The euro is already the currency for 14 countries in Europe, and more are slated to start using it soon. The strong euro is one reason why Europe has become more expensive, but there are still parts of the continent where you can experience European culture without paying with expensive euros.

For now, head for Hungary, whose foreign currency has been near all-time lows. And while Prague is almost as expensive as many western European cities, the rest of the Czech Republic is cheap thanks to the Czech koruna. And they may have cut five zeros off the Romanian leu currency in 2005, but prices there are still just a third of what they are in the euro zone.

But the euro is spreading fast: Slovenia is the latest country to join, with the popular Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Malta switching over on January 1, 2008.

And one of Europe’s newest countries, seaside Montenegro, has chosen to adopt the euro as their currency, despite the fact that they haven’t even joined the European Union yet.

So you can still avoid the euro in Europe, but head out soon, you might not be able to for long.

For more, check out the Money, Currency and Credit section.