How To Travel Well On A Weak Dollar

Jan. 10, 2008 Special to ABCNEWS.com — -- Nashville, Tenn.-based Tim Leffel, author of Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune, skipped London and Lisbon this summer, and instead, took his wife and daughter on a two-week trip to Guatemala. There, they stayed in a "gorgeous" hotel which featured a panoramic view of a volcanic lake for $60 a night. He estimates the cost of the entire trip, during which they visited Mayan ruins and colonial towns, and ate inexpensive but tasty meals, was $3,000.

"People don't think of [Guatemala] as a family destination," Leiffert says, but, as in other Central and South American countries, "it's an easy trip, and the dollar is still strong."

There's little doubt the iconic museums and landmarks of Europe are a huge draw for Americans planning international vacations. But with the dollar worth significantly less than the Euro, that trip to Paris or Barcelona can take a toll on one's bank account, diminishing buying power for everything from the price of crepes to admission to the Tate Modern to a room at the Four Seasons.

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Still, a weak dollar and steep prices won't likely keep the 63 million Americans that travel abroad each year from doing so. For those who can't contain their wanderlust, but are watching their wallets, industry experts recommend choosing a destination where the dollar remains strong, considering packages or cruises where rates are set far in advance, and exploring unconventional locales. With proper planning, you can expect to be pleasantly surprised.

One Euro is worth roughly 1.5 American dollars. However, in history-rich countries like Thailand, Morocco and Hungary, the local currency is worth substantially less than the dollar, allowing a savvy American tourist the opportunity to experience a new culture for a reasonable cost.

At the Oriental, a luxury hotel in Bangkok, a room with river views, a personal butler and daily fresh flowers is available in May via an Internet special for $269 a night, or about 7,990 Thai Bahts. A similar room in London's Hyde Park Oriental is available during the same time period for about $1,330 per night.