EuroCheapo BlogEuroCheapo BlogThe EuroCheapo Blog offers great budget strategy and planning tips, up-to-date travel news, and great suggestions on hip places to see and things to do. 
Articles
Krakow Museums: One freebie a day
2008-05-08 18:54:00 Photo courtesy of Jeremy Barnett Poland is a country rich with history, and if you can experience it for free—all the better! Here’s a guide to a week of free museums. No need to spend a zloty to experience a wealth of Krakow ’s art and history. Monday: Old Synagogue 24 Szeroka Street in Kazimierz One of Europe’s most historic Jewish places of worship, the Old Synagogue is located in Krakow’s Jewish district, Kazimierz. It is an extension of the City of Krakow’s Historical Museum, and is considered the quintessential Jewish monument of Krakow. As such, it’s filled with relics of Kazimerz’s past including religious items, historic photos, and documents. Tuesday: Museum of Municipal Engineering 15 Sw. Wawrzynca Street in Kazimierz If you’re into gizmos and gadgets, then this museum is for you. The space feels like a virtual time machine into innovations past. Take in the old vehicles and other means of public transportation t... More About: Museums
Paris Cheap Eats: 8 best spots for a picnic
2008-05-07 17:35:00 When the weather turns warm, Paris ians picnic. Sure, some stray as far as the terrace of their corner café, but many flock to parks, gardens and river-side quais to enjoy their beloved city. For cheapos, picnics have the added advantage of being easy on the budget. Here are our steps for procuring and perfecting the Parisian picnic. When in Paris, stock up like the French do! Pick up your must-haves in this order. Hit up the corner boulangerie for bread, then visit the fromagerie for cheese. Next stop? A traiteur where quiches, terrines, salads and other prepared foods are the mainstay. And of course the marchand de vin for an inexpensive, but lovely bottle of wine—and, finally, the pâtisserie for some fabulous desserts. Even better, hit a weekly neighborhood outdoor food market, where you can actually barter with the sellers and snag everything in one trip. Check for days and hours. Pick a picnic spot, but not any spot. We have some favorites. In no particular order&helli... More About: Spots , Cheap , Picnic
Contest follow-up: We’re still wondering who she is!
2008-05-06 00:16:00 Thanks to all the Cheapos who have contributed guesses in our “name that celebrity” mystery photo quiz posted last week. Gazing out our window at Broadway and Houston in New York, we wondered who was getting painted by billboard artists on the wall across the way. Five days later, we’re still wondering…and she’s almost done! There was speculation a-plenty when she was only a forehead, including, notably: Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Tyra Banks, and Chelsea Clinton. But today, with her body fully painted (save a bit of forearm), we’re still shaking our heads. (The photo above was taken at 5 PM Monday.) Is it possible that (gasp!) H&M is using an unknown model for this billboard? Could she be a no-name? Just another pretty face with an interesting nose and a spray tan? In any case, we’ll be giving away a book to somebody. We just have to settle the matter first. Stay tuned. And keep guessing! More About: Contest
Free Amsterdam: Gardens, art, ferries, conversation
2008-05-05 17:34:00 Looking for ways to save some euros while visiting Amsterdam ? Here are five suggestions: Try some flower power. Visiting the masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum will set you back €10, but the baroque and renaissance gardens behind it are free to stroll. Delight in the fountains, statues, and the carefully coiffed hedges and plants. The gardens are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Baroque gardens are closed on the weekends. (Note: The Rijksmuseum is undergoing extensive renovations that are scheduled to last until 2010. Until then, visitors may visit a scaled down “best of” collection entitled ”The Masterpieces.”) Pick up a passport to paintings. Speaking of the Rijksmuseum, we’re flying high about the joint venture between the museum and Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport. The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schipol, an art space at the airport maintained by the museum, offers annual exhibits free of charge. This year, an impressive collection of Van ... More About: Free , Ferries , Gardens , Conversation
Flip through: Roman lunch, London Cheapo tips, Athens in a hurry
2008-05-02 18:53:00 Some items of note that flashed across our screen this week… Cheap eats in Roma It turns out we’re not the only ones blogging this week about cheap eats in Rome (read our post). Budget Travel’s blog is talking up cheap lunches in the Eternal City. Erica Firpo writes from Rome that we should say “Basta! to pasta” and reach for something a little less filling for lunch. She recommends picking up some triangular tramezzino. We’ll take two. From Stansted for £4? Checking in with “Less Than a Shoestring,” poetloverrebelspy has landed in London and is full of Cheapo-advice. First off, book that coach trip from Stansted into the city early, and use either easyBus or Terravision. On easyBus it’s possible to snag a seat (booked in advance) for as low as £4.25 each way! Furthermore, we’re reminded that the Tate Modern and Tate Britain are not only free, but they offer free guided tours. Join in! Dinner in London for £5 Mean... More About: Lunch , Tips , Athens , Roman
Rome Q&A: The best neighborhood for “real” Roman cuisine?
