Last week, for the first time in 20 years, the euro hit parity with the dollar, making now a great time to travel to Europe. The exchange rate, $1.20 to the euro just a year ago, reached 1:1 last Tuesday for the first time since December 2002. That drop has a lot of implications. For American travellers, it means your money goes further in Europe than it has in a generation. And now is the time to plan.
Take Advantage of the Euro and Travel to Europe Now
The eurozone does not include all of Europe, or even the entire European Union. But the 19 countries that use the euro include plenty of Americans’ favourite places to visit, along with some up-and-coming destinations that are absolutely worth discovering. The eurozone countries are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Croatia will join Jan. 1. Some smaller countries and principalities also use the euro (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Kosovo. and Montenegro).
From the Atlantic Ocean to the Danube, from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, itineraries are more affordable. A cruise along the Rhine, an Iberian idyll to Portugal and Spain, island-hopping in the Med, they’re all journeys where your dollar is on par with the euro.
Think of all the capitals you can take in more affordably! Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Athens, the list goes on. The savings even go as far as the Caribbean, where St. Barth’s, St. Martin, Martinique, and Guadeloupe use the euro.
Read more: France | Greece | Lisbon, Portugal | Douro Valley
To stretch your dollars even further, consider a more up-and-coming destination. Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are all countries where a little euro goes a long way. Best of all, these countries pair nicely with others. If you’re looking to several European countries, consider including one of the above.
How to Plan A Trip to Europe
Now is a great time to plan a trip to Europe. It’s as if much of the continent is on sale.
If you want to take advantage of the parity and lock in your exchange rate, most hotels allow you to pay in advance and keep a refundable cancellation policy. Many of my ground operators request deposits and final payments, all with fairly flexible cancellation policies.
Related: What to Expect When You Work With a Travel Advisor
If you want to add a stop in the UK to your itinerary, you’re in luck there, too: one pound equals about $1.19. That exchange rate is a lot more favourable to Americans than it was a year ago, when 1 pound equaled about $1.39. And fall is a fabulous time to be in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, or Belfast.
As we’ve learned all too well over the last couple of years, it’s difficult to predict where things will go from here. Right now, though, your dollar will take you pretty far in Europe, so I suggest you take advantage. Reach out now to begin planning!