Les

I've just tried to book hotels. Everywhere it's 10-15% higher than any guidebooks say.

Year after year, in spite of the worldwide low inflation, the prices go up and up in double digits.

huuuu

I am not fed up with Europe, I live here!

But I realize the very same thing when doing some research for my planned trip to the US.

Cranky

NOPE-only fed up with complaints.Quit expecting bargains.

xxx

I live in europe and love it because the europeans on average are not whiners and complainers like most americans, esp. the original poster. If you are fed up with europe do us all a favor and stay home!!!!!!!!!! we can do with out another annoying ugly american who whines that the french speak french and where is the nearest starbucks-Oh the horror.....

understand

You know, maybe the first poster should not have headlined "fed up with Europe", but I understand the frustration...not specifically with Europe...it is with everything. The market is awful, jobs are in jeopardy, money is tight(maybe not for you,specifically, but for the population at large) yet prices keep rising..be it hotels in Europe or elsewhere. The same is true for air, restaurants etc. In other words, in spite of our economy, prices everywhere are increasing.

Don't call me a complainer. This is a fact. And it is a very disappointing fact that we all have to face.

I find there are a lot of very helpful people at Fodors, but there are others who love to jump on others the first chance they get. I don't think "speaking French in France, or Starbucks has any connection to the first posters complaint.

If someone is outraged by prices, it is understandable..and I don't think" Then stay home" is a helpful response.

x

Hey xxx, Americans began staying home and all of Europe whined because they weren't getting American tourist dollars. I wouldn't bite the hand that feeds you.

GGinSF

If prices are going up that just means that some are willing to pay the higher prices. Much of Europe may be Socialist but U.S. Capitalists should understand the laws of supply and demand.

There are still good deals out there. I got a clean hotel room with a good bed in Paris (18e) last month for $50/night! Spain, the Italian countryside, northern England, and many other places are still very reasonable, especially for people coming from the U.S. with a strong dollar. I think it would be worse for a European coming to a major U.S. city.

The real complaint should be with guidebooks that have old information.

xxxx

American tourism is not the hand that feeds europe. That is evident by the fact that hotels,restaurants,etc are not suffering. London is a fine example, they have not lowered any of their prices and still find themselves booked to capacity. What an ignorant statement...this goes to show how stupid americans really are. And yes it is a sentiment that is often expressed by us europeans amongst ourselves. I was educated in America, since I went to an upscale school, the population on average was very intelligent. But some of the posters on this board are morons!!!

NorthWhiner

My biggest problem is the weak state of the Canadian dollar - yesterday it dropped to below $0.62 US and is now at a record low of $62.02 US. Believe me, it makes you feel like a prisoner to your own once great country as it's become less affordable for us middle-class to travel anywhere else...

Just had to whine!!

xxx

I can certainly appreciate the declining dollar situation, the new euro is no big bargain and a cup of coffee now cost more. I am just grateful I have my health, my job and my dog Remember: things always get worse before they get better.

x

xxxx, your intelligence ends at the end of your nose. It was in the news that Andrew Lloyd-Webber closed two of his London shows specifically because he wasn't getting American tourists.

Leone

XXX, why not curtail the "ugly American" stuff ... when we, that is, folks in the US, begin to rap about french rudeness, it bothers me. I dislike harsh generalizations. Including yours. Most of us do not whine. We are not ugly, and we do not act that way. We are not blind to anything but Starbucks. You say you live in Europe ... but you do not say you're european. Are you possibly just another upset elitist down on the US? It's rather suggestive by the angry, almost bitter diatribe you've selected to pursue. I know europeans, and you don't strike me as being one. My experience is they're more courteous, more thinking. Just my take, but of course, I'm just another one of those dreaded Amercians. Ciao, and have a nice day. L

Euro

Well, I am European and I can still afford to travel with the exception of two countries, and those are USA and UK. Dollar is strong and sterling is strong, and it has been years I have visited either of those countries. I still remember when dollar was less that three quarters of what it is now. USA is totally out of my reach, I just would not get my money´s worth. Europe is not expensive. And neither is Europe dependent on American tourists. I think the biggest tourist groups in all European countries are other Europeans.

curious

Why would Andrew L Webber close shows because of the lack of American tourists? Most of his shows are in the US also!

Sjoerd

It is called capitalism, you know. Supply and demand. Here in Amsterdam, there are fewer American tourists (but not a lot less), but more Europeans and especially more Asians. So hotels don't complain.
I agree with another European poster that the UK and the USA are now among the most expensive destinations in the world. I can afford to travel to UK and USA, but prefer to wait until exchange rates have reached a more realistic level.

Brenda

I agree with the poster who suggested that we have unrealistic expectations resulting from believing that the information in travel books is accurate and up-to-date. Since most people on this forum do their own research, they need to remember anything in print is likely to be inaccurate in terms of pricing, hours of operation, etc.

Capo

As others have noted here, the law of supply and demand does not provide an exemption for tourism, or goods and services catering to tourist. If prices rise, and remain there, it's because the tourist market is willing to bear those prices.

Also, I think the reason one cannot travel in Europe for $5 or $25 a day ($50 a day would be, I'm sure, possible) anymore is, in large part, because Europe's standard of living has risen vis-a-vis the U.S. in the past 30 or so years. That may not be a great deal for Americans, but it is for Europeans.

yyyy

Hey xxxx - If things are so rosy in London, explain this story dated 11 Jan 02 from BBC News

"UK Travel Sector Still Suffering

The 11 September attacks and the global economic slowdown are still weighing on UK air travel and tourist numbers, new figures show. "

Erg

As a person who travels a lot, I think the cost of travel doesn't differ that much if you are comparing the same type of things. For instance, to me it seems just as expensive to stay in San Francisco or New York as it does to stay in London or Paris if you are judging between comparable hotels, restaurants, etc. On the other hand, if you get out of the big cities and away from the "tourist" areas, you can find bargains in any country. It all depends on what you want to do.

Sam

Here's my two cents. Anyone who is complaining that they should be able to fly cheaper because tourism is down due to the September 11 catastraphe is trying to cash in on a horrible event.
The prices are out there. Pay them or go someone else.