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March 7, 2008 On March 1st, I arrived back in France from my four-day trip to Barcelona only to see that the dollar had lost another penny to the euro (1 US dollar equalled .66 euros). Two days ago, the dollar dropped another penny (1 US dollar equals .65 euros). This dismal decline is yet another first in the US Dollar's history against the euro. This is new and treacherous territory for both Americans and Europeans concerned with trade between American and countries on the euro. America is a big consumer of Western European products. When the dollar drops it costs more for Americans to buy Western European goods. This affects how much Americans can afford to import from European countries which exchange on the euro. The declining dollar also affects American travel to Western European countries trading on the euro. The US dollar has been declining for several years now - although currently it seems to be on a free fall - which has lead many American tourists to travel to other countries such as Costa Rica and Thailand as the exchange rate to these countries is still favorable for the American traveler. If you are on a budget and still wish to experience Western Europe rather than pioneer the lesser known and often more dangerous regions of the world than the best course of action to take is research your destination options before traveling. Learn about the city or country where you want to travel and how, on your budget, you can make it work for you. About a year ago, Sophie and I spent a couple days in Basel, Switzerland. The US dollar's position againt the euro was certainly not good but better than today's exchange rate. Still, we found Switzerland to be rather pricey. It seemed like no matter which restaurant we considered the price was about 40 euros. I'm a scrimper and want good food at a reasonable price. I don't want to pay a lot of money unless it is my direct intention and a special occasion. For example, I was just in Barcelona about a week ago and although the exchange rate is very unfavorable I had no problem finding delicous cheap eats. My absolute favorite restaurant, Que Bo!, cost 4 euros for more food than I could finish. It was a local place with local food that I would highly recommend before the over-priced, over-crowded and yuppie place we ate at in Basel. I should note that Switzerland is on the Swiss Franc, not the euro, and that its exchange rate vs the US Dollar is fairly comparable at 1.02 to each US dollar. Therefore, it is best not to assume that all Western European countries are on the euro as this is not the case. Also, you might think that since the Swiss Franc is so close to the US dollar the US dollar should go nearly as far in Switzerland as it would in the US. Again, this is not the case. Switzerland is a very wealthy country with very wealthy citizens. This allows for restaurants to be pricers across-the-board. The point is that you can travel to Western European countries on an American budget and have a wonderful time - just do a little research before you go and choose your destination wisely. Read what other people have written about it or ask people you know who have recently traveled to a destination you are considering what their experience was and what they how they felt the exchange rate affected their travel experience. In the past month, I spent 11-days in Berlin and 4-days in Barcelona and would recommend either city as very US dollar friendly. The exchange rate will not cramp your ability to have a great time in either city and won't leave you begging on the street to pay for your next meal. Other Exchange Rate Articles The Exchange Rate: Travel in Barcelona The European Exchange Rate and travel in Berlin, Germany The Dollar Drops Again! How the Exchange Rate Affects European Travel The Exchange Rate - The Euro vs The Dollar - The Declining Dollar 
 
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