Finding ways to see Europe on weak dollar

Finding ways to see Europe on weak dollar
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, March 2, 2008

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Paris and London are not too far away on the map, but the cost of visiting them and other popular cities is quickly getting out of reach for many Americans stationed in Europe.

The tanking U.S. dollar has made traveling in Europe more expensive than ever. But Americans can still see some of the continent’s landmarks without having to take out a signature loan.

They just have to plan ahead, said Beth Gross, a tour guide with the United Service Organizations in Kaiserslautern. “Traveling on the spur of the moment costs too much money,” she said. “You have to do your research and you have to plan ahead.”

She gave her traveling tips at a lunchtime seminar — sponsored by the base’s Airman and Family Readiness Center. It was the last of five sessions this week that focused on how airmen and their families can better manage their finances, save for college and plan for retirement.

The “Traveling on a Budget” seminar aimed to offer some practical advice at a time when the dollar has plummeted to a record low against the euro. On Friday, the euro bought $1.55 at military banking facilities.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52998



uhc comment: I was in Germany when Tricky Dick took the US off the gold standard. We went from four marks to the dollar to 3.10 to the dollar overnight; I know the strain.

I spent in 1979 dollars about $3-4.00 a day for lodging and meals. First, I stayed at Youth Hostels mostly, which were about $2.00 a night. Yes, you shared accommodations and you never knew you had prior use of your mattress and pillow, but you made friends quickly. Sometimes, the exchange for the low price was doing a few clean-up chores like sweeping, etc.

Next, I cut down from three meals to two meals a day. I bought a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and ate sandwiches until supplies dwindled and I had to replenish. My meal of the day was whatever the hostel offered as part of the price of lodging (coffee, bread and butter, sometimes sliced meat). I didn't starve and had enough money every few weeks for a cafe or trattoria experience in modest terms.

Traveling: I used a Brit-Rail and Eur-Rail Pass to have good access to major cities and some smaller regions.

All in all, my trip cost (w/o airfare and railfare) $500 (13 weeks). You can see Europe but not on a Conde Naste budget if you have limited funds.