2008-05-01 19:05:00 A reader asks: “Do you have any advice for inexpensive, authentic Roman restaurants in the center of town?” Annie Shapiro responds: Here’s the bad news: Rome is a gaping hell mouth of overpriced restaurants aimed at the hungry, innocent traveler. The good news is that real Roman cuisine is actually a cucina povera, or poor man’s fare—a savory waste-not want-not approach to Italian cooking that utilizes the plant and animal parts you weren’t expecting. It’s hearty and filling, and like Southern soul food in the US, it’s tastiest at its cheapest… even in the center of town. Near Piazza Navona, Da Francesco (Piazza del Fico, 29), Da Tonino (Via del Governo Vecchio,18 ), and just Alfredo e Ada (Via dei Banchi Nuovi, 14) offer no nonsense trattoria style dining that shouldn’t run you over €15 a person (including wine!) In Trastevere, Da Augusto (Piazza de’ Renzi, 15) is the bonafide classic. From Campo de’ Fiori, follow the scent of deep frying to Filet... More About: Cuisine , Neighborhood
Mystery Photo: Name this celebrity and win a book!
2008-04-30 22:03:00 Who IS that girl? Identify her and win “The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget.” We’re not procrastinating, but… We were just gazing out of our window at Broadway and Houston in New York and realized that a new billboard is being painted right before our eyes! But who is she? The first comment below to correctly identify the celebrity will win a copy of the “Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget,” newly out in bookstores! Quick! Name her! More About: Photo , Celebrity , Book , Mystery
Travel Tips: Keeping your credit cards secure
2008-04-30 19:33:00 Two months ago a credit card ID thief nabbed my account information and went on a shopping spree. Over a two week period this (Editor’s note: expletive deleted) bandit purchased, among other items, snacks at the racetrack, many tanks of gas, and a new pair of shoes. In the end, $2,000 was charged to my card. I reported the case early soon after the first purchase, but could then only sit back and watch it continue. Feeling helpless, all I could do was get my schadenfreude on. I was hoping for stale popcorn, an accidental tank of diesel, and bunions upon their feet. Worst of all, though, I felt pretty dumb. I use my debit card for nearly all of my transactions and always assumed this was the “smart” way to pay. After all, I could view itemized sales online at any time and I didn’t need to carry around excess cash in my wallet. Rather than swear off using my card in the future, I decided to make a few changes to how I used it to prevent ID theft in the fu... More About: Credit Cards , Travel , Credit , Travel Tips , Tips
Checking in: Hotel Dali, Florence
2008-04-29 18:41:00 Hotel Dali Via Dell Oriuolo, 17 (near the Duomo) The Hotel Dali has been one of our favorite hotels in Florence since we created our Florence hotel guide in 2001. For the first in our “Checking In” series, we’re posing some questions to the owners of the Dali, Marco, 42 and his wife Samanta, 38 (pictured above). EC: How many years have you owned and run the Hotel Dali? HD: 10 years. EC: What advice do you have for those traveling on a budget in Florence? HD: Good question! In Florence, things are typically only free during culture week. This occurs during a different week each year and all the public museums are all free for seven days. During the summer time, there are some free tours of private gardens and the like. We recommend checking with the “associazione amici dei musei” office, located inside the Prato Museum. EC: Where can I buy a great bottle of wine without spending too much money? HD: If you want a good wine, but not a rare bottle, the s... More About: Hotel
Barcelona Crush: Hotel Sant Agusti
