We are going to take a trip at Christmas. At first we were thinking of London, but the bad dollar to pound ratio is making us rethink. In which country, these days, is the best bang for the buck? We can travel anywhere and are not necessarily frugal, but want to get the best deal we can.
[Edited to clarify subject]
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Roz,
Posts: 129 | Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: 02 April 2006
I lookled into a trip to London last year. The lodging in London was so expensive and the dollar to pound exchange rate so unfavorable that I decided that staying in an apartment in Rome for the same amount of time in dollars was cheaper. I have not recalulated this in the last year with the changes in the euro/dollar exchange rate. It didn't look like there were a lot of apartments to rent in London itself at reasonble rates like in Rome.
Posts: 3781 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
The Wall Street Journal had an article last week about countries where the dollar goes a long way. They said the best travel deal for Americans was South Africa, which has good food and wine, and going on safari can be a bargain. All-inclusive safari prices begin at $230 a day. Entrees in top restaurants cost $10 or $12, and 4-star hotel rooms in the major cities can be had for $100.
Other countries they named where the currency has dropped against the dollar are Argentina, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan and South Korea. Hong Kong, the United Arab Republic, Ecuador and Panama are pegged to or use the dollar, so at least the exchange rate there hasn't changed.
Iceland's currency is also lower, but the WSJ says that its prices are so high that it isn't considered a good value for travelers.
The story is here, but you may need a subscription to read it.
Wow, South Africa a bargain? Prices may start at 200 plus/day but some places where travelers frequently go are WAY more expensive.
I did some research for a future trip. Choosing some moderate places with a few nicer wildlife viewing places we are looking at 15,000 dollars for a 3 week trip with airfare, bargain? RR
Turkey is extremely cheap,beautiful, will spoil you with unbelievable customer service and hospitality, has more ruins than Italy or Greece, great food and is more luxurious than much of Europe. The weather is not great in the winter though.
Rural southern Spain in the off season is beautiful, warm and cheap ( TONS of rental on the market in winter making for good negotiations).
Portugal is also suppose to be quite cheap.
If you want nice weather in Europe in the winter, you will also be best off in Spain or Portugal ( southern areas as even Barcelona can be quite cold and rainy like much of Europe then). It snowed in Florence when we were there in early November.
South America and SE Asia can be cheap, although sometimes dangerous.
I had excellent value in Mexico City. I spent about $100-120 USD per day total, for transport, tours, good-quality hotel, restaurants, museums, ballet, etc. and I had what I would consider a luxurious experience. Of course, this might be someone else's basic experience. Nevertheless, the same budget in Rome would clearly lead to much pennypinching.
For London, food is not cheap, but most museums are free. My daughter and I stayed in London School of Economics student accommodation, and we had access to a shared kitchen, and I paid 49 pounds per night. So London is expensive, no argument there, but there are ways to save money.
We found Portugal to be extremely affordable. Even the city of Lisbon.
Another good buy is Costa Rica.
This summer we are going Montenegro -- a tiny, stunningly beautiful country where in wintertime you can be on the mild (but by no means warm) Adriatic coast in the morning and skiing in the mountains around Kolasin by noon. Montenegro is half as expensive and not as glitzy and tourist focused as Croatia . . . but that probably won't last long because all the travel magazines are "discovering" it.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5026 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
I was going to suggest south of the border also. There seems to be many deals in countries such as Argentina, Guatemala. Malaysia is another country that is a great deal.
I'm with Robert, I really question whether South Africa is a good deal. It is rather costly to fly there and in some of the areas, I found the prices to be on par with the US. I know the Rand has fallen but so it is a better deal. But don't go there expecting for find rooms under $50, etc.
But if you have been looking at doing a safari, I think it is a good time to look at doing that 'trip of a lifetime'.
One thing to consider about going to Europe at Christmas, remember the cost of the flight is less and you'll probably find the hotels at low season rates. The exchange might be high but it might be a good time to go compared to summer.
Apartment rentals in Rome and Paris have special higher rates for between Christmas and New years. I expect Hotels are the same. The apartments are a lot cheaper than the hotels so that would still be bearable with family (ie more than 2 people).
Posts: 3781 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
Also, flights close to Christmas can still be pretty high, but if you have flexibility to go a week or more ahead of time, you can save a lot of money. On a December trip last year we actually were able to save enough on the flight to stay longer than we had originally planned by leaving a few days early.
