What had been you as much as in the course of the summer time of 2002?
Cruising round within the automobile, singing alongside to “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton?
Chuckling like I used to be as your buddy confirmed you their clunky, just-released digicam telephone, considering “properly, that’ll by no means catch on”?
Or had been you over in Europe, sipping a really inexpensive Aperol Spritz within the solar, basking within the reality the greenback was having fun with an exceptionally sturdy change charge in opposition to the model new euro?
In the event you had been, you had been blissfully unaware that the greenback’s worth in opposition to the euro was going to fall—and fall onerous—ultimately bottoming out within the spring of 2008, when one USD was equal to solely roughly 62 euro cents. Whereas the change charge has been far more favorable lately, the greenback by no means gained parity with the euro.
Till now.
Yep, it’s time to mud off your low-rise denims and make a hair appointment for some frosted ideas, as a result of, for the primary time for the reason that summer time of ‘02, the US greenback is now roughly equal to at least one euro.
(In late August, the greenback was really value greater than the euro and on the time of writing is the same as 99 euro cents, however for the final month or so, it has basically been hovering at 1:1 on daily basis.)
Why has it occurred? A really sophisticated brew of issues having to do with rates of interest, inflation and the conflict in Ukraine and different random elements.
What it means although is Europe is now as pleasant to the pockets because it’s been in 20 years.
Consider it this fashion: if a pair headed to Europe for a 10-day journey within the 2010s when the greenback was sitting at a price of 80 euro cents (significantly better than 2008, however nowhere close to the 1:1 we have now right this moment), and after their flight bills, they budgeted an inexpensive 400 euros per day for resorts, sightseeing and meals, that will have value them $5,000.
As we speak, that will solely value you $4,000.
Oh, and the identical basic factor applies within the UK too, the place the greenback just lately hit its highest worth in opposition to the pound since 1985.
After all, there was some inflation on each side of the Atlantic, however the principle takeaway is that Europe is basically on sale proper and since autumn is arguably one of the best time to be right here, the massive query is … what are you ready for?
In the event you want an excuse to name your journey advisor, how about these:
The Fests Are Lastly Again
After a three-year hiatus, Oktoberfest returns to Munich (September 17-October 4) whereas Cannstatter Volksfest is again in Stuttgart (September 23-October 9). They’re each a lot extra than simply beer-drinking bacchanalias, with conventional meals, music and costume simply as ingrained of their identities as elevating a stein. That is to say nothing of the numerous foodie-heaven harvest festivals devoted to truffles, olive oil, chestnuts, wine, oysters and the whole lot in between taking place as soon as once more this 12 months.
The Med’ Is Nonetheless Magnificent
The temperatures are idyllic and the water is heat by way of September and sometimes properly into mid-to-late October in coastal Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece. The summer time crowds have stated goodbye, which makes this the perfect time to take in the sunshine and good life within the dreamy cities and islands positioned on the Mediterranean Sea.
Europe Has Pretty Leaves, Too
North America does not personal unique rights to implausible fall foliage, as yow will discover nice leaf-peeping areas everywhere in the continent. Thought these castles seemed romantic earlier than? Wait till you see them surrounded by streaks of orange and purple. Or how a few hand-in-hand stroll by way of Paris or Prague with a espresso in your hand as leaves crunch beneath your ft all whereas gazing out over a skyline splashed with coloration?