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European Travel Strong in '08 as 50 Percent of Americans Trekking Across the Pond This Year
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Best and Worst of Europe
NEEDHAM, Mass., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual European travel survey, concluded last week, of more than 1,400 travelers worldwide. Sixty-five percent of respondents are planning to travel to/within Europe in the next 12 months, nearly equal to last year. Despite the weak dollar, exactly half of U.S. respondents intend to visit Europe this year, the same amount as one year ago.
September appears to be the busiest month for travel in Europe this year, as 20 percent of respondents intend to visit at that time. Thirty percent of travelers said they are most likely to save money on their excursion to or within Europe by going off-peak. Forty-two percent of travelers (and 51 percent of Americans) expect to spend more money on this year's trip to Europe than on their previous trip there.
Survey revealed:
Best Bargain European Cities:
1. Prague
2. Budapest
3. Lisbon
Most Expensive European Cities:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Friendly and Helpful Locals:
1. Dublin
2. Amsterdam
3. London
European Cities with the Best Cuisine:
1. Paris
2. Rome
3. Florence
European Cities with the Best Shopping:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Rome
European Cities with the Best Night Life:
1. London
2. Amsterdam
3. Paris
European Cities with the Best Public Parks:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Barcelona, Amsterdam (tie)
Most Romantic European Cities:
1. Paris
2. Venice
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Attractive Locals:
1. Rome
2. Paris
3. Stockholm
Cleanest European Cities:
1. Zurich
2. Copenhagen
3. Stockholm
Dirtiest European Cities:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Unfriendly Hosts:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Moscow
Most Boring European Cities:
1. Brussels
2. Zurich
3. Warsaw
"Americans are still drawn to Europe, despite unfavorable exchange rates and economic concerns," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Although the best bargain European city may be Prague, according to the survey, the most popular European city to visit this year is also considered the most expensive -- London."
European Travel Strong in '08 as 50 Percent of Americans Trekking Across the Pond This Year
TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Best and Worst of Europe
NEEDHAM, Mass., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual European travel survey, concluded last week, of more than 1,400 travelers worldwide. Sixty-five percent of respondents are planning to travel to/within Europe in the next 12 months, nearly equal to last year. Despite the weak dollar, exactly half of U.S. respondents intend to visit Europe this year, the same amount as one year ago.
September appears to be the busiest month for travel in Europe this year, as 20 percent of respondents intend to visit at that time. Thirty percent of travelers said they are most likely to save money on their excursion to or within Europe by going off-peak. Forty-two percent of travelers (and 51 percent of Americans) expect to spend more money on this year's trip to Europe than on their previous trip there.
Survey revealed:
Best Bargain European Cities:
1. Prague
2. Budapest
3. Lisbon
Most Expensive European Cities:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Friendly and Helpful Locals:
1. Dublin
2. Amsterdam
3. London
European Cities with the Best Cuisine:
1. Paris
2. Rome
3. Florence
European Cities with the Best Shopping:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Rome
European Cities with the Best Night Life:
1. London
2. Amsterdam
3. Paris
European Cities with the Best Public Parks:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Barcelona, Amsterdam (tie)
Most Romantic European Cities:
1. Paris
2. Venice
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Attractive Locals:
1. Rome
2. Paris
3. Stockholm
Cleanest European Cities:
1. Zurich
2. Copenhagen
3. Stockholm
Dirtiest European Cities:
1. London
2. Paris
3. Rome
European Cities with the Most Unfriendly Hosts:
1. Paris
2. London
3. Moscow
Most Boring European Cities:
1. Brussels
2. Zurich
3. Warsaw
"Americans are still drawn to Europe, despite unfavorable exchange rates and economic concerns," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Although the best bargain European city may be Prague, according to the survey, the most popular European city to visit this year is also considered the most expensive -- London."
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