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
Amsterdam: The cheapest bike in town
2008-02-19 21:32:00 Amsterdam is one of the best European cities for cycling. See the city, speed along the canals, and act like a local. Ready to roll? First, grab a good map. The tourism office facing Centraal Station offers a bike-specific map with highlighted biking paths and touring suggestions. Then, go get a bike! Where? Mike’s Bike Tours Kerkstraat 134 One of the most popular bike rentals in Amsterdam, Mike’s (along with other rental agencies) requires you to leave some sort of deposit when you rent a bike: your passport, an imprint of your credit card, or a deposit of €200. They provide you with two bike locks, and will even demonstrate how to use them! (A word of caution: Mike’s also has a location in Munich and it can be a bit tricky to navigate their web site, so if you decide to book online, make sure you’re on the Mike’s Amsterdam page!) Rates - 1/2 day: €5 (€8 with insurance); 1 day: €7 (€10 with insurance). Frederic Rental Bike Brouwerstgra... More About: Amsterdam , Town
EuroCheapo’s been Facebook’d
2008-02-16 18:35:00 (Editor’s Note: While we always shy away from self-promoting posts on the blog, please indulge us for a moment…) We recently updated our EuroCheapo page on Facebook and we think it’s pretty Cheapo-rific. On our Facebook page you’ll find photo albums including “Cheapos At Work”, “CheapoPets We’ve Met Along the Way” (hint: We’ve got sheep! Lots of ‘em!), and the occassional shot of our reviewers lost in the streets. You can also view videos submitted by fellow Cheapos and write all over our wall (we encourage it!). Best of all, you’ll be joining a growing family of Cheapos! We’re just getting started on our page, and we’ve got contests and more in store. Have a look, browse the photos, and become a fan of EuroCheapo!
Paris: Cheap tickets for concerts and opera
2008-02-14 17:23:00 We love Paris . We love classical concerts and operas. And we love saving money. Thus, we combined our loves and put together a list of five ways to do culture in Paris à la cheapo. Free classical music Pick up a Pariscope, the weekly listings guide (in French), at any magazine kiosk and flip to the classical concert listings. You’ll see many freebie concerts, often by young musicians and local ensembles, held on Sundays in churches around town. We’re especially fond of concerts in the 16th Century Eglise St-Merri, in the 4th arrondissement, which presents free concerts on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. (Incidentally, the bell tower contains the oldest bell in Paris, cast in 1331!) Cheap seats for concerts in major venues Paris boasts world-class performances in state-of-the-art musical halls. Best of all, many of these venues receive government support to help keep ticket prices affordable — or at least some ticket prices affordable. (Don’t b... More About: Concerts , Opera , Tickets
London: Tasty and Cheapo Eats
2008-02-13 16:54:00 London can be a tricky city for dining. Long criticized for the quality of its fare (”It’s no Paris!”), the city has undergone a gastro-awakening over the past decade that has benefited the bellies, if not the wallets, of its diners. So what’s a Cheapo to eat? Here are our dining tips, all tested and tried: 1. Go for conveyer belt sushi! We were initially turned off by the robotic, ever-moving feel of these establishments, frequently seen in London’s malls and Tube stations, but the low prices always lured us back to the belt. Eventually, we even got a hang of it. (Not counting the time the California rolls spun out on our table.) We’re big fans because you watch all the sushi and sashimi as it’s prepared, so you know it’s fresh. You can also ask the chef to add a little extra something (Wasabi? Extra roe?) to your particular dish. Hey, if we’re conveyer converts, you can be too. Try Yo Sushi, which has tons of locatio... More About: London
Venice: Nightlife Survival Guide
2008-02-12 19:34:00 Venice may be known for its opera house and Vivaldi concerts, but it isn’t celebrated for its nightlife. This can present problems for travelers looking, well, to do something at night. This problem also dogs single travelers in Venice, who may not find any special romantic epiphany wandering the canals alone after dinner. (And we won’t even go into the nightlife issues faced by single hotel reviewers, staying in the town in the dead of winter…) Alas, the canalled city does offer a range of nightlife options. Here’s our quick guide: 1. Have a drink with the locals Head to Campo Santa Margherita in Dursoduro to hang out with the locals in the small cafes, bars, and lounges lining the square. Don’t be intimidated by the clusters of real Venetians. Grab a drink. Recommended: Cafe Blue (Dursoduro 3778), serves drinks and live music until 2 AM. The hopping bar is a favorite with locals and tourists alike, and is located next to the equally enticing Caf... More About: Nightlife , Venice , Guide , Survival
