Several prognosticators of travel lately have been saying that Americans and Canadians are getting downright giddy about the stronger dollar vs. the euro and what a difference that will make when they travel to Europe. In April, The New York Times said  save money when you travel to Europe.

That means you’ll save more than $100 on four nights at a hotel that costs 200 euros a night, and a 28 euro train ticket from Rome to Florence will cost $37 instead of $41 — small change in some cases, but the savings add up over a 10-day vacation.( NY Times April 18,2010)

And the scenario has gotten better since April. I have a little gizmo from Windows on my home screen that dynamically shows dollar/Euro rates, and as I write, the euro is worth $1.21. That sure beats the $1.75 we faced when we traveled to Ireland two years ago. (The Canadian dollar has had a surge in strength against the Euro, also.)

However, rather than looking for cheaper destinations, as they might do in economic bad times, American and Canadian travelers are still choosing the tried and true destinations. The Times reports a 20% increase in sales of tickets to Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain.

All of which explains why Fodors.com web site has a useful new front page concentrating on Europe. Not only do they have links to all the useful information on their site–on-line travel guides, forums, and booking engines, but they showcase 60 quickie itineraries recommended by their travel editors. These trips, by rail, boat, or car, cover all the high points region by region. I like the way each trip includes at least one unexpected destination. And of course the site provide endless information about each of the individual places.

You can choose by region, or if you’re more into a particular interest–from drinking beer to sky-diving, choose your type of trip.

But Wait! There’s More!! Fodor’s has joined with A Traveler’s Library to celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) by giving away guidebooks to France. You’ll have to wait until July to find out how to win.

I’m assembling a small library of books on France to give away on Bastille Day (or actually the day BEFORE, since July 14 is a Road Trip day).  So tell me, should one person get the collection of books about France–or should we share the love with one book per person for several winners? You can vote from now until July 1 on which way the contest should go.

Meanwhile, take a look at the To Europe campaign at Fodors.com, which lasts through June.

If you are wondering why I’m spending all this time talking about fodors.com, I do not profit from this discussion. I just happen to like their printed guides, find lots of useful info on their web pages, but am absolutely ADDICTED to their travel forums. If you have never used them, try them out! There’s a world of travel experience just waiting to help you.

The photos are taken by different photographers, both from Flickr, both used through Creative Commons license. Please click on the photos to see more of the photographers’ work.

Now vote.–One book or several?

And thinking about the Fodor’s promotion–do you like “canned” routes. Do you use them exactly or as a starting point, or not at all?