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 » Read more

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). » Read more

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 » Read more

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 » Read more

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 » Read more

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 z?oty! Take a trip to St. Mary’s Basilica Mariacki Square, 5 Arguably the most famous of Poland’s churches, St. Mary’s Basilica is » Read more

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 » Read more

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 » Read more

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 » Read more