U.S. dollars used for scrap paper at European hotels {Gadling}

Apr 28th 2008 8:58AM THE PEAK TRAVEL SEASON is almost upon us, but the weak dollar, down about 8% against the euro this year, means visiting Europe will be a pricey endeavor. Yet not even $5 gelatos and $8 beers will keep Americans away from the Continent this summer. Indeed, Europe is expected to receive more travelers from the U.S. in 2006 than the record 13.2 million who visited in 2000, according to the European Travel Commission. The simple act of locking in rates before departure by prebooking certain arrangements — like day trips or even package deals that include hotel stays — will protect you from a falling dollar while on the road, says Leffel, whose new book, "Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune: The Contrarian Traveler's Guide to Getting More for Less," comes out in July. Some overseas lodging operators will guarantee rates in U.S. dollars rather than local currency. For example, 2 months ago I booked a room in one of the Prague hotels and bought tickets from New York to Prague in US dollars, and honestly speaking prices were really affordable.