Destinations and our dollars

Do you want to take a cheap summer vacation in a foreign country. What are some fun spots where your dollar will go far?

The dollar has been weakening against most currencies over the past several years, but there are still some good deals out there - especially in Latin America and Asia.

Countries like Argentina and Costa Rica and cities like Bangkok and Beijing have been popular vacation spots for decades, but over the past year they have experienced big jumps in tourism as the dollar loses its buying power in old European standbys, such as London, Paris and Rome.

Travel booking Web sites saw travel to South America rise by 7 percent compared to last year; travel to Central America rose 14 percent and travel to Asia rose 17 percent. The Caribbean has also become even more of a vacation mecca, with travel rising more than 20 percent since a year ago.

Part of the reason has been the dollar, which still buys a lot in Latin America and Asia but is weakening in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Over the past five years, the euro has gained about 50 percent against the dollar, and the British pound has strengthened by about 30 percent. You'll save money practicing your French in Montreal instead of Paris, but you won't pocket as much as you might think: the U.S. dollar's worth about 1.11 Canadian dollars now.

It's not just the exchange rate in some regions; inflation can give tourists extra sticker shock. Ireland, Greece and Spain saw costs rise more than 3 percent last year, higher than the United States' rate in 2006 of 2.5 percent. The United Kingdom had inflation of 3 percent, and Australia and New Zealand - whose currencies have also strengthened against the U.S. dollar in recent years - saw inflation of close to 4 percent.

A frugal traveler's best bets are places that may cost a lot in airfare, but where lodging and food more than make up the difference. Do the math: it may take an extra $300 to fly to Buenos Aires than to London, but if your hotel is $100 a night cheaper, you're saving money after just a few days. And $40 in the Argentinian city can buy you a fancy steak dinner for two that would cost you twice as much in Europe.

If you're wedded to Europe, consider heading east. Travelers hoping for big bargains in Prague might be disappointed, the Czech capital is still cheaper than big cities in Germany and Austria, but its days as a struggling student's haven are over. Better deals can be found in Eastern European countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia.

Other exchange rate-conscious travelers may want to consider Japan. It's still a pricey destination compared to other countries (Tokyo topped the Economist Group's list of most expensive cities to live in for more than a decade until last year) but the yen hasn't risen against the dollar over the past five years. Also, Japan's inflation has been virtually flat, so U.S. travelers who visited there many years ago might be pleasantly surprised to return and find prices haven't soared as they have in European cities.

In may London goes green Here you can read more about travel insurance

'Old Blighty' still a great destination

From Staff Reports,
Though its weather is still doing its worst to sully England's reputation, old Blighty remains a mightily appealing travel destination, especially for golfers.

England has something for every tourist, from dynamic, action-packed London to the charming university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, the beautiful northern countryside and some of Europe's most storied golf courses.

Planning an overseas trip can be daunting, though, especially if you've never traveled abroad. Here are some travel tips from WorldGolf.com to help smooth things out.

Traveling to England (Some fresh news from London here)

Unless you've got a steamer trunk you've always been waiting to use, you'll be flying to England. Most major international airlines offer flights from North America; you'll most likely land at London's Gatwick or Heathrow airports, though some carriers offer service to Manchester or Birmingham. Check the Web sites of airlines such as Delta and British Airways for travel times and prices.

You'll need a valid U.S. passport to enter the United Kingdom. It's also a good idea to review the latest British travel restrictions before taking off.

Traveling in England

When to go: Between April and September is the best time to travel in England, unless you want to experience the infamous British weather. Of course, thousands of other tourists have the same plan, but you'll probably only feel truly cramped in July or August, the busiest months.

What to see: With its dynamic mix of restaurants, sites, museums and other cultural attractions, London is a terrific, and terrifically expensive, place to spend time. But England isn't just London.

In the north, you'll find a beautiful countryside of lakes, castles and national parks. Take a day trip to the medieval city of York, or check out Manchester, home of a world-famous soccer team and an almost-as-famous music scene.

The south has a more subdued landscape, with quiet country lanes and inland waterways. There you'll find Oxford, Cambridge and Stratford, Shakespeare's birthplace. The southern seashore is known for fun beach resorts like Brighton, and Cornwall in the southwest offers spectacular rocky coastline and wonderful surfing.

Getting around: The best way to see England is by train. BritRail offers passes ranging from two days to a full month to overseas visitors (you must buy before traveling). Consult the Visit Britain Direct Web site for more information.

If you're OK with driving on the left, England is served by the major car-rental players. The network of highways and major secondary roads is extensive and well-maintained, but rural byways in more remote areas like Cornwall and the Lake District are often narrow, twisting and hemmed in by walls. Exercise caution, especially at night and in bad weather.

Money: England's currency is the pound, and unfortunately at this writing it was worth nearly $2 U.S. You can exchange cash at airports and change bureaus, but watch out for high fees. Traveler's checks are another possibility.

A far better option than either is using your cards from home to get cash and pay bills. Credit cards are widely accepted in England, ATMs are plentiful and you'll get the best exchange (even with the small fee most U.S. card providers charge for foreign-currency transactions).

Crime and safety

Britain is a relatively safe country by international standards, with low rates of street crime and violence. Nevertheless, it can't hurt to review a few safety tips; a comprehensive list can be found at VisitBritain.com.

A few of the big ones:
• Avoid waiting alone at bus stops and on train platforms.
• Always use a licensed taxi.
• Remember: Cars drive on the left in Britain, so look twice before crossing the street.
• Try not to display cash or expensive items, especially on public transport.

It's also a good idea to take out travelers insurance before leaving. In case of emergency, 999 is the English equivalent of North America's 911 and can be dialed from any phone.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.

[by Golf Publisher Syndications]