Bad Time to travel to Europe?

My husband and I keep going back and forth on this issue. We had planned to travel to France and Spain in April but now are considering NOT going. It has a lot to dowith our slumping American economy (our jobs / incomes tied to housing market therefore, we don't have a lot of expendable income at them moment anyways) and the dollar is so weak compared to the Euro that the trip is going to cost us even more than anticipated.
Should we go or should we wait another few years???

Yes, Europe is expensive for Americans right now. Inflation keeps prices going up there, and with the strength of the EU, it doesn麓t look like it麓ll get much better soon.

If you are taking into account your personal finances, coupled with inflation and the sagging dollar, I wouldn麓t go this year.

There麓s a good possibility that the dollar will go up after election day, but it may take a while for it to really show in your trip budget. I would definitely take advantage and go if I had the money, but if it麓s going to be tight, and you麓re not sure you can really afford it, you might find yourself worrying too much and not spending money on things you麓ll wish you had in the long run. I might wait, but again, you never know...it麓s such a gamble!

And ovcichka: spain isn麓t cheap anymore. It was just as expensive as France this summer.

I say go...it's true the dollar has been doing poorly for the past few years. I go to Europe every year so I've seen the drop first hand. That said, you don't know what will be going on in your life or the world generally in a few years. Better to take the trip now and simply economize. Choose an inexpensive hotel, find something that includes breakfast, maybe something outside the city center but close to the subway, buy fewer trinkets!

go, you never know what might happen tommorow. take the chance now. And Spain is pretty cheap, you know...

all the best

btw France and Spain might be rainy in April and May

April is cheaper as its off season ,,, but its not near as pretty ( no flowers in bloom ) and can be cold

If you lack money you will be disappointed as you will be a pauper in the land of princes ---


Still you can save money in neat ways there ,,, I like to have picnics
with a great bread , some cheese, fruit and a great bottle of wine
in a courtyard or near a scenic place and just people watch

Don't be a standard tourist and rush from attraction to attraction
take your time and soak it in ,,,,, rent a car or take the train ( bring your own food and wine ) and go to the countryside

Travel before the summer months as the prices increase significantly in the summer. April may be cool, but is also the beginning of spring. It is more economical to travel just before summer. Depending on the winter months you may see or not see the spring flowers or green pastures. The best travel rates are after Christmas/New Years through March.

There is no predictable "good time" to deal while waiting for the American economy to improve. . Waiting two years will not ensure a better strong dollar. The American involvement in the war does not help the strength of the dollar. I lived in Spain during the mid 80's and the peseta was great for us. In later years it was horrible. I have often used a credit card and received a better rate when I actually received the bill. That does not happen as much. The major American credit card companies are charging customers a "transaction fee" now. I suggest you monitor the Euro rate on at least a bi-weekly basis while you are planning your trip. Definitely follow the rate just before the travel date.. Hope I have helped Happy traveling.