2008-04-28 16:27:00 Doubles € 105-155 Neighborhood: La Rambla The Sant Agusti is one of our favorite hotels in Barcelona , and it just happens to be the oldest hotel in the city, too. Built in 1880, the hotel is named after the nearby church of Sant Agusti and was a working convent in the 1700s. Many of the rooms still feature original wood beams and stone walls. We especially adore the attic suites at Sant Agusti (eight in all), replete with their cutesy little tables and chairs and fun views of the square below. Rooms are decorated with modern furniture. The breakfast room, where an old cast iron stove takes center stage, is large and airy. The only thing we found lacking about Agusti was its location. While it’s near La Rambla and close to pretty much all the sights, its neighboring streets are a frequent stopping point for the area’s homeless and tend to be more unkempt than other areas of Barcelona. Other than that, Sant Agusti is a unique, family-run hotel with tons of ... More About: Hotel , Crush
Friday flip-through: Amsterdam books, wine dating in Paris, Eurovision
2008-04-25 17:58:00 Sebastien Tellier is representing France in Eurovision this year. It’s sunny again today! Here are some of the things we’ve taken a shine to this week: On Wednesday, Amsterdam became the World Book Capital for one whole year! Thanks to Trippist for reading up on this, and getting us excited about the city-wide book fair scheduled for May 18th! Meanwhile in Paris , Heather Stimmler-Hall recounts in her “Secrets of Paris” blog her tale of wine dating on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse. What is “wine dating,” you ask? It involves tasting three types of wine, mingling with available Frenchmen, cold cuts, and a towering view. Sign us up. And then there’s the flight news! Less Than a Shoestring got us all knotted up about UK and Irish airports charging surprise, unavoidable airport taxes. And from a vending machine, no less! Meanwhile, BudgetTravel alerts us to Cheapo-friendly fares in May from NYC to Rome, Naples, and other Italian cit... More About: Books , Wine , Dating
Budapest Night Out: Wine, goulash, dance floor
2008-04-24 17:39:00 Get more bang for your forint with our Cheapo-tested tips for a night out in Budapest . Kari Hoerchler, who recently prowled the city’s streets hunting down hotels for us, also found out how to have fun… Start the night with a free drink. A cheapo could get a jump start on the evening with a free drink at the Matyas’ wine fountain in the Labyrinth of Castle Hill. However, we found it more efficient and enjoyable to fork out the HUF 8000 (roughly €31) to sample over 50 wines at the House of Hungarian Wine s above ground. Get your restaurant row on. Ramble on over to the Liszt ter, the veritable restaurant row of Budapest. People watching is free of charge, not to mention fun. And, frugal dining spots abound. A fresh variety of cocktails, sandwiches and salads are available at Café Vian. ‘Pest favorites, including goulash and fruit soup, are served at Menza (which also serves international fare, like pasta and salads). Both restaurants run a tab of abo... More About: Dance , Night , Floor
Krakow tip: Five free things to do!
2008-04-23 17:22:00 A view of the old Barbican gate Although Krakow isn’t among the priciest European cities, we always love to save when we can. Here are our picks for stuff that won’t cost you a złoty! Take a trip to St. Mary’s Basilica Mariacki Square, 5 Arguably the most famous of Poland’s churches, St. Mary’s Basilica is home to the illustrious Gothic altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss, a German sculptor. Admission to the main basilica is free, although you’ll only be able to waltz about halfway down the main aisle. For a closer look at the altar, visitors can pay 6 PLN (about €1.75). Consider climbing up one of St. Mary’s two towers (a cost of 5 PLN or about €1.50) for a panoramic view of the city. The towers are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from May 1 to August 31. Tour the main market square (”Rynek Glowny”) in the Old Quarter Take a stroll around Krakow’s biggest medieval city square, a place surrounded by historic bui... More About: Free , Things
CheapoNews Flash: Come join us for a live blog panel!
