for the jump

If there are any silver linings in today's global economy, travel to Europe may be one of them.

In the wake of the economic downturn, the dollar is buying more in Europe, airfares are tumbling and tour operators and hotels are offering attractive travel deals. All of which adds up to tempting incentives for Americans thinking of taking a vacation in Europe.

With the dollar growing stronger, it'll cost a lot less to travel within Europe this year. Last week, the dollar bought .79 euros, 20 percent more than a year ago. It's also gained dramatically against the British pound, which stood at $1.40 compared to $1.99 a year ago.

As for international airfares, they're down as much as 25-35 percent from last year, according to Tom Parsons of BestFares.com -- especially if you catch the oh-so-frequent fare sales. ''In April and May you can go from Miami to Dublin roundtrip for just $463,'' Parsons said. Even high-season fares are dramatically down, he added. ``In midsummer Miami-Dublin is only $678.''

The least costly airfares and packages come in the low and shoulder seasons. So if you act quickly, you can still latch on to them. Most require booking by March 31.

But more packages and airfare deals for late spring and summer are starting to surface, and you can expect to see even more in the next few weeks. Cruise lines operating in Europe also are coming up with bargains at around $100 per person per day -- sometimes even less.

A sampling of deals follows. Prices are starting rates per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise stated, and may not include government and airport taxes, fuel surcharges, service charges, gratuities and other fees, which can add substantially to your cost. Packages are subject to availability, blackout dates, booking deadlines Abnd validity dates, and their prices and terms are subject to change without notice.

Spain: For those who can act quickly, TourCrafters has a four-night Madrid Hot Deal package that includes roundtrip air, lodging, daily breakfast and hotel service charges and taxes starting at $599 from New York, $708 from Miami. Travel must begin by March 31 and be booked several days prior. Airport taxes and fuel surcharge totaling $337 are not included. 800-482-5995, www.tourcrafters.com, click on Value Season Specials.

Ireland: An escorted six-day guided motorcoach tour visiting Dublin, Blarney, Killarney and the Cliffs of Moher starts at $628. Included are breakfast and dinner each day, lodging and admissions. Valid to Nov. 28. CIE Tours, 800-243-8687, www.cietours.com.

London: Future Vacations, based in South Florida, offers a $200 air credit on air-inclusive packages to London booked by March 31 for travel April 23-May 6. The $669 package includes five nights at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, hotel taxes, roundtrip air from Miami on Continental Airlines and daily breakfasts. A minimum five-night stay is required. 800-456-2323, www.futurevacations.com.

Paris and Rome: Here's a clever routing that Best Fares' Parsons says can save hundreds of dollars by getting two destinations for the price of one: Book Air France out of Miami to Rome via Paris ($419 in April and May). This fare allows free stopovers in Paris, coming and/or going. That way, you can stay in both cities for the one fare. 800-576-1234, www.bestfares.com.

Greece: Trafalgar's escorted nine-day (seven nights) Best of Greece 2009 tour visits eight destinations in the country, starts at $1,375. Included are hotel service charges and tips, handling fees, local taxes, touring by motorcoach, seven breakfasts, four dinners and airport transfers. Air savings available on British Airways if package is booked by March 31. Trafalgar Tours, 866-5445-4434, www.trafalgar.com.

Cruises: Every cruise line is offering good deals on European cruises. A trio of examples: Royal Caribbean, 11 nights Holy Land cruise on Vision of the Seas, $999 (Sept. 28, Oct. 19). www.royalcaribbean.com. Holland America, 10-night Mediterranean cruise on Eurodam $999, third and fourth person in room $99 each (May 23). www.hollandamerica.com. hollandamerica.com.Costa, seven-night Mediterranean cruise on Costa Romantica (June 8), $599. www.costacruises.com.

Learning: A program of one-week courses is offered at Oxford University in England between July 5 and Aug. 8, starting at 995 pounds (about $1,250) for a single room, shared bath. Included are tuition, lodging and all meals, which are taken in the hall made famous in the Harry Potter films. Among the 50-plus courses offered are such subjects as the Reign of Henry VII, Battle of Britain Revisited and the Beatles, Popular Music and 1960s Britain. The Oxford Experience, OUDGE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, U.K. or www.conted.ox.ac.uk/oxfordexperience.

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