Lifestyle RepublicLifestyle Republic
  • The Daily
  • Features
  • Self Essentials
  • Culture
  • About Lifestyle Republic
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • The Daily
  • Essentials
Lifestyle RepublicLifestyle Republic
  • Features
  • Culture
Lifestyle RepublicLifestyle Republic

Premium Places to Visit while the Dollar is Stronger

TLSR StaffJanuary 2015 Culture
Share Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Email

Stronger dollar? Check. Weaker euro? Check. Time to go see the world again!

You’ll get extra bang for your buck if you hit up perennial penny-saving spots like Central America, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of South America, and Greece. But if you want to take advantage of the market, it’s time to consider countries that have been prohibitively pricey for the past few years. These places may never be dirt cheap, but all arrows point to a less painful conversion rate in the coming year. Our five picks on which premium places to put on your radar:

Japan

For years, Japan has had a reputation as one of the most expensive countries in Asia. But Japan’s yen is at its lowest level in seven years and the country is once again in a recession. Now’s the time to think about climbing Mount Fuji (July to September) or soaking in the glow of bioluminescent mushrooms on Hachijo-jima Island, a 50-minute flight from Tokyo (May to September).

If you can’t wait ’till spring, think skiing—Japan’s northern most island of Hokkaido gets up to 500 inches of powder a year. Niseko, about two hours south of Sapporo, is known to have excellent night skiing and accepts Vail’s Epic Pass. You could also go north about three hours to Daisetsuzan National Park where locals ski. When you’ve had your fill of adventure, do some sightseeing or go right to the source of the world’s best whiskey.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brazil

Hosting the World Cup and preparing for the 2016 Olympics haven’t improved Brazil’s economy. The country had less than half a percent of economic growth in 2014 and the real has plummeted by about 14 percent.

Despite some inflation, you can squeeze out a little more for the dollar than in the past. Hit Rio before it gets consumed by the 2016 Games—it’s home to the world’s largest urban rainforest and surrounded by mountain peaks, perfect for hiking. Or get out of town. Spot jaguars in Pantanal, the world’s largest wetlands, kayak the Amazon, or get lost along the 685 miles of beach in the northeastern state of Bahia.

Canada

Since the U.S. imports far more oil from Canada than any other country, lower oil prices have translated into a weaker Canadian dollar. The Great White North is still expensive, but it’s cheaper than it has been in a while. If you’re a skier, you’re already thinking about which peaks to hit—check out Northern British Colombia for an unforgettable experience. But from mountain biking around Quebec to trekking Alberta’s Willmore Wilderness and sea kayaking on both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, there’s no shortage of adventure to be had in those sweet spots between Alaska and the lower 48.

New Zealand

New Zealand is synonymous with adventure: hiking, fishing, white water rafting, bungee jumping, and surfing. Americans will pay a premium for this kind of escape, but falling dairy prices have battered the New Zealand dollar and exchanging the greenback for the Kiwi currency is as good as it’s been since 2012. While we’re not at historic lows (2001 and 2002 were really great years), the chart is trending in favor of the U.S. dollar. Now’s also a good time to think about that RV or motorbike trip since New Zealand’s experiencing a drop in gas prices.

Finland

It’s a great time to hit any European country, especially Greece, but consider Finland, which is among the most expensive countries that use the euro. It has one of the slowest growing economies in the eurozone and your dollar will get you farther in this land than it has in some time. Travelers who make the long haul here will be rewarded with nearly tourist-free cross-country skiing, long distance cycling, ice fishing, and the most saunas per person in Europe (5.3 million people to 3.3 million saunas, according to a 2013 BBC report). You can even rent your own private houseboat or, if you go in the winter, gaze at the Northern Lights and herd reindeer with the indigenous Sami people.

Join The Lifestyle Republic Newsletter

Get the latest news from TLSR straight into your inbox.

Share. Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest Email

More from Lifestyle Republic

COACH returns to new space in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile

Traveling In-Flight Beauty Essentials

Sean “Diddy” Combs introduces new limited-edition CÎROC Honey Melon spirit

Odesza Announces 2023 Tour

Uniqlo to Open 20 Stores Annually in North America

Rules You Must Follow To Take Care of Your Skin on an Everyday Basis

Exes+Owes Podcast
The Date Sheet: Exes + Owes
The Date Sheet: Exes + Owes

Join veteran Television Producer / Award-Winning Photographer Chuck Holliday and Film Producer / Media Personality Shanda Foster as they discuss post-dating self awareness, avoiding toxic environments, relationship PTSD and CSS (“common sense s@#t”) in this happy hour format podcast.

Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnGoogle PodcastsListen OniHeart RADIO
In Public (Nah, Right?)

Chuck Holliday and Shanda Foster discuss how many times is enough to accept a man’s cheating ways, why toxic energy is accepted over normalcy, the many red flags that are ignored in dating, and why men refuse to post women (and vice versa) on social media. (Season 1 Finale)

Produced by Chuck Holliday and Shanda Foster
Theme Music: “Peruvian Vacays” by Versa Jay Beats
Show Page: www.suite929.tv/podcasts/exesandowes

In Public (Nah, Right?)
Episode play icon
In Public (Nah, Right?)
Episode Description
Episode play icon
No Scrubs
Episode Description
Episode play icon
You're Makin' Me…Low
Episode Description
Search Results placeholder

Currenty Trending

Motivator, Athlete and Life Changer: Fabian Thorne

ATHLETE TURNED ARTIST PAINTS A NEW FUTURE: MARK ANTHONY HILL

Traveling In-Flight Beauty Essentials

The Pitbull of Boxing Fabiano Pena Packing a Championship Punch

Bella Twins rid themselves of WWE…and the Bella name

Sean “Diddy” Combs introduces new limited-edition CÎROC Honey Melon spirit

Features

Motivator, Athlete and Life Changer: Fabian Thorne

Diverse Producer / Filmmaker Gal Yefet Goes Global

February 2023

Artist David Craig Ellis is at it Again

February 2023

Imaginary Artist Looking to Expand her Talents

February 2023

   
About Lifestyle Republic  •  Contact Us  •  Privacy Policy  •  Corporate Website
© 2023 Lifestyle Republic, a unit of Suite929 LLC

OUR PUBLISHING NETWORK:
Suite929tv   •   Firm Biz   •   Tech We Like   •   G Style Magazine   •   The 9ine Podcast Network

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT