European Vacation Planning Map

Your European Vacation and the Tumbling Dollar - Should you go this Year?  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Central Sardinia, where viewing ancient "Giant's Tombs" is free. James Martin Stay up to date! 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Sign Up Now! Feb 12 2004 Will my vacation be too exensive? Maybe not as expensive as you think! A reader asks: "Should we wait until the Euro gets weaker to plan our European vacation?" While I am certain to be viewed as a biased source of information on this topic, and considering the fact that no one I know has a crystal ball able to predict exchange rates, I will nevertheless plunge ahead and give my reasons and justifications for taking that vacation to Europe this year. Exchange Rate. No one can predict what the future will hold, but some "experts" have surmised that the dollar may fall to as low as 1.5 Euros before the bloodbath is over. At the time of writing, the rate seems to have stabilized in the short term at around 1.25 or so. It's hard to see the dollar strengthening anytime soon, given the huge deficit and slow economy. Waiting for the dollar to strengthen may leave you waiting a long time. But maybe things aren't as bad as you think. Historically, Things Average Out. I've been traveling to Europe since the mid 1970s, and it's always seemed to me that prices have slowly risen as hotels adapted higher standards and the economy reacted to general increases in living standards, especially in Southern Europe. These changes seemed slow and steady, and largely independent of major short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate. See the next argument for a free market reason why I may not have noticed currency fluctuations much during my travels. The Equal and Opposite Reaction. With the sharp decline in US visitors to Europe we've seen over these past couple of years, hotels are finally lowering their rates, recognizing that their excess supply of rooms may continue unless something is done to entice visitors. For example Arthur Frommer reports that London "hotels of five-star quality (are) charging less than $150 for a double room that would normally cost $400." This is how the Free Market is supposed to work; when things get too expensive for people to buy, prices must drop to "incent" them. It's happening for hotel rooms, airfares, and other tourist-only items right now. The effect may be that your vacation cost won't be as high as you might think compared to previous years. Just don't expect to buy standard European goods at a discount--shopping at home is recommended when the dollar is week. Last year I walked into a great looking hotel in Chaves, Portugal, only to notice the sign on the desk proclaiming that all rooms were 90 Euros. When the clerk asked to help me, I pointed out that the room was too expensive and turned to leave--but fortunately not before she offered the room at 60 Euros, a price she quoted as standard for these tough tourist times. While still expensive for Portugal, the room offered 4 star, air conditioned comfort with a great view of the castle from the balcony, and the most elegant bathroom we've ever bathed in. Things Change. An argument put forth by Carol Field and others is that European traditions are fading quickly in a multi cultural, easily traveled world. While independent of exchange rate, this argument, for me, is a compelling one, especially as Starbucks and McDonalds replace small, family run cafes and restaurants and Europe starts to look more and more like main street USA. I don't travel to experience the same things I can at home, and it's why I have to dig deeper and deeper to find places that celebrate those rapidly disappearing cultural differences. The price of gas and the doomsday scenario. Many experts suggest that the price of gasoline will have to rise sharply to cover the cost of recovering oil from the neglected wells in Iraq (yes, oil wells go bad, I've read) and this increase is likely to spike after the elections and continue on an upward trend. Europe, it seems to me, is in a much better position to weather these increases in the short term, as they offer alternative modes of public transportation. Even Worse: There is no doubt that oil is an increasingly rare commodity in an energy hungry world, and steadily rising prices will effect most of us around the globe equally. (Studies of Peak Oil and Gas ( pdf ) have predicted the production of Oil peaking at the end of this decade, and slowly declining thereafter.) This is my doomsday strategy, "go while you can, who knows what economic nastiness lurks around the next corner as we run out of energy sources." Have a different view? Why not submit a rebuttal through our submittal form ? How to offset the dollar's weakness without sacrificing your vacation Fun? Read on to Page Two: Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips .        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There