Dublin tip: Free castles and modern art
2008-02-08 16:55:00 When visiting any city, we’re always relieved to find free activities to take the burden off our wallet. We’re happy to report that enchanted, moody Dublin offers a wide-range of high class sightseeing opportunities that won’t cost you a euro-cent. Our three faves: Dublin Castle For die-hard history buffs, reaching the Dublin Castle is like reaching the legendary pot of gold. The impressive stone castle is perched high atop the center of Dublin, overlooking the city. Tour the 13th-century Norman Tower and take a trip through the halls of its medieval prison. Free guided tours of all buildings on the castle grounds are available daily. Check out this historical landmark’s web site, with its interactive maps, 360-degree panoramic photos, and bite-sized history lessons. Tip: Leave time for the gift shop where crystal jewelry and one-of-a-kind Belleek china pieces abound. Irish Museum of Modern Art Old meets new at the impressive national modern ... More About: Castles , Modern Art
Budapest tip: Confections of a Cheapo
2008-02-07 19:06:00 Back in day, it was fairly typical to see many old Hungarian men and woman hanging out well into the night at a traditional coffee house in Budapest . Ideas were discussed and many pastries were consumed. Today, it’s hard to narrow in on some of these ancient gems (no, we’re not talking about the old men and women), but they do still exist. And, the best part? An old coffee house or confectionery in Budapest can make for a fantastic cheapo’s night out. For the price of a cup of coffee and a yummy confection, you’ll be stepping back in time, connecting with Hungarian culture and often hanging out in a lavish turn-of-the-century building. Here are five of our favorites: 1) Angelika I. Batthyány tér 7 Open: Monday through Wednesday and on Sundays from 9 am to midnight; T...
Vienna: Opera high notes on a low budget
2008-02-06 18:28:00 We’re always keen to dispel the myth that you must be rolling in it (money, that is) to enjoy world-class entertainment. Take the Viennese opera. This Austrian gem is well within the range of Cheapos. Here are our three best bets for landing a night at the Opera : Try ’standing room only’ If you are willing to stand for the duration of the performance, then you can get some of the cheapest tickets in town. The cost of a ”standing room only” ticket is between €2 and €3.50 per opera. These tickest are only available at the evening box office, which opens 80 minutes prior to show time. Snag seats for a song In the nosebleed section of the opera house, you’ll pay anywhere from €7 to €18 for a seat in the rafters (but what rafters they are!). Considering a spot in the front orchestra could cost you €200, we consider this is a huge score. Just bring some good opera glasses. Take a tour and skip the show If The Marriage of Figaro i... More About: Notes , Vienna , Budget , High
Paris Tip: Sleep in a Parisian apartment
2008-02-05 18:12:00 Naturally, EuroCheapo’s Paris guide is devoted to finding the perfect budget hotels for your next visit to the city. However, if you’re in the mood for something a little more intime next time you visit, you might consider staying in a Parisian apartment. We’re not talking about an apartment rental, mind you. We mean a real Paris apartment, inhabited by living and breathing Parisians. “Pour Vous Paris” is a friendly group of Parisians who have opened their apartments (and their extra bedrooms) to foreign travelers. Better yet, they’re enthusiastic about practicing their English, answering questions about their city, and even taking their guests on free walking tours of their neighborhoods. And the rooms tend to be cheap — from €45-60 for a single, and €55-70 for a double, depending on neighborhood and “comfort level.” The group is not an agency and you pay your host directly upon arrival. However, you must pay an annual mem... More About: Sleep
London Survival Guide: 20 free museums!
