So many options at the Repetto Boutique. Photos by Theadora Brack

By Theadora Brack in Paris—

Shoe fanatic Louis XIV got the party started, while Marie Antoinette raised it to new heights. Still, shoe shopping in Paris still gleams brightly. With the recent openings of Printemps’ new three-level atrium and Galeries Lafayette’s brand-spanking-new showroom pumped with 12,000 designer shoes, the art of shoeing has never been more swagnificent. So for the love of Versailles, how does a hot-stepper avoid paying full price?

Lean in, Cheapos, and follow my lead.

Step One: It’s all in the timing

Get closer to Galeries Lafayette.

One way to avoid paying full price on shoes is to schedule your trip during either the big January or July sale periods. The upcoming “Soldes d’été” (summer sales) will kick off on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Discounts range from 20 to 80 per cent off retail prices. Remember to know your European shoe size!

Step Two: Now, study the classics

For your browsing pleasure, may I recommend starting off with a little “window licking” (faire du lèche-vitrine) on the boulevards?

Whet your appetite in the swanky shopping districts along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, Louvre-Tuileries, and Place Vendôme. Don’t forget the funky independent designers in Abbesses, the Marais, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. But don’t buy! Just spy, and make note of what you fancy. Recognition will be your greatest asset at vintage shops and flea markets later on.

Repetto's Red, White, and Blues

Shoe-in at the movies

While you’re out and about, do swing by the Repetto boutique for a peek at their towering cubbyholes stuffed with satin ballet slippers in shades of pale. Brigitte Bardot and Repetto transformed the classic ballet flat into an iconic street shoe during the making of the 1956 film “And God Created Woman.”

Sex and the City fans, this tip’s for you! Dior is located next to the Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, while Manolo Blahnik’s showroom is near Place de la Concorde. Blahnik also confected the shoes for Sophia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette.” It was a piece of cake for the designer, no doubt!

Then, step into the past

This is also an excellent time to study other masters like Carven, Lanvin, Poiret, Rykiel, and Schiaparelli at the Musée Galliera and Musée de la Mode et du Textile. Exhibits change frequently, so always Google for current listings prior to your visit.

You’ll have no regrets if you stop by the Musée Edith Piaf to see the “Little Sparrow’s” black dresses, size 4 shoes, and her pocketbooks. Still need a shoe fix? Marie Antoinette’s slippers and a scale model of the Lanvin showroom are at the Musée Carnavalet in the Marais.

Vide-greniers captivate!

Step three: Knowledge pays off

With a few favorite designer names under your hat, it’s now high time to visit the vintage shops, designer stock shops (outlets), flea markets, brocantes (antique/junk sales) and vide-greniers (neighborhood-wide garage sales) scattered all over.

Cheapos, I often find treasures at the vide-greniers! This is where the locals empty their closets. My latest finds include Valentino Garavani heels in burgundy satin and pink snakeskin, red ballet slippers by Zara, and patent leather black sliders by Freelance. And none cost more than 15 euros! I also found three pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. Back in the day, he created wonders for Mary Pickford and Marilyn Monroe. Imagine and sigh. His shoes usually retail for up to $500, but on this very rainy day, the dealer asked for just €10 a pop. Now that’s a Hollywood ending!

Step four: Give them TLC

“Cendrillon” (Cinderella), if you’ve found your match but they’re not quite perfect, never fear. Just take them to any shoe repair shop (”cordonnerie”) and have them resoled or reheeled. Repairs are usually quick and cheap—and well done. My favorite is located at 48 rue des Abbesses. Look for the little 1940s- automaton cobbler hammering away in the shop window.

Pinching yet another pointer from Dior, Cheapos, comfort always comes first!

Popularity: 2% [?]

De Slegte bookshop in Amsterdam. Photo by Kemal Y.

By Amy Goemans in Amsterdam—

For a lot of us, the appeal of Amsterdam lies in its diversity—be it food, culture, or the shopping experience. Tucked away from all major shopping spots, you are likely to find smaller, Dutch-specific stores that offer an interesting gift-hunting experience.

