Allow me to over complicate your summer vacation. Have you ever considered currency exchange rates when planning your travel excursions? If you want to get the most for your money, you might want to consider current exchange rates. A good (easy) place to see this information is here. Here are some examples:

Italy is on the Euro now (unfortunately), so right now, $1.36 US converts to $1 EU. Bottom line: you'll pay a 36% premium to enjoy Italy right now. Visiting Rome, Florence, or Venice? I highly suggest Cross Pollinate for your lodging needs. You can not beat their price/value offering!

Traveling to London, or anywhere in the UK? It takes over $2.00 US to get 1 Pound (GPB) in your pocket! That is what I call a crap attack. How terrible and embarrassing that is.

And of course, what would a travel post on my blog be without mentioning the Cayman Islands? The rates don't flex there, as the CI is pinned to the Dollar at $1.25 US = $1.00 CI. And I wouldn't hold your breathe on that one, it's not going to get any better.

And finally, any Yucatan or Cabo fans out there? Even the Peso is getting more expensive, now trading at about 9.3 cents per Peso, up from 8.3 cents a year ago.

It seams the Dollar is in a funk. It's got the blues.