[motisbetter]

I am officially entering the work force this winter and I want to go somewhere on vacation. I want to go to Europe. I am American and am very aware of the weak dollar against the euro. I also have my passport. Any advice on getting there? Lodging? Transportation? Anything to see in particular? Cheap on everything. I am looking to stay for a week minimum.
I am looking to go this summer.

[IrishD]

As a Paddy I feel I'd have to recommend Ireland!
You can fly direct to Dublin from most major US airports.
If your budget is tight you can book into a hostel. About the best of these is the Avalon. Info on this hostel is available at
http://www.avalon-house.ie/

That said, Dublin (and Ireland) can be expensive, internal travel, food/drink and so on. Also you've gotta consider our climate. It tends to rain a bit!
Have a look at http://www.discoverireland.ie/

If you're looking for a value for money trip to Europe, your best bet at the moment would probably be to head to Prague in the Czech republic. It's a beautiful city, great climate and bloody cheap too...
Croatia, Romania and Hungary also would be really good value and tend to have great summers.

Have a good un...

[ElisaA]

Since it is the only country located between Asia and Europe and being cheap, I think the best option -especially in summer- is Turkey. Istanbul is one of the most beautiful cities in the world in my opinion and Antalya or Bodrum for a vacation. Besides, Rome is a very beautiful city. You can visit some cities in the southern France as well, such as Nice since you'll go in summer, it'll be pretty hot. Good luck!

[zoi4264]

I am from Greece, and since this is the place I live and I also have a vacation home near the beach, I have many recommendations to make.
Ireland is a very good choise but it is very hard to find an affordable accomodation (I wanted to go there with my daughter for a summer english course for her, and guess...we ended up to Brighton, UK! Yes it was about the same money and cheaper maybe).
I think that Greece is an exellent choise even if you come in June. In June the prices won't be high and it will be warmer than anywhere else in Europe.
AIRTICKET: British Airways has very affordable tickets and is a very trustworthy company (Thessaloniki-N.York for 600 Euros).
Alitalia: I travel exclusively with them
and i'm very satisfied. They don't offer a rich meal, but for a very good price they offer a very comfortable seat, intertainment and safety.
Easyjet: It's the kind of the budget airlines, jet very good. Choosing them, you'll have to "make" your ticket on your own: from N.York f.ex. to London, from London to Athens or Thessaloniki.
WHERE TO STAY:
Although it is Greece's capital, it would be better to avoid Athens. You won't find something affordable and you will get tired from the distances.
Peloponnese is a place were you will find cheap accomodation. There are so many places, where you can stay for a week. The most interesting is that Peloponnese has many many many sightseeings! You can find there the palace of Agamemnon (Mykines), antiquities, splendind sandy beaches, Mistra (ruins of a byzantine city inhabited till 1830), Monemvasia (byzanto-venetian castle in a marvelous place with beach and natural beauty), Olympia, Pylos (the palace of Nestor), Sparta (with some antique remainings and the Olive Museum), Nemea, Stymfalia, Troizina, Epidaurus with the ancient Theatre (a MUST SEE!) near Korinth, Korinth, Loutraki, Nafplion (many tourists from all over the world), Mani (a mountainous region), Patra (a big city and harbour), etc etc.

Another super-choise, in Pilion! It is more expensive than Peloponnese, but it's a heavenly place. That's why ancient Greeks believed that the Muses (protectors of the arts) were living there.
Pilion doesn't have many antiquities to admire though.

Aegina: an island very very near to Athens, that has a lot to offer, if you want to stay for a week (not longer). It offers affordable accomodation, traditional greek style buildings, antiquities and monasteries, forests with pinetrees and of course beaches!
Aegina, Athens and Peloponese are very close, and it would be very easy to organize your vacation there.
Of course, you should be careful about the place you're going to choose and think of where you would like to be, in a crowded place or in a calm resort, spend your holiday in a sunbed or touring around etc.

Good luck!

[twincreektaz4204]

I'd like to mount a campaign to encourage people not to go anywhere. Travel has become so expensive and unpleasant that it's hard to understand why people don't stay home.
Why are we crowding our highways and airports to get someplace else? Newspapers and magazines are filled with ads trying to get us to travel. They want us to go somewhere - anywhere but home.

[Traveler4885]

I personally also use EF College Break when traveling abroad! (That's if I'm not backpacking).. My experiences have been absolutely amazing, and the age group is only from 18-26 .. They also guarantee to be the cheapest touring company!.. And the code Tech2009 now will save you money on tours with them..

I'm doing the European Road trip...

[Aush]

Hawaii and Florida are best destination to enjoy family holidays. I have been there many of the times to enjoy holidays and have really awesome time on these places. I explored its numerous places for having enjoyment. I will recommend you to must go there once. I hope you will fully enjoy there.

[Kellan199]

I am going to agree with you that both of these places are the best to enjoy family with family and friends. I had a great time in Hawaii on my cousin's marriage, but I also have a plan to go to Florida with my whole friends to enjoy coming holidays. I want to explore its most fabulous beaches like Miami beach, Destin, Madeira Beach, Fort Myers Beach and Daytona Beach. Any suggestion for me?

[Kalven321]

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[Alaya]

I would like to do agree with you all Hawaii and Florida are really so nice and attractive destinations in the world. I would like to say that Hawaii much popular due to its stunning places and Maui is and an island of its attraction. I am so much happy for travel deals grand canyon.