Archive for November, 2011

Christmas windows Paris
Printemps Christmas windows celebrate "Noël, Rêves d'Evasion." Photos by Theadora Brack

Paris Review: Christmas windows at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps

From Theadora Brack in Paris— Trekking to Paris during the months of November and December? If so, don’t miss the lights and “Vitrines de Noël” (holiday windows) on the hustling, bustling Boulevard Haussmann. The festive, gussied-up stroll both soothes and re-energizes my spirits every time. Yes, the lights are much brighter there! This year, however, » Read more

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Posted in Exhibitions, Fashion, France, holidays, Paris, Shops
Barcelona: Where to find free Wi-Fi in Barcelona

Barcelona: Where to find free Wi-Fi in Barcelona

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Cheapos rejoice! There are plenty of ways to Tweet, Dig, Tumble and surf in Barcelona for free. While many hotels and hostels in Barcelona have free Internet access (or should, anyway), here are a few options for when you want to get out of your dimly lit hotel room. » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona Practical Info
Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid

Dublin: Tourist traps in Dublin to avoid

By Jessica Colley— Tourist traps are the same everywhere: Prices are higher than they should be and they’re packed with tourists instead of locals. In some cities – like Dublin – certain tourist traps change by day and by night. It isn’t enough to avoid entire areas, you need to know when to avoid them. » Read more

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Posted in Bars, Dublin, Ireland, Local Customs, Practical Info, Travel Smarts
Two Airlines to Watch: Vueling and Flybe

Two Airlines to Watch: Vueling and Flybe

Europe’s winter airline schedules launched last week. The optimism of this time last year, when an unprecedented number of new routes started across Europe, is eclipsed by nervousness among European air carriers. Network planners are generally apprehensive about uncertainties over fuel prices and levels of future demand. Double-dip recessions are not good for business. So » Read more

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Posted in Airlines, Airports, hidden europe, plane
Paris: David Lebovitz reviews Paris’ best pastry shops

Paris: David Lebovitz reviews Paris’ best pastry shops

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Whether it’s a trendy rosewater macaron or a classic chocolate éclair, Paris is a pastry-lover’s destination. Knowing where to go and what to get, however, can be daunting with so many tempting options in front of you. Sometimes it’s best to turn to the professionals for a little bit of » Read more

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Posted in 4 Cheapo Questions For..., Food, France, Media, Paris
London in the Rain: 5 cheap things to do on those rainy days

London in the Rain: 5 cheap things to do on those rainy days

By Nina Derham in London— The bitter truth is that London is never short of rainy days, meaning that popular cheapo activities such as picnics in parks and city walks may well have to be called off. The good news is that the city is jam-packed with fun, wallet-friendly things to do under cover! Here » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, London, Outdoors, Trip Planning, United Kingdom
Rome Concert Schedule: Free and cheap concerts in November

Rome Concert Schedule: Free and cheap concerts in November

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— Music lovers traveling to Rome can always find a cool venue to check out whether they’re into “cover band” music, rock and roll, jazz, or even swing. Even better, quite often these live music performances will cost you little or nada. Here’s a list of some cool concerts happening in » Read more

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Posted in Rome Sights
San Francisco: 5 popular activities that aren’t “tourist traps”

San Francisco: 5 popular activities that aren’t “tourist traps”

As one of the most popular destinations in the U.S., it’s no surprise that San Francisco is full of popular tourist attractions, some of which are best avoided. Some are decidedly underwhelming and some are overpriced. There are, of course, some very famous attractions that you shouldn’t pass up, even if you’re an off-the-beaten path » Read more

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Posted in Practical Info, San Francisco, Trip Planning, United States
Bulgaria: Exploring Sofia’s museums

Bulgaria: Exploring Sofia’s museums

Sofia boasts an oddball mix of museums and galleries. Probably not a lot of Cheapos would normally add the National Museum of Military History (92 Cherkovna str.) to their list of “must-see” sights in the Bulgarian capital. The Web site is not calculated to wow the casual surfer, but it does have some splendid promotional » Read more

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Posted in Bulgaria, Exhibitions, hidden europe, monuments, Museums, politics, Sofia
Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all

Tipping in Dublin: When to leave a little, a lot, and nothing at all

Jessica Colley— Cheapos can rejoice when it comes to tipping in Dublin. While etiquette varies according to the situation, generally locals believe in keeping their money, and tips aren’t expected like they would be in other countries (especially the United States). For example, approach a bar in Dublin and order a drink. The total will » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Bars, Dublin, Ireland, Money Matters, Practical Info, Travel Smarts