It’s kick-off time for Oktoberfest, that free-flowing celebration of German beer and sausage that happens every fall in Munich. The Munich tourism board calls the celebration the “biggest public festival in the world”—so we hope that you booked your rooms well in advance! (If not…) Before you grab your favorite stein and head for Bavaria, » Read more

Boat rides in Amsterdam are a must for anyone looking to experience an authentic view from the city’s romantic waterways and cozy canals. If the typical €15-euro option offered by mainstream tourism companies is off-putting, here are some low-budget alternatives offering a more personal, intimate, and customized touch. Happy cruising. Self-operated boat tours If you » Read more

Nice, and the rest of the French Riviera, don’t typically make the cut when we think of a budget getaway. But, luckily for us Cheapos there are ways to make it so. When I was there this July, I found some wallet-friendly hotels (see our whole list here), but once in the land of fois » Read more

The liberalization of air traffic across Europe has created some improbable flight patterns and routes in recent years. As such, it always pays to learn more about major and smaller air carriers and their proposed routes. After all, the flag an airline flies no longer dictates which route it serves. Norwegian Air Shuttle, for example, now » Read more

Paris was made for picnics and long walks. A picnic here on the Champs de Mars or even a sunset stroll through the Jardin de Luxembourg is lovely in warm weather. If you want to leave the tourists behind for a more tranquille commune with nature, check out these hidden parks of Paris. Parc Monceau » Read more

Barcelona is well known for its lively nightlife. Here the idea of a “festa” may only be surpassed in Spain by Madrid’s infamous “marcha” (literally meaning “to go out on the town”). And if you want to party in Barcelona like the locals, it’s not uncommon to spend between €30 to €40 on a night » Read more

UPDATE SUMMER 2012: This pool no longer exists. The article below was published in 2009. —– Summer can be stifling in Rome and come August, most of the locals head for the hills. This year (2009), with more Romans staying put than in the past—and hordes of visitors filling the streets—Rome seems more crowded and » Read more

Photos and text Berlin bursts with street food kiosks specializing in Cheapo-friendly treats. It’s easy to snack on anything from Turkish Döner kebabs to vegan cheeseburgers here. But one speedy snack has been around the longest: the currywurst. Invented in 1949, currywurst is a colorful concoction of sliced sausage, ketchup-like tomato sauce, and curry powder, served » Read more

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the beach. In Amsterdam, a city of canals and coffee houses, a sandy oasis can sometimes seem far away. But, with a little insider knowledge (read on, dear Cheapo!), it won’t be hard to imagine working on your tan while sipping on a beachy cocktail. Or, taking in » Read more