2008-02-04 17:56:00 Planning to visit London on a budget could initially give a Cheapo a nervous breakdown. But, as documented throughout our London guide, it is possible to live it up in London on a modest budget — with a little planning. How? Besides the obvious (choosing a budget hotel, eating cheaply, and getting around with an Oyster card), you’d be crazy not to take advantage of London’s free museums and attractions. Most of the nationally-run museums and art galleries are publicly financed and don’t cost visitors a pence. It’s a beautiful thing… 9 must-visit free museums: British Library British Museum National Gallery Natural History Museum National Portrait Gallery Science Museum Tate Modern The Tate Britain Victoria and Albert Museum 9 notable, free museums: Bank of London Museum Imperial War Museum London Political Cartoon Gallery Museum of Garden History Museum of London National Maritime Museum Petrie Museum of Egyption Archaeology RIBA Architect... More About: Free , Guide , Museums , Survival
Flashback! Fodor’s “Budget France ‘82″
2008-02-01 22:11:00 The other day, a copy of “Fodor’s Budget France ‘82″ landed in our office. The cute little book, measuring no larger than a pocket-sized Agatha Christie novel, has captivated and charmed us ever since. For one thing, it’s so simple. The 178-page book is all text, providing three maps (France, Paris, and the Metro), ten chapters, and a phrase index in the back. The only photo to be had was an advertisement on page 174 for a Fodor’s language course, audio cassette-edition. The book retailed for $5.95 (about $13.00, adjusted for 2008). Money and prices abroad in 1982 Obviously in 1982, France used the franc, which had an exchange rate of about $.17, or 5.89 francs to the US dollar. That is, if you exchanged your travelers checks at a bank. The book explains that travelers’ checks “are still the safest and simplest way to carry money.” Today, of course, travelers’ checks have mostly been replaced by credit cards and ATM mac... More About: Flashback
Barcelona: Is the Barcelona Card a good deal?
2008-01-31 18:04:00 Tourist discount cards can provide great value and a major convenience. But, they can also create a major headache when trying to evaluate their value. Today, we turn to Barcelona … The Barcelona Card The city-run Barcelona Turisme office issues the Barcelona Card as a two-day pass (€25), three-day pass (€30), four-day pass (€34), and five-day pass (€40). Prices are 20% cheaper for children, and all passes booked in advance on the official website receive a 10% discount. Benefits of the card are varied. Pass holders enjoy, among other things: Free public transportation throughout most of Barcelona (including the airport train). Free admission to 12 museums, and reduced admission (50%-10% off) to another 20 museums. Various other discounts, ranging from 10% to 35% off at cultural, entertainment, leisure, and nightlife spots. Is the card a good deal? Well, it’s complicated. We fired up our old Commodore 64, tapped out some quick algebra equations and came to ... More About: Deal , Good
Florence museum tip: Book online, skip the line!
