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. 
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Madrid: Top five Cheapo-friendly restaurants
2009-09-22 17:12:00 Cervecería 100 Montaditos serves cheap sandwiches. Photo by Infollatus. By Cynthia Kane in Madrid — Although Madrid is a pricey city, there are still many restaurants that offer up great food at a low, low, price! From €1 sandwiches to prix fixe Argentinean dinners under €20, Madrid has your tastes (and your wallet) covered. Below you’ll find five of our favorite cheap Madrid restaurants. Glorieta de Montera Caballero de Gracia, 10 1- 3:45 PM & 8:30 - 11:45 PM Telephone: 91 523 44 07 Metro: Gran Via Glorieta de Montera, along with its sister restaurants La Finca de Susana, Bazaar, and Ginger, strikes an ingenious balance between fine dining and cheap eats. All three Mediterranean restaurants have classic, white, minimalist décor injected with just enough creativity to keep them from teetering into the banal. Polite staff and an ample, interesting menu may lead you to believe you’re going to get whopped by the bill, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised: fettuccini with... More About: Restaurants , Friendly
Paris: Underground artists go mainstream at 59Rivoli
2009-09-21 16:38:00 A mural inside 59Rivoli. Photo by Liz Webber. By Liz Webber in Paris — Back in Picasso’s day, many Paris artists took up residence in a tenement in Montmartre called “Le Bateau-Lavoir.” More recently, cash-strapped artistes have resorted to squatting in abandoned buildings, in search of a cheap place to live or work. What happens when someone comes in to kick out the squatters? In the case of 59Rivoli, the French government took over and eventually gave the building back to the artists. Happily for art lovers, the location officially reopened to the public at the beginning of September 2009, offering free entry to the artists’ world. Renovating the “aftersquat” In 1999, the artists who squatted at 59 Rue de Rivoli had to sneak into the building through a window in the back. Then the government bought the building in 2002, and after pouring in 5.5 million euros in renovations, reestablished the space as an artists’ workshop. Since the building is no long... More About: Artists , Underground
London Day Trips: Tips for countryside walks
2009-09-18 17:07:00 Signs guide the way outside London . All photos by Justin Bergman. By Justin Bergman in London— Getting out of London is remarkably easy. Sure, unless you’re taking a train, you do have to wind your way through the endless suburbs first. But once you cross the busy M-25 ring road, the scenery changes dramatically. Suddenly, you’re in the English countryside of Jane Austen novels. The best way to explore the bucolic rolling hills, sheep farms, and stone villages outside London is not behind the wheel of a car, but on foot. I had my first experience with country walking last weekend. My boyfriend and I rented a City Car (London’s version of a Zipcar) and drove about an hour to the west to the Chiltern hills, where I’d read there was good walking. We grabbed a footpath map and walking directions at a shop in the village of Hambleden and off we went. Seven miles seemed like a good enough challenge. We’d be back before dinner, no problem. I should have known it wasn’t going... More About: Tips , Walks
Rome: The 2 best espressos in Rome, steps from the Pantheon
2009-09-17 17:05:00 Il Caffé Sant Eustachio. Photos by Claire Chaffey. By Claire Chaffey in Rome — When it comes to coffee, the Italians pretty much have it down pat. Like fashion, food and football, coffee is an art, a matter of national pride, and a daily ritual which is taken very, very seriously. It is actually quite hard to find a bad coffee in Rome. What is more difficult, however, is determining which is the city’s best. Ask the locals and you’ll discover that there seems to be two distinct leaders in the coffee stakes, both located remarkably close to the Pantheon in central Rome, and both just as frequently declared the home of Rome’s best espresso. So, before you leave the Eternal City, head for the Pantheon, prepare for the rush, and lean on the bar in at least one of these places. Or “make it a double,” and lean on both bars! Sant Eustachio – Il Caffé Grancaffe at Sant Eustachio. Piazza S. Eustachio, 81 It is no exaggeration to say that Il Caffé is an institution. ...
