AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File FILE - In this Tuesday, March 22, 2011 file photo, tourists take pictures in front of Rome's ancient Colosseum. A strong U.S. dollar is making world travel cheaper for Americans in 2015.

DALLAS If you've been putting off a trip abroad because it's too expensive, start packing your bags.

A stronger dollar has reduced the price of travel, from a hotel room to a glass of beer, in much of Europe, Japan, India and elsewhere.

"This is one of the best times for Americans to travel in years," says Matt Kepnes, author of "How to Travel the World on $50 a Day" and other travel books.

WHY THE DOLLAR IS STRONG

Other economies are shaky, making their currencies less valuable. Europe is barely growing. Japan is already officially in recession. China's growth has slowed. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy has been chugging along, and the dollar has gained too. Many economists expect that steady U.S. growth will compel the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates later this year, making dollar investments more attractive and leading traders to sell other currencies and buy dollars.

WHAT IT MEANS

Let's say that in June you had a charming dinner for two in Paris for 75 euros. First, congratulations. Second, it cost $103 then; today it would be $89. Expensive countries may not be cheap, but at least they're more affordable now.

BEST BARGAINS

Thanks to the pound's decline, England is cheaper than it was six months ago. But the euro has slumped more, making most of continental Europe an even better bargain. Travel writer Kepnes says Greece is attractive right now because hotels and tour operators have been slashing prices to fill rooms. The same thing is happening in Portugal and parts of Spain.

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Strong dollar makes world travel cheaper for Americans