ipod_robbie

I think the OP was chased away. She came to Fodors looking to vent, but not willing to accept any good suggestions.

I work with a woman who sounds a lot like the OP. We call her the office prima dona.

suze

True enough, some people prefer to complain rather than have their "problem" solved.

GSteed

Buy now! If you ever want to be able to visit Paris. There are two problems for potential tourists: 1. China (and others)is sending millions to explore its wonders, 2. Dollar costs are rising! There is nothing wrong with the dollar especially for foreign travellers. USA export business is booming! If European costs are too high for a budget, reconsider! The USA is awash with great tourist retreats. Americans are still buying SUVs and travelling solo. Need money for Paris? Try ride sharing.

jsmith

Just got around to reading a Barron's article, Nov 26 issue, titled "A Comeback for the Greenback".

GaveBal, an international investment-research boutique with offices in the US, Hong Kong, Paris and Abu Dhabi terms the euro "grotesquely overvalued" and maintains the euro should fall to its "parity" value of $1.06 to $1.10 in the next couple of years.

Put your money in a two year CD yielding 4% and in two years you'll be able to buy 42% more euros, 1891, than you can today, 1333, for your $2000 ($2080 in two years).

The article also points out that France and other European nations have far higher debt-to-GDP burdens than the US.

copain1

I have read that Barron's article as well. And the reality is that it is full of "ifs". Nor does he mention the almost insurmountable costs of Medicare. Which btw, will make European pensions look like pin money.

We shall see!

Anyway, let's go back to talking about foie gras and truffle season in Alba.

Ciao.

mah1980

Thanks so MUCH to those that were trying to be helpful and not a smart a**.

To the latter, you have been just as helpful to me as you have been to the numerous other non-regulars I've seen scared off by your "humor"(though I post regularly on the US & Caribbean forums where people are generally nice and friendly).

I really have NO idea why anyone would say that some of you are bitter, have terrible senses of humor, and need lives.

It's amazing that someone would rather keep going back and forth in a negative manner then just move on. But, to each his own.

Thank you again to the helpful bunch!

suze

What is negative and bitter about suggesting if you are worried about the cost of a trip to Europe, that you book a slightly less expensive hotel?

jsmith

Of course it's full of "ifs" copain1. Isn't that what a projection is, a compilation of "ifs" interpreted by the prognosticator?

copain1

Yes, many of whom could not forecast when lunchtime will be tomorrow.

Remember when Helicopter Ben "felt" the subprime crisis was contained.

So, in closing, if you have the money go, by all means. Because it will only become more expensive in the near future and most likely for years to come.


And Mah1980, if you are really staying at the Luxembourg Parc....you have the money to go.

jsmith

"it will only become more expensive in the near future and most likely for years to come."

Your qualifications for such an uniquivocal statement are?

suze

Thanks TahitiTams, I was beginning to think it was me who was just not getting something about this person and this question.

I guess another way to answer: "should the woes of the U.S. economy cause me to budget more?"

would be a simple "Yes"

tomassocroccante

I think better than using the exchange rate as a decider, use your relative desire to experience one place over another. If equal, choose the more affordable option. If you long to see Paris or London, go, at whatever your budget. Life is tenuous - live while you are alive (But thihnk twice before borrowing the fare!)

TahitiTams

Your welcome Suze!

markrosy

suze - you have just outed what I had been thinking in the reverse for weeks - common sense does prevail!

Over here (UK) there are morons everywhere jumping up and down shouting OOOHH! lets go shopping in NYC for Christmas - I get so many little dollars for my big old pounds.

The papers here are now full of sob stories that tell of the morons who -

- booked the flights without checking the price of hotel rooms

- booked the flights then suffered ticket increased because the dollar price of oil haqs gone through the roof

- tried to get non dog house hotels for less than $300 a night - bearing in mind these morons wnat to be seen at all the best places the rooms are costing them $500 a night

- when they finally get to the stores they moan about the prices are higher than the UK - thats right Prada is from Italy - it has to travel that bit further and get hammered with that much more import tax than the EU

- oh and also the shops are too busy because they are full of Prada hunting Europeans.

I am not buying another Sunday paper with a travel supplement until these silly people stop moaning about silly shopping trips to NYC that became financial disasters.

suze

Obvious common sense does NOT prevail on this thread because my suggestions of a less expensive hotel, fewer high-end meals, and/or taking more money... only got me called a bitter smartass who needs to find a life and should quit scaring off posters.

btw markrosy~ Loved your comparison to surprised Brits going shopping in NYC though!

copain1

Believe me, I am not qualified at all. I am just another bloke logged onto a discussion group pontificating about things that are painfully obvious.

But hey, what do I know.

Anyway, mah1980, enjoy Paris and make sure you go to Laduree for some macaroons. They will make you forget the exchange rate.

Michel_Paris

Call me logical...but if the problem with a planned trip is the cost (to digress...and a perception that the cost may change), there are two options: adjust the budget or adjust the trip.

If today's cost is OK, then having prepaid the flight and hotel basically locks in the prices for those items at today's exchange rate. Since a hotel, especially a 4* one is a major portion of the cost of the trip, looking at other options (like priceline, renting an appartment, going to 3* with AC) are valid options. There are very nice 3* hotels out there, so it is not a negative option to "scrimp" on this in order to have more to spend elsewhere.

And since no one here has a crystal ball, what if you locked in and the USD went up versus the Euro? Would you that also bother you? Too much stress for me. Decide on a budget, allow some "fudge" $, and go. As suggested, take as a worse case a swing (and it is a large one) of 10%. What does that do to your trip, make it impossible to go? If yes, what if you could save that 10% by switching hotels, would that not make the trip feasible and bring back the excitement level?

I think people on Fodor's are here to help, beacuse we enjoy travel and want to help people. There are several good suggestions already.

The question I ask myself before I go on a trip is: do I want to go to Paris, if yes, what can I afford this year/next, then I plan my trip accordingly (time of year, # days, hotel, cheap lunches as a plan),etc. Note which question I ask myself first

So...do you want to go to Paris, yes or no? If yes, let us help make that dream come true, on whatever budget you do feel comfortable with.
Paris can be experience and enjoyed from the Ritz or a hostel...because it is Paris.

altamiro

The star ratings are usually calculated from additional features and services the hotel offers (like a conference room or a swimming pool or a gym), NOT from the quality of the rooms themselves. There are excellent 3* hotels with far better room quality than a 4* - just because the 3* hotel lacks, say, a conference room with a video feed and a beamer.
I also REALLY don't know what air conditioning is good for in early May in central/western Europe. I could understand July, really. But early may?