Has the Plummeting GBP Changed Your Plans?
Jan 7th, 2009, 03:54 AM
#1
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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.
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.
Jan 7th, 2009, 04:13 AM
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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.
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.
Jan 7th, 2009, 04:24 AM
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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
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
Jan 7th, 2009, 04:34 AM
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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).
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).
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:01 AM
#6
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.
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.
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:50 AM
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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
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
Jan 7th, 2009, 06:10 AM
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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.
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:36 AM
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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!
I do hope it stays that way until my trip in Feb!
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:56 AM
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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...)
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...)
Jan 7th, 2009, 10:13 AM
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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.
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.