London Vacation

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Italy Travel

Italy Vacations & Tourism, Italy Hotels, Italy Attractions - Yahoo! Travel Primary Navigation Overview | Hotels | Things to do | Restaurants | Map | Flights | Cars | Deals | FareChase Italy: Search Travel Travel > Guides > Europe > Italy Email this page Print Italy Vacations, Tourism, Hotels View larger map of Italy Top Cities in Italy Rome Florence Venice Milan Naples Siena Sorrento Genoa Palermo Verona Capri Turin Bari Positano Bologna Pisa See all cities in Italy View larger image As we hiked in the mountains, we were drawn by the tinkling sound of cowbells to a meadow where we came upon a breathtaking vista: a cluster of velvet-brown cows grazing among wildflowers, with the rugged limestone peaks of the Dolomites in the background. And just as entrancing as the view was the smell of freshly cooked pasta wafting our way from a rifugio , a … Read More Popular Italy Hotels Rome Hilton Cavalieri Rome The Westin Excelsior Rome Grand Hotel de La Minerve San Francesco Hotel Rome Franklin Hotel Florence Grand Hotel Villa Medici Westin Excelsior Florence Montebello Splendid Hotel Hotel J and J Grand Hotel Baglioni Venice Hotel Cipriani & Palazzo Vendramin San Clemente Palace Ca? Pozzo Inn The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice Hotel Danieli Milan The Westin Palace Principe di Savoia Hotel Doria Grand Hotel Hotel The Gray Starhotels Ritz Naples Grand Hotel Vesuvio Rex Hotel Excelsior Hotel Best Western San Germano Hotel Hotel Royal Continental Siena Hotel Certosa di Maggiano Frances' Lodge Bed & Breakfast Palazzo Ravizza Hotel Hotel Santa Caterina Best Western Palazzo dei Priori Sorrento President Hotel Hotel Michelangelo Belair Hotel Bristol Hotel Imperial Hotel Tramontano Genoa Starhotels President AC Hotel Genova Jolly Hotel Plaza Golden Tulip Moderno Verdi Miramare Related Information Popular Attractions in Italy Fontana di Trevi Colosseum ("Coliseum") Duomo Pantheon San Pietro Ponte Vecchio Piazza San Marco Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums) Santa Croce Piazza di Spagna Popular Hotels in Italy Grand Hotel Villa Medici Hilton Cavalieri Rome The Westin Excelsior Rome Westin Excelsior Florence Montebello Splendid Hotel Villa Igiea Grand Hotel Grand Hotel de La Minerve Hotel J and J Grand Hotel Baglioni Carolus Hotel Popular Cities in Italy Rome Florence Venice Milan Naples Siena Sorrento Genoa Palermo Verona Yahoo! Travel: Your best choice for cheap airline tickets and other great deals! Help get your favorite places listed on Yahoo! Travel: suggest a hotel or suggest an attraction .

family vacations, and more.

Fiji Vacations*Fiji Scuba Diving*Fiji Islands Resort*Fiji Island Luxury Resort Enjoy Fiji vacations with 5 star accommodations at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort luxury Fiji Island resort. Find World class Fiji Island scuba diving, dining, Fiji Island family vacations, and more. Fiji Islands vacation packages available. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort The award-winning, five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific. Located on the island of Vanua Levu on 17 acres of a coconut plantation, the accommodations overlook the peaceful waters of Savusavu Bay. The acclaimed resort is an international favorite for romance, honeymoons and weddings; scuba diving; and families, who want to combine heavenly surroundings and exceptional dining with an unsurpassed range of eco-friendly activities. A sister resort to the Post Ranch Inn and the Hotel Hana-Maui, Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands resort is the only resort that employs a full-time marine biologist to help visitors appreciate the underwater world of Fiji. We welcome guests who want to enjoy two Fiji Island vacation experiences: -- To turn off: to relax, unwind, rejuvenate, be pampered and indulged -- through a serene tropical setting, welcoming accommodations of traditional Fiji Island, award-winning dining and service, and comprehensive spa services. -- To turn on: to be active, to engage and participate in an exceptional range of cultural, educational, environmental and recreational experiences -- for couples, families and divers. No other Fiji Island resort combines relaxation and indulgence with an unsurpassed range of eco-friendly activities when guests are ready to pick up the pace. COME SHARE THE ESSENCE OF THE FIJI ISLANDS! Awards: Fiji's Leading Resort - World Travel Awards, 2005 #4 Pacific Rim Resort - Condé Nast Traveler , 2005 #1 - Resorts and Lodges - Worldwide - Condé Nast Traveler Green List , 2005 #1 Resort in Fiji, Travel + Leisure, 2001 About Us : Contact Us : Sister Resorts : Awards : Media : Travel Agents : Return Guests : Visitor Comments : Links Fiji Island Scuba Diving Resort * Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is a 5 star luxury resort hotel that has received many awards - Fiji's #1 hotel for "Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award" - Winner 2004 Best Deluxe Accommodation, "World's Best for Scuba Diving", "Best Food in Fiji" and "Best Service in Fiji". Most recently we’ve been awarded the Conde Nast Traveler 2005 Green List award for #1 resorts and lodges Worldwide! Our Fiji vacations and packages are perfect for weddings, honeymoons and other romantic getaways. Scuba diving is one of the many favorite activities in the Fiji Islands and we offer diving instruction for beginners and intermediates alike. Our Fiji Island resort also features an exceptional range of activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, the glass bottom boat, and hiking. Visit the local village and experience authentic Fijian culture. Relax and rejuvenate in our Fiji Islands spa, the South Pacific's most comprehensive spa facility. Our hotel is perfect for your wedding, honeymoon or anniversary holiday. And again, Fiji scuba diving is World renown. Come visit the best hotel in the Fiji Islands. Find Fiji vacation packages and specials too! FREE counter and Web statistics from sitetracker.com

Travel Guide

Guatemala Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Guatemala Guatemala Guatemala gives you a double-flavour shot of central America. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links View Map Click here Feature Attraction Tikal Ruins The monumental Mayan ceremonial centre at Tikal lies in jungle northwest of Flores, in the department of El Petén. Towering pyramids rise above the jungle's ... more Despite its turmoil, travellers flock to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history of repression decidedly world-class. Hurricane damage/Safety Issues for Foreigners In the wake of Hurricane Stan, which caused severe flooding and wiped out entire villages, Guatemala is now facing a severe food shortage. Travellers are advised to research the current situation before planning trips across the country. Travel in Guatemala is generally safe, but a relatively high level of violent crimes are committed against foreigners. Vehicle-jackings are almost an everyday occurrence, especially in Guatemala City. Intercity travel after sunset should be avoided. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links