By Regina Winkle-Bryan in Barcelona— Don’t be afraid to take the city bus in Barcelona. Though the bus maps (located at every stop in the city) look like blueprints for alien ships, with a little research and care, you can learn to make sense of Barcelona’s overground system. Since it took me a while – about » Read more

By Cynthia Kane in Madrid— Madrid has no shortage of restaurants specializing in tapas, traditionally a small meal or snack. While technically a lighter plate, these dishes are supposed to deliver big on taste. For Cheapos in Madrid, here are my picks for three tasty tapas spots that won’t strip your wallet or leave your » Read more

By C H Kwak in Berlin— Why shell out €12 for a “self-guided” bus tour of Berlin, when you can see the same historic sights (and more) on public transportation—and for a fraction of the cost? BVG, Berlin’s public transit authority, runs an efficient network of trains, buses, trams and ferries all over town. Use » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— Though Rome is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, there are plenty of things to see and do in the capital that won’t break the bank. Here’s a list of 25 activities that won’t cost one euro cent: 1) Churches: Some of Rome’s finest artwork and architectural design on » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona—I have lived in Barcelona for five years, so visitors sometimes ask me, ‘What do you miss most about the United States?’ I never have to think long about this. Three words sum it up: family, salad dressing, breakfast. Breakfast in Barcelona is coffee with milk. You can add in » Read more

By Susan Buzzelli— Returning to Washington, DC after three years in Berlin wasn’t the easiest move to make. Though both cities are national capitals fueled by politics and filled with students, it is difficult to find similarities between the cities on the Spree and the Potomac. One is an enclave of art, fashion and design. » Read more

By Lara Kavanagh in London Even for tourists enjoying a reasonably relaxed vacation, the city of London can be a tiring place. But if you’re out and about exploring Shoreditch and the East End, duck into Hackney City Farm for a welcome respite and a miniature slice of the countryside, all free of charge. The » Read more

By Monica Cesarato in Venice— Whenever people visit Venice,  they often visit the city’s best known museums, including the Doge’s Palace, the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Palazzo Grassi. However, because of their popularity, these museums are often very crowded and have long lines that can fatigue even the most tireless Cheapo. » Read more

By Laura Mongillo in Florence What would you rather take home as a souvenir from Florence? A pair of boxer shorts with the David’s (ahem) jewels printed on the front OR a gorgeous Florentine-made Italian leather handbag from the ’60s? Ok, I guess that may be a gender-biased question, but is it really that hard of » Read more