Try these shops for a unique souvenir from the Netherlands:

For Books: De Slegte
website
Kalverstraat 48-52
1012 PE Amsterdam

Those looking for a unique gift for a bookworm should check out this quaint second-hand bookshop. De Slegte bookshops, which are found all over the Benelux region, contain a wide range of Dutch and English books, some of which are older, hard-to-find novels. Gift buyers take note: They offer a number of antique books as well as comic books.

For something Dutch-specific, look for the local recipe books or ones about the country’s rich arts and history. Keep in mind that comic books (”stripboeken”) are extremely popular in Netherlands and thus, you can easily find popular European works in such shops. Think older strips such as Tintin (”Kuifje”), Willy and Wanda (”Suske en Wiske”) and Leonardo.

Where English books are concerned, you’re likely to come across well-loved books from previous decades like Alistair MacLean’s thriller novels. Books here have a starting price of €2.

For Music and Movies: Free Record Shop
website
One of the many locations in Amsterdam:
Ferdinand Bolstraat 79
1072 LC, Amsterdam

For the music lover or movie fan, these shops are the place to go. Free Record Shops are budget-friendly shops that sell a number of movies, music, and games at low prices. Not just that, they are also well-known for their marked-down deals and bargain-bin goodies.

Free Record Shops can be excellent places to find Dutch music and movies and other international items as well. Look for music by Dutch singers Anouk and local flicks that have made it big worldwide like Ciske de Rat. Keep an eye out for arthouse flicks. Goods usually have a starting price of €5.

For Vintage Fashion: Laura Dols
website
Wolvenstraat 6 en 7
1016 EM Amsterdam

Be it window shopping or hunting down the perfect gift for the fashion lover, Laura Dols is a definite must on a souvenir shopping trip. This classy little shop is renowned for its wide selection of vintage clothing, most of which is priced at affordable rates. From charming accessories like hats and pearl necklaces to sleek attire of the good old days, this vintage boutique has much to offer.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Marine style in "À bout de Souffle." Photo: TheMoveDB.org.

By Theadora Brack in Paris—

In grand ole Oprah style, I’ve decided to round out 2009 with another contest give-away. Plus, I’ll doff my “bachi” (French sailor hat) to a few of my favorite things in Paris!

Be the first Cheapo to correctly answer the New Wave film-related questions below, and we’ll give you a handsome catalog from the exposition, “Les Marins Font La Mode—Sailor Chic in Paris,” accompanied by one sporty Sephora striped travel bag!

Stars in stripes forever!

Photo: Musée de la Marine.

That fantastic exposition of Sailor Chic was presented earlier this year at the Musée de la Marine, located at place du Trocadéro. Whenever history, art, and fashion collide, Cheapos, I am there.

But who hasn’t been touched by the bold stripes of the traditional nautical shirts of Brittany (the coastal region where the French-striped top originated)? This look not only hooked appealingly rugged-types like Picasso, Hemingway, and Jean Paul Gaultier, but also lured Chanel, Rykiel, Schiaparelli, Jean Seberg, Brigitte Bardot, and Audrey Hepburn, just to name a few.

And it continues to captivate. Why, the very shirt that Audrey herself wore in the 1956 film “War and Peace” was recently put up for auction in London!

Beyond the sea!

Beyond the doubt, this French naval history museum is still worth a visit, even though the exhibit has closed. Dive deep into its vast collection of artifacts ranging from Napoleon’s gilded ceremonial barge (with all 24 oars still intact!), the Carmagnolle brothers’ diving suit (at 800 pounds, those brothers were heavy indeed), to toy boats that once belonged to the young Louis XV! (Museum hours are 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.)

Afterwards, head to the frip-frip-perie!

"King of Frip." Photo: Theadora Brack

After your expedition to the museum, why not set out on a quest for the perfect striped shirt of your own? Described by Hemingway as, “very stiff and built for hard wear but softened by washings.”

