When I meet someone new in Barcelona, I prepare myself for the “Three Questions”: Them: “How long have you lived here?” Me: “Almost 8 years.” Them: “Do you like it?” Me: “Yes.” Them: “Why did you move to Barcelona?” Depending on my mood, I give some long-winded story about adventure and heartbreak, blah, blah, blah, » Read more

Apr 11 After a day of meandering through Paris’ museums, trolling boutiques or pounding the cobblestones as you see the sights, there’s nothing quite like taking a load off and parking yourself at a corner café to partake in that most pleasant of French table traditions, “l’apéritif,” or “l’apéro” for short. The French cherish that time of » Read more

Apr 10 While London may be justifiably proud of its historic charms, it also likes to think of itself as being at the cutting edge of contemporary design. That’s a claim that’s not always substantiated by the fussy and fusty décor of some of the city’s budget hotels. But it is possible to find more contemporary design » Read more

It is no surprise that, when Eurostar started operations, it immediately became the preferred option for business and leisure travelers heading from London to Paris. Almost 20 years later, the airlines cling to a small residual share of the market between the two capitals — flights are nowadays favored mainly by travelers who are making » Read more

Apr 09 When it comes to budget hotels in Europe, Paris is in a class of its own. Although it has a reputation as a city possessed by glamor and glitz (with prices to match), Paris still offers a range of inexpensive hotel options that make it surprisingly reasonable to visit. In our guide to Paris, we’ve » Read more

It might seem ridiculous to write a post on how to use a bus in Amsterdam. Most of us know how to ride a bus. But the particulars of riding public transportation in countries you’re visiting can be tricky enough to embarrass you with even the simplest task, like paying for your fare incorrectly, or » Read more

Apr 08 It’s market day and the Parisians go from the fruit stand to the cheese shop to the butcher – such a quaint way to shop, right? Well, actually, you’re just as likely to find Parisians going to the Monoprix or Carrefour supermarkets for a one-stop fix on all groceries, so this image is a bit » Read more

Apr 05 A few weeks ago, cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio checked in at the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a clerics’ hotel in Rome, before the launching of the secret electoral conclave that would lead to the Papal election. A few days later, now the new Pope, Padre Bergoglio religiously paid his bill while checking out. The final » Read more

Apr 04 There are many reasons why Prague is a Cheapo’s dream.  In the Czech capital, you’ll find a favorable exchange rate, you can eat like a (Bohemian) king, and pints of beer are cheaper than bottles of water in other cities. Yet there’s another reason why Prague stands out, especially when compared to some of the » Read more