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#1
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe
From back-packing tourists to high-flying diplomats, Americans in Paris are feeling the pinch as the single European currency hovers near record highs against the sagging dollar. at http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...0306-1742r.htm |
#2
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"Mike" wrote in message om... Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe From back-packing tourists to high-flying diplomats, Americans in Paris are feeling the pinch as the single European currency hovers near record highs against the sagging dollar. at http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...0306-1742r.htm Having taken two trips to Europe, one in November and one in December, I'd point out that, though the Euro is quite high (nearly a 40% rise since our last trip), prices for _some_ items are still low enough in Europe that it is still an economical destination, depending on your budget. For example, my wife and I ate in wonderful restaurants in Italy and Spain, having full meals, dessert and a bottle of wine for 70 to 80 Euro which is slightly less than we'd pay for a comparable meal here in San Francisco, or in New York or Los Angeles. Car rentals in both countries were comparable to US costs, and hotel rates were, at least, reasonable -- $125-175/night for 4 star accomodation in touristy areas, less in untouristy ones. Per my wife, clothing was still a bargain (I don't know about these things -- I just say, "yes, dear."). Overall, both trips wound up costing us only slightly more than we'd usually spend on European travel (we generally go at least once a year). Of course, if you're on a very tight budget, you'll probably feel the pinch considerably more. However, "middle class travel" to Europe (which I define as not luxury, but still nice, e.g. 4-star hotels, but not 5, nice restaurants, but not Michelin-rated, etc.) still offers value. |
#3
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"Mike" wrote in message om... Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe From back-packing tourists to high-flying diplomats, Americans in Paris are feeling the pinch as the single European currency hovers near record highs against the sagging dollar. Not so long ago, it was reported in the English newspapers that many Britons are now going on shopping trips to the USA, because the exchange rate is so favourable. Colin Bignell |
#4
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"PTRAVEL" wrote ...
accomodation in touristy areas, less in untouristy ones. Per my wife, clothing was still a bargain (I don't know about these things -- I just say, "yes, dear."). *LOL* :-D Greetz, *good marriage, eh?* |
#5
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
Mike wrote: Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe From back-packing tourists to high-flying diplomats, Americans in Paris are feeling the pinch as the single European currency hovers near record highs against the sagging dollar. at http://www.washingtontimes.com/world...0306-1742r.htm Well, we enjoyed favorable exchange rates for a long, long time - when the dollar keeps dropping in value, perhaps we should do something about our trade deficits? (I admit my recent trip to Vienna cost me considerably more - in US currency - than the one in 2000, but what can you expect, with our current administration?) |
#6
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
nightjar Not so long ago, it was reported in the English newspapers that many Britons are now going on shopping trips to the USA, because the exchange rate is so favourable. Some items are cheaper in the USA but not all. Electronic items such as cameras, computers etc. are much cheaper in the USA than in England. Clothes are about the same price when the exchange rate is taken into account, except for USA brand items such as Levi's (which closed it's last USA factory recently so the savings my disappear). On a recent trip to London from the USA, I found that after figuring in the exchange rate the prices on most goods were comparable to that in the USA in USD prices. Example, we purchased some inexpensive shirts with "London" embroidered on them for 10 pounds each. With the exchange rate that would be about $18USD which is actually a decent price. Electronic goods look like they would be much cheaper in the USA. I wandered into a few camera stores in London and found a digital camera for 300 pounds. That same camera in the USA sells for $300USD. |
#7
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"Thur" wrote in message .. .
"PTRAVEL" wrote ... accomodation in touristy areas, less in untouristy ones. Per my wife, clothing was still a bargain (I don't know about these things -- I just say, "yes, dear."). *LOL* :-D Greetz, *good marriage, eh?* You bet! Words to live by: Don't sweat the small stuff. |
#8
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe
From back-packing tourists to high-flying diplomats, Americans in Paris are feeling the pinch as the single European currency hovers near record highs against the sagging dollar. Not so long ago, it was reported in the English newspapers that many Britons are now going on shopping trips to the USA, because the exchange rate is so favourable. I read an article on this in a UK broadsheet. Apperently, if you want a Digital Camera, an iPod, and a laptop computer, you can save about 500-700 GBP, more than worth it since a return from London to NYC is under 200 GBP and it is only a 7 hour flight. |
#9
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"Sjoerd" wrote in message ... "freeda" schreef in bericht ... I read an article on this in a UK broadsheet. Apperently, if you want a Digital Camera, an iPod, and a laptop computer, you can save about 500-700 GBP, more than worth it since a return from London to NYC is under 200 GBP and it is only a 7 hour flight. And you have to be lucky at UK customs, too. That part doesn't take much luck |
#10
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"Americans not getting bang for buck in Europe"
"freeda" schreef in bericht ... I read an article on this in a UK broadsheet. Apperently, if you want a Digital Camera, an iPod, and a laptop computer, you can save about 500-700 GBP, more than worth it since a return from London to NYC is under 200 GBP and it is only a 7 hour flight. And you have to be lucky at UK customs, too. Sjoerd |
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