photograph courtesy of crapyard

If you’re going to London–heck, even if you’re not–we think that you should read Mrs. Dalloway. In part because Mrs. Dalloway author Virginia Woolf was a lead figure in the famed Bloomsbury Group, the influential network of artists and intellectuals who met in the London neighborhood of the same name in the early 20th century; in part because it’s simply a great read.

It’s a novel detailing a single day, a glimpse into London society on a sunny day in 1925 when protagonist Clarissa Dalloway is throwing a party. It’s a true masterpiece of modern literature and it’s entertaining to boot.

And what’s more, it transports its readers to London, if only for the day.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Oh. My. God.

“2,” Athens’s latest everyone-is-talking-about-it stage production, choreographed by Dimitris Papaioannou (the genius behind the magnificent opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games) is inimitable. Showing at the recently renovated Pallas Theater (5 Voukourestiou Street, +30-210-321-3100), “2” is the kind of production one might see at any of the finest theaters in London, New York, or San Francisco.

Delving into issues surrounding male identity, sexuality, and relationships to everything from work and women to self without so much as one line of dialogue, “2″ resonates with a broad audience on a visceral and intellectual level, and has drawn packed houses every night.

To obtain a ticket, go to Ticket Shop and see “2″ advertised on the home page. Scroll down a bit and click on “Δείτε ή κατεβάστε το video (2,35MB),” written in red, to see a montage from the production. Click on “ΣΧΕΔΙΑΓΡΑΜΜΑ (τμήματα – τιμές),” also in red, to see seating options and prices. We highly recommend splurging and buying a ticket close to the stage. Tickets begin at €10 and top out at €100.

Due to its popularity, “2” has been held over. It is currently scheduled to run through March 4.

Popularity: 2% [?]

photograph courtesy of Joe_Lanman

We’re in love with the European tradition of name days—popular in Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland. It works like this: You have a name. Your name has a day. On your name’s day, you celebrate!

In Sweden, many day planners or calendars include “namnsdagar,” along with the usual holidays. You can look up your name—or at least a Swedish approximation of it—online. This will require working through a little svenska, but we’re sure you’re up to it. Try www.dagensnamnsdag.nu. Swedish Wikipedia has a good list too, divided into male names and female names.

Today, Feb. 23, celebrates the Torstens of the world. So if your name means Thor’s stone (and we hope it does), then it’s time to get your party on.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Caravaggio is best known for rendering biblical figures in a realistic light (and for his swaggering braggadocio). His work was all but forgotten until the early 20th century. Since then, Rome has essentially become Caravaggio central.

In past years, there have been many illuminating Caravaggio exhibits in Rome, namely the one held at the Ala Mazzoniana exhibition space at Termini Station titled, “Caravaggio: Masterpieces in Private Collections”. Unfortunately, they all charge a fee.

But, three churches in Rome provide free access to Caravaggio’s infamous works. The Crucifixion of St. Peter and The Conversion of St. Paul on the Road to Damascus are housed in Santa Maria del Popolo, an Augustinian church in Piazza del Popolo. Near Piazza Navona, the Madonna dei Pellegrini can be viewed at the church of Sant’Agostino, and three scenes from the life of St. Matthew—one of Caravaggio’s favorite apostles and muses— including The Calling of St. Matthew, are on display at San Luigi dei Francesi.

Other works by Caravaggio can be seen—though not for free—at the Vatican Galleries, Borghese Gallery, Palazzo Barberini, Doria Pamphilj Gallery, and the Capitoline Museum.

Popularity: 4% [?]

photograph courtesy of david_fisher

There’s a bar across the street from our apartment in Madrid. The joint serves chicken, though we’d never order it. It’s the only bar on the street open late—by which we mean through the night.

In the wee hours, lurking locals duck under its half-closed garage door, emerging moments later.

It’s a safe bet that their orders don’t have anything to do with chicken.

We don’t mind though because every so often, the pony-tailed Gypsy owner hosts a wedding party, a birthday party, or, as in last night’s case, a bachelor party.

On party nights, we don’t sleep. The parties flow out of the bar. The narrow street we call home plays venue to the best Flamenco tablao in the city. And we have box seats.

The offbeat stomping, half-tempo clapping, raspy masculine voice, and a guitar that jumps cords like Paco de Lucia all beat the hell out of counting sheep.

