American travelers may have felt betrayed by their national currency over the past five years, but the dollar is finally gaining some ground. Its value against the euro increased 9.2 percent between January 2010 and January 2012.
Pair a stronger dollar with unsteady European economies, as well as growing tourist markets and emerging destinations, and the happy conclusion is this: Europe travel can be affordable again, and not always where you expect it. FollowTravel + Leisure to the European destinations where you’ll find the most bang for your buck this year.
In Berlin, a slew of new hotels—the city currently has 30,000 more hotel beds than New York City—is creating competition and driving down prices (the average room rate is about $111 per night). And here’s a money-saving tip: Berlin recently introduced the Berlin Welcome Card, which covers two days of public transportation and admission to more than 160 urban attractions for $22.75.
The Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER) opens in June and will have new routes to up-and-coming Eastern European destinations. Cities such as Bucharest, Romania, and Zagreb, Croatia, are great values (hotel rates in both cities decreased 20 percent in 2011). Americans will also be pleased by the cost of visiting Hungary; the dollar is up 25 percent against the Hungarian forint since July 2011.
To the west, Iceland continues to be a savings hub for Europe travel. Icelandair flies from the U.S. to Continental Europe with stops in Reykjavik; packages—some as low as $80 for hotels, meals, and spa treatments—encourage overnight stays.
Americans were the second biggest growth market to Portugal in 2011 (after Brazil), where eating out in Lisbon, for instance, costs a fraction of what it does in other European capitals. “Its appeal is similar to that of Spain and Italy but at much better value,” notes Travel + Leisure A-List travel agent Judy Nussbaum.
Any true Italy addicts can take some comfort that a stronger dollar will help in Florence and Venice. But to really stretch your travel budget in Italy, veer off the beaten path to regions like Puglia, where you’ll be rewarded with more than freshly made pasta and century-old olive groves.
Read on for more money-saving tips, such as when to take the plane versus the train, and a breakdown of the best European chain hotels.
When to Visit Europe
Timing is everything. Conventional wisdom has it that summer is the time to visit Europe; according to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, June and July are the peak months for U.S. travel there. Though those few extra rays are nice, the best values fall outside these heavily trafficked months. Airfares to Europe start to fall for departures in mid- to late August, just before the school year, and stay low through the end of March (except during the winter holidays and around spring-break time in the U.S.). Though room prices at big-city hotels tend to remain steady year-round, European resorts also have dramatic seasonal rate shifts. For example, at Adronis Luxury Suites, in Santorini, Greece, there’s a 7 percent difference between high- and shoulder-season rates. Shoulder-season travel also means fewer crowds and, more often than not, suitable weather. Spring means more frequent showers, but the flowers are in bloom in the English countryside. In August, temperatures in Paris soar to uncomfortable highs as residents exit en masse. But arrive in mild and sunny May, and you’ll have a greater chance of encountering locals, thanks to an outdoor-café scene in full swing. In some cases, even the off-season may be prime for visits: in Russia, cultural life is at its height in the winter.
Affordable European Hotspot:Reykjavík
Iceland’s price points aren’t at their rock-bottom 2008 levels, but they’re still low; indeed, hotel rates are down 12 percent from where they were in 2010. Icelandair also offers great fares to Reykjavík.
Affordable European Hotspot: Berlin
The city’s hotel boom makes for some highly competitive room rates: at about $111 a night, they cost 18 percent less than the average European room, according to hotels.com’s Hotel Price Index.
Affordable European Hotspot:Kraków, Poland
Everything from food to transportation here is a steal: hotel prices hover around $75 a night, a full 44 percent lower than Europe’s average.
Affordable European Hotspot:Dublin
Flights from the U.S. to Dublin tend to be less expensive than those to other European destinations, and the city’s a good launching pad for the Continent. Plus: Dublin hotel rates have dropped 19 percent in the last two years
Affordable European Hotspot:Budapest
The price of consumer goods and services in Budapest remains low (hotels average $81 a night) and the dollar is increasingly powerful here: up 25 percent against the Hungarian forint since last July.
Affordable European Hotspot:Puglia, Italy
Stronger greenbacks will definitely help in major cities, but the best savings are found off the beaten path in places such as Puglia, notes travel agent Margot Cushing with Frosch Travel in New York City.
Affordable European Hotspot:Puglia, Italy
Stronger greenbacks will definitely help in major cities, but the best savings are found off the beaten path in places such as Puglia, notes travel agent Margot Cushing with Frosch Travel in New York City.
Affordable European Hotspot: Greece
Last year, Greece slashed its hotel value-added tax rate from 23 to 6.5 percent, making accommodations significantly more affordable. Some analysts expect overall prices to slip as the country moves into its second summer of economic stress.
Paris to Amsterdam by Plane
Flying isn’t always the fastest—or best—option. So we put three modes of transportation (plane, train, automobile) to the test on the busy route from Paris to Amsterdam. First, travel by plane:
Total Cost: $255. $184 round-trip on KLM; $66 for a taxi from central Paris to Charles de Gaulle; $5 for a train from Schiphol.
Total Travel Time: 4 hours. The flight is a mere hour and 15 minutes—you’ll spend more time getting to and from (and waiting at) the airports.
Hassle Factor: The usual airport inconveniences, from long lines to unexpected delays.
Best For: Mileage hounds. KLM is a SkyTeam partner with Delta.
Paris to Amsterdam by Train
Total Cost: $48. $46 for an advance-purchase ticket to Amsterdam Centraal; $2 for the Métro in Paris.
Total Travel Time: Four hours. Take the Métro to Gare du Nord and hop the Thalys train; you’ll be in central Amsterdam in 3 hours and 19 minutes.
Hassle Factor: Practically nil.
Best For: Savvy fashionistas. You can stop off in Antwerp, the capital of avant-garde fashion, to shop for up-and-coming Belgian designers such as Christian Wijnants.
Paris to Amsterdam by Automobile
Total Cost: $617. $529 for a two-day Hertz rental with collision and theft insurance; about $88 for gas and tolls.
Total Travel Time: Five hours. It’s a straight shot across Belgium; you’ll pass pancake-flat farmland and quaint towns.
Hassle Factor: Traffic around Brussels, especially if there’s a summit in town.
Best For: Flexible travelers. It’s a short detour to Westvleteren for a taste of Westvleteren 12, a rare and vaunted Trappist brew sold only in this Belgian town. Down the road, the fairy-tale city of Bruges (and its 50-plus chocolate shops) beckons.
Worthwhile European Chain Hotel: Grecotel Hotels & Resorts
Across Europe, you’ll find local brands like Grecotel that are reliable, convenient, and increasingly cool.
Where to Find Them: 21 resorts in Greece
The Profile: A beachfront location for every taste, from honeymoon-worthy hotels to all-inclusive, family-friendly resorts.
Hot Property: Take the whole family to Grecotel El Greco, located on a white-sand beach in Crete, with three swimming pools, a kids’ club and teen lounge, and an organic restaurant serving local specialties.grecotel.com; doubles from $118.
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