2008-01-30 17:49:00 If you’ve ever visited the fabulous Uffizi museum in Florence , you probably know that your first hour (or two) there can often be spent waiting in a long, slow ticket line. And, that’s if you’re lucky. After all, the museum puts a daily cap on total entrants, so if you arrive on really busy days or after lunch, you can find yourself without a ticket at all! Enter the sleek new website of the “Polo Museale Fiorentino,” the city’s governing board for 20 museums, including the Uffizi, the Accademia, the Pitti Palace, the Museum of San Marco, and more. On the site, you can take virtual tours of each museum, read about upcoming exhibits, verify opening hours, and map out locations. But our favorite feature: The site now offers online ticket booking for all museums, allowing users to bypass the long queue and restricted entrance schedule. How it works The process is simple: You choose the museum you wish to book, pick a date, and then select an... More About: Book , Online , Line
Rome Hotels: Three central and unusual sleeps
2008-01-29 18:37:00 At EuroCheapo, we’re all about hotels with a little extra flavor. And when in Rome , why settle for a normal night’s sleep? These three hotels in Rome have traipsed through history, from ancient history to 19th-century, but all of them today offer modern amenities so you can sleep comfortably. 1) Casa Banzo Campo de’ Fiori Doubles from €110 This bed and breakfast, with just three rooms, screams, “location!” Housed in a 15-century palazzo near Campo de’ Fiori, this family-run establishment is far enough from the crazy Campo crowds, but close enough to easily walk to the Vatican, Spanish Steps and other Roman highlights. Each of the Casa’s rooms are chockablock with vintage accoutrements. Think oil paintings, mahogany surfaces, and lots of marble. And, we haven’t even mentioned the frescoes! Just keep in mind, book early if you want to stay here. With only three rooms, the hotel fills up quickly. If you do stay here, tell An... More About: Hotels , Central
Madrid Tip: Cheapo Night Out
2008-01-25 17:01:00 Hitting the town in Madrid doesn’t have to rip into your bank balance faster than a speeding bull. As in all good cities, nighttime budget-friendly options abound! Here’s our cheapo guide to living it up for a night in Spain’s vibrant capital. Get in the mood Start out near central Plaza de Chueca, an area where there’s no shortage of trendy clubs and restaurants, many of which are cheapo-friendly. Considered to be the premiere gay area of Madrid, Chueca and its main square are full of people hangin’ out in cafes and bars almost every night. In fact, if you hang out in the square long enough, chances are decent that you’ll make some new friends and find yourself involved in some last-minute plans. Dinner While daytime lunch specials certainly abound around Chueca (a good midday meal can be had for between €5-8), it can be a bit challenging to keep dinner prices low. We’d recommend checking out the trendy and delish Bazaa... More About: Night
Paris tip: 5 Free Sights in the City of Lights
2008-01-24 17:32:00 Visiting Paris can be, how shall we say, très cher? But, several of its finest tourist sights don’t cost a euro-cent. Here’s a list of our top five favorite free attractions. 1) Père Lachaise Cemetery Frédéric Chopin, Guillaume Apollinaire, Honoré de Balzac, Édith Piaf… This cemetery is a “who’s who” of famous names, and not all of them French (Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and other expats are buried there as well). Bring flowers to leave graveside or just stroll the cobblestone paths and well-landscaped grounds. Better yet, take a virtual tour on the cemetery’s web site. Check out Baron Haussmann’s mausoleum! Very schmancy. Open: Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM and on Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM. Note: When sundown occurs before 6 PM, the cemetery closes at dusk. 2) The Seine and Islands Man, if this river could talk! It has certainly seen its share of history, revolution, and passing love interests. Take a walk along ... More About: Sights , Free , City , Lights
Berlin tip: “Mensa” cafeterias dish up cheap meals
2008-01-23 18:06:00 We are unapologetically fond of German cafeteria food. When visiting the German capital, we always stop for a sampling of local cuisine at one of the state-run (and subsidized) Mensa cafeterias, where a nourishing lunch may be enjoyed for just a few euros. Although Mensa cafeterias are commonly found on campus at German universities and packed with healthy, athletically-inclined students, the dining halls are open to the public, and you’ll often find yourself dining alongside area businessmen and women. For the adventurous tourist, the cafeterias offer a unique and budget-friendly opportunity to get a taste of the real Deutschland. Cafeteria food is, mildly put, not everyone’s culinary preference. But we enjoy it and embrace it for all of its qualities – healthy portions, light seasonings, regimented serving procedures, and unwavering value. How the Mensa works Most Mensa cafeterias require that you purchase a “MensaCard” onto which you can load – and reload – cash.... More About: Berlin , Cheap , Dish , Meals
London Tip: Oyster cards reduce transit costs
2008-01-22 18:36:00 We’d like to take this opportunity to extol the virtues of London ’s Oyster. Oyster card, that is. In a city fit for a queen, it often seems that prices for everything can be a royal pain. However, with the little blue and white Oyster card, visitors and locals alike benefit from drastically reduced rates on mass transit. (You can use the card on the Tube, trams, buses, DLR, London Overground and some National Rail services.) Take a single fare on the Tube, for example: A trip from within Zones 1-4 (say Kew Gardens to Oxford Street) would normally cost £4. With the Oyster, the price fluctuates—depending on time of day, day of week, and zone—from £1.50-2.50. In some cases, that’s more than half the cost! And, since we last checked, with the money you save on public transport, you can buy more cups of coffee. So, why doesn’t everyone opt for oyster? Well, we’re not sure. It does initially take a few minutes to buy the card. There&rsquo... More About: Reduce , Cards , Costs , Transit
Travel Smarts: Why do hotel rates vary on the Web?
