Euro at 1.53. It just hit my limit and I'll look elsewhere for my travels unfortunately.
Mar 6th, 2008, 06:57 AM
#21
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The way I look at it, the cost of the Euro affects only half the trip. The other half is in USD--for us that's airfare, car rental, pet care, insurance, and airport parking.
In 2007 our airfare to Paris was up 10% over the previous year, and the Euro was up 10% too. Even so, our total 2007 trip cost a little less than in 2006, even though we upgraded the rental car and added two days.
So even though the Euro is at $1.53, it's not quite 10% higher than last year. I think we can live with that.
In 2007 our airfare to Paris was up 10% over the previous year, and the Euro was up 10% too. Even so, our total 2007 trip cost a little less than in 2006, even though we upgraded the rental car and added two days.
So even though the Euro is at $1.53, it's not quite 10% higher than last year. I think we can live with that.
Mar 6th, 2008, 07:12 AM
#22
My skiing friends just confirmed that hoardes of Dutch have been seen in Obersaxon, Zermatt, Lenzerheide, Hoch Ybrig and Rigi. Seems the EU nations have now discovered Switzerland to be a cheaper destination than ever before.
Mar 6th, 2008, 07:18 AM
#24
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I know that before Fodor's I had never thought of Priceline, so in my mind London was always going to be an expensive trip. Next time, it's an option.
Similarly, I've used Travelocity, Expedia and even SNCF website to get package deals.
Go for one week instead of two, go off season, appartment instead of hotel, etc...
There is a $$ limit that everyone reaches, what I'd like to hope is that before someone gets discourage by the business news, that they have at least considered all of the options. I know I'm still learning.
Similarly, I've used Travelocity, Expedia and even SNCF website to get package deals.
Go for one week instead of two, go off season, appartment instead of hotel, etc...
There is a $$ limit that everyone reaches, what I'd like to hope is that before someone gets discourage by the business news, that they have at least considered all of the options. I know I'm still learning.
Mar 6th, 2008, 07:36 AM
#26
Look at it as a chance to broaden your travel horizons and break out of the European rut. Mexico, if you stay away from the border, beaches and a few American retirement communities, is far more exotic than any destination in Europe. (The beaches are far better, too, if that's your thing, but the culture by the sea is heavily gringo.)
Farther south in CA things get rougher but the rewards are great.
Farther south in CA things get rougher but the rewards are great.
Mar 6th, 2008, 07:42 AM
#27
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I am just right now starting to skim over the idea that maybe our fall planned trip to Italy may be something I should postpone. I am not commited yet as far as airfare, non-refundable deposits, etc. I started a post inquiring about my airfare budget. Hopefully Dutyfree (a poster) doesn't mind me quoting him from his response to me there, but he says economists expect the euro to hit 2-1 by the end of the year.
I have had my heart set on this trip for a year now - I feel so invested already. I can make it work right now, but a 2-1 would feel reckless to me.
I have had my heart set on this trip for a year now - I feel so invested already. I can make it work right now, but a 2-1 would feel reckless to me.
Mar 6th, 2008, 07:56 AM
#28
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We are going to France this summer. I just told our kids to expect to eat on the cheap, and not to count on buying much while there. Luckily, we are using frequent flier miles for airfare, and the apartment is in dollars.
Mar 6th, 2008, 08:04 AM
#29
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If the Euro was so high ...it would me much cheaper to travel to the US from countries in the Euro zone..but that's not right. It is more expensive than the last year.
So, the part of the trip you have to pay in Euro is still too expensive for most of us and doesn't compensate the "cheaper" expenses there.
It works like always has worked...if you have the money, travel , if you don't have..stay at home (or near home !
)
So, the part of the trip you have to pay in Euro is still too expensive for most of us and doesn't compensate the "cheaper" expenses there.
It works like always has worked...if you have the money, travel , if you don't have..stay at home (or near home !
)
Mar 6th, 2008, 08:59 AM
#31
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Just in case OP hasn't noticed - Europe, the EU and the Euro (as well as Schengen) don't cover the same countries.