Free Bag Contest: And the mystery film is…
2009-09-16 20:54:00 What suspense! Thanks for all of the responses we received to Monday’s Paris film quiz. (If you haven’t read the clues yet, read the post before proceeding!) The quiz was a real doozy, but we did have a winner. Here’s an explanation from our correspondent and quiz-master Theadora Brack: “As with any mystery, the clues don’t always add up. In this case, the fact that the cast included: David Compton played by Clive Brook (male lead in the 1923 version), Vesta Compton played by Juliette Compton (supporting actress in the 1929 version), Davie Compton played by Georgue Billings (supporting actor in the 1929 version), and Deloryce/Lola played by Betty Compson (female lead in both the 1923 and 1929 versions) led to the kind of confusion that causes eye witnesses to send innocent people to the electric chair! Yes, we have a winner. Thanks to the smart sleuthing of “Poetloverrebelspy” the mystery now has been solved. 1. Who was the Assistant Direct... More About: Contest , Film , Free , Mystery
Berlin: The fall of the wall, 20 years later
2009-09-15 17:19:00 A stretch of the wall at the East Side Gallery. Photo by Franz Patzig. By Susan Buzzelli in Berlin — On November 9, thousands of Berliners, visitors, and VIPs, including Kofi Annan and Mikhail Gorbachev, will gather at the base of the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall . But you don’t have to wait until the action-packed Fest der Freiheit (Festival of Freedom) to pay tribute to Germany’s division into East and West between 1961 and 1989. Dozens of exhibits, concerts, tours, readings, and more related to life and times on both sides of the Mauer are dominating the Berlin’s cultural calendar this fall. Seeing Red Information about Wall-related happenings isn’t hard to gather. Painted a jarring shade of tomato red, the Infotreppe (Info stairs, Washingtonplatz, U- and S-bahn: Hauptbahnhof), a staircase parked in front of the Hauptbahnhof (central train station), offers a multimedia exhibit and tips about how to celebrate the Wall d... More About: Years , Fall
Moving to Madrid: 8 tips for before the move
2009-09-14 21:55:00 Shopping in Madrid . Photo by Van Swearingen By Stephanie Corral— (Editor’s note: Stephanie is moving to Madrid from Los Angeles in one week. EuroCheapo will be checking in with her before and after she makes the big move.) You have a travel visa and you’ve booked your flight. It’s official: You’re moving to Madrid. If you’re like me, you want to have everything figured out before you land at the Barajas airport. Thanks to the Internet, you just might. With enough research and preparation beforehand, moving to Madrid will be less stressful and overwhelming. So whether your move is temporary (like mine) or for good, here are eight things to keep in mind so your transition into Spanish life is a smooth one. 1. How’s your Spanish? Brush up on your high school-level Spanish. Having a basic grasp of the language will make it much easier to contact potential employers and find an apartment. Some easy ways to do this include watching Spanish news and opting for Spanish s... More About: Tips , Moving , Move
Sephora Bag Contest: Guess the Paris film and win!
