Talking Travel: Watching those exchange rates

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3 (11:28)

As summer approaches, your thoughts might turn to travel. And if you’re headed overseas, chances are you’re starting to check out exchange rates. How much can I get for my dollar, or pound, or what have you. Lately, we here at The World have been paying close attention to the Euro, the standard currency used by 16 countries in Europe. The Euro is hurting these days, and its part and parcel of economic woes affecting countries such as Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, referred to these days by the not so nice acronym, PIGS. It got us here at the Talking Travel podcast wondering: how closely should you pay attention to the exchange rates when plotting out your summer holidays. Lonely Planet’s Robert Reid says, “It may sound hokey, but plan your dream vacation and then look for financial ways to make it happen.” From his perch in London, LP’s Tom Hall notes: “Exchange rates can work for you, but they can work against you. So, it’s worth having a look. You may find somewhere you want to go to, or find someplace you really want to avoid.”

Here are some relevant links from Episode 10:

• Latest exchange rates via BBC
• Iceland’s runtur pubcrawl
• AirBNB website (search for apartments, flats, etc.)
• French gîtes official website
• Sunny Beach: Bulgaria
• Lonely Planet: Croatia’s Adriatic coast

Remember, you can subscribe to us via iTunes and RSS.

Or, you can have the podcast delivered directly to your email inbox!

Also, you can follow us on Twitter, or on Facebook.

(Photo by Sergio Georgini via Wikipedia)