For any normal traveler, Exchange Rate is one of the most disregarded factors while planning his trip. A professional background of finance has filled my brain with numbers and terms like S&P, Nasdaq, Exchange Rate and I tend to relate many other things with them. Owing to my love for travel and my strange habit, I come up with travel ideas. Though it may sound weird and stupid to some people, it has helped me save some dollars during my excursions to various parts of the world. I love travelling and though I am cash trapped most of the times, I have travelled across cities over the world on a shoe string budget.

The current economic upheaval and the volatility with a rise in the value of U.S. Dollar have prompted me to explore its impacts in context of traveling. If you are still wondering why I am relating high value of dollar to travel, I will try to give a short explanation in simple words. When the USD is strong in comparison to other currency, it means a better conversion rate. A better conversion rate means when you visit that country, you get more ‘local’ money to spend against your USD. This means, you can spend more while remaining in budget.

Here are few places that are best destinations to visit while the value if USD is high –

• Hong Kong – Hong Kong is full of diversity from nearby stunning landscapes, mountains to heritage sites. It is a popular tourist destination and has a variety of options for sightseeing, shopping and dining. As the Hong Kong Dollar has depreciated with respect to USD to a large extent, it is a golden time to visit this majestic place. Whether you visit the Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park or simply wander in the streets, you can enjoy a true value of your money here.

• Taiwan – Some people regard Taiwan as a small crowded island but it is one of the must visit places in Asia. New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) has depreciated with respect to USD, hence, now a visit to Taiwan is even more economic. You can witness one of the former tallest buildings in the world in the world Taipei 101 and go on a shopping spree at the enormous shopping centers. You can spend your time relaxing on the beaches, trekking on mountains or simply visiting temples and getting an essence of their culture and tradition.

• India – If you want an experience of a diverse culture and places in a single trip visit India. In the recent times, India Rupee has lost some value against USD, so you can easily plan a higher than ‘budget’ trip to this country. Whether you plan to traverse different parts of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari or concentrate on a particular state like Goa, you will definitely cherish your trip to India.

• Singapore – Another currency that has depreciated against USD is the Singapore Dollar. Singapore is usually considered as one of the most expensive tourist places and a visit to this place with a high value of USD will allow you to explore more. A visit to the Sentosa Islands, Night Safari, shopping at 24*7 Mustafa market or following some off beaten path, Singapore will prove to be a delight.

Just as it is said ‘Strike the gold while it is hot’, you should plan a trip to these places before the economic situation changes. I have already visited these places that to on a tight budget and I wish I had not and used this opportunity for exploring these places deeper.