2009-09-14 17:19:00 The Moulin Rouge, a setting for the mystery film. Photo by Theodora Brack. By Theodora Brack in Paris — We’re in need of a detective, see. Be the first Cheapo to answer the film-related questions below correctly, and we’ll give you a real swell Sephora Film Noir Black Lace travel bag! First, the clues: 1. The film takes place in Paris. 2. The wife of New York City mayor Jimmy Walker has the leading role. 3. She had once been a Ziegfeld Follies dancer. A major star. 4. Then she was the mayor’s mistress. 5. Then his wife. 6. Her name was Betty. And she was a looker. 7. The Assistant Director was an unknown. At the time, that is. 8. He was 23. This was his first major break. 9. He agreed to co-write the screenplay. 10. After the art director backed out, he designed the set, too. 11. A red-haired beauty appeared on the set. 12. She got hired as editor. 13. And then she got to him. The Assistant Director, that is. 14. She got to him good. 15. “I began by admiring her from afar,... More About: Contest , Guess
Rome Cheap Eats: Dine like a local at these affordable restaurants
2009-09-11 17:27:00 Dining with the locals at Al Peperoncino. Photos by Claire Chaffey. By Claire Chaffey in Rome — When in Rome, want to eat like an Italian with the Italians? Want to escape overpriced tourist menus? Want to experience authentic Italian cuisine at the right price? Well, why not take the metro out of the historic centre and dine in the spots that only the locals know about! Here are three absolute gems that are less than 10 minutes from Termini Station. All of these spots offer authenticity at the right price, with a three-course meal, wine and coffee coming in at around 20 €. Pizzeria Dal Bersagliere Via Gino Capponi 16 Great dining on Via Appia Nuova. The fabulous little Pizzeria Dal Bersagliere in Furio Camillo is apparently, if you look at the photo above the cash register, good enough for James Bond. Sean Connery used to come here, it seems, and we can understand why! The restaurant offers an extensive menu including pasta, meats and salads, but the real reason to come here... More About: Restaurants , Dine , Local , Cheap
Amsterdam: Celebrate “Open Heritage Day” on Sept 12-13 with free events
2009-09-10 22:03:00 Amsterdam's Royal Palace will be open for free. Photo by vgm8383. By Amy Goemans in Amsterdam— Every September, Amsterdam celebrates its cultural heritage with gusto. Usually set on the second weekend of the month, Open Heritage Day is a two-day event offering various attractions and a glimpse of Dutch heritage for free! This year’s celebration, set for September 12-13, 2009, will open about 4,000 attractions all over the Netherlands. Here are some highlights from Amsterdam: Royal Palace Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147 Opening Hours: 12 – 5 PM, closed Monday Official website If you love sneak peeks at the inner life of nobles, the Royal Palace is the place for you. This town-hall turned royal palace from the 17th century is one of various buildings allocated to the Dutch royalty. However, a few areas are designated open to the public, and visitors can check out everything from the intricate interior décor to the exquisite paintings. Interesting attractions include scu... More About: Events , Free , Celebrate , Amsterdam
Flip-through: Brussels, Ferries, Notre Dame, and Ryanair madness
2008-06-06 18:28:00 Some of the stories that grabbed our attention this week: Brussels and Bruges Back from his trip to Belgrade for the Eurovision song contest, Alex of Spendthrift Shoestring jaunted off to Brussels on the Eurostar to see how the city has changed since his last visit in 2002. We enjoyed his musings on the city’s neighborhood and vibe, having just visited Brussels in March. And yes, Alex, we also have a fondness for the Use-It fold-out maps to Brussels (and five other Belgian cities). These map-guides are, according to their creators, ”no-nonsense, non commercial, made by locals,” and thus offer some candid (and amusing!) advice. When we visited Bruges, we “Used-It” nightly to find the city’s cool restaurants, bars, and cafes. You can print your own guide off from their website. European Ferries BudgetTravel.com reminded us yesterday to consider taking ferries between European cities. Ferries offer a fun and cheap transportation option around muc... More About: Notre Dame , Ryanair , Notre-Dame
Brussels: Four chocolate shops to splurge for