In the Marais, you’ll find beaucoup de Breton stripes. Get your maritime on at the boutique King of Frip (short for “friperie,” a second-hand clothing shop) at 14 rue Vieille du Temple. Its wide aisles make it a favorite sweet spot of mine.

Though smaller, the Vintage Désir down the street at 32 rue des Rosiers also has bountiful goods. You’ll find the striped booty toward the front of the store, to the left—to the left.

Now, to the quiz:

Jean-Luc Godard’s classic “À bout de soufflé” (“Breathless”) was shot on-location in Paris. In the film, Jean Seberg’s character, a budding journalist named Patricia, wears a magnificent striped dress to a press conference at the old Paris-Orly Airport. Striving to make ends meet, Patricia also sells newspapers on the Champs Élysées.

1. Name the newspaper Patricia so charmingly hawks on the streets of Paris!

2. Also, give us the name of the French store where director Godard (Cheapo at heart) bought the striped dress featured in the scene.

The first Cheapo to answer both questions correctly wins the catalog from the Musée de la Marine’s exposition, “Les Marins Font La Mode—Sailor Chic in Paris,” and a compact spiffy Sephora striped travel bag, to boot! Please leave your answers in the comments box below.

Bonne Chance! Et Bonne Année, Cheapos!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Madrid's Cine Doré offers films for €2.50! Photo by SantiMD.

By Cynthia Kane in Madrid–

Madrid is known for its great nightlife — from thumping clubs to tapas bars. But did you know that the city also offers its share of Cheapo-friendly nighttime entertainment options? Here are some of our favorite spots for finding film and music in Madrid.

Cine Doré
Tuesday - Sunday
Calle de Santa Isabel 3
28012 Madrid, Spain
+34 913 691 125

Cine Doré is the exhibition hall of the Spanish Film Library. Also known as the Filmoteca, this beautiful old theater dates back to 1923. Today the cinema offers three projection rooms and shows old and new films in their original versions. Aside from films, the theater also holds seminars, roundtables, conferences, and book talks… all of them great! But what sweetens the deal further is it’s price–it only costs €2.50 to catch a film. What a deal!

Contra Club

Live music nightly at the Contra Club.

Calle de Bailén 16
28005 Madrid, Spain
+34 915 231 511

Madrid’s Contra Club offers live music acts practically every night. They host all kinds of music; just check their site to see what’s playing. The entrance fee is 6 euro, but you get a mixed drink for free!

El Gato Verde
Calle Torrecilla del Lea, 15
28012 Madrid, Spain

If you’re looking for a truly Madrileño hang out, the El Gato Verde is the place for you. The bar offers wine for €2, beer for €1.30, and mixed drinks for €5. Not only are the prices right, but you’ll often get to take in some live music for free. Here you’ll find acoustic performances, jazz, blues, soul and funk. Entrance can be free or €5.

Cuevas de Sesamo
Calle Principe, 7

Cuevas de Sesamo is known for many things: pitchers of Sangria for €7, quotes along the walls, and their live music. Beginning every night at 9:30 PM, live piano music fills the underground cave bar, making you feel like you gone back in time.

About the author: Cynthia Kane is the editor of MAPMagazine.com, a Madrid travel e-zine, written by native English-speaking Madrid experts.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The Metropolitan Cinema. Photos by Claire Chaffey.

By Claire Chaffey in Rome—

Undeniably, Rome is a remarkable city with a thousand things to see and do. It’s not difficult to spend an entire day pounding the cobblestones taking in all that there is to experience. So when night falls, it’s often nice to just chill out and let yourself be entertained.

Here are some of the best (and cheapest) ways to do just that!

