, you probably are wasting your money by visiting the latter."
And if you are still uttering the "no good food in London" cliche, go to "Main Street England" at Disneyland instead.
And if you are still uttering the "no good food in London" cliche, go to "Main Street England" at Disneyland instead.
#13
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Bill two thingsBR>
Even with the Euro's funny year, the Italian lira has risen by over 10% against the dollar in 2001. How does that make it a "cheap" currency? Could that be a reason things seem dearer?
Whether you intended it to or not, you made it sound like Italy is a poor relation only around to be your playground. Maybe you should try Mexico next year?
Even with the Euro's funny year, the Italian lira has risen by over 10% against the dollar in 2001. How does that make it a "cheap" currency? Could that be a reason things seem dearer?
Whether you intended it to or not, you made it sound like Italy is a poor relation only around to be your playground. Maybe you should try Mexico next year?
#15
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But Bill, currencies float, they are not intrinsically valued 'high' or 'low.' Furthermore, when the Euro increases in value relative to the US, is it because the Euro is overvalued now, or was it that the US dollar was overvalued before? You seem to have come to the first conclusion, but why?
I'm apt to see prices in the country I visit in a context relative only to that country, not to home. It's difficult as a tourist to grasp the market unless one has done the required homework before departure. Demand always drives price upward, moreso than 'guilt' I would imagine....
I'm apt to see prices in the country I visit in a context relative only to that country, not to home. It's difficult as a tourist to grasp the market unless one has done the required homework before departure. Demand always drives price upward, moreso than 'guilt' I would imagine....
#17
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I don't even want to get on the London food thing in this posting but I do visit London quite often and I love fish and chips but it gets very old quick. 6# is way too much for flavorless ramen soup at Wamarama. Waiting for a half hour at that Belgian Monk place to be seated at 6 PM I guess is not a big deal even though Europeans are suppose to eat late. But then they charge over 4# for a TINY glass of beer while I am waiting. The British were drinking it up and not complaining so I won't either since they can afford to pay such prices. I understand that London is the financial capital of the world so therefore it is like traveling to Times Square for $25 hamburgers. My point is that I am not just stating the same tired stereotypes about London I speak from experience and guess what? Most chinese is food in London is really bad too. You can speak about trolls and accuse me of being cheap but I just speak the truth and say what is on my mind from experience.
#20
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Nothing is "over"priced as long as someone is willing to pay for it. If no one wants to pay what the seller is asking then we could say it's overpriced because there's no demand at this price.
If I were to ask $475,000 for my house, or a Florentine gelato stand owner asks 10,000 lira for one scoop of gelato -- and someone is willing to buy my house (even if you think it's only "worth" $165,000) and people are willing to buy that gelato (even if you think it's only "worth" 5,000 lira) -- neither of these items are "over"priced.
"Over"priced to you, yes. But not "over"priced, per se.
Bill is certainly free to express his opinion but, in turn, I like the opinon expressed by "Irritated": "Italy is not some third-rate, bargain country that exists to provide [Bill, or anyone else] with a cheap vacation."
If I were to ask $475,000 for my house, or a Florentine gelato stand owner asks 10,000 lira for one scoop of gelato -- and someone is willing to buy my house (even if you think it's only "worth" $165,000) and people are willing to buy that gelato (even if you think it's only "worth" 5,000 lira) -- neither of these items are "over"priced.
"Over"priced to you, yes. But not "over"priced, per se.
Bill is certainly free to express his opinion but, in turn, I like the opinon expressed by "Irritated": "Italy is not some third-rate, bargain country that exists to provide [Bill, or anyone else] with a cheap vacation."