I know nothing first-hand about South Africa, but the article did mention that the cheapest way to go on safari was the public camps in the national parks:
quote:
Leigh Kemp of Go2africa.com, a travel company that books safaris, says that at the public camps, two people can stay in a comfortable chalet, eat dinner and take morning and afternoon safari excursions for $230, while the private game lodges charge between $400 and $1,500 per person a day, all-inclusive.
They did agree that it generally isn't cheap to fly there.
My wife and I are talking about visiting our daughter in Santiago,Chile this fall, but air fares seem outrageous. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to get there on the cheap?
Our family spent three weeks based in Tavira Portugal Dec. 2006. We did day trips to Spain and the vicinity around Tavira. We took two days as a side trip to Lisbon as well as a day trip to Sevilla. The cost of the trip was very reasonable we thought. The apt. was a bargain too......I managed to get the 2 bedroom apt. for $49 a night Cdn because the owner didn't have renters for Christmas! We flew from Vancouver with British Air to Faro via London Heathrow two weeks before Christmas to save paying high seasonal fares.
Originally posted by Roz: The Wall Street Journal had an article last week about countries where the dollar goes a long way. They said the best travel deal for Americans was South Africa, which has good food and wine, and going on safari can be a bargain. All-inclusive safari prices begin at $230 a day. Entrees in top restaurants cost $10 or $12, and 4-star hotel rooms in the major cities can be had for $100.
Other countries they named where the currency has dropped against the dollar are Argentina, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan and South Korea. Hong Kong, the United Arab Republic, Ecuador and Panama are pegged to or use the dollar, so at least the exchange rate there hasn't changed.
Iceland's currency is also lower, but the WSJ says that its prices are so high that it isn't considered a good value for travelers.
The story is here, but you may need a subscription to read it.
- Roz
ROZ
Sorry but not a single one of those countries is anywhere on my places to visit before I die list. Mongolia? Pakistan? United Arab Republic? - Garden spots of the world all - NOT!!!
To the original poster - at some point in time the question becomes - do you go for first class accomodations in 3rd world countries or 3rd class accomodations in first world countries?.
The countries Roz mentioned may represent the "best" value for your $ in terms of where your dollar goes farthest. But what are you going to buy?
I'd consider eastern Europe, as mentioned Turkey, Spain in the winter is still reasonable, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand all are countries where your dollar is still at an advantage just not the deep discounts of Mongolia.
Also around Christmas BA usually does some kind of promotion that includes a couple of nights in a nice hotel in London. Take 2 days off your total stay lodging cost and maybe that week in London does become more possible.
Originally posted by JChrisP: My wife and I are talking about visiting our daughter in Santiago,Chile this fall, but air fares seem outrageous. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to get there on the cheap?
Chris -
Get to Mexico out of Texas, there are commuter airlines into Dallas, San Antonio, etc. Once in Mexico start checking on airlines.
Years ago United flew from Miami to Chile for $900. Ecuadoriana (no longer in existance) flew for $300. It's like connecting to Ryan Air in Europe. Find yourself a south american carrier. You will save a ton.
I think you have to keep an eye on how the USD develops to various currencies. For me as a Norwegian, the Norwegian Krone has developed great towards the USD but not the Euro. We were also surprised to see that the Krone had gotten a lot stronger to the South African Rand when we were there during Easter and hence it was a great place for shopping and eating out. South East Asia is also know to be a place where you get a lot for the money.
Sorry but not a single one of those countries is anywhere on my places to visit before I die list. Mongolia? Pakistan? United Arab Republic? - Garden spots of the world all - NOT!!!
Yeah, I agree with you Rome Addict. I think one has to reach a balance on how much can my dollar buy and what is it I am going to see on my vacation.
Most Americans don't get a lot of vacation time. One has to consider whether it is worth it to use it up visiting said location. I would rather go third class to Italy than first class to Mongolia.
Posts: 3781 | Location: St Paul, MN | Registered: 10 February 2006
I had this same dilemna back in August and opted to go to Antigua, Guatemala. I've been back to Guatemala twice since then!
I write a lot about getting the most bang for your buck and I will tell you that you surely do in Guatemala. You can stay in beautiful places in Antigua for a fraction of what you'd pay in Europe and the weather is nice all year long. Christmas would be wonderful there as Guatemala is a country that loves to celebrate the holidays with rich traditions . Holy Week (Easter) in Antigua is famous throughout all of Central and South America.