2008-04-22 17:07:00 This Wednesday at 2 pm EST (8 pm British Summer Time) Tom will be a panelist on a live blog event panel with our friends over at Europe à la Carte. Tom will be joining other travel bloggers to discuss the travel blog industry and respond to reader feedback about what they look for in a travel blog. Fellow participants from the South Pacific Travel Blog , Vagablond.com, Soultravelers3.com and Colliding Continents will be on deck, and Karen from Europe à la Carte will moderate. Any Cheapos who are interested in posting questions, commenting on the travel blog industry or reading feedback from the panelists should swing on over and say hello! More About: Flash , Join , Live , Panel
Barcelona Q&A: Is it safe to stay in the Gothic Quarter?
2008-04-21 18:57:00 A reader asks: “In Barcelona , we’re thinking of staying in the Gothic Quarter to be close to everything, but we’re worried that it’s not safe. Is this area sketchy at night?” Regina WB responds: Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter has the Cathedral, Plaza del Rey and many other fabulous sites that most visitors want to ‘oohh and ahh’ over. And therein lies the problem, while St Juame’s Square is lovely, and the craved gargoyles frightfully fantastic, is it safe? Yes and no. Petty theft in Barcelona is rampant. For the most part it is safe to walk the streets of the city center at any time of night, because there are always people out in Barcelona. Violent crime is not a problem. But, you’ve got to watch your bag, your camera, your wallet, your cell phone and maybe even that gold chain around your neck (less someone rip it from your being on the subway!). Small theft is not punished (really) in Spain, and thieves are well aware of t... More About: Safe , Stay
London: Five fab things to do for free
2008-04-18 17:43:00 Westminster Abbey icons Yes, we hate adding on the extra pounds too. And, in London , it’s easy to do. Thankfully, there are a slew of free things to take advantage of in Her Majesty’s city—and you pretty much only need a good pair of walking shoes to enjoy them. Righty-ho! Water works We think the best fountains in London (and there are plenty to choose from!) are the two majestic bronze fountains that flow over Trafalgar Square. Start by admiring them from afar, standing at the northern edge of the square. Then, take the stairs down, pause to pet the giant lion statues (another Square fixture), and settle in on a perch nearby. We’ve spent whole afternoons here, where the views of Londontown are great and you’re never far from a duck or a wish. Sit for a portrait The National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square is free and open to the public daily, closing only for a couple days at Christmas. The gallery displays portraits, photos, and sculptur... More About: Free , Things
Are budget airlines a good deal?
