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-   -   Has the Plummeting GBP Changed Your Plans? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/has-the-plummeting-gbp-changed-your-plans-760009/)

travelgourmet Jan 7th, 2009 03:54 AM

Has the Plummeting GBP Changed Your Plans?
 
A British friend of mine recently complained that the drop in the value of Sterling has put a crimp in his travel plans. Conversely, I will shortly be heading to London to spend some of my USD, DKK, and CHF, which now go a lot further.

So, the questions are:

- For Brits, any changes to your plans? Were it just the weakening vs EUR and USD, but I think GBP is hurting pretty broadly. Are you changing destinations, and to where?
- For others, particularly Americans, any plans to take advantage of the favorable rates? The GBP is now some 25% off the average of the past 5 years. And hotel rates in London are a fraction of what I was seeing just 6 months ago.

jamikins Jan 7th, 2009 04:13 AM

We still plan to travel. Its not really the GBP, but more for savings on flights etc that we have decided to skip Budapest and Krakow this year and explore our own backyard in Britain.

Plan to do the Lake District/Yorkshire and Cornwall. That way we dont have to pay for the expensive flights and we can bring our dogs so we dont have to pay for kennels.

Mucky Jan 7th, 2009 04:24 AM

I think that many Brits will avoid Euro zone and probably USA.

Every one I know is booking for something in the UK and hoping for some decent weather.

For a reasonable exchange, it appears the place to go is South Africa, Canada and Norway at the moment.

Im going to Thailand and OZ, no Euro there I hope.

Muck

Cholmondley_Warner Jan 7th, 2009 04:34 AM

I have cut down on my trips to paris as it is now stupidly expensive. It was already more expensive (and not as good) as London at £=€1.40 but at parity it's unjustifiable.

As to where I'll go instead, I don't know - Vietnam is looking favourite for the big holibob this year as indeed is the USA (but don't tell anyone - I have an image to keep up).

Judyrem Jan 7th, 2009 04:43 AM

CW, :-)

willit Jan 7th, 2009 05:01 AM

For the last few years I have spent some time in Italy doing language courses.

As a comparison, the cost of the course + accomodation for the 2 weeks in October 2007 was around £700. With Inflation and the £=€ the same trip would cost me nearly £1200 to do this year. I can choose to continue going to the language school, but it would mean giving up my football season ticket - I cannot afford both.

Several of my colleagues, who usually make holiday trips to Spain or France are seriously looking at Turkey this year.

avalon Jan 7th, 2009 05:17 AM

Must have put a crimp in some, Disney hotels are complaining about lack or European tourists.

Cholmondley_Warner Jan 7th, 2009 05:19 AM

There's a Disneyland in Europe too! And you can buy beer in ours.

CW - Who went to Eurodisney once, on christmas day, and will never speak of the experience.

amyb Jan 7th, 2009 05:20 AM

Yes, the pound has a lot to do with my taking an unexpected trip to London (from the US) next month. That and a very good fare. I had planned to put it off indefinitely until I saw the plunge.

andy_franks Jan 7th, 2009 05:50 AM

CW

There used to be a "British pub" in Disneyland (or was it Epcot Centre) where you could buy beer - although it was restricted to warm beer and Guiness!

I will still be off to Europe for a long weekend or two, as well as two weeks in Spain in July, whatever the Euro exchange rate.

If I get a decent bonus (???) then maybe a week in NY in the Spring :-)

stokebailey Jan 7th, 2009 06:10 AM

Cholmondley, I can't tell you what it will cost in £, but new gastropub in our theater district makes a pork pie as authorized by Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association. Drop by and tell us what you think. We want you to be able to sneer at our food with authority.



Cholmondley_Warner Jan 7th, 2009 06:32 AM

If I should deign to visit the colonies I will eat only native provender. Foot long hot dogs and pancakes and syrup. That sort of thing.

andy_franks Jan 7th, 2009 07:31 AM

and drink beer.

I can't believe you are off the pop!

rogeruktm Jan 7th, 2009 07:43 AM

Don't forget the iced tea!

stokebailey Jan 7th, 2009 07:48 AM

I'll look for CW in one of the spray cheese aisles then.

genabee6 Jan 7th, 2009 09:36 AM

the current value of the GPB has made me a happy camper! I last went to London in May when the dollar was $2.00 to one pound. How happy am I that it's went down!!

I do hope it stays that way until my trip in Feb!

Cholmondley_Warner Jan 7th, 2009 09:56 AM

I can't believe you are off the pop!>>>>

YOU can't belive it? Think how I feel.

Mind you, if I do go to the USA* I will be able to drink their beer as it's non-alcoholic.

* Iam regretting mentioning this. I am as we "speak" on this interweb thingummy with an ex of mine who is trying to persuade me to go and visit her in America. I would definately require quite copious amounts of pop to counternance that. (mind you a shag's a shag...)

bettyk Jan 7th, 2009 10:13 AM

Already had FF tickets booked for the UK back in August so was prepared for the higher Pound. Figured we would only be able to afford B&B's at those rates.

Now that the USD is stronger, I was able to find a few hotels and guest houses within our budget as well as a couple of nice B&B's.

When we went to Germany last September, the USD to Euro rate was about the same as the USD to Pound rate is now.

It is definitely cheaper to visit Europe from the US these days if you have the money to spend.

Mucky Jan 7th, 2009 11:10 AM

CW you absolute CAD.


;-)


Muck

ElendilPickle Jan 7th, 2009 11:24 AM

C_W! =-o

Come to the dark side....

Lee Ann


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