EuroCheapo's Local Customs Articles

Oct 31 Fish and chips may often be feted as the iconic British food staple, but that does not mean that Brits have been frying their fish since antiquity. As food fads go, the British affection for deep-fried fish is a pretty recent affair. We learnt this little culinary detail when we visited Cádiz earlier this year. » Read more

Aug 15 We have become great fans of less-planned journeys. Cast back a generation and travelers were much less worried about having every aspect of their itinerary planned out in advance. There was a happy spontaneity to travel. That’s changed. Nowadays, travelers view their vacations as investments that need to be properly planned and carefully managed. The » Read more

Nov 10 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

Oct 26 It’s that time of year when we are apt to meddle with time. Most European countries adopt daylight saving time (DST).  All those that do favor seasonal DST will thus set their clocks back by an hour early next Sunday morning, October 30. This means that overnight trains in Europe next Saturday night will pause » Read more

Sep 26 By Marc Justin in Florence— Let’s face it. Most of us look like Clydesdales trotting around Florence in our clunky running shoes and baggy Bermuda shorts while the locals prance down the sidewalk like fashionistas of cool. So what can we do about the not-fitting-in situation? Read on my friend, read on. Start with the » Read more

Aug 10 Having a sense of local travel patterns is a smart way of seeing Europe at its best and trimming costs. High school holiday dates are often a key determinant of accommodation costs. And with kids already heading back to school in some parts of Europe, that opens up opportunities for Cheapos looking for bargains. Summer » Read more

Apr 28 by Jessica Colley— Ireland has a tea culture. It’s almost considered rude to ask someone how many cups of tea they consume in a single day. For many, the answer could be in the double digits. Others who don’t have much of a “tea habit” can drink up to five cups a day. So what » Read more

Jan 12 Not sure how it happened, but somehow we missed the Tango Festival in Oulu last week. Yes, we know what you are thinking. You never knew they are quite so keen on colgadas and volcadas up there in the frozen north. All those carousels must be decidedly tricky on icy ground. If you associate the » Read more

Dec 29 A lot of folk in Scotland sleep in on New Year’s Day. The indulgences of Hogmanay take their toll on body and soul alike. A long sleep and a cold shower are the only effective remedies. But, quite contrary to the rest of Scotland, Orcadians are often up bright and early on January 1. Kicking » Read more