2008-04-17 17:38:00 With budget airlines, you can fly between European cities for startlingly low prices. But, is there a hitch to that €20 flight from London to Venice? Maybe. Here’s our quick recap of budget airline advantages and disadvantages. Some pros 1) You can fly for cheap, especially with advance planning. How? There are many ways to fly for close to nothing. Lots of airlines offer promotional fares that are essentially free, requiring customers to pay for taxes and incremental charges only. 2) Transportation is quick. For example, traveling from Paris to Warsaw by train will take a minimum of 15 hours, with many connections taking 20 hours. An air journey takes just two and a quarter hours. 3) Multi-stop holidays in Europe can be effortlessly and inexpensively scheduled. The low-cost carrier business model is based on one-way fares, not roundtrips. Leisure travelers who don’t have to adhere to strict schedules can flexibly plan very affordable hops around Europe. 4) Approached... More About: Airlines , Deal , Budget , Good
Tuesday flip-through: Budapest, Clooney, and locals
2008-04-15 19:17:00 What are the Cheapos reading over lunch today? Here’s a quick Tuesday flip-through: Flight Reading When we can’t hop on a plane and jet to Europe, we tend to pick up a good read to quell the urge. So, we were happy to be reminded by The Intelligent Traveler that “The Best American Travel Writing”, 2007 edition, which hit bookstores last fall, is chock full of essays that will take you there. Travel Gal Pals We’re excited for the launch of Budget Travel’s new magazine, Girlfriend Getaways. The first issue is out on newsstands now and includes a cheeky article by Ann Hood about how she and a few friends went searching for George Clooney while visiting Italy’s Lake District. We tried to find George too, while at ITB Berlin. But, only got as far as this wax figurine. Budapest Bets Last week, Daily Candy emailed us about Budapest. Not only did they dish up ideas for where to get drinks, soak up the entertainment factor, and eat... More About: Flip
Brussels crush: Hotel la Madeleine
2008-04-10 18:46:00 Having read repeatedly that Brussels , as the center of the EU, was more ”political” and “corporate” than “quaint European,” we anticipated streets filled with bankers and void of much character (save for a small central square and a famous statue of a boy urinating). Boy, were we wrong! From the bright, grafitti-lined streets to the yummy, chocolately waffles, steamed mussels, and frothy beer, we were drawn in. The locals were friendly, the artistic vibe apparent everywhere, and the multitude of architectural icons loomed—most distinctly in the medieval Grand Place—and all across the metropolis. And, we got a few crushes along the way. First up, Hotel La Madeleine . Hotel la Madeleine rue de la Montagne, 22 Doubles: €60-100 Ah, ma Madeleine. Rooms at this 2-star gem are decorated with a modern, artistic sensibility. Purple and beige walls are accented by sleek furnishings (lamps, wardrobes and desks), and bedspreads are luxurious... More About: Crush
Contest winner: Overcoming a bad plane seat
2008-04-09 18:40:00 You read. You posted. You conquered, Cheapos. Recently, we regaled you with the story of our lackluster plane trip home from Paris. In short, we had a really crummy seat on an American Airlines flight and were forced to come up with ways to “overcome” the seats. We then asked you for your tips on overcoming such transatlantic trials. In witty emails, funny blog comments, and some in-person chats, we heard it all. (Including, to our relief, that we aren’t the only ones who’ve posed strategically for photos in order to snap documentation of intoxicated passengers… Thanks Henrietta!). We also learned some innovative ways to avoid seat discomfort and annoyance, including pretending to be pregnant, tuning out with an iPod, and playing trivia with other passengers. One reader recommended the pharma-approach: pop a couple sleeping pills and say goodnight. Others distract themselves with in-flight movies, no matter how inane (Mouse Hunt, anyon... More About: Contest , Seat , Winner , Plane
Ryanair diary: One Night in Barcelona’s Girona Airport
2008-04-08 19:25:00 In the spring of 2006, I was able to score some super-cheap tickets on Ryanair for a last-minute getaway to Barcelona from London, where I was living. It had been a great weekend, made possible by my low-cost flight. I booked a 6 PM flight in order to extend my holiday as long as possible, pushing off the reality of the next morning’s workday. As long as I was in Barcelona, I was on vacation! The tickets were basically free—I only had to pay the airport tax. The catch? I had to fly into and out of two less-than-central airports, London’s Stansted and Barcelona’s Girona airport. It was worth it, right? What follows is a diary of my flight experience en route from Barcelona to London. 4:30 PM: I arrive early at the airport for a 6 PM flight. We all know you have to get to the gate before the other passengers in order to snag the best seat. 5:00 PM: Shortly after check-in, an announcement is made. The flight has been delayed an hour. Ok, some extra time... More About: Diary , Airport , Night
How can budget airline tickets be so cheap?
