Archive for May, 2008

The Environment: “Offsetting” that cheap flight

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, » Read more

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Posted in Airlines
Top tips for a budget-friendly European vacation

Top tips for a budget-friendly European vacation

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 » Read more

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Posted in Airlines, Budget Air Travel, tips, Trip Planning

Photo caption contest: Barcelona dog!

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 » Read more

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Posted in Contest
Florence: A visit with Michelangelo

Florence: A visit with Michelangelo

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, » Read more

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Posted in Art, Florence, Free Stuff, Italy, Museums
Flip-through: Cheapo tips, Italian tourists, Venice pigeons, & American frogs!

Flip-through: Cheapo tips, Italian tourists, Venice pigeons, & American frogs!

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 » Read more

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Posted in round-up

Krakow Museums: One freebie a day

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 » Read more

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Posted in Art, Exhibitions, Free Stuff, Krakow, Museums, Poland
Paris Cheap Eats: 8 great picnic spots

Paris Cheap Eats: 8 great picnic spots

When the weather turns warm, Parisians 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 » Read more

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Posted in Food, France, Paris

Contest follow-up: We’re still wondering who she is!

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 » Read more

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Posted in Mystery Photo
Free Amsterdam: Gardens, art, ferries, conversation

Free Amsterdam: Gardens, art, ferries, conversation

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 » Read more

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Posted in Amsterdam Sights
Flip through: Roman lunch, London Cheapo tips, Athens in a hurry

Flip through: Roman lunch, London Cheapo tips, Athens in a hurry

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 » Read more

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Posted in round-up