2008-06-05 17:37:00 According to the experts, Belgians eat approximately 20 pounds of chocolate per year. (That’s the size of our family cat!)There’s no arguing then that we’re far behind on our cocoa intake and must catch up. We’re happy to know that while we’re getting our fix, too, we can also tour many of the chocolatiers (called chocolateries in Brussels )—where exhibits, tours of the facilities, and workshops in candy-making abound. So, make sure your sweet tooth doesn’t go sour and check out four of Brussel’s best bet chocolate shops. 1) Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate 9, Rue de la Tete d’Or Only a short distance from the Grand Place, the Brussel’s museum of chocolate will not only show you how chocolate is made, but teach you how to make some of your own. We’d opt for the demonstration titled, “How To Make a Praline” (everyday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) It’s €5 to enter; €4 for students. 2) Planete Chocol... More About: Shops
Q & A: Scott Huler’s epic journey on a budget
2008-06-04 17:46:00 Author, reporter, and NPR correspondent Scott Huler recently returned from an epic journey tracing the tale of Homer’s “Odyssey.” After reading “No-Man’s Lands,” his insightful recounting of the trip, we asked him for advice on planning a similar journey—on a budget. Scott had some great advice: When Odysseus set off on an epic voyage, he had some non-cheapo advantages: his ships were filled with treasure from the Trojan War, and if supplies ran low it was perfectly reasonable to come ashore and make a brief pirate raid on a coastal town. That wasn’t going to work for me. When I set out to retrace his journey from Troy to Ithaca, I had little more than a backpack, a tight budget, and a pregnant wife at home. Just the same, I found the cheaper-than-cheap backpack route from Troy to Ithaca perfect for me. I had more than a dozen stops to make. Add to that Athens and the tiny Turkish town of Kesan, and my journey covered around 20 cities i... More About: Journey , Budget , Epic
London: Five free walking tours
2008-06-03 17:12:00 Do you smell that, Cheapos? It’s the scent of summer, of rubber-soled walking shoes, and of crisp, new, glossy maps. It’s time to set foot in the land of tea and crumpets. Royal weeeeee! Here are five fabulous walking tours in London that won’t cost you a pound. Get moving! 1) For Charles Dickens fans: London is a virtual playground for book nerds. Using this wonderful free tour from the London Tourism Board—that comes in a convenient PDF format and can be downloaded to your computer—you’ll visit the homes of John Keats, Charles Dickens, the essayist Thomas Carlyle, and Sigmund Freud. And, since for some of the jaunt you’re in the heart of literary Bloomsbury, you can also beckon your inner Virginia Woolf. 2) For thick skins: Jack the Ripper was one of London’s most notorious serial killers. Today, there are countless (and expensive) tourist trap tours of the life and times of “Jack-attack.” Enter Richard Jones—author,... More About: Tours , Free , Walking
Flights to Russia: Is KD Avia the new Icelandair?
2008-06-02 17:59:00 If you’re old enough to remember flower power and Woodstock, then you’ll probably recall the Keflavík stopover. Budget-conscious air travellers in the sixties used Loftleiðir (now part of Icelandair) to hop between the USA and Europe. Loftleiðir undercut the high fares of IATA airlines and pulled a young crowd of first time travellers. It also really put Iceland on the map. The Keflavík stopover gave a day or two of awesome geysers, cool waterfalls, and fiery brennivín. Nowadays, the Keflavík hub still gives Iceland an international visibility denied to most territories of similar size. This year has seen the launch of a similar hub-and-spoke operation at Kaliningrad, Russia ’s exclave on the Baltic. For years, Kaliningrad was a pain to reach. Now, thanks to KD Avia, it is suddenly one of Russia’s best connected cities and a great gateway to Russia from the west. No more tiresome changes of airports at Moscow. You can fly into Kaliningrad with KD Avia, quic... More About: Flights
New York: Cheapo “Sex and the City” tour
2008-05-30 15:47:00 The scene at Magnolia Bakery, May 29th at 5 p.m. The “Sex and the City” movie opens nationwide this weekend. So, we got to thinking… “What would Cheapo Bradshaw* do?” Sweet stop Carrie would wait in line for 45 minutes to indulge her sweet tooth with a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery in the West Village. Cheapo Bradshaw would bypass the c-r-a-z-y line around the corner and go to Billy’s Bakery—started by a former Magnolia employee—where we swear the cakes taste the same, if not better. A cupcake here will cost you $2, which is 25 cents less than what Magnolia charges. Hey, you’ll have a quarter to call someone who cares. Us! A bit of shopping Carrie would drop upwards of $600 at the Jimmy Choo shoe salon. Cheapo Bradshaw would take the nearest subway train—probably wearing flats—downtown to Battery Park City, where the Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) is almost never packed and the shoes are sold at deeply discounted price... More About: New York , York , Tour , New-York