2008-04-07 16:45:00 As part of our Cheap oSearch flights launch celebration, we’re spending some time this week discussing common questions readers have about traveling on Europe’s low-cost carriers. A good place to start is with the most obvious question of all: How can budget airlines be so cheap? First of all, budget airlines manage to keep their own costs down, which translates into a cheaper ticket price. For example, many low-cost routes fly in and out of secondary airports with low landing fees. Many low-cost airlines have also eliminated conventional customer service departments, replacing them with toll-based telephone numbers that levy exorbitant per-minute charges (see: easyJet). Additionally, the operating costs of low-cost carriers are quite minimal. Though practices vary, for the most part you’ll find baggage handlers checking tickets, planes being unloaded minutes before they’re filled with new customers, and planes not being completely cleaned during general flyi... More About: Tickets , Budget , Airline
Friday flip-through: RyanAir reports, Lisbon, Florence
2008-04-04 16:33:00 Let’s wind down and settle into our weekend, shall we? Even on a rainy Friday morning, we’ve found inspiration this morning flipping through some other sites. For example: The web has been busier than the Dublin airspace with stories about Ryanair . Our favorite budget travel rebel at “Less than a Shoestring” last week continued to explain ”Why I Love/Hate RyanAir.” (Let’s say that it has to do with taxes, fees, and working the system. “Dealing with low-cost carriers such as RyanAir is like playing a game. In order to play well, you need to know the rules.” Meanwhile, over on the other shoe, Spendthrift Shoestring is back from Carriacou and already monitoring the overall health of the low-cost carrier business. Alex points out that Air Berlin and Centralwings have experienced some turbulence, while RyanAir is reporting growth in March. At least some airlines are showing growth. BudgetTravel, reporting on the ATA airline bankr... More About: Florence , Lisbon , Flip
CheapoSearch takes flight!
2008-04-02 17:30:00 (tap, tap) Is this thing on? Ladies and gents, we’re thrilled to announce the newest addition to EuroCheapo: CheapoSearch Flight s, our great, big search engine for researching budget airlines in Europe. We’re big fans of European budget airlines, in all their quirky, bargain-ticket glory. How else could you fly from London to Rome for £10? We felt, however, that there weren’t enough reliable resources on the web to find, compare, and research the carriers and routes. Thus, we built CheapoSearch Flights. Don’t know your Aer Arann from your WizzAir? We’ve got you covered. What’s special about CheapoSearch Flights? Our flights guide includes 43 low-cost airlines in Europe, reviewed by EuroCheapo’s editors, and includes company profiles, pros and cons, luggage and boarding policy information, and direct links to their websites. While we include well known budget airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, we also features lesser known re...
Hotel Crush Paris: Villa des Princes
2008-04-01 18:00:00 2-star hotel 19, rue Monsieur le Prince Paris , St. Germain des Prés Doubles: €79-100 Ahh… Paris is the city of love. And, we’ve got lots of it for the charming two-star Villa des Princes. In fact, you may recall that we mentioned Villa, the tiny 12-room gem in the middle of the trendy St. Germain des Prés neighborhood, a few days ago. First, a little history. Back in the days of King Louis XIII, the 17th-century home was actually a dormitory for school teachers and was called the Hotel des Écoles. Today, many out-of-town teachers and professors choose the Villa as their headquarters, because of its close proximity to university life (the Sorbonne is just blocks away) and its reasonable rates. Each room is très petite, and outfitted with comfy beds and spotless bathrooms. The hotel has named each room after a different neighborhood of Paris. We stayed in the “Marais” during our last trip. For those steamy summer nights, the Villa des Prince off... More About: Crush
Tips for great travel despite the weak dollar
2008-03-31 17:11:00 Like us, many of our readers are American. And regardless of nationality, probably all of our readers are aware of the unfortunate exchange rate currently greeting US travelers abroad. Today, for instance, the euro costs US $1.58. Yet we’re still traveling to Europe. Newspapers and magazines have been abuzz lately with articles about stretching the dollar abroad. Some of our favorites include The Seattle Times, Budget Travel Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily News, and the Austin American-Statesman. As pro-cheapo travelers, we’re happy to see so much interest in budget travel, although saddened to think that many potential travelers might feel discouraged and choose not to travel to Europe at all. “Maybe next year I’ll get to Spain,” one of my friends told me last week. “I can’t afford it now.” Alas! Pete, Meredith and I just returned from two weeks in Europe, traveling from Berlin to Brussels, and then Bruges. Yes, I was qui... More About: Tips , Dollar , Great
Berlin Tip: Frei things to do!
