The abysmal state of the dollar in Europe has prompted some travelers to rethink their vacation itineraries. But if you still have your heart set on a European vacation, here are a few ways to economize:

• Travel in the off-season. Airfares and hotel rates are much more affordable during the winter months or in "shoulder" season (early spring and late fall) than they are at the height of summer. Another advantage of traveling then: smaller crowds.

• Think small: Stay in a family-owned pension or bed-and-breakfast instead of a big hotel. You can save big bucks, and you'll have a more personal experience (and the shared bath won't kill you). Or stay in hotels outside the city center. The savings can more than make up for the half-hour train ride into town each day.

• Stay in hotels that include breakfast in the room rate and fill up on that. Have picnic-type food at lunch (pick up bread and cheese at a local market or take-away) and reward yourself at the end of the day with a nice dinner out.

• Visit bargain-centric Eastern European countries that aren't on the euro yet, such as Croatia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. They're less overrun with tourists, but just as packed with culture and great natural beauty.

• Consider taking a sea or river cruise, where you can lock in the cost when you book and not have to worry about rising hotel and food prices.

Before you leave

When traveling abroad, it's always smart to check the U.S. State Department's Web site for updates on safety and security in the country you're visiting. But the department's classifications for travel warnings and alerts have always been a bit confusing. What's a "consular information sheet," anyway, and how does it differ from a "public announcement"? Now the department has made the system easier to understand:

• General reports on current conditions in all countries (formerly called Consular Information Sheets) are now called Country Specific Information.

• Reports about conditions that are expected to be short-lived are now called Travel Alerts (formerly Public Announcements).

• Travel Warnings are still Travel Warnings — basically, "don't go."