If you’re planning a European vacation this summer, the sky-high euro (now over $1.20) will make things expensive. In order to save some money, consider these alternatives:
- Think small. Just as in the U.S., hotels and restaurants in major cities are generally more expensive than they are in smaller towns. Instead of London, for example, go to York or Birmingham or Canterbury.
- Go East. In Eastern European countries, the cost of hotels, restaurants, meals, etc., is much lower than in Italy, England, or France. Bargain destinations include Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, and Bulgaria — but not Prague, in the Czech Republic, which is as expensive as the capitals of Western Europe.
Eastern Europe is not only cheaper, it also offers Old European charm you might not find in the West. - Be frugal with air fares. Flying from the U.S. to an Eastern European destination is often pricey. You might be better off flying to, say, London, and then taking a no-frills intra-European carrier to your next stop. RyanAir, OpenJet and EuropeByAir are discount airlines that may offer good value.
