"People are changing their minds a lot," she's noticed. "One couple came in and returned their Italy books (after friends canceled out on them), and bought books on Prague, Budapest and Krakow."
After paying $8 a gallon for gas and $40 for a pasta-and-salad dinner for two in Bruges, Jim Grant of North Seattle says he and his wife won't be going back to Europe soon. The couple spent three weeks driving through Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy in January and February.
"The food costs were huge," he said. "Tolls from Paris to Bruges came to 30 euros ($45)."
Where will he go next? "Mexico, Hawaii, Asia - somewhere where the dollar still buys something."
Others say they won't be deterred.
When Barb and Pat Hepler of Edmonds, Wash., began planning a three-week trip to Italy a year ago, they estimated their costs at around $5,000.
Their budget is about $10,000 now, including two airline tickets at $969 each and their part of the rent on a Tuscan villa they will share with seven friends.
Still, they plan to be on a plane this week, hoping for the best, even as some financial experts predict the dollar will continue its slide.
"It would be nice if it were cheaper," says Barb Hepler, 51, "but it won't stop us from going."
