The New York Times suggests that the best deals online are on the foreign version of popular online booking sites. Companies such as Travelocity and Orbitz may have different pricing schemes for each country’s version of the site.

Some of the best travel deals on the Web these days don??t end in .com but can be found on a travel company??s foreign offshoot, which usually ends with the country??s domain name, like .fr (France), and .de (Germany). Though the travel companies don??t advertise it, they often charge different prices based on the country of origin.

The high percentage bargains are not limited to online travel agents, but airlines as well. Some sites prevent those out of the country from booking, so see if you can get your friends to purchase the tickets for you. This trick also works for sites that compare prices such as Kayak and FareCompare, just make sure to check for hidden fees.

The dollar has been hitting record lows against the Euro and even traditional dollar-friendly travel destinations like Canada, but that shouldn’t discourage you international travels. There are plenty of countries to visit where your dollar goes a long way, here are some of the best ones.

UPDATED [10/2]: Follow the interesting discussion about this post on The Consumerist.

• Morocco – One dollar will get you 8 times the number of Morocan dihrams. The north coast of this tourist friendly nation is warm year round, and a cheap (~$100) short flight from Spain’s Costal del Sol. The best time to experience the soul of Morocco is during the off-peak October-April months.
  • If you are still scared to visit read these traveler testimonials.

• Thailand – A trip to Thailand can include nightlife hotspots Patpong and Nana and the southern islands including Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands. Enjoy elephant rides, shark swims, and traditional massage and still have some money leftover.
  • Be sure to read this list of dos and don’ts (shoes, smoking, and hand shaking) before you leave.
• Mexico – Although US citizens now need a passport to enter Mexico, the proximity and weak Peso make it an attractive option if you’ve got dollars in your wallet. From Mayan, Aztec, and Olmeca ruins to Cancun’s beaches, spend money on a flight into the country, beginning with Mexico City. I don’t recommend driving in Mexico as it can be dangerous and cost you much more in fuel. The dollar is about ten times more valuable than a Peso.

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