WASHINGTON — This year is shaping up to be one of the best years to take a vacation, and travel expert Peter Greenberg says a “perfect storm” of events has made it so.

For starters, the U.S. dollar is stronger than it’s been in decades, which increases Americans’ buying power by 35 to 40 percent.

Then, there’s fear associated with global instability — “or the perception of global instability, which has resulted in a drop of foreigners traveling to the United States in record numbers,” Greenberg said.

“What would have been full seats going abroad are now empty seats because they never came over in the first place,” he added.

This is where supply and demand kicks in. Greenberg says thanks to an excess in supply, travelers are snatching up bargains at times of the year one might never expect to find a deal.  

Ready to see the world — or just take a break from the daily grind? Here are some of Greenberg’s best tips for scoring the trip of a lifetime at a dream price.

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