Traveling Abroad with a Weak Dollarby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 25 Jan 2008 11:14 AM As I write this one Euro is worth roughly 1.5 American dollars. Which means your trip to Paris or Barcelona will likely take a real toll on your bank account. While it's no secret the dollar is worth significantly less in Europe the bigger issue now is how to make every cent count when traveling internationally. One suggestion: Go elsewhere. In places such as Thailand, and Morocco (which are just as rich in history as popular European destinations) the local currency is worth a lot less than the dollar, allowing American tourists the opportunity to experience new cultures without going bankrupt. Travel experts working with budget conscious travelers also recommend Guatemala as an affordable family destination. As in other Central and South American countries the dollar is still strong in Guatemala. Another tip is to consider visiting some of the Eastern Block countries like Hungary, Poland or Lithuania. While there you'll enjoy stunning views, delicious local cuisine and a vibrant nightlife. What's more, these countries have yet to adopt the euro, meaning you'll get more bang for your buck. Of course, vacationing in a country where the dollar is strong but amenities and services are poor and security and safety are lacking is not exactly the formula for a memorable family trip. You want to save money, but you don't want your entire vacation to be marred with unnecessary stress. For some globetrotters, the best way to avoid this is to choose a cruise. Travel agents say with a cruise you know exactly how much your vacation is going to cost. Moreover, since cruise packages are negotiated in advance of the actual travel date they are immune to currency fluctuations. Another tip for travelers watching their wallets is to opt for unconventional tourist spots. Bargains can be found off the beaten track if you don't mind spending time away from luxury hotels. For example, river cruises along waterways like the Yangtze, Nile and the Rhine, which allow guests to explore villages along the way, are becoming hot ticket trips, according to travel agents. Other hot sellers in 2008 are trips to Machu Pichu and the Galapagos Islands where the dollar will stretch a lot farther than in London. Related Articles: Staying Healthy on Trips Abroad What To Know Before You Visit---AUSTRIA, SPAIN and PORTUGAL What To Know Before You Visit--IRELAND, SWITZERLAND and POLAND What To Know Before You Visit--FRANCE Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments  Courtney Mroch (9169) 25 Jan 2008 01:55 PMThis makes my husband's argument for Brazil even stronger, but the way you've described some of these places...WOW! I guess I can wait until France becomes more affordable and still see some neat stuff. Great article, Michele!  Michele Cheplic |
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