It may be a little early yet, but has the rising dollar value, vs, the sinking euro starting to have an effect on prices of apartments, food, etc., especially in Rome? The euro was exchanging at 1.27 today vs 1.62 earlier this summer.

of course it is...prices there are in Euros ;-) so, if you're converting USD, you get a tad more for your money The actual prices won't change...only your own cost, right?

Yes, this seems to be the only benefit we're getting from the world financial crisis. It's been said that we may eventually end up with 1 dollar=1 euro which is a huge help for us poor american tourists in Europe.

Intenal prices in Europe and internal prices in the U.S. do not fluctuate with the dolar-euro exchage rate.
At least not in the short term.
They depend in the internal demand, which nowadays is pretty weak.
So for the next few months at least, the one that have any dollars left will get more value for their money in Europe than in the past years.
I presume dolar will easily match the Euro 1=1 . Lets hope its before the Dow Jones also matches 1.

The dollar seems to have dropped a bit in the last day or two. Its funny once you see it at 1.24 and then it goes back up to 1.27, its a bit annoying. Its a lot better than 1.60 for sure.

Well I would wait with any travel plans a while if the exchange rate is really going to affect whether you travel or not - it is less than 6 months since the Euro was at a record high, who know what will happen in another six months time?

Internal inflation in Italy is quite sharp especially in food products. Exchange rates do not "directly and immediately' affect internal consumer prices.

Pay the most you can with credit cards.

Thanks for the replies. Food is going up everywhere, just happy to see apartments, and hotels are holding steady. I guess a raise in prices would affect other European tourists who would have to spend euros. I look forward to it costing me less this time than in 2006. Thanks