2008-01-18 16:14:00 You’ve found a great budget hotel in Paris and you’ve searched around on CheapoSearch for the best rates from different booking agencies for your dates. And then it hits you: How can there be different rates for the same dates in the same hotel? And why are these small hotels offering booking with online agencies, anyhow? A little back story Ten years ago, most small, independent and family-run hotels in Europe weren’t on the radar for most first-time tourists to a city. They were simply too small to work with travel agencies or weren’t fortunate enough to be selected by the handful of travel guidebooks that recommended hotels for the first-time “independent traveler.” During the past decade, these same hotels developed their own websites, presenting photos, room descriptions, and prices. Most built in some sort of booking form, as well. When we would visit them to inspect for EuroCheapo, many hotel owners and managers would explain that they d... More About: Travel , Hotel , Rates , Smarts
Copenhagen Tip: Happy to be free!
2008-01-17 16:08:00 Denmark, home to Hans Christian Andersen and all those friendly, tall—and it must be said—great Danes, was recently proclaimed the happiest place on earth. In a number of population studies, pollsters asked residents to rate their level of happiness and other factors, and it seems the Danes have a real twist for felicity. All this happiness, in spite of high taxes and hefty price tags? After all, according to the Big Mac Index, a Happy Meal must cost at least $5 in Cope nhagen ! Yet we agree: Denmark is a happy (and happening) place! Here are five of our favorite and free ways to boost your serotonin in Copenhagen: 1) Get cultured In 2006, the National Museum and the Statens Museum of Kunst became free to the public. And, every Wednesday, a number of other major museums and galleries open their doors without a charge. We suggest the Tøjhusmuseet, where the relics of the Royal Danish Arsenal are housed, and the Hirschsprungske and Ordrupgaard Collections, two museums ... More About: Free
Site of the Week: SubwayNavigator.com
2008-01-16 17:29:00 It’s hard to describe the sheer DIY-joy that comes with understanding a new city’s subway or metro system. In some cases - take Budapest, for example - cracking the subway code might be a fun exercise rather than an economic or geographic imperative. You hop on, hop off, and buy a ticket (if you’re a good, honest Cheapo). Though, be warned: When last in town, we didn’t see the automated kiosk’s “English language” option. So, after spending close to 30-minutes testing our Hungarian, we bought the wrong tickets! And, yes, we got busted. On the other hand - London anyone? - getting a grip on public transportation is a crucial step to enjoying a pricey, expansive city without having to dig into the money belt and pony up the pounds. In these situations, showing off your fluency in subway-speak, whether it be Tube, Metro, Underground or other, is a requirement and can admittedly be a bit of a time consuming and anxiety-inducing task. Don&... More About: Site , Week
New York: Three free ways to get “on the air”
2008-01-15 18:32:00 New York calls itself the “media capital of the world” for good reason: countless newspapers, magazines, television networks, film projects, and media companies are based in the Big Apple. Dozens of popular American television shows are taped in the city, and several are broadcast live–often with the city’s pedestrians passing by in the background. Here are three of our favorite ways to be part of a TV show, times to show up, and ways to get on camera. The best part? Most of it is free for the taking. 1) The Late Show with David Letterman Where: Ed Sullivan Theater (1697 Broadway, at 53rd Street) When: Weekdays Home to the “Ed Sullivan Show” from 1948-1971, the theater now hosts David Letterman’s popular late night talk show, broadcast on CBS at 11:30 PM. Tickets in person: Tickets are free and may be requested by visiting the theater and submitting a written request for shows up to one month in advance. Audience members will ... More About: New York , Free , New-York
