Summer 08 to Europe, it won't be that bad
 

It seems like every other post lately is about the crappy exchange rate and high airfare prices. And yeah, seeing the USD to euro exchange at 1.53 is painful. But I did some figuring and I'm going anyway. I just bought my ticket!!! I think alot of you will know how I felt when I pressed that "purchase" button and committed myself to a trip to Europe this summer.

First, I decided to see how bad airfares really are this summer. The one I'm looking at is $1270, I've never spent that much. But I've never flown to Budapest which is further than alot of Europe. So for the heck of it I put last years itinerary into Kayak.com and got a price just $100 more than I paid last year for the same flights, and then I did the year before itinerary and it was actually $25 cheaper. So, given the cost of fuel I think maybe airfares aren't that awful right now.

Then I did an approximate budget in Euros and when I calculated the difference between what I think I'll spend at 1.55 and 1.33 (last July's exchange rate) - and it's only about $500 more.

Why am I telling you all this? - cause I hope someone else who is on the fence about booking a trip for this summer will read it and realize it's not THAT bad. And look at what we get for it.

So, happy travels to Europe in the summer of 08 everyone.

Have fun---I cannot wait to see your amazing photos.

Hungary does not really use the Euro right now until 2010(just there last week and most places used the foreint) so if you can exchange with the FRT's you will be fine.

I agree with your thinking! I've checked airline prices and they are slightly less to go to Switzerland & Italy this fall compared to what I paid in fall of 2006 to go to eastern Europe. I am good at budgeting here at home as well as when traveling, so I do plan to go to Europe this fall. My husband & I are not getting any younger, and while our legs & knees can still hold us up, I want to keep traveling!

Marsh - I agree, no one is getting any younger, and even relatively young people never know that something isn't going to happen that could interfere with travel.

dutyfree - I know Hungry isn't really on the euro (although several hotels I've looked at have prices advertised in euros) but I'm also going to Italy and Vienna and so I just looked at the budget in euros.

bob - all the places I'm going look like great photo ops.

Hi isabel.
We are going to Portugal with miles in June so the bite wasn't very bad.

But, now I have the opportunity to stay free in Nice in July.

The airfares are giving me pause because I haven't paid that much either ($1400) before. For that price, I am getting a great itinerary with only one stop from here which is a miracle.

But I am not going to pass up the opportunity to go again.

Take some great pictures for me as I am a lousy cameraman. Have a wonderful time, too.