We pick international destinations where the strong dollar is making travel remarkably affordable.<\/p>\n
The good news for U.S. travelers who plan to venture abroad this year is that their dollars will go further. The euro is at a 12-year low, and other currencies have also dropped relative to the dollar. That makes train travel, hotels and restaurants more affordable.<\/p>\n
We asked travel experts to recommend destinations where youll get extra bang for your buck this year. Not only are Europe and some Mediterranean countries bargains, its also a great time to jet down to Argentina or Chile, or even to visit Canada. Late August and September are good times to snag deals on airfare and hotels and to enjoy good weather while avoiding the tourist crush. <\/p>\n
Youll benefit from the favorable exchange rates in euro-zone countries as soon as you hit the ground. The strong dollar will get you discounts of 20% to 30% off prices in recent years for food, train tickets, shows and more, according to travel experts. Youll find the biggest bargains in locations off the beaten track, and packages can be good deals in bigger cities. Want to take a cruise? The Mediterranean ports have plenty of ships, and carriers are counting on the weak euro to attract U.S. tourists, says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com. <\/p>\n
Portugal offers inexpensive restaurants and hotels, as well as wine that rivals the French and Italian varietals. It boasts Old World city squares lined with cafs and ornate churches, beautiful beaches, and lush wine country in the Douro Valley. The country was hit hard by the recession, but that works in your favor, says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, because second-tier hotels and restaurants are mostly gone. Any businesses that were not thriving fell out, so what remains is the best. <\/p>\n
Wander the winding streets of Lisbon, take one of the vintage trams, or grab a cheap cab to see the sights. Theres no charge for the Berardo Museum, which includes works by Picasso, Dali and Warhol, or stroll the waterfront at Parque das Naces. Take a day trip to the medieval village of Obidos or hit the beach in surfers paradise Cascais. <\/p>\n
Airfares to Lisbon are cheaper than to neighboring countries. Flights from Boston in September recently cost as little as $730, and four-star hotels averaged $141 per night. (All airfares are round-trip, and average hotel rates come from Expedia.) The five-star Corinthia Hotel offers an annual sale that cuts rates in half; rooms in September start at $101. <\/p>\n
Best known as the home of Transylvania, Romanias charm extends beyond mountainside castles and picturesque villages. Bucharests wide, tree-lined avenues and belle epoque architecture have earned it the nickname Little Paris. The capital city may have lost its allure for tourists during the decades it was under Communist rule, but the vibe today is reminiscent of Prague without the crowds and high prices. Stroll the cobblestone streets of the old merchant center of Lipscani (now home to art galleries and antique shops), or celebrate classical music with the George Enescu International Festival in late August and most of September. <\/p>\n
Bucharest is one of the cheapest cities in the world in which to stay at a five-star hotel, according to SmarterTravel.com. September rates recently averaged $147 per night. Three hours northwest of the city, you can stay in a Transylvanian castle for as little as $41 per person per night, including breakfast. Flights from northeastern U.S. airports run about $800 to $1,000 in September. A package may save you even more and provide a guide: Gate 1 Travel recently offered a nine-night escorted trip including airfare from New York and most meals for $2,199 per person. <\/p>\n
Relatively new to the euro, Latvia is a boon for value seekers. Because this former Eastern Bloc nation is still off most tourists radar, prices are low. The capital city, Riga, is home to the largest collection of art nouveau buildings in the world. It is a city where castles and Victorian gingerbread houses meet Soviet-style apartment blocks and skyscrapers. Tour the Central Market for free samples of local delicacies, such as smoked meats and pickles, and grab a beer at a local pub for about $2. For another couple of dollars, take a train to the nearby beach town of Jrmala, considered the Riviera of the Baltics. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
View post:<\/p>\n
10 World-Class Travel Bargains<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We pick international destinations where the strong dollar is making travel remarkably affordable. The good news for U.S. Continue reading