Florence: Americans save 10% on hotels, food throughout 2008
2008-05-29 18:31:00 The Florence tourism office this month launched a Cheapo-friendly initiative to give Americans visiting Florence a 10% discount on hotels, restaurants, and museums in the city. The program, named the “Fiorino Effect” after the Florentine coin once used throughout Europe, is an attempt by the city to attract the attention — and business — of American tourists spooked by the weakened dollar abroad. Launched on May 15 and continuing through December 31, 2008, the initiative offers: 10% discounts on stays in participating hotels, B&Bs, and apartment rentals. Hundreds of properties throughout the city are participating in the promotion. The tourism office has posted this complete list of hotels on their website. 10% discount on meals in participating restaurants. Click here for a complete list of restaurants, including links to their websites. Discounted or free admission to museums, including the Palazzo Strozzi (20% discount), Villa Bardini, P... More About: Food , Hotels , Save
Paris: Fete de la Musique, June 21st
2008-05-28 17:54:00 Ok, it’s no secret. We love free music. And, the annual Fete de la Musique in Paris is one of the best ways to see tons of musical acts, bands, and performers without paying a euro cent. The fete, which got its start in 1982, is a “come one, come all” sort of affair. Anyone can perform throughout the 24-hour event, where you can expect to see professional and famous musicians rubbing shoulders with up-and-coming artists. Heck, if you’ve got a sousaphone gathering dust, get it out! The best part? The acts take stage all over the city. That means you can hear guitar riffs under cover of an old train station or get your groove on Seine-side. The Fete happens on June 21st—summer solstice—a Saturday. Public transport is always discounted to allow for all day location hopping, but we recommend grabbing a good map and just hoofing it. A few acts to follow - For club style beats and disco dancing, hit up Biz’Art at the Quai de Valmy or head to Le Bato...
Venice Hotel Crush: Albergo Guerrato
2008-05-27 18:59:00 Albergo Guerrato, pension Calle drio la Scimia 240/a San Polo, Venice Doubles € 100-140 We first fell in love with Albergo Guerrato because of its location. Just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, it holds a coveted place in the lovely San Polo area of Venice. But, then there was the ambiance. The Guerrato is an ex-convent, whose beginnings date to the 1200s. Today, the owners seem to be decorating decidedly less ‘convent’ than ‘Dolce & Gabbana atelier’ —as our EC reviewer, Annie Shapero, said of her last visit. Rooms are fit for kings, queens, and anyone with a taste for antiques. Most rooms have oriental rugs, lavish furnishings, and beautifully carved windows. When you’ve tired of the indoor ambiance, step outside where the hipster nightlife surrounding Guerrato will keep you satiated. Read the complete review or see all budget hotel picks in Venice. More About: Hotel , Crush
Flipping: Eurovision, BudgetTravel, Open Skies, and Sanifair toilets!
2008-05-23 18:31:00 It’s a gorgeous, gorgeous day and everyone seems to be skipping town for a long weekend. We’re still here, but we’re psyched. Here are five things that are making us really happy: Eurovision ! 1) Alex, of Spendthrift Shoestring, has moved to London for the summer. But no sooner had he arrived in town before he jetted off to Belgrade to cover Eurovision 2008 for the New York Post! Check out his posts — and follow this poppy, patriotic, irresistable contest. Budget Travel 2) Budget Travel magazine just turned 10 years old and the website this week announced a new “myBudgetTravel” community for its users. We’re there. You can upload photos, make friends, comment on pieces, and most importantly, share tips for traveling on a budget. Congratulations, BT! Open Skies to Paris 3) The Washington Post’s Travel Log directs our attention to British Airway’s new airline called “Open Skies,” which takes flight June 19th with on... More About: Toilets , Flipping
Rome tip: Michelangelo for free!