Therefore there are EU countries that don't use the Euro, non-EU countries tat do use the Euro, etc etc
Therefore there are EU countries that don't use the Euro, non-EU countries tat do use the Euro, etc etc
Mar 6th, 2008, 09:04 AM
#32
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alan...
Perhaps I'm dense (I admit I am sometimes)...can you name a non eu country that uses the euro????? (unless they are subdivisions of an eu country such as some of the caribean islands????) And I don't count Switzerland as, although the euro is almost universally accepted (note I said almost), the official currency of the country is still the Swiss Franc.
Please help me out.
Perhaps I'm dense (I admit I am sometimes)...can you name a non eu country that uses the euro????? (unless they are subdivisions of an eu country such as some of the caribean islands????) And I don't count Switzerland as, although the euro is almost universally accepted (note I said almost), the official currency of the country is still the Swiss Franc.
Please help me out.
Mar 6th, 2008, 12:04 PM
#35
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In the past two years I have been to Ireland, the Azores and mosty recently to Spain. When I went to Ireland the euro was 1.32, during the trip tp to the Azores it was costing 1.35 and then to Spain two weeks ago, it was 1.46. I don't need to go back for a little while. Maybe in a year or so when and if our new president can do some magic with the economy. Latin America is a place that I enjoy and I've been to Argentina 5 times. I would love to visit Guatemala and Chile. There are many places in Mexico that I enjoy as well. So I will go elsewhere for my next trip. I just don't like seeing the cost of a trip increase day after day because of the exchange rate. What makes it worse is when you plan months and months in advance and you plan on a certain budget based on the exchange rate.
However, I do want to return to the Azores or visit Lisbon sometime. Maybe in 2 years. I will just make my plans a month prior so that I wont obsess about the exchange too much.
However, I do want to return to the Azores or visit Lisbon sometime. Maybe in 2 years. I will just make my plans a month prior so that I wont obsess about the exchange too much.
Mar 6th, 2008, 12:23 PM
#37
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Ah ha...I suppose we can then include Monaco as a non eu country that uses the euro but I think they have a customs union so to speak with France in the same way the Vatican has a customs union with Italy because after all pre euro, the Vatican used the Italian Lire as its currency (there was never a Vatican lire) and Monaco used French Francs as its currency (no Monaco Francs) right?
Mar 6th, 2008, 01:32 PM
#39
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To make everyone feel better, 2 weeks ago, when I was checking out USD vs CHF exchange rates, I still had a 10% advantage. Every week I've checked, and my advantage was cut by 1/2. By the time I head over to Switzerland next week, I may be looking at parity, or worse.
But sometimes, it's all in how you look at things. Life is too short to deprive yourself of what you really want, IF you have the means to make things happen.
If anything else, remember NY State Lotto's motto: "A dollar and a dream"
But sometimes, it's all in how you look at things. Life is too short to deprive yourself of what you really want, IF you have the means to make things happen.
If anything else, remember NY State Lotto's motto: "A dollar and a dream"
Mar 6th, 2008, 02:00 PM
#40
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Because the dollar is in such bad shape, I've decided I'd spend some time in Mexico. Never having been there, I thought I'd check out travel agency prices and perhaps go with a travel agency for my first trip.
Fat chance! The prices of the rooms were out of sight, with a really low, low price being $165 per night and most costing at least $250. Many rooms for $300, $400, etc.. Those were undiscounted rates, but still indicative of prices I'd never be willing to pay.
Not only were they very expensive, but they were "American style" rooms, soul-less and charmless, to my way of thinking.
Okay, so it's back to my Frommers "Yucatan" book. It looks like I'll be doing my own arrangements for my first trip to Mexico.
Fat chance! The prices of the rooms were out of sight, with a really low, low price being $165 per night and most costing at least $250. Many rooms for $300, $400, etc.. Those were undiscounted rates, but still indicative of prices I'd never be willing to pay.
Not only were they very expensive, but they were "American style" rooms, soul-less and charmless, to my way of thinking.
Okay, so it's back to my Frommers "Yucatan" book. It looks like I'll be doing my own arrangements for my first trip to Mexico.
