Smart Travel: Europe beckons American travelers

The year 2000 was the biggest year ever for Americans to travel to Europe, with more than 13 million tourists from this country traveling to the continent. Some were business visits, and the statistics do not separate the two travel types. This amounts to an increase of 15 percent over 1999, while the European Travel Commission aimed for only 11 million American visitors in 2000.

The reasons for the upswing include the high value of the dollar against European currencies, curiosity about Europe spurred by the extensive press coverage of European affairs in the '90s, and an economy that has provided more Americans with the time and discretionary income to travel.

In the past few months the U.S. dollar has been high in comparison to all European currencies, making lodging, food and purchases abroad a considerable bargain. Car rental rates, traditionally high on the continent have become much less expensive. Rail travel in Europe, on rail systems far superior to America's, is a bargain.

Luxury London or Paris hotels, with prices that sound very high in their own currencies, now are more acceptable when purchased in U.S. dollars. Tour packages or a combination of countries have held their prices steady for several years. All of these currency factors have made travel to European destinations more enticing to Americans.

Since the reunification of Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, news coverage has been at an all-time high, whetting a desire to sample the historical and cultural attractions there.

European cuisine, fashion and arts have become part of our everyday life, and travelers can experience all of these firsthand more easily and inexpensively than in years past.

The cruise industry, too, has helped Americans' awareness of Europe. Cruisers who have already experienced Alaska and the Caribbean can now choose cruises in the Mediterranean, visiting the countries bordering this sea.

Baltic cruises visit London, the Scandinavian capitals, and ports along the Baltic from St. Petersburg to Amsterdam. More often than not, these passengers return later to visit, in depth, some of the favorite cities and countries they encountered.

Finally, Americans are traveling more than ever. Our aging population has the discretionary funds to take that long-dreamed-of trip to Europe to sightsee, experience the theater, or to seek out the homes and relatives of their ancestors. The museums, opera houses, religious buildings and architecture of the continent are big magnets for some The golf courses of Scotland, and European soccer fields and racetracks draw the sports-minded.

Right now Europe is in its winter "low season" and this is a perfect time to spend a week in Rome, London or Paris. Air fares are low and off-season bargains in lodging are everywhere to be found. The weather in Europe is not severe and is usually pleasant for touring.

(Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service agency formed by the merger of Ozark World Travel, Consulting Travel and Thomas Travel.)