Brussels' Grand Place is transformed during the holidays. Photo © Alessandro Petrosino
December 14, 2011
hiddeneurope
Brussels is a class above so many other European cities. While spots from Strasbourg to Stuttgart clutter their main squares with standard-issue Christmas markets, Brussels takes an altogether more sensible approach to Advent. Top-of-the-range stables The magnificent Grand Place, the showpiece piazza in the heart of the Belgian capital, hosts a dramatic seasonal centerpiece: a » Read more
November 2, 2011
hiddeneurope
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
June 29, 2011
hiddeneurope
“The most famous of Switzerland’s railway lines,” burbles the guidebook. Frommer’s Switzerland is given to hyperbole, and particularly where the Glacier Express is concerned. “The route is one of the most spectacular in the world,” the authors advise. Yes, the 180-mile journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt is a very fine trip, though hardly the » Read more
June 15, 2011
hiddeneurope
London has such a galaxy of galleries and such a lively arts scene that it is too easy to overlook the rich world of the arts in the capital’s hinterland. Here are two topical ideas for days out from London for art lovers. Compton: The Watts Gallery This weekend (June 18, 2011) sees the long » Read more
November 29, 2010
Theadora Brack
By Theadora Brack in Paris— Theadora’s the name and shopping’s my game. For your high browsing pleasure, I’ve put together a list of my favorite museum shops in Paris. Not in France? Fret not. This week I’m leaving no Francophile or Shopaholic behind! In SELLabration of “Cyber Monday,” most of the shops listed below have » Read more
September 2, 2010
Suzanne Russo
It’s officially September, Cheapos, and that means summer’s over. But summer fun doesn’t have to be. There are a couple months of nice weather left—with more comfortable temperatures than the scorching last few months. And we in Cheapoland (New York, that is) intend to cram in as many (free) out of doors activities as we » Read more
September 1, 2010
Regina W Bryan
We know how it is, Cheapos. You get into a new city, and you want to know what is going on while you’re in town. Maybe there is some info at your hostel or hotel, but most of the time the fliers will be a bit on the touristy side. Luckily, plenty of other local » Read more
August 4, 2010
hiddeneurope
The reputations of some of Europe’s most-visited sights are built on myths, but the stories are always interesting. We have lost count of the number of times we have read that the rail route across Lapland to the Norwegian port of Narvik is the northernmost in the world. It is not, but it is nonetheless » Read more
July 26, 2010
Laura Mongillo
It’s a pretty well known fact that Italy, like most of Europe, goes on vacation in August. Everything closes up, everybody checks out and heads to the beach. So if you’re a tourist traveling through Florence during the month of August, you’ll just have to get used to the phrase chiuso per ferie (“closed for » Read more
Posted in Entertainment, Events, Florence, Food, Free Stuff, Italy, Local Customs, Museums, Nightlife, summer, tips, Tourist Objects, Trip Planning
June 8, 2010
Monica Cesarato
Whenever I am in Venice, I always try to take a walk through the Jewish Ghetto. I’ve always found this area quite fascinating. It may be its history, it may be that it is always fairly free of tourists, or it may be some other reason. In any case, whenever I am there it just feels right. » Read more