The Dollar is Down, The Euro Up - Save Money Traveling in Europe

Ok, the US dollar is down, the Euro is up and the dollar will probably get even weaker. But, you want to go to Europe THIS year, so what do you do. Here are some tips on saving money while traveling in Europe.

First of all, think American and the US dollar. You want to pay for as much as you can with the weaker US dollar, and pay as little as possible with the pricier Euro. Many economists think the dollar will continue to fall, so you might consider paying as much of your trip as far in advance as possible.

Consider a cruise - the Mediterranean is really hot this year and the cruiselines have scores of different itineraries on a plethora of ships. From the small Oceania ships (about 700 passengers to the mid-size ships (1500-2000 guests) to the large ships (2000+ passengers) of Carnival and RCCL, you can easily find a ship and itinerary to fill your needs. And, you'll pay in US dollars for a trip that might be prohibitive if you were planning it independently. A cruise includes all of your food (yes, some have alternative restaurants with a fee but you can choose whether you want to dine there or not), much of your entertainment, even a night with the captain's cocktail party where you can enjoy champagne and a selection of mixed drinks.

A few other tips when you choose a cruise to Europe. Check your gateway city on your flights - you might save some money by driving to a larger city but consider whether you'll pay for a hotel going/coming and the fee for parking your car (or the cost of a car rental.) Next, check the airline prices before you choose the city you will sail from - if it's an acceptable port, you can select the itinerary with the embarkation port where the airfare is less. Look for an itinerary which includes an extra night in your embarkation or disembarkation ports - this can save you a very pricey hotel room while allowing you an extra day in those ports. While in port try out the smaller restaurants and bars to save some money at lunchtime (the trattorias in Italy are usually excellent). A coffee at St. Mark's Square in Venice will be very expensive - walk a block away and enjoy it for far less.