Popularity: 5% [?]

photograph courtesy of ANiceCupOfTea

We’ve been rolling out the red carpet for weeks now anticipating Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony. So, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mom and Dad, our awesome cat Oliver, the fans who made it happen, and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the body behind the Bafta Awards.

The British Academy calls 195 Piccadilly in central London home. We love this particular academy because you don’t have to pay celeb prices to take part in their year round paparazzi-worthy events. For between £5 and £10, you can attend film premieres, pick the brain of The Guardian’s film critic, or spend the night with César Charlone, who was nominated for an Oscar for City of God.

Heck, if you’re free tomorrow night and you happen to be zipping through W1J 9LN, we recommend the exclusive screening of the winners and nominees of the Bafta Orange Award for short and animated films.

Let’s face it. We hate to pay A-list prices like everyone else, but we sure love feeling all Hollywood and stuff.

Popularity: 2% [?]

photograph courtesy of elfis_culture

First-time visitors come to Vienna thinking that they have prepared adequately for local coffeehouse culture. They’ve read about all the famous coffeehouses in their trusty travel guides. They’ve even memorized all the local types of coffee.

Thinking that they’ve self-educated adequately, they enter a Kaffeehaus somewhere in the First District, ready to be swept away to a vanquished era of Habsburg grandeur. As soon as the door shuts behind them—cigarette smoke penetrating their nostrils—they choose a spot to lounge and try to grab the waiter’s attention, either by waving or whistling.

Nothing happens. They wait. Still, nothing happens.

There’s no need to be annoyed. Herr Ober—the preferred local term for “waiter”—will come, just not instantaneously.

According to Andreas Augustin, author of “Das Cafe Central Treasury: The Secret of a Famous Coffee House,” your waiter “…noticed you three streets away, at the precise moment you decided to come to the Kaffeehaus.”

He continues: “Be considerate if Herr Ober does not recognize you on your first visit. The aloofness stems from the days when there was an average of one point nine Nobel Prize Winners seated at every table in a Viennese Kaffeehaus.”

You can find Augustin’s fabulous book online.

Popularity: 2% [?]

 
photograph courtesy of Brooklyn_Hilary

Having just gotten over the Westminster Dog Show, EuroCheapo HQ staffers in New York City are gearing up for the next big gala: this weekend’s New York Times Travel Show. 

Billed as “The Ultimate Travel Experience,” the show begins tomorrow for trade professionals and opens to the general public on Saturday. We’re talking booths galore, ticket giveaways, book signings from notable travel authors, and—we can’t wait!—the “Taste of The World Pavilion.”  Tickets run $15 per adult, and visitors under 18 get in for free. If this show is anything like previous shows, it will surely overwhelm and excite the travel senses.

The EuroCheapo gang will be on the prowl at the show.  If you happen to be there, please do stop us to say hello. (Hint: we’ll be the ones wearing the “EuroCheapo” badges.)

Popularity: 2% [?]

photograph courtesy of h.andras_xms

We fall for it more often than we care to admit. If it looks like a taxi it must be a taxi, right? Wrong.

Budapest is overrun by illegal cabs that take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. A five minute ride in an unofficial taxi in Budapest can set you back a startling HUF5700 (€23; $30).

Threatening to call the police or your local embassy won’t help, as the taxi syndicate is run by the local Hungarian mafia.

To choose your taxi wisely, follow these few simple guidelines. Always ride in cars that bear a taxi company logo and have yellow registration number plates. Don’t be fooled by the mere presence of a lighted TAXI sign. If you’re not familiar with the local system, head to the nearest restaurant and ask them to call a taxi for you. Most taxi companies have an English-speaking operator on staff.

Another tip: Taxis are often less expensive if you call ahead rather then flagging one down on the street. Dial these reliable taxi companies: City Taxi (+36 1 2 111 111); Budataxi (+36 1 2 333 333); and Fotaxi (+36 1 2 222 222).

Or take the metro, a gorgeous photo of which (thanks, h.andreas_xms!) can be seen above.

Popularity: 5% [?]

photograph courtesy of justfordream  

In Germany, it seems that the excitement of last summer’s World Cup has had a lasting effect beyond happy memories. The country is getting ready for a baby boom, nine months after the World Cup kept the nation on a roller-coaster of suspense and set the stage for some serious partying under sunny skies.

Apparently the euphoria of the event really brought people together, if you get our drift, and not just in support of their team.

The phenomenon gives a whole new meaning to the term soccer mom, doesn’t it? Go Germany!

Popularity: 2% [?]