The US dollar has strengthened in the past three weeks. This makes travel less expensive. Let's hope the trend continues.
http://markets.businessinsider.com/c...ion-1001554468

Mainly to do with increasing expectation of US interest rate hike by Federal Reserve in December, and continuing political turmoil in EU with Italian referendum, French presidential election and German parliamentary election to follow and contagion from Brexit.

With the first whisper from the FOMC several weeks ago of possible interest rate hikes in the US, the dollar started to climb again the euro. It might climb more if the rate increases materialize but overall, I am hoping it at least stabilizes where it is at $1.05/1€ to $1.06/1€.

Good new for us, for sure. Let the kitchen renovations begin!

Opposite of an improvement as far as I am concerned!

This is not a one size fits all assessment. It depends on individual's net present value of all the benefits and liabilities resulting from the exchange rate shift.

For example, while in a limited world of personal travels to Europe from the US, this is a plus. However, if a person earns income needed to travel by selling competitive US products overseas using US sourced parts and services, this is an impediment. Which side is dominant and when depends on individuals.

Actually if you look back, it was felt that sometime in 2017, the euro and US dollar would probably reach parity so this is really no surprise. The surprise is probably how low sterling has slipped because nobody foresaw Brexit.