While aviation watchers stateside mull over the implications of the US-AA mega-merger, in some parts of Europe it is small carriers which continue to make the news. Next week sees the start of Minoan Air’s first routes outside Greece. The fledgling airline took to the skies from a base in Crete last year, operating short » Read more

Well, it has finally happened. The SNCF, France’s national railway monopoly, is launching a new low-cost rail service christened “Ouigo” that will begin service on April 2, 2013. Ultra-cheap introductory tickets are now officially available through the Ouigo website. At just €10 (ten, dix, diez, X – just to be clear, it’s not a typo!) » Read more

Since 2008, some aspects of life in Barcelona have become more affordable. Renting an apartment, for example, is much cheaper now than it was when I arrived in 2005. Basics though, like coffee and wine (those are staples, right?) are pretty much the same price as always, and perhaps more expensive these days thanks to » Read more

Is it not curious how some small communities have so powerfully shaped the European imagination? Sometimes it is merely one treaty or a single military encounter that propels a place to continent-wide recognition. Yalta, Solferino and Austerlitz are all good examples (though many of us might be hard-pushed to pinpoint these spots on a modern » Read more

Florence is a city rich in history, art, music and yes, amazing food. The good news is: You do not have to be rich to eat well. Whether you are visiting Florence or living here on a budget (like me), here are some simple ways to stretch your dining dollar. Go to the market Going » Read more

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Almost 17 million people live in an area about the size of the Maryland, and Amsterdam has a constant “pile up” atmosphere. Mass crowds and long lines are regular features of the most touristy spots, so here are some tips to avoid » Read more

With another spate of icy weather on the way, Londoners and visitors alike will be planning their retreats from the cold. And what better way to pass the time than sipping on a steaming cup of tea and tucking into a delicious sugary treat? It certainly takes the edge off the chill. Go easy on » Read more

If you are planning travels through the Balkan region this summer, it is worth bearing in mind that the pattern of rail services has changed radically over recent months. And the changes are not generally for the good. Croatia is gearing up to join the European Union this summer and rather perversely celebrates its accession » Read more

The television tower, or Fernsehturm, at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz was one of the proud symbols of the former East Germany. Then it is perhaps fitting that its shadow falls upon a store specializing in products from the GDR. Ostpaket, located across Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse from the train station in the Berlin-Carré shopping center, sells a combination of popular » Read more