US residents--is there a point when a low dollar vs. Euro will stop you from going to Europe?
Jun 30th, 2007, 08:49 PM
#81
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I agree with magicvoice about airplane fares being ridiculous. It usually costs less to fly from San Juan to Europe than to fly from San Juan to Lexington, Ky.
We go frequently to Lexington to visit our son and we now fly into Cincinnati Airport, which is really in Kentucky, rent a car and drive an hour to Lexington where we return the car the same day. We do the same for the return trip. Savings? last two trips around $600 per trip for the two of us. We hope Cincinnati fares don’t go up.
As for Europe, husband and I are in our sixties and still relatively healthy, our boys are grown and gone, the house is paid for and so are the cars. So to answer julies question: No, the Euro won't stop us. We won't have to "mortgage the children" but we do thank our boys after every trip and let them know how much we enjoy spending their inheritance.
We go frequently to Lexington to visit our son and we now fly into Cincinnati Airport, which is really in Kentucky, rent a car and drive an hour to Lexington where we return the car the same day. We do the same for the return trip. Savings? last two trips around $600 per trip for the two of us. We hope Cincinnati fares don’t go up.
As for Europe, husband and I are in our sixties and still relatively healthy, our boys are grown and gone, the house is paid for and so are the cars. So to answer julies question: No, the Euro won't stop us. We won't have to "mortgage the children" but we do thank our boys after every trip and let them know how much we enjoy spending their inheritance.
Jun 30th, 2007, 08:51 PM
#82
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Dayle, try Intervac.com. It's been around a long time. You might try doing some research (consumer..oh heck, what is Nader's group?..um). I read a newspaper article a couple of years ago that rated these vacation house-exchange sites. I just wish I could remember which paper and when. 
Anyway, it sounds like a great idea. Does anyone think that Parisians or Italians might like to visit Dallas? 
(Really, who wouldn't want to visit at least Houston after seeing Urban Cowboy? And gee, aren't there Dallas Cowboys fans all over the world? And man, we just got Superbowl 2011 and I live only 10 mts from the stadium! Wouldn't that be a great week to trade out my home for a rich Venetian who loves American football? hahahahahah)
Anyway, it sounds like a great idea. Does anyone think that Parisians or Italians might like to visit Dallas? (Really, who wouldn't want to visit at least Houston after seeing Urban Cowboy? And gee, aren't there Dallas Cowboys fans all over the world? And man, we just got Superbowl 2011 and I live only 10 mts from the stadium! Wouldn't that be a great week to trade out my home for a rich Venetian who loves American football? hahahahahah)
Jun 30th, 2007, 08:55 PM
#83
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I mentioned in a previous thread that I'm leaving with my daughter for the UK and Germany/Switzerland next week. Given that we're staying in London AND Zurich, I'm just traveling smarter (hotels from hotwire, pub food, free museums etc)we"ll still have a blast without blowing a wad of cash on a 4-5 star that she'll not appreciate anyways..
Jun 30th, 2007, 11:34 PM
#84
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That's a good price, rex. Thanks for the heads up!
But, to further my point, I just checked for airfare from Burbank to San Fran over Labor Day weekend and it's only $20.00 less than to fly to Jackson. Why is it $307 to fly an hour and a half away? That was the lowest fare on mobissimo and didn't include Southwest, or Alasaka air. But still, that seems a little steep to me to fly to SFO from Burbank.
I know this getting a little off topic. I'd still go to Europe if it won't blow my vacation budget for the whole calendar year.
But, to further my point, I just checked for airfare from Burbank to San Fran over Labor Day weekend and it's only $20.00 less than to fly to Jackson. Why is it $307 to fly an hour and a half away? That was the lowest fare on mobissimo and didn't include Southwest, or Alasaka air. But still, that seems a little steep to me to fly to SFO from Burbank.
I know this getting a little off topic. I'd still go to Europe if it won't blow my vacation budget for the whole calendar year.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 09:35 AM
#85
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Dayle, re: house swaps--Craig's List is what I've used for many years, very successfully, and it's free. There was a terrific thread some time back about people who wanted to house swap and lived in Michigan. People gave some fantastic ideas about how to interest Europeans in coming to mid-America. Turns out, a lot of Europeans would really like to experience an America that's different from both coasts. Sorry I don't remember how to find the post, but some of you expert Fodorites will know, I'm sure.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 02:15 PM
#86
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<< Why is it $307 to fly an hour and a half away? >>
Supply and demand.
For those dates, imagine, for a second that demand triples. An airline can barely increase supply at all, let alone double it.
Wouldn't you charge what people are willing to pay also?
My point remains unchanged: if it costs "100 gallons a gas" to fly BUR-SFO now...
...think back to what it cost in 19o9 - - probably more like "500 gallons of gas".
And of course, you really do have to watch how you pick your airports in "QLA"... SNA-SFO can be purchased for "less than 30 gallons of gas" ($83)...
Supply and demand.
For those dates, imagine, for a second that demand triples. An airline can barely increase supply at all, let alone double it.
Wouldn't you charge what people are willing to pay also?
My point remains unchanged: if it costs "100 gallons a gas" to fly BUR-SFO now...
...think back to what it cost in 19o9 - - probably more like "500 gallons of gas".
And of course, you really do have to watch how you pick your airports in "QLA"... SNA-SFO can be purchased for "less than 30 gallons of gas" ($83)...
Jul 2nd, 2007, 03:50 PM
#89
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We planned and paid an advance on our upcoming trip to the UK about a year ago. Knowing then what I know now about the slide of the dollar vs. pound and Euro, I might not go. It's going to be very expensive, even to eat. Guess we will re-think any further trips abroad until things seem to be stable. Do you think a change in Gov. in high places will matter?
Jul 2nd, 2007, 04:38 PM
#90
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clara,
Economics tend to run in cycles. So, in theory the dollar should rebound at some point. However, if you want to get deep into it, you should read up on the overall state of our economy. Do some googling. IMO, the outlook isn't good. Here's an article from CNN today. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...micReason.aspx
The article is mostly dealing with the housing and stock markets, but you'll get the point.
Economics tend to run in cycles. So, in theory the dollar should rebound at some point. However, if you want to get deep into it, you should read up on the overall state of our economy. Do some googling. IMO, the outlook isn't good. Here's an article from CNN today. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...micReason.aspx
The article is mostly dealing with the housing and stock markets, but you'll get the point.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 05:22 PM
#92
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Thanks for the house swap sites. I'll get checking - seriously!
Anyone out there what to swap homes for a ski week in Park City, summer paradise in the Wasatch, or the Sundance Film Festival? 2BR, 2.5 BA, 2 car garage, views of all 3 ski resorts and the Olympic ski jumps. 25 minutes to SLC International.
Anyone out there what to swap homes for a ski week in Park City, summer paradise in the Wasatch, or the Sundance Film Festival? 2BR, 2.5 BA, 2 car garage, views of all 3 ski resorts and the Olympic ski jumps. 25 minutes to SLC International.