Cinema

Unless you’re lucky enough to speak the local lingua, chances are you’ll be looking for a movie house that shows films in English. While there are quite a few scattered around the city, these two are the most accessible:

Metropolitan Cinema
Via del Corso, 7 (Just off Piazza del Poppolo, Metro Flaminio)

The Metropolitan (pictured, above) is a friendly, old-school little cinema that has not entirely succumbed to the Italian penchant for dubbing absolutely everything that is not a product of Italy. It shows at least two English language films at any given time, and if you go on a weekday afternoon, or Wednesdays at anytime, you’ll only pay €5.50. Otherwise, tickets are €7.50.

Warner Village Metro Cinema
Piazza della Repubblica, 44 (Metro Repubblica)

Live music and drinks at the Scholar's Lounge.

You can’t miss this large, swanky cinema, which is the place to come if you want to see a blockbuster. However, it usually only shows one English language film at a time, so your options will be limited. Tickets are €7.50 (€5.50 for students).

Check out this useful website for programs and session times for both cinemas.

Tip: If you can speak Italian, take advantage of free films aired at “Casa del Cinema” at Villa Borghese. The films are mostly documentaries or old, obscure Italian films. For details, check out the website.

Live Music

There are plenty of pubs and bars in Rome which offer a huge variety of live music, but this is our favorite for both music and atmosphere:

Scholars Lounge Irish Pub
Via del Plebiscito, 101b (near Piazza Venezia)

The cosy and charming Scholars Lounge is host to live music almost every night from 10:30 PM. If it’s not a cover band doing the Chilli Peppers, Springsteen, or Oasis, it’s traditional Irish music, Reggae or karaoke (come on, you know you love it!). For the cost of whatever you want to drink, you can kick back with a congenial mix of locals and travelers and enjoy the vibe.

Last-minute theater tickets.

For a list of what’s on, check out the pub’s live music schedule.

Theater

Rome has an extremely vibrant dramatic scene with scores of theaters scattered all over town. It is generally not cheap to see a performance, but it is well worth the experience, especially when there are half-price tickets available at Last Minute Teatro, situated at Via Bari, 18 (Metro Policlinico). It sells unsold tickets for performances showing that night, and if you are not too fussy about what you see, there are huge savings to be made! Open Tuesday to Saturday: 2 PM-8 PM, and Sunday: 12 PM-4 PM.

About the author: Claire is a freelance journalist currently eating and drinking her way through Rome following a stint as a reporter in West Africa. Claire’s work has appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, TNT Magazine, Way2Go Magazine and the Ghanaian Times.

Popularity: 6% [?]

What suspense!

Thanks for all of the responses we received to Monday’s Paris film quiz. (If you haven’t read the clues yet, read the post before proceeding!)

The quiz was a real doozy, but we did have a winner. Here’s an explanation from our correspondent and quiz-master Theadora Brack:

“As with any mystery, the clues don’t always add up. In this case, the fact that the cast included: David Compton played by Clive Brook (male lead in the 1923 version), Vesta Compton played by Juliette Compton (supporting actress in the 1929 version), Davie Compton played by Georgue Billings (supporting actor in the 1929 version), and Deloryce/Lola played by Betty Compson (female lead in both the 1923 and 1929 versions) led to the kind of confusion that causes eye witnesses to send innocent people to the electric chair!

Yes, we have a winner. Thanks to the smart sleuthing of “Poetloverrebelspy” the mystery now has been solved.

1. Who was the Assistant Director? Alfred Hitchcock

2. What was the name of the film? “Woman to Woman”

3. And who was the red-haired beauty? Alma Reville

To straighten it all out, Betty Compton (with a “t”) was Jimmy Walker’s wife and a Ziegfeld dancer–but did NOT star in “Woman to Woman.”

Julie Compton (with another “t”) WAS a Ziegfeld dancer. And WAS the supporting actress in Victor Saville’s “Woman to Woman” (1929).

However, Betty Compson (with an “s”) was a vagabond violinist, and yes, played the leading female lead in BOTH Alfred Hitchcock’s 1923 “Woman to Woman” and Victor Saville’s 1929 version !