Paris: Five cheap ways to stay fit
2008-01-14 18:22:00 Visiting Paris as a tourist usually means long days of hiking across town, climbing steps, and carrying a backpack. With so much physical activity, you can just forget about the need to hit the gym, right? Well, for us it also means days that begin with a butter croissant (268 calories) and end with a creme caramel (759 calories). In between the two — well, let’s not go there. After about a week, no matter how much you’re walking, one can start feeling the pastries. What’s a Cheap o to do? We’ve tried a number of strategies, but they usually amount to very little (read: Semi-distracted push-ups on the hotel room floor while watching CNN International). There must be a better way to stay in shape, raise your pulse, and sweat off some of those delicious sauces. Here are five cheapo ways to stay in shape in Paris: 1) Run It sounds obvious, but if you’re a runner, pack your running shoes when you’re visiting Paris. If your hotel is located... More About: Stay
Backpacker Tip: Consider a “Busabout” adventure
2008-01-11 18:57:00 If you’re the kind of Cheapo who prefers a rollicking “hostel environment” to a quiet mom-and-pop hotel, you should consider a Busabout bus tour of Europe, if you’re traveling during the summer months. What is it? Busabout operates a “hop on hop off” bus line that shuttles young and indie travelers along “loops” of major European cities. You purchase a loop pass (for $639) and are bused about from one city to the next — usually about 12 cities per loop. You can get off at any of these cities and stay as long as you like, and then hop on the next bus that drives through town. (A bus passes through all 30 cities every other day from May 4 through October 30.) You can book each of these stops in advance through their website to ensure that you’ll have a seat on the bus. For example: The “Western Loop” takes you along the following path: Paris - Bern - Nice - Avignon - Barcelona - Valencia - Madrid - San... More About: Adventure , Backpacker
Amsterdam: The Best Budget Theme Hotels
2008-01-10 17:09:00 Maybe it’s Van Gogh’s trippy sunflowers or that wacky, tacky Red Light District. But there’s something about Amsterdam ’s love of the unusual that pops up in its hotel offerings. We’ve weeded out the ho-hum hotel experiences to bring you a few of our favorite joints (so many puns, so little space!): Hotel de Filosoof What: Three-star hotel near the Vondelpark Doubles: From € 80 Theme : Enlightenment Each room here is dedicated to a philosopher. You could stay in “Clouds” and pay homage to Aristophanes and Socrates, drifting to sleep in a bed with a blue, velveteen comforter. Or, opt for Confucius, which lifts up the ideals of Taoism and showcases an array of strong, ancient-looking (intentionally) purple décor. Neitche’s room just plain scared us. (Not surprising, considering the whole “God is dead” thing. Sweet dreams!) Thankfully, the hotel has 38 rooms to choose from, a spacious outdoor garden, and an art galle... More About: Hotels , Budget
Site of the Week: SleepingInAirports.net
2008-01-09 17:04:00 Most Cheapos we know have at some point faced a budget travel rite of passage: sleeping in an airport. This is commonly due to a canceled flight or a super-early flight, although the occasional ”super-Cheapo” chooses a night at the airport over a hotel on the last night to save some cash before returning home (completely respectable!). While airport overnights can begin rather interestingly (Who knew there was so much activity at the Relay newsstand at 1:35 am? Where’s my journal?), usually sometime around the second americano, fourth Guiness, or third attempt at reading that old Corriere della Sera it becomes necessary to find a place to curl up for some real shut-eye. This is when SleepingInAirports.net comes in handy. About The Site SleepingInAirports provides listings of the best and worst airports for sleeping overnight world-wide. Site members post reviews of airports and upload photos of their own nocturnal experience (such as the image above of Londo... More About: Week
Paris: Let the sales begin!
