Poland is a good bargain; Krakow is at least as beautiful to look at as Prague, with decent B&Bs and inexpensive restaurants. And I did "live like a native," eating in some nights and so on, but that goes only so far, since a native does not have to dream up night-and-day entertainments because they are already busy. Even so, the country is a good choice for exxtreme budget travelers.

I know your question specifically addresses Europe, but let's think outside the box just a bit. :-)

I've just returned from a trip to Egypt and Jordan. I don't know how the dollar has moved against the Egyptian pound, but it doesn't matter because Egypt is still a cheap place to visit. As for Jordan, the US$ is pegged to the Jordanian Dinar so those currencies will always move in the same direction. Of these two countries I found Jordan to be cleaner and more relaxing, although Egypt is something any history buff should see.

Even though the exchange rate sucks at the moment, Europe is still an overall less expensive place to travel than the US. Obviously it depends on where you go (see above example of NYC versus Idaho) but in general you get better, nicer, hotels for the same money (even with the bad exchange rate) in Europe than you do in the US. Same for food.

Example - in London (considered a "very expensive" city, and the exchange rate of the pound is worse than the euro) the hotel I stayed at last time I was there is currently £46 a night for a single, that's equal to $92. I dare anyone to find me a clean, safe room with private bath and full breakfast in the center of NYC or Boston for that. In Paris my favorite hotel, five minute walk from Notre Dame, is currently €80 for a single, equal to $115.

This coming March for the first time in many years I'm not going to Europe. Not because of moeny, mostly becuase my vacation this year coincides with Holy Week so my original plan of Rome isn't a good idea, but also I've always wanted to see Charleston and Savannah so decided to do that. I found some really cheap lodging at places like Motel6 - BUT, they are all 10 or so miles from the city center. If you want to be IN the city (which I always do in European cities) the prices are outrageous. Prices are well over $100 for most hotels, and those are not major cities. There is no public transportation from the areas with the cheap hotels (near the highways) to the city center. When you add in needing a car (trains in the US versus European trains - a laugh, no way comparable, in Europe it's a breeze to get from one city to another, not so in the US), parking, etc. Well, lets just say I'm not going to be saving any money on that trip.

But since the OP asked specificially about WHERE in Europe is travel a good value - I'd say my cheapest trip was Portugal. Also one of my favorites.

Maybe I should be more specific. Many of these replies (thank you) has given me ideas. What some did point out, is what I am really looking for is a country, place, area, etc. where food, shopping, sites, trans. are a good value compared to most Euro driven areas.

Interesting! Why not first decide where you want to visit and then try to minimize its costs? Why travel to sites simply because they are inexpensive? Europeans are now travelling more than ever and they are paying current prices. Try a good, better and best price survey of your desired travel site. Learn the high and low price seasons.

I also don't think it's a great idea to pick a place just because of the "value" but I do see what you mean to some extent. If you really don't care where you go you might as well go to Portugal (or Italy or Spain) than to Scandinavia or Switzerland, where it is definitly harder to travel on a budget. In general, southern Europe costs less than northern Europe. Even within a country - southern Italy/Sicily is less expensive than northern Italy.

But my point above was that almost anywhere in Europe you can travel more economically than you can in the US. For one thing, small, family owned hotels (pensiones, etc) and B&Bs are everywhere, even in cities. In the US you don't have anywhere near the choice in that type of accomodation, which is much more economical. B&Bs tend to be upsccale "destinations" here where as over there they are often just a nice enough home that someone has turned into a side buisiness. The lower priced hotels in US cities tend to be dirty, sketchy and in bad locations where as in Europe they are clean and in the same neighborhoods as the 4 and 5 star hotels, just without the fancy furniture and room service. The same goes for food. In Europe there are lots of places to get local, fresh, nutritious light meals, sandwiches, etc. (as well as all manor of higher prices restaurants) where as in the US it seems the only "cheap" food is McDonalds etc. (which isn't all that cheap and certainly isn't nutritious or fresh). Obviously there are exceptions (pizza slices in NYC, etc). Most cities in Europe have parks, squares, etc with benches to sit on scattered all over the city so you can go to a market and get fixings for a picnic. Not as easy to do here due to lack of little "pocket" parks and squares every few blocks. Obviously it depends on the city, but in general. And this country is coming along, NYC has far more outdoor seating than it did ten years ago. But Europe is still better in this regard.

I understand the USD goes a long way in Iraq and Afghanistan these days !

Peter

Maybe the first question back to you should have been...what are you interests? If, for example, your idea of a holiday is lying around on a beach, maybe Germany (poor example?) is not for you, but Portugal might be. Are you strictly going somewhere because of the cost, or is there some "need" that must be fulfilled?

Isn't the dollar strong in New Zealand?

logos - When I travel for work in the US, I generally eat those continental breakfasts in hotels you mentioned. I am usually short on time and the breakfast is right there, so I make do, but you are right - most of it is pretty terrible. Lately, if I have a fridge in my hotel room and enough time, I will stop by a grocery store or bakery to get something decent to have in my room. I was incredibly happy with the German breakfasts though.