As summer with approach, Americans despite the recession would be looking out to take a vacation outside US Borders. Most of them would be heading toward continental Europe. Exchange rates movements can make you crazy during those trips. The declining value of dollar has turned the world’s richest nation into budget travelers. Here are some facts that will make sure that there are less surprises in your next vacation to Europe.
History of Euro Vs USD exchange rates
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Trading in Euro began as an accounting currency at the beginning of 1999, but paper currency was not available until the beginning of 2002.
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The opening trades of the euro in January 1999 were at $1.1747, and by December 3 that year the euro had fallen to 1/1 (even) with the US dollar.
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On October 26, 2000, the euro had fallen to its all-time low at $0.8252.
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On June 28, 2002, the euro climbed back to even with the dollar.
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On April 22, 2008, the euro briefly rises above $1.60, its all-time high to date.
British Pound Swings Wildly against US Dollar
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On November 6, 1980, the British pound hit a recent high of $2.446
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A bit more than 4 years later, in February 1985, the GBP had fallen to $1.05.
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On November 7, 2007, the GBP climbed back over $2.11, which is its recent high.
British Pound Swings Against Euro Too (Its all Crazy)
In August 2007, a pound would buy €1.49, but in April 2008 it was only worth €1.24, so the pound lost about 18% of its value across the English Channel in those same 8 months when the dollar lost about 14% against the euro.
Canadian Dollar was not always cheap
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In August 1957, one Canadian dollar was worth over US$1.06.
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In late 1976, the Canadian dollar again spent time worth more than the US dollar.
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In January 2002, the Canadian dollar was worth less than 62 US cents.
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On November 7, 2007, the Canadian dollar was briefly worth over US$1.10.
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In March 2008, the US$ became worth more than the Canadian dollar again.
Australian Dollar Also Swings against USD
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On March 14, 1984, the Australian dollar was worth almost 97 US cents.
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In April 2001, the Australian dollar was worth less than 48 US cents.
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On April 23, 2008, the Australian dollar peaked again at just over 95 US cents.
Travel to Europe has become Very Expensive
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Third level elevator ride on the Eiffel Tower
2000 price: 57 francs or €8.69 or US$7.17
2008 price: €12 or about US$18.60 -
Pergamon Museum in Berlin
2000 admission price: 8 Deutsche marks or €4.09 or US$3.38.
2008 admission price: €8, which is around US$12.40. -
Narodni Museum (National Museum) in Prague
2000 admission price: 60 Czech korunas or US$1.45
2008 admission price: 120 Czech korunas, which is about US$7.40. -
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam
2000 admission price: 12 guilders or €5.45 or US$4.50
2008 admission price: €10 or US$15.50 -
Grand Tour at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
2000 admission price: 120 Austrian schillings or €8.72 or US$7.20
2008 admission price: €12.90 or about US$20.00
Still the Best Travel Attractions are Free
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Strolling down Paris’ Champs-Élysées and admiring the Arc de Triomphe continues to be free.
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Checking out and manhandling the famous statues on Prague’s gorgeous Charles Bridge continues to be free.
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Browsing the art galleries in Amsterdam’s trendy and bohemian Jordaan neighborhood continues to be free.
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Admiring Barcelona’s amazing architecture and strolling down the ever-changing human circus of the city’s famous La Rambla street continue to be free.
The amazing British Museum in London, and most other museums and galleries in England, continue to be free.
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