Just a thought -- is it just me, or does the weak dollar NOT seem like a big deal?<BR><BR>When you look at your (my) travel costs to Europe, the big expenses are purchased in the U.S. -- airfare and transportation.<BR><BR>Hotel prices will be higher -- $110 instead of $90. I eat cheap, so that's not really an issue.<BR><BR>So ... the price of a week in Europe just went from $1800 to $2000.<BR><BR>What's the big deal? Or am I missing something.<BR><BR><BR>

Only Canadian's know the real meaning of a weak dollar!

I don't really think you're missing anything, except maybe the fact that we all seem to like to complain. I guess complaining about rising prices is standard anywhere. Sort of like the overwhelming recent complaints about the &quot;outrageous&quot; price of gasoline in the States, even though it was still half of the cost in Europe. <BR><BR>I'll be in Europe for two months so it does add up, but ironically I'll be in New York for three days before flying to London to start my trip, and without doubt those three days in NYC will be the most expensive of my whole trip. Europe still seems a bargain to me. I'm always amazed how little I spend in Paris, for example, especially compared to stays in any major US city.

Good point, Patrick.<BR><BR> A few years ago, I was going to drive up to NY for a 3-day convention. After I priced it, I realized I could go to Paris for a week for the same price.<BR><BR> So I did.

A lot is due to perspective. Our last trip to Europe was in 1997 ( $1 US was worth about 1.07 Euros - they were posting it then in some Menus) Now today $1 US is worth .91 Euros. In 1997 the couple we were traveling with and ourselves, everyone was still working, now some are retired.<BR><BR>You are right, the difference is not that great, it is the perception and how much of a bargain it was before!

I must disagree. When I started researching my trip last year it took 87 cents to buy a Euro -- currently it's more than $1.09 (looking at true rates on international exchanges). That's an increase of just over 25%!! I'm going with my family of four, using frequent flier miles. So ALL of my expenses are in Euros -- hotels, intercity trains, meals, museum admissions, etc. This will probably add $2,000 or $3,000 for us. Fortunately, I can afford it -- what about those who scrimped and saved for one big trip and see this sort of increase?

I agree with dedlaw. There is definitely something about paying .87 for a Euro versus paying 1.09 for a Euro.<BR><BR>In fact, if you really investigate the true exchange rate after you pay commissions you'll be hard pressed to get away with 1.12 to 1.15 for a Euro.<BR><BR>I wish I had bought more Euros in January of last year when my parents visited for my grandmothers funeral. At my mom's local bank she was able to buy a Euro for .83! Boy, what a deal that was.<BR><BR>There are so many expenses that you will incur in Europe that you don't even think about. While it may be true that you can buy your airfare and your railpasses here, there are so many others things that you'll spend money on over there.<BR><BR>And as dedlaw says, he can afford it. For me it isn't necessarily a big deal either. This summer's trip will be my 31st. I am always avoiding the bigger cities anyway. I am always looking for the smallest and most out of the way village in Southern Germany or in the Alps of Switzerland or Austria. There are still some great bargains in these kinds of places.<BR><BR>In fact, for 3 of these nights I am booked on a farm intending to sleep in a room for rent that is located above the families cows. The cost of the room, breakfast included is 10 Euros. I will pay for beers, but they will charge me pretty close to what they pay for a case at the store. It's in a part of Austria that few American's ever travel to. In fact, the owner of the house tells me that last year a half dozen American's stayed in their town. <BR><BR>But, try to get away cheaply when you are visiting Rome, Paris, Frankfurt,Geneva, Vienna, Salzberg, Munich, etc. These trips are going to cost the first time traveller a fortune. We take Europe so for granted when you have the experience to get around. Try to spend 14 days in Europe for the first time wanting to see all of the big cities. Sending the postcards home. Buying the souvenirs. Taking the taxi's instead of the buses. Booking the hotels near downtown becauue you want to be near everything. Eating at the restaurants that cater to the tourists. It can go on and on. Europe has indeed become a place for either the better off individual or the person who plans to spend a ton of cash on vacation.<BR><BR>I guess booking some of these tours are starting to make better sense than doing Europe on your own.<BR><BR>Anyway, I'll be there this summer for 10 days. I'll have to be careful and watch my Euros. Do a budget, I guess.<BR><BR>Happy travelling.<BR><BR>Mark

My friend and I still reminiscence about our trip to Rome in May 2001 - the prices were incredible. If I had known how the Euro was going to affect prices (did everything get pricier, or am I mistaken?) I would have bought a lot more Italian clothing and shoes. Prices seems to have shifted and stabalized but add the weaker dollar and yes, Europe has gotten a bit more expensive. A couple dollars more isn't going to stop me from going.<BR><BR>

I think a 25% change in the value of the dollar to the Euro in a year is significant. It depends on your spending, but some people budget very carefully, and the increase of $400-$500 could make a difference. BTW, if my math is correct based on robby's numbers, that should have been $1800 to $2200. $400 could be a big deal to some people.<BR><BR>Bill

oops figured out that robby's math included his US paid airfare. Sorry Robby. Be aware that even if you pay dollars for your car rental, the price is based on the exchange rate in the coountry that you are traveling to.<BR><BR>Bill

Winnepeg:<BR><BR>Hey give up the information!! Where are you staying for 10 euro's in Austria? I like the farm idea! But how about those smells!!<BR><BR>What towns are you looking at?<BR><BR>JOHN

Hi all,<BR><BR> To put a little perspective on current prices, keep in mind that the Euro came out at about $1.02 and then dropped to $0.87.<BR><BR> In the late eighties I got 5 FF to the dollar. At the current value of the Euro, FF's are 6 to the dollar.<BR><BR> Some of us were just lucky enough to go to Europe when it was cheap.

Spare a thought for us Europeans!!! When Europe was cheaper for US citizens, the US was more expensive for us!! So now the situation's reversed, it's nice for me to know my euro will go that little bit further ;o)

Complaining about the &quot;weak&quot; dollar vs. other currencies won't do much to fix the situation, especially since a lot of the reasons for this current phenomenon began right here with current administration economic policies, etc. So, what to do? Either eat it and chalk it up to &quot;the way it is&quot; or act politically and hope that some improvements will occur.

Hey bootman4u<BR><BR>Explain exactly how the current administration has caused the dollar to drop?<BR><BR>Can't you just answer the question without giving us your political opinion.

The prices in Europe might be more, but airfare is at an all time low. This year we went to London (from Denver) for 250$ per person (round trip) and from Denver to Barcelona for 400$ round trip. So my airfare costs (there are 5 of us) cover the exchange difference. Now might be a good time to visit some of the more reasonable places in Europe.

Hey, I'm so cheap that I will drive out of my way to save .03 cents a gallon when I fill-up. No Europe for me this year. I'll go to the Great White North this summer and hope things are cheaper next summer.

Bootman4U may be right -- it certainly has &quot;something&quot; to do with Bush policies. But remember, our economy overall is weak, and allowing dollar to weaken vs. other currencies (where it had been strong) makes US products a better bargain elsewhere, so we sell more overseas and perhaps attract a few more foreign visitors (okay, so maybe we'll lock them up when they arrive). As a US tourist heading to Europe it is a bad deal, but it makes sense.

The weak dollar may be due to the Clinton administration but So far it has not hindered my travel plans.

The economic downturn began the week of March 10, 2000. If you feel the need to blame someone, do the math.