2008-01-08 19:29:00 We were psyched to get a reminder from Gridskipper that the Paris ian city-wide “soldes” sales event will be in effect January 9-20. A government regulated program, Paris slashes prices (anywhere from 30-50 percent off) on clothing and the like twice a year, once in January (”soldes d’hiver”) and again during the summer months (”soldes d’été”). From big retailers like Galeries Lafayette to smaller boutique chains like Agatha, you can expect to get your mitts on some haute stuff for cooler prices. But, for cheapos out there, here’s the best news of all: Because the annual retail sales are such a big tourism draw, the Chamber of Commerce along with the Tourist Office of Paris and a few other government orgs join forces each year to present, “Soldes By Paris,” an event involving some 1,500 retailers, 500 hotels and restaurants and a whole lot more. For about two weeks, participating hotels drop their rates, while restaurants and museums offer spe... More About: Sales
Rome: A list of free tourist sights
2008-01-07 17:19:00 Alas, with Roman hotel rates higher than ever and the dollar at depressing lows against the euro, it can be difficult to find any budgetary relief for tourists in Italy’s capital city. Or is it? This morning we were doing a little research on the value of “all-in-one” tourist passes in Rome , when we realized that quite a few sights in Rome are actually free to visit… or at least free to gaze at from outside. After all, most of them are located outside and are just part of the Eternal City’s street scene. Some of our favorite Roman freebies: Roman Forum - The big daddy of Roman ancient sights is a ticket-less must-visit. There’s a big gate around the site to keep out nighttime prowlers, but it’s open and free during the day. You can even score a free tour (usually with the dramatic final speech by Julius Caesar thrown in for good measure) by just hanging around, although you’ll be expected to throw in a couple euros as a tip at the ... More About: Sights , Free , List , Tourist
The Cheapest Cup of Coffee in London
2008-01-04 18:04:00 While walking to the office this morning, coffee splashing out of our coffee cup sip-top, we started wondering: If we were in London right now, where would we grab a morning cup of joe and how much would it cost? When last we pounded the pavement researching hotels in London for our guide, we remembered fondly finding respite (and caffeine) in the UK coffee chains (Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee , Coffee Republic, Pret a Manger) and, yes, also in the American chains (Starbucks and McDonald’s). Setting aside the question of the “best cup of coffee in London,” (another post entirely), where can you find the cheapest cup? Researching this online was a no-go. Every chain has its own website, of course, but you won’t find any prices listed. This is probably due to fluctuations in pricing throughout the UK — and to prevent pesky investigators from blogging about it. So we went about our research the old fashioned way… we called ‘em on the phone. (Thank... More About: Cup of coffee
France budget tip: Cheapo rates on the TGV
More articles from this author:2008-01-03 18:17:00 We’re big fans of the French TGV rail system. These sleek trains zip throughout the country, transporting passengers comfortably at speeds up to 200 mph. The trains are such a success that short flights between most cities in Franc e don’t make sense — the TGV is faster, and much less of a hassle. Tickets, however, can be kind of expensive — if you simply show up at the train station and purchase one on the spot for that day. But happily, they can also be a complete steal, and cheaper, in fact, than low-cost flights! For instance, consider these TGV rates, taken from the website of the SNCF, the French National Railway: For travel today: A 2nd Class refundable ticket booked today (on their site) for travel today (January 3, 2008) from Paris to Marseille costs €96. For travel tomorrow: Most of the fares remain the same for travel tomorrow, at €96. However, the TGV offers cheaper Internet-only discount rates on its iDTGV lines (TGV trains outfitted w... More About: Budget , Rates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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