No adventure in Bratislava is complete without experiencing (and embracing) the Slovak language itself. Slovak, a West Slavic language, is closely related to Czech and Polish and spoken by 6 million people. Why not bring some of that language home?

Bring home some Slovak

We recommend purchasing one of the local newspapers for a few SKKs or (for serious Cheapos) picking up a free used issue. You could find them on a bench by Ganymede’s Fountain, a seat on the bus, or anywhere else around town.

Sure your could pick up a copy of The Slovak Spectator, the English speaking news magazine, at the city’s central square, Hviezdoslavovo nám. That would be understandable (literally!). However, we’d suggest opting for a copy of the economic Hospodarske Noviny, the gossipy Novy Cas or Katolicke Noviny, the Catholic paper. These would serve as a more adventurous souvenir once you’ve returned to your native tongue.

While you’re at it…

While you are busy finding newspapers on park benches, pick up free brochures in Slovak at the Bratislava Castle, the Slovak National Gallery and the Primate’s Palace, or any other destination with free guides to offer.

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Bratislava.

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As we’ve already reported, paying €2.20 for a rather thin daily newspaper is simply foolish.

In addition to the browsing English-language journals at the Museum of Parisian Architecture, there are several other ways to fulfill your free press needs in Paris. First off, always check your hotel lobby for free English dailies. Many hotels provide copies of the International Herald Tribune in addition to the Le Monde and some other French regulars.

Those looking for city papers with Paris-based stories and reviews should look no further than The Paris Times, a free monthly paper found in Anglophone haunts throughout the city. Also available is the bi-monthly Paris Voice magazine and the classified-based FUSAC, which has been an Anglophone Parisian staple since 1988. Be on the lookout for all three at bookshops, cafes and galleries throughout the city.

Save the €2.20 you would have spent on an overpriced newspaper and treat yourself to an espresso.

Popularity: 2% [?]

photograph by Melanie Clatanoff

If you’re in Paris and starved for some English language press, don’t pay €2.20 for a newspaper.

The Museum of Parisian Architecture, located in the Pavillion de l’Arsenal, has a “bar à journaux” where anyone can sit and read the news for free. The International Herald Tribune is there, along with thirteen other daily papers from around the world. There’s even a vending machine for coffee.

The museum is also free, so take a look around! It just reopened this week following a renovation. It has cool