Dollar-Saving European Travel Tips
for Americans

ABOVE: In Paris, many bakeries sell tasty sandwiches and take-out lunches at reasonable prices.

If you're an American traveler, the shrinking dollar may seem like a good reason to avoid Europe. But don't let currency fears keep you at home: By keeping things in perspective and adopting common-sense money-saving strategies, you can travel independently in Europe (even in the top tourist cities) without going broke.

First, the perspective:

As of April, 2008, a French baguette will cost you about US $1.57, compared to $1.31 last summer. A €100 hotel room will cost you about $157, or $26 more than a room at the same price in January, 2007.

Such increases may be annoying, but they're unlikely to be dealbreakers when you look at the overall cost of your trip including air fare. And even with a declining dollar, the cost of vacationing in Paris, Venice, or Rome can be less expensive (once you've arrived there) than a trip to New York or Disney World.

Fact is, you can enjoy a European trip with a bit of planning and common sense. Ask a Canadian: People in Canada have visited Europe for years, even with a dollar that was weaker than the U.S. dollar for most of the last three decades.

Second, the money-saving strategies:

Please continue to my first dollar-stretching tip on page 2.