2008-05-22 16:45:00 During his time in Rome , Michelangelo charged the ancient city with works of incredible beauty. His sculptures, frescoes, and architecture still inspire a city-wide love affair. And, his priceless work is on view at no cost to modern admirers. Angela K. Nickerson, author of A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome, takes us on a very cheapo-friendly tour of Michelangelo’s Rome. The Sistine Chapel: (Viale del Vaticano, at the Vatican Museums) The Sistine Chapel, the ceiling of which is known as Michelangelo’s lifetime achievement, is free and open to the public on the last Sunday of each month. As Goethe once wrote, “Until you have seen the Sistine Chapel, you have no adequate conception of what man is capable of accomplishing.” St. Peter’s Basilica: (Vatican City) Michelangelo’s Rome ‘Pieta’, the piece that cemented the 24-year-old’s reputation as a gifted sculptor, occupies a chapel just inside the church’s entra... More About: Free
Paris: Five free podcasts we love
2008-05-21 19:15:00 We use our iPod like it’s going out of style. And, that doesn’t stop once we get to Europe. In fact, before we head off, we load it up with free podcasts depending on what city we’re visiting. We’ve saved many a euro by taking our own free tours—headphones in. Here are five picks for free Paris podcasts: For art buffs: We love Rick Steve’s audio walking tour of the Musée d’Orsay. You can download it for free via iTunes. Or, visit his site for more info on how to download his podcasts. Rick also has a free tour of the Louvre if you’re so inclined. For history fanatics: We like Zevisit’s guides to historical landmarks and monuments in European cities. You can download them via iTunes, or visit their site for more information. The Paris audio guide boasts tales of an elephant on the Eiffel Tower, mysteries of the Louvre, and includes a tour of Notre Dame. For bookish types: Ok, so there have been a lot of “Code”-inspire... More About: Love , Podcasts , Free
Winner announced: Barcelona dog photo caption contest
2008-05-20 18:20:00 You came, you saw, you captioned, dear Cheapos. But, alas, there can only be one winner. First, the office favorites deserve a call-out here. From happybrowngirl: “Jesus, take the wheel!” - We admit, we’re not sure we grasp the context implied here, but we like the concept. Something about a dog so desperate and at wit’s end that he cries this out hits our funny bone where it counts. Momo sent us, “I coulda been a star!”, a quote that made one office Cheapo nearly snort his lunchtime soup. A couple of others that we enjoyed: “My owner wanted a cat.” (sent by Elizadoodle), “I would do anything for a Rick Steves DVD. Anything.” (from Tanya2), and “Does this outfit make me look fat?”, (by Mama Llama). The winner—doggy drum roll please—is: “I can’t believe she wore stripes when I specifically told her I was wearing stripes! (sigh) People will do anything for attention.” This terrific take w... More About: Contest , Photo , Barcelona , Winner , Caption
CheapoNewsFlash: Live blog event tomorrow (Tuesday, May 20th)
2008-05-19 18:11:00 On the heels of Tom’s last live blog appearance, he’ll be joining our friends over at Europe a la Carte this Tuesday , May 20th at 20:00 BST, to discuss, “How to get more from your Euro“. Fellow participants are: Christopher Cook of www.noambit.com, Lisa Marie Mercer of flyaway-weblog.com, Hilary of Less Than a Shoestring, and Sean O’Neill of This Just In. We’re really excited that Tom will be joining such an esteemed panel as he talks shop about budget travel and answers your questions. Please stop by the event and ask a question. More About: Event , Blog , Live , Tomorrow
Flip-through: Cats, dogs, a Celtic hotel, and budget Broadway
2008-05-16 17:18:00 By now you know, dear cheapos, a “Friday flip-through” wouldn’t be the same without a reference to an animal. Last week we reminded you about the frog festival in Louisiana, today we celebrate cats (no, not the musical). Feline friend- Our friends over at Trippist, when not telling stories about Amsterdam’s public transportation or spending the summer in Rotterdam, are practicing their best Dr. Dolittle. Apparently, there’s a neighborhood cat one Trippist writer sees often. A photo on their site today, titled “furry friend”, made us smile. We have our own office cat (Oliver aka Prince Olaf: Scroll down to the bottom of ‘about us’), so we’re big feline fans. Celtic care- The May 2008 issue of “International Travel News” (ITN) is chock full of some juicy travel tips. Among them, one writer’s take on how renting an apartment in Paris can save you lots of euros—and a fabulous list of interesting accommo... More About: Dogs , Cats , Broadway , Hotel , Budget
The Environment: “Offsetting” that cheap flight
