Travel Tips & Trends

Make your dollar go further in Europe

It's about time you finally took a vacation, and your heart is set on Europe. Even though you're aware that the dollar is weak and prices have risen, you are determined to enjoy a quality vacation without going overboard with costs. What can you do?

Tour packages

According to the U.S. Tour Operators Association, choosing a tour package can save travelers an average of 15% to 20% compared to the cost of doing it on their own. Most tours include transportation, meals, entrance fees and hotel charges, and take advantage of bulk pricing available to tour operators.

An additional benefit is the convenience of leaving the planning to someone else. Whether you plan to explore one city or several countries, language barriers, parking and standing in lines can get in the way of enjoying a long-awaited trip. Tour operators have multilingual guides and arrange the details of parking and sightseeing ahead of time.

If you worry about a packaged itinerary being too regimented, consult a travel agent. Tours vary greatly, and most tour operators are upfront about how much free time is included.

Travel in the off season

By traveling during the off season of November through April, you can do more, see more, and experience more for less in Europe. In many ways, autumn, winter and spring are superior times to visit. The long lines to the most popular attractions vanish, and prices are lower on everything from airfares to restaurants and museums. Tour operators lower their rates as well, some by as much as 20% compared to summer.

Consider a less common destination

If the deciding factor is how far your dollar will get you, consider exploring a destination that's not as popular or that hasn't adopted the euro as its currency. Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Poland and Russia all have exciting cities to explore, fascinating natural landmarks, and scrumptious food, all at a much friendlier exchange rate.