EuroCheapo's Italy Articles

Ligurian Diversions: Santa Margherita Ligure

Seduced by sunshine in Santa Margherita Ligure. Photo © hidden europe
Seduced by sunshine in Santa Margherita Ligure. Photo © hidden europe

Apr 18 Yes, we’ve been traveling a lot of late. Over the last 40 days, our travels have taken us from Cadiz to Hamburg and from the Alps to the Apennines. We have paddled in the Atlantic and the Adriatic and taken in a few cities too: Florence, Madrid, Paris, Zürich, Poznan and more. It has, in » Read more

Posted in hidden europe, Italy, Train, Trip Planning

Rural Rail Diversions: Choosing slow alternatives to fast trains

Rural Rail Diversions: Choosing slow alternatives to fast trains

Apr 11 “What’s the best way from X to Y?” It is a query we’ve read a thousand times here on EuroCheapo, and it comes in various guises on hundreds of other travel forums: from Fodor’s to Frommer’s, from BootsnAll to the Thorn Tree. For those who pose such questions “best” probably equates “cheapest” or “fastest.” But » Read more

Posted in Czech Republic, France, Germany, hidden europe, Italy, Switzerland, Train, Trip Planning

Crossing the Alps by Train: Three rail routes from Switzerland to Italy

Crossing the Alps by Train: Three rail routes from Switzerland to Italy

Feb 29 “I want to see the Alps by train, so I’ve the booked a ride south from Berne into Italy,” said Margot. We didn’t have the heart to tell her that a big chunk of the 90-minute run from the Swiss capital south to Domodossola in Italy is through tunnels. Of course, there is a lot » Read more

Posted in Europe, Geneva, hidden europe, Italy, Milan, Practical Info, Switzerland, Train, transportation, Zurich

No Trains to Greece… and Other Tales of Rail Woe

No Trains to Greece… and Other Tales of Rail Woe

Jan 18 Back in fall 2010, we highlighted some of the key missing links in Europe’s rail network. These are those frustrating gaps, where even the most dedicated rail traveller must switch to a bus: Poprad (Slovakia) to Zakopane (Poland), or the hop south from Narvik in Norway to reach the rail route south to Trondheim at » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Bus, Europe, Greece, hidden europe, Italy, Lisbon, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Train, transportation

Florence: Cheap souvenir ideas for everyone on your list

Florence: Cheap souvenir ideas for everyone on your list

Dec 24 By Marc Justin— With the crazies of the holiday season upon us, our minds turn to those uber-important consumer questions: What will I bring home for my aunt so-and-so? What will hard-to-buy-for brother actually enjoy? What about Mom who’s awaiting both my present and my presence? Hey, you’re in Florence, consider this a good thing! » Read more

Posted in Cheap Souvenirs, Florence, Italy, markets, Shops

Should you fly or take the train around Europe? It depends…

Should you fly or take the train around Europe? It depends…

Dec 19 By Tom Meyers— A few months ago I had to make a key decision while planning a trip from Paris to Berlin. Plane or train? I could take a €50 budget flight on easyJet and be there in about two hours. Or I could take the TGV to Germany, and then board an ICE train » Read more

Posted in Airlines, Ask the Cheapos, Berlin, Budget Air Travel, France, Germany, Italy, London, Paris, Practical Info, Spain, Train, transportation, Trend Update

Florence: 8 free things to do in Florence

Florence: 8 free things to do in Florence

Dec 02 By Marc Justin— You splurged on a scarf you couldn’t afford? Waiting for an urgent bank transfer from mom and dad? Whatever, you’re broke, you’re in Florence and you don’t know what to do. Well, rejoice my friend, here are some free activities to explore. Music 1. Every night, the organ goes wild at the » Read more

Posted in Florence, Free Stuff, Italy, walking

Florence by Bike: Rentals and bike tour options

Florence by Bike: Rentals and bike tour options

Oct 24 By Marc Justin in Florence— Unless you’re that guy I see once in a while on his unicycle circling the Duomo, chances are you ride a bike. And since you’re reading this, chances are you have some remote interest in visiting Florence. So why not combine the two? Join a bike tour before it joins » Read more

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Bikes, City Transportation, Florence, Italy, transportation

Florence: Which neighborhood is right for your trip?

Florence: Which neighborhood is right for your trip?

Oct 10 By Marc Justin in Florence— People are always asking me for pointers on where to stay in Florence. If casa Marc is available then hey, no problem. Otherwise, here are the neighborhoods I suggest when choosing a hotel: Steps from the Station: Santa Maria Novella I know a guy who always insists on picking hotels » Read more

Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Cheap Hotels, Florence, Hotels, Italy, Neighborhood, Trip Planning

Florence: How to look like a local – Part 1: The Clothes

Florence: How to look like a local – Part 1: The Clothes

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

Posted in Fashion, Florence, Italy, Local Customs, Practical Info