Weak dollar opens choices for traveling

Thinking outside a
stereotypical vacation can help stretch your dollar, a newsletter advises.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. dollar is weak against many foreign currencies, making it more expensive than ever to travel abroad. But the Nov. 15 issue of the TravelSmart newsletter has some tips for coping.

First, consider vacationing at home. “It’s hard to beat our national parks, big cities, resorts, spas, historic sites and amusement parks. And don’t forget about Puerto Rico!” the newsletter says.

Second, do the math. Check out how the dollar fares against currencies in various places using the online converter at www.xe.com. Sure, much of Europe will give you sticker shock, at about $1.44 to the euro and $2.08 to the pound (as of Nov. 2). But, says TravelSmart, “Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have not gone over the top and they are endlessly fascinating.”

Other spots to consider around the globe as alternatives to pricey Western Europe include Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Indonesia, India, Laos, Thailand, the Bahamas, Quebec City, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

If you do opt for Europe, you can lock in much of your budget by booking a tour that guarantees prices in dollars and includes airfare, hotels, sightseeing, breakfast and other meals. Or cover your lodging, meals and transportation in advance by seeing Europe via a river cruise.

Also, says TravelSmart, “think winter instead of summer” and “think inland instead of coastal.”

“Prices in summer are always sky high, regardless of the dollar,” according to the newsletter. But places like Venice and Florence can be wonderful offseason destinations. And resorts and spas are cheaper when they don’t offer river views or seaside locations, with inland prices 25 percent lower, TravelSmart says.

You can also save money on hotels and restaurants by basing yourself in a smaller city rather than a capital, or by staying in a suburban area and taking the train or bus in each day to see major attractions.

For example, TravelSmart recommends Sitges, a Spanish resort town near Barcelona; Brighton as an alternative base to London, and Bologna as less expensive than Rome.

If you must stay in big cities, two options for finding lodging include Uptown Reservations (www.uptownres.co.uk) for London B&Bs, and Coach House Rentals (www.rentals.chsparis.com) for apartments in Paris.

And for those who are willing to wing it, TravelSmart mentions Hotwire.com, where you can book discounted rooms around the world. The catch is, you won’t know the name of the property until after you’ve made the purchase, but you will be able to decide whether you want a one, two, three, four or five-star hotel, and you’ll have a general idea of the location.

For more information, visit www.TravelSmartNewsletter.com or call (800) 327-3633.