Right now, the exchange rates between the US dollar and GB pound are the best they have been in a long time.  Last fall, the exchange rate was generally 2 dollars = 1 pound.  Now, it is about 1.40 dollars = 1 pound.  If this holds until our trip, this can mean significant savings!

Here is an article about how exchange rates are making travel more affordable.

I know we are all concerned about the challenges of 2009, and several of us are worried about paying for a trip to Great Britain this year.  Believe me, I understand. But I do ask that we all keep an open mind about the trip for this year until we get closer to the time when we have to buy air tickets and make reservations.

On May 10, Mother’s Day, I will present at least two different itineraries along with estimated budgets.  Then, we will have a go or no go decision about the trip in 2009.  If it’s a go, then we’ll decide which itinerary to choose.

On another topic, I asked Kerry and Kristy if they would be open to going somewhere other than Great Britain, since it is one of the most expensive locations in Europe.  I want to keep an open mind about trips, and if I see a great trip somewhere else with a great price, I’d like to explore it for us.

Travel expert Rick Steves gives us this sage advice:

The importance of packing light cannot be overemphasized, but, for your own good, I’ll try. You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags: “Every year I pack heavier.” The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels. You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to travel light.  We will be moving from city to city many times on this trip and that means lugging your suitcase through train stations, into cars and taxis, up and down stairs, into overhead luggage bins, over cobblestone streets, and of course it has to survive the airline baggage handlers.  Believe me, any old rolling suitcase is NOT up for the job.  You need a suitcase that is built with quality parts, lightweight, and intended for heavy travel abuse.  Think of a good suitcase as an investment that will allow you to enjoy your trip without worrying about broken wheels, busted zippers, and ripped seams - all very common problems with average luggage. A quality piece will last a long time through many trips and will pay for itself. more…

I just did a quick check of airfare roundtrip to London for Wednesday, July 29 - Saturday, August 8.   It is $1276 PER PERSON on Continental.  Other airlines weren’t much better, they’re all about the same.

In fact, I checked other dates and it’s about the same price for the whole summer. Prices start to dip to $980 RT in late September, then get to their lowest prices in the winter.  Let’s hope we can catch an airfare sale.

I ordered two Rick Steves travel DVDs to help get you all excited about the trip.  We can take turns passing them around so that we can all see them.  more…