Whew. More than coincidence ? In this case, I guess so.

My face is red. Head is spinning.”

Thanks, Theadora! And congrats to Poetloverrebelspy… there’s a Sephori bag with your name on it, headed for Berlin!

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Moulin Rouge, a setting for the mystery film. Photo by Theodora Brack.

By Theodora Brack in Paris—

We’re in need of a detective, see. Be the first Cheapo to answer the film-related questions below correctly, and we’ll give you a real swell Sephora Film Noir Black Lace travel bag!

First, the clues:

1. The film takes place in Paris.

2. The wife of New York City mayor Jimmy Walker has the leading role.

3. She had once been a Ziegfeld Follies dancer. A major star.

4. Then she was the mayor’s mistress.

5. Then his wife.

6. Her name was Betty. And she was a looker.

7. The Assistant Director was an unknown. At the time, that is.

8. He was 23. This was his first major break.

9. He agreed to co-write the screenplay.

10. After the art director backed out, he designed the set, too.

11. A red-haired beauty appeared on the set.

12. She got hired as editor.

13. And then she got to him. The Assistant Director, that is.

14. She got to him good.

15. “I began by admiring her from afar,” he said later, “I much preferred admiring her from a-near.”

16. In fact, they married.

17. Continuity was her specialty, see.

18. The script was based on a 1921 stage play.

19. An affair between soldier and a Moulin Rouge Can Can dancer.

20. The Assistant Director made several scouting trips to Paris.

21. First off, each time he went to mass at L’Église de la Madeleine.

22. Then to the Moulin Rouge. For research!

23. But the dance scenes were shot on a sound stage in Joinville, a distant suburb of Paris.

24. Dancers were brought in from the Moulin Rouge.

25. “An exact replica is what I was after!”

26. Though their revealing costumes had to be outfitted with brassieres.

27. English and American audiences, see.

28. “No French breast could be exposed on the screen.”

29. Despite its lack of titillation, the film was wildly popular.

The Film Noir bag in question. Photo courtesy of Sephora.

Now, the questions:

1. Who was the Assistant Director?

2. What was the name of the film?

3. And who was the red-haired beauty?

The first Cheapo to answer the questions correctly will win the Sephora Film Noir travel bag prize. With its intricate black lace, sleek form, and slender handles, you’ll possess Grace Kelly’s cool aloofness and rival all. Just leave your answers in the comments box below.

Speaking of French black lace…

After the liberation of Paris, the most popular souvenirs that American GI’s picked up for their sweethearts back home were shiny Eiffel Tower trinkets, bottles of French perfume, little music boxes, and unmentionables made of French black lace. Ooh la la!

(This post is dedicated to my mom, who introduced me to the world of Film Noir. Happy Birthday Mom!)

About the author: Theadora Brack is a writer working in Paris. Her fiction has appeared in more than 30 literary publications, including 3AM International, The Smoking Poet, Beloit Fiction Journal, Mid-American Review, and the Haight-Ashbury Literary Journal.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Photo courtesy Berlin International Film Festival

BERLIN—The 2009 Berlin International Film Festival, the “Berlinale,” will take place February 5-15. The event celebrates its 59th year in 2009 and boasts an impressive lineup, with some 350 film screenings on deck (most of which are making their debut).

The festival is both an international industry event and a great chance for film enthusiasts to enjoy advance screenings. The Berlinale’s complete 2009 screening schedule has not been released yet, but will be posted soon on the festival’s website.

Some highlights of the 2009 Berlinale

Cold War—The autumn of 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. To commemorate the event, the festival will feature “After the Winter comes the Spring,” a film series focused on the end of the Cold War.

Bigger than Life—A retrospective of films shot in the double-wide 70-mm format. The series, called “70 mm — Bigger than Life,” will feature 22 films shot in the format, including American classics West Side Story,  Ben Hur, and Cleopatra, as well as Russian epics.