2008-05-15 18:52:00 It’s undeniable that an increase in flying is contributing to the degradation of the environment. In Europe, news reports about the effects of low-cost airlines on the environment are a regular occurrence. We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that low-cost flights in Europe are undeniably contributing to global warming. But what can you do about it, aside from taking the train or bus? Carbon Offsetting: One Option Carbon offsetting involves calculating the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the environment by pollution-heavy activities (like flying on airplanes) and then purchasing a corresponding credit to be used on projects that counteract, or offset, the damage. Carbon offsetting is not a perfect solution to the problem of global warming, but it does limit the damage done by budget-savvy air travelers. Airlines are getting into the spirit of things as well. EasyJet, for example, has incorporated a carbon emissions offsetting option into its booking page.... More About: Environment , Cheap , The Environment , Flight
Top tips for a budget-friendly European vacation
2008-05-14 17:15:00 Thinking about postponing that trip to Europe? Jane McIntosh, creator of Jane’s Smart Art Guides™, audio guides for independent travelers, says, “Go ahead and go.” While the exchange rate keeps getting worse and fuel surcharges increase the cost of flying, there’s still no guarantee that the dollar will power up to the euro’s mojo or that air fares will plummet anytime soon. Jane recently sent us this dispatch of her top tips for reducing the strain on your overseas budget. Know when to go. If you don’t have to vacation during the summer, don’t. Airfare can cost hundreds less during the off-season. Seasonal pricing holds true for lodging too and off-peak travel ensures shorter lines at museums and other major attractions. Why not check out a traditional European Christmas market? Click here for a list of some favorites. Remember, the days might be shorter, but Europe seems to be the only place on earth where you can still enjoy cultur... More About: Tips , Vacation , Budget , Friendly
Photo caption contest: Barcelona dog!
2008-05-13 18:04:00 While strolling down La Rambla in Barcelona , one of our editors walked past this jazzy dog. The little guy was sitting in a bicycle basket and was flanked by colorful flower stands and live bird cages. Our editor snapped the photo, but it still needs a caption. We know there are a lot of creative Cheapos out there, so add your two cents in the comments section below and show us what you’ve got! The best caption will receive a place in the Cheapo Caption Hall of Fame and a free DVD of Rick Steves Italy’s Countrysides (2000-2007 edition). Enter early and enter often, Cheapos! More About: Contest , Photo
Florence: A visit with Michelangelo
2008-05-12 16:09:00 Michelangelo Buonarroti was born outside of Florence in 1475. Though he spent much of his life working in Rome, he loved Florence and considered it his home. Many of his greatest works still reside in Florence, and Florentines are exceedingly proud of their native son. Although visiting the city can get pricey, many of Michelangelo’s treasures can be experienced cheaply, or for free! Angela K. Nickerson, author of A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome, takes us on a budget-friendly tour of Michelangelo’s Florence. Michelangelo in the Museums The Bargello: Via del Proconsolo, 4 Perhaps the best bargain in Florence, the Bargello is a small museum with an amazing collection of sculpture, all for one of the lowest museum prices in Florence (€4). Here Michelangelo’s Bacchus holds court alongside his Brutus. Bacchus was Michelangelo’s first commission in Rome, and it failed to meet his patron’s approval because he depicted the god of ... More About: Visit , Michelangelo
Flip-through: Cheapo tips, Italian tourists, Venice pigeons, & American
More articles from this author:2008-05-09 16:50:00 Six recent stories that made us smile and chased away the rain: 1) 5 ways to get even cheaper in Europe Christopher Cook, of noambit.com, posts this week in Vagabondish about “5 simple ways to beat your travel budget.” His tips are solid and speak to every Cheapo in Europe. In short: Eat cheaply, walk, be flexible with dates, consider more budget-friendly destinations, and think twice before paying for a museum. Nice tips, Chris! 2) 33-cent beers in Vietnam We don’t normally cover destinations outside of Europe, but we’re following former EuroCheapo staffer TJ DiChristopher as he showcases his skills in Saigon, his new hometown. Today, TJ shares five ways he’s keeping it cheap in Saigon, from budget beer to iced green tea and pirated movies. 3) Italian tourists in Venice Venice is really crowded right now. According to About.com’s James Martin who was in the canaled city last Saturday, Venice’s narrow streets are packed to overflowin... More About: Tips , American , Tourists 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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