2008-03-26 20:59:00 Berlin is one city where your euros can still pack a punch. And, perhaps even more importantly, it’s also full of art, history, sausage, and free stuff to do. Here are six of our favorite freebies in the German capital: The Reichstag The official seat of the German Parliament, the Reichstag affords you (at no cost!) one of the best views of the city from its famous dome and roof terrace. Wait times can be hefty, so we’ve found it’s best to visit at night (the building stays open until midnight, although the last entry is at 10 PM). Take a quick elevator ride to the top and snap a bunch of photos. A free brochure, available as you enter the building, offers a pictorial guide to the Berlin skyline. (So, that’s the new train station!) Brandenburg Gate This majestic gate, called “the trademark of Berlin” by the local authorities, was built by King Wilhelm II in 1788. The Gate has seen a lot. It has survived conquests, bombings, and oppressive... More About: Berlin , Things
Paris: Cheapo Night Out!
2008-03-24 20:11:00 Paris can get, how do you say?, “très cher.” After dining out in Paris for two nights last week, we were ready to give our wallets a break and try a Paris night à la Cheapo. A stroll for free After doing a bit of research, we mapped out a fun, Seine-side stroll from St. Germain des Près (where we were staying at the lovely 2-star gem “Villa des Princes“) to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The whole journey took about an hour as we wandered along the river, stopping at bridges, watching the tour boats, and posing for photos. A pancake dinner By the time we arrived, we had worked up an appetite. Sure, we were feasting on the sight of Paris by night, but that didn’t quite cut it. We got in line for fresh crèpes from a street vendor and salivated as he poured the batter, flipped the pancakes, and added our ingredients: Nutella and banana for Mere, and ham and emmental for Pete. Two crèpes set us back about €7 and we shared a Coke (€1.50). A free ligh... More About: Night , Paris
Contest: Tips for overcoming a bad plane seat. Win a “Rough Guide”!
2008-03-21 16:40:00 We’ve all been there: the nightmare seat on the plane. They know that the seat is terrible when they check you in, but they still assign it to you with a straight face. It’s a seat that nobody in their right mind would trade you for. That seat that will have to be endured. But how? Earlier this week when Pete and Mere (pictured above) were flying from Paris to New York, they landed a couple of doozies. Their seats, ominously located in aisle 13, were situated up against the bathroom wall, preventing them from reclining. Rather comically, the row was windowless, offering a view of a beige wall for eight hours. Across the aisle, a fellow traveler became intoxicated and fell asleep drooling on his chest and upon the large Casio keyboard he brought along. These Cheapos experienced a flash of panic as they contemplated how to deal with this unpleasant intercontinental scenario. Their solution: distraction. They whipped out one laptop and started going through ... More About: Contest , Tips , Seat , Plane
“In Bruges” recap and the best pancakes in town
More articles from this author:2008-03-20 16:04:00 As previously mentioned, Pete, Mere, and I returned from Europe on Monday afternoon. After attending the ITB travel conference in Berlin, we drove to Brussels (ha! more about that later) and started the “hotel hunt” part of the trip. Pete and Meredith took on Brussels and I took the train to Bruges, where I spent five days checking out the hotel scene. First impressions of Bruges As I had never been to Bruges, my expectations were limited. I anticipated a picturesque, small town, heavily touristed, high hotel prices, and hotel owners who might not have time for me. (In some cities, after all, hotel proprietors give you the impression that they have better things to do than, say, show you all of their rooms.) I was only partially correct. Bruges is a gorgeous place, crisscrossed by canals, paved with cobblestones, and architecturally “preserved” to 16th-Century storybook perfection. It’s hard not to take photos — but also hard to figure out what... More About: Recap , Town , Pancakes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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