WELCOME to the GoNOMAD Round-the-World travel newsletter for June, 2005! Has everyone been watching the US dollar lately? It brought me scurrying back from living in Barcelona when my dollars just wouldn’t buy enough euros to pay the rent. Your own round-the-world trip could be affected, but there are lots of ways to cut costs and save some skins so that your trip of a lifetime is your dream trip instead of a financial nightmare.
There are still plenty of countries where your greenbacks go a long way. Add Buenos Aires, Bangkok, or Cairo to your round-the-world ticket and you’ll enjoy fine meals and pleasant hotel rooms without breaking the bank. But if you are willing to plan ahead, you don’t have to cross Europe off your list. Here are some tips to make the European leg of your journey affordable!
-Marie Javins
GoNOMAD Contributing Editor

THIS MONTH ON AROUND THE WORLD WITH GoNOMAD.COM:
* Destination News UK Coach Wars
* Airfare on a Shoestring Save those RTW miles
* Transportation Cruise Cheap
* Accommodation in Europe Where to Sleep
* $100 Bill Scare in Peru Fake dollars find way to Peru
* FAQ Find a Bed in London

SEE ENGLAND FOR A POUND

Coach wars in the UK are good news for your budget! Upstart bus companies such as Megabus have offered fares that have forced national carrier National Express to match its fares on popular routes. And if you order in advance off the website, that fare is a mere 1 pound—less than 2 dollars. Going off the beaten path? Check out the 10-pounds-to-anywhere promotion good through May.

CONSERVE THAT ROUND-THE-WORLD FARE

Had enough of the pound and ready to take on the less-daunting euro? Don’t waste a leg of your round-the-world plane ticket! Instead take one of the highly competitive European budget airlines such as Ryanair. You may find yourself paying 25 dollars to fly from London to Barcelona! Other countries, including Australia and South Africa, also have budget airlines. Which Budget  is a great resource for finding out which budget airlines fly to where.

TRANSPORTATION-CRUISE CHEAP

Independent travelers can now book an easy cruise from the south of France to the Italian Riviera, for a minimum of 2 nights. Book early to get 25 pound a night fare, and note that this cruise doesn’t include traditional cruise activities or meals. Buy your own or get a lovely Italian dinner in port.

ALL ASHORE ON THE MAINLAND

Once you get off the ship or plane with your feet firmly planted on continental Europe, you face a new problem. Finding an affordable hotel is hard enough, but try finding one during high season! Exercise the little-known camping option. You are not required to bring a tent and sleeping bag. Instead, book a bungalow or a berth in a huge shared tent. Campgrounds that are not in walking distance of town usually offer transportation.

MONEY WOES OF A DIFFERENT TYPE

So you’ve got your US dollars, your backpack, and your passport and you’re off to South America. Excitedly, you disembark in Lima and look forward to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon. You’ve carefully packed all, including your money, which you’re carrying in a combination of US dollars, traveler’s checks, and credit cards. But then no one will take your $100 bills. What is going on?
If your $100 bills are from 2001 and from the CB-B2 serial range, the problem is that these were recently counterfeited and bills have turned up in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Got these from the bank at home? Not to worry, there are plenty of legit bills in the same series. But to be on the safe side, loads of merchants in South America won’t take this series of bills. The solution? Plan ahead. Only take the most recent $100 bills along. Trade the rest in at your bank.

RTW Q & A

Send your questions to Marie@GoNOMAD.com.

Q: How can I find a place to stay in London without going broke?

A: Sooner or later, all RTW travelers transit through London, but where to stay? London hotel rooms are budget-busters. My personal preference is to get a cheap Priceline room out by Heathrow after doing a little spying on BiddingforTravel.com. But most people prefer to be in the thick of things instead of an hour away by Tube. If you don’t mind sharing or are willing to fork over 30 pounds for a single, check out the new Wake Up! hostel and keep an eye on the soon-to-open EasyHotel, where beds will start at 5 pounds a night. Traveling from June to September? Check out the college dormitories offered across London and the UK. The dorms offer singles so you don’t have to sleep with strangers.

READUPONIT Read up on the latest developments in international news and travel in Editor Max Hartshorne's blog	GoNOMAD Blogs	BEOURGUEST Share the trips and travails of a travel writer at Senior Travel Editor Kent E. St. John's blog
Sony Stark: Cross That Bridge	NEW! INTRODUCING: Two New Blogs by Two Traveling Women: CROSS THAT BRIDGE & TRAVELREADER	Jessi TravelReader

Thanks for reading! For more tips like these, read GoNOMAD's Guide to Preparing for Long Term Travel. See you next time. Meanwhile, send your comments, questions, and favorite RTW travel tips at Marie@GoNOMAD.com.

-Marie