The last time my husband and I sneaked off to Paris, before the baby was born, the euro was worth about 89 cents. The exchange rate in April 2002 made an expensive city seem like a bargain. (Well, almost.)
Sadly, the weakened dollar means that that particular party is over. Vacations in euro-land potentially cost 35% to 40% more than they did two years ago - and 11% more than a year ago. While the strong euro hasn\'t squelched Americans\' travel plans - travel experts agree that bookings to Europe are up sharply from last year - the exchange rate could bust budgets for those who aren\'t prepared.
Book early. Because demand is so high, there will be fewer options for flights and hotels the longer you wait, predicted Expedia\'s Derry. \'Last year, there were plenty of last-minute deals to be found,⤠she said, but that\'s much less likely to be true this year as Americans who have delayed trips because of the economy, terrorism fears and the Iraq war finally return to European shores.
Consider a cruise. Thanks to cruise industry expansion, there are still plenty of empty berths aboard many ships, TravelSmarts Dunnan said. A European cruise can take you to port cities in Italy, France, Greece, Spain - even Croatia - while requiring you to unpack just once.
Think about a mini-trip. More Americans are taking bite-sized visits to the Continent, Derry said, staying just three, four or five days. The trend may reflect our busy schedules as much as a desire to save money, but short trips can give you a taste of Europe without trashing your wallet.
Broaden your horizons. As in the U.S., flights to and from less-traveled airports might be a little cheaper. Or perhaps you could settle for two- or three-star hotels instead of four-star inns.
Budget before you go. Many Americans are pay-as-you-go travelers, and their unfamiliarity with foreign currency means they can get a pretty big jolt when the credit card bills for their spending finally arrive. Have a budget and know what you can spend each day in the currency of each country you\'re visiting before you get on the plane. That way you won\'t still be paying for this trip when it\'s time to take your next one.