Currency Exchange Doesn't Necessarily Impact the Price of a Cup of Coffee

April 14, 2008 - Our friends at Doorways (a villa rental agency) recently included this thought-provoking table in their email newsletter.  It shows that, even though the dollar has weakened considerably against the Euro, it doesn't have to cost any more to spend a day in Europe than it does in the United States.  Here's an excerpt from the text of Kit's introduction, followed by her price comparison between Philadelphia and Florence. (Complete with emblematic statuary from each city!)

"While it's true that a dollar doesn't go as far as it once did, and you're not likely to find any bargains in the designer shopping outlets, the good news is, most of the everyday costs of living in Europe really don't cost any more than they do at home.

"The trick is to save but still savor your European holiday to the fullest."