Last month, EuroCheapo chief Tom Meyers popped the train versus plane question…. does the savvy traveler fly or take the train around Europe? But it is not a straight either / or choice. Many leisure travelers, and many business types too, realize that long-distance coaches present a credible alternative to air or rail travel on » Read more

Earlier this month we looked at new flight connections within Europe for 2011. We now follow up with a review of new transatlantic links for summer 2011. A raft of new routes creates many new opportunities for North Americans looking for creative itineraries to and around Europe. New routes from California California gets its first-ever » Read more

By Guilhem Fauquier in Lisbon— The Portuguese often refer to Lisbon as the cidade das sete colinas, or “city of the seven hills.” They’re not kidding. Although walking the hilly terrain will be a workout, the seven hills do offer outstanding views that the locals enjoy every day. Most of these vistas offer dramatic, sweeping » Read more

By Tom Meyers— I had a bad feeling when I checked into my second hotel in Lisbon earlier this month. I was in town for the week to review about 50 hotels for our Lisbon guide, and I’d be spending three nights at this hotel. I had just spent three nights at another hotel, the » Read more

When the weather is hot, there’s nothing as satisfying as a day spent by the water. While many European capitals offer proximity to beaches, rivers or lakes, few of them boast convenient access to both a river and several beaches. Situated on the Tagus River, Lisbon has a waterfront of its own—plus many beaches an » Read more

It was only by a stroke of luck that the Eiffel Tower ended up in Paris. Gustave Eiffel designed the landmark tower for Barcelona. But the civic authorities had doubts about the appropriateness of such a tower for the Catalan city. Undaunted by the setback, Eiffel had better luck with Paris and, despite some opposition » Read more

Lisbon cockerels having a face-off. These two are for sale. Throughout Portugal, the cockerel is a symbol of faith, justice and good luck. As far as we’re concerned, our fine-feathered friend is also a symbol of a bargain. In Lisbon, where folk art featuring the cockerel is available in every gift shop, the little guy is a » Read more

Lisbon is a city full of fabulous museums and botanical gardens… with entrance fees. However, Parque Eduardo VII, in central Lisbon, is a happy, freebie exception. The Parque Eduardo Named after King Edward VII of Britain (following his 1903 visit to Portugal), the park boasts two greenhouses (“estufas”) filled with tropical plants. These beauties sit atop » Read more

If you’ll be in Lisbon anytime soon, plan to lay low during the week (or head to the beach) and hit the major sights and museums on Sunday. Why tour on the day of rest? Because many of Lisbon’s attractions are free, for at least a few hours, every Sunday of the year. Some museums—like the Museum of » Read more