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Europe After March 11
US News & World Report · April 1, 2004

After the March 11 train bombings in Spain, Bob Burke had second thoughts about taking his family on vacation to Ireland this May. The attacks reminded the newsletter distributor from Miami - and many other would-be travelers to Europe - that terrorists could strike "anytime, anywhere," he says. But Burke shrugged off that threat: "I'm not going to let the bad guys win," he says.

Burke's sentiment is widespread. A survey of travel agents conducted immediately after the 3/11 incident found that just 9 percent saw cancellations of Spain trips. And only 8 percent reported that European trips were being called off, according to the Carlson Wagonlit Travel survey. "We've been so surprised," says Julio Lopez Astor of the Tourist Office of Spain. "People aren't letting what happened in Madrid interfere with their travel plans."

The attacks nevertheless give the 5 million Americans who typically travel to Europe in the summer another concern to add to the devalued dollar and possible anti-American sentiments. But a few quick considerations while planning the vacation can keep travel abroad safe and affordable.

Eyes open. Experts say staying alert is often a traveler's best protection. Harry "Skip" Brandon, a former deputy assistant director of the FBI who handled national security and counterterrorism programs, advises tourists to "be aware of what's going on around you." Or, put differently, "Don't leave your brain at home when you go on vacation," says security expert and psychologist Terry Riley. For further security, travelers can opt to avoid hotels frequented by western visitors or likely targets such as large public gatherings, though that means sacrificing many of the amenities and experiences that are the principal lures for tourists.

American travelers also must contend with an unfavorable dollar-euro exchange rate that is likely to last most of the summer. At the moment, it takes about $1.25 to buy a euro. And, says Alex Beuzelin, an analyst with the Ruesch International foreign-exchange trading firm in Washington, D.C., "The consensus is that's where it's going to be all summer - between about $1.20 and $1.30 to the euro." Beuzelin recommends buying euros before the trip to use for small purchases in Europe and then using an ATM or credit card for larger expenses such as hotels, a practice known as "dollar cost averaging" that lessens the risk of currency fluctuations. Some reservations services, such as upscale hotels featured in the Crown Collection, also offer special packages with guaranteed dollar rates.

The flagging dollar could be offset by lower airfares to Europe. Airlines typically begin discounting summer airfares in March and continue slashing prices until the start of the summer travel season. Normally, the markdown is about 10 percent, but last summer it dipped by 20 percent. "This year, they're already discounted by 7 to 10 percent," says airfare maven Bob Harrell. "If the trend continues, we'll get some real bargain fares this summer."

So is a European vacation still practical? "Yes, it's expensive," says Charlie Leocha, an expert on European travel. "Yes, there is anti-American sentiment--even if it's largely directed against the U.S. government, not the American traveler," he says. "But go anyway. The experience is worth it."

The Guide

Here are three European cities where your money will last, according to Pauline Frommer of Frommer's Budget Travel magazine.

KRAKOW, POLAND. An abundance of culture and architecture. Downside: It's not easy to reach (the closest major airport is Warsaw).

LISBON. Europeans flock here for their discount shopping. But watch the euro-dollar exchange rate--not everything is a bargain when you're converting your greenbacks.

LONDON. May be the most affordable city to visit because of cheap airfares and bargain air-hotel packages.

Christopher Elliott is a travel commentator based in Key Largo, Fla. All e-mailed questions may be edited, condensed or republished at the site's discretion.