Guaranteed Tour Prices: Your Dollar Defender
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| Taking a tour with us in 2004 will protect your smaller dollar from that mighty euro. |
The dollar's steady decline against the euro has travelers looking for ways to keep their trips affordable. Even those thinking of going independently might consider the advantages of our tours' guaranteed prices — a great insurance against any further drop of the dollar. Here's the skinny.
Tour companies rarely guarantee their prices. But we do. We set our 2004 tour prices back in July of 2003. They will not change, even if the sagging dollar makes doing business in Europe more expensive for us. Many tour companies will be mailing out "balance due" bills suprising their travelers with new higher costs for a tour they signed up for long ago. The new price reflects tour costs raised to cover the recent drop of the dollar. They can do this because they've buried this safeguard to their profitability in their fine print.
On a Rick Steves tour, you're paying ahead in "cheap" dollars. Since our tour prices were pegged to last summer's weaker euro, taking a Rick Steves tour lets you experience the thrills of Europe in 2004 for 2003 prices-saving you hundreds of dollars.
We minimize your euro expenses. On our tours, the lion's share of your expenses (transportation, hotels, all sightseeing, most meals) are covered in your pre-paid tour cost (again, at last year's prices). In contrast, most other tour companies keep their "sticker prices" artificially low by including less, and then adding meal and sightseeing "options" once you're in Europe - which must be paid in today's expensive euros. Guides typically earn kickbacks from such extras, so they have no incentive to try and save you money.
Our guide is on your side. We pay our guides full salaries, and prohibit them from accepting tips and kickbacks. In addition, each of our guides is an expert budget travel advisor, committed to helping you get the most out of your free time. At each destination, you'll get valuable tips on changing money, affordable restaurants, local markets, and other ways to stretch your personal euros.
Fewer travelers = warmer welcome. The high euro will no doubt keep many Americans sitting at home this year, gambling on cheaper times ahead. As a result, Europe's most popular destinations promise to be less crowded this year, and locals will warmly welcome those Americans who value Europe for more than its affordability.
There's no reason to wait. Life is short, and unpredictable. If your heart says, "go!" - our guaranteed prices will help get you there. Reliably and affordably in 2004.
Check out all the information about our Tour Program.