The International—The film festival will open on February 5, 2009 with the world premiere of the British-German co-production The International, directed by Tom Tykwer (Perfume and Run, Lola Run).

A word about hotels…

Cheapos eager to attend the Berlinale are encouraged to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. We performed an availability search over our lunch break today and found more than 25 of our editor’s pick hotels in Berlin with rooms for under $100 a night (double occupancy–for February 9-11).

But still, availability will be increasingly limited, so if you’re heading to the festival, get a good room while you have some choice.

Popularity: 10% [?]

No trip to Salzburg is complete without at least a passing nod to “The Sound of Music,” the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical set in the city. The movie version, shot six years later, starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer and included many scenes shot in Salzburg.

Not surprisingly, the city’s tourism industry doesn’t shy away from a little “Do-Re-Mi.” Movie-related reminders are available throughout the city (on chocolate and marzipan), a marionette show packs ‘em in, and of course, more than one bus tour will shuttle you from sight to sight.

These “Sound of Music” bus tours are popular with the tourist set, as they offer audio commentary, an easy ride, and lots of photo-ops. The bus is especially convenient for reaching those locales outside the city, such as the lovely St. Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang, the rolling hills behind the opening credits. These tours can get pricy. Panorama Tours offers the four-hour “Original Sound of Music Tour” for €37 for adults ($53) and €18 for children ($26).

Do it yourself Sound of Music tour

However, you don’t need to take a bus tour to visit many of the locations used in the film.

The website Visit Salzburg offers a “do it yourself” Sound of Music tour, with background information on sights used in the making of the movie. Most of the locations listed are in central Salzburg, and many can be visited for free.

Their free walking tour includes the Nonnberg Nunnery (where the nuns sing “Maria”), Mirabell Castle and Mirabell Gardens (the place where Maria and the children sing “Do-Re-Mi”), and the Felsenreitschule and Festival Halls (the stage where the Trapps perform during the Salzburg Festival). For more information, check out Visit Salzburg’s website.

Salzburg’s tourism office offers additional “Sound of Music” locations on their website, Salzburg.info. Sights here include St. Peter’s Cemetery and Leopoldskron Palace. (Read the whole tour here.)

Also see: Our reviews of cheap hotels in Salzburg.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Photo courtesy of Kino unter Sternen

One thing we like about summer in Vienna is open-air cinema. This month, we are looking forward to a myriad of events that will allow us to enjoy the flicks without shivering and munch on popcorn without freezing our hands. Mark the following events on your calendar.

1. Kino Unter Sternen (Cinema Under the Stars) at the Augarten, starts off with a tribute to legendary American comedian Jerry Lewis. Naturally, the opening salvo will be one of his popular movies, Artists and Models. Other films that will be screened, either in their original version or with subtitles, include Roman Holiday and The Science of Sleep. The outside Kino, with its jam-packed schedule will run from June 28 until August 12. Tickets cost €7.50 each or €32.50 for a block of five movies. We suggest making reservations to be sure you don’t miss out. Kino Unter Sternen is located between Second and 20th Districts. Just look for the giant tower that the Viennese call Flakturm, a massive anti-aircraft gun blockhouse that was used by the Nazis in World War II.

2. The rooftop of the city’s Main Library in the Seventh District is the place to be for Lichter der Großstadt (The lights in the metropoles). Already in its fourth season, the theme this year will tackle the significance of big cities such as Vienna, New York, and Saigon. Its healthy mix of classics, rarities, and succesful films runs from June 22 to July 1. The feature movie examining Vienna will be Exit–nur keine Panik while Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam will represent New York. Admission costs €7. For more information, email office@stbalbach.at.

3. Schloss Neugebaüde, the former imperial hunting lodge in Simmering (11th District), offers a series of outside cinema, featuring the latest Hollywood films from Happy Feet to Babel. This portion of the Ein Sommer im Scholss (A Summer in the Castle) festivities will run from June 28 until August 30. Entrance costs €7 .

Popularity: 8% [?]