Saving Money in Europe Do you have plans to travel to Europe this summer but are afraid you will have to cancel your plans because of the weak dollar? While Europe is booming, its tourist industry, which depends heavily on American consumers, is suffering because of the usd exchange rate, which means fewer American tourists will venture across the pond. This may mean good deals for you, which is ironic, since the international currency rate is high. However, if you prefer not to take the chance, there are other options in Europe if you want to avoid paying a lot of dollars for a few pounds or Euros. For more information on exchange rates visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exchange_rate The Paradoxical Deals Ironically, it could be a good value to travel to Europe, just when you might have thought about canceling your plans. With fewer American tourists, Europeans may want to lower their prices to compensate for the low dollar. However, look before you leap, and make sure you have evidence of such deals before making the plunge and taking the family to Europe. Eastern Europe is always a possibility if you want to avoid having your travel budget ravaged by strong European currency. While the usd exchange rate may be dismal in traditional destinations such as England, France and Germany, you can save a significant amount if you venture farther a field to Croatia, Albania, Slovakia and other destinations in the former Communist Bloc. You may not save as much money in these places as in other years, thanks to the international currency exchange rate, but these countries will be cheaper than tourist traps. Small Town Charm Try going to smaller towns and cities rather than the most popular destinations. For instance, you may want to spend less time in London, because of the usd exchange rate, and spend more time in Wales and Scotland. This does not require a dramatic change in your travel plans, but may involve a slight change of plans. Time to Go Cruising’ One way to avoid the ravages of the usd exchange rate is to go on a cruise rather than travel by land. On a cruise, you will pay mainly in dollars, and will have occasional stops to see sites. This will allow you to have the best of both worlds when going to Europe. Also, try vacation packages offered in America for which you will pay in dollars. By planning ahead, you will be able to save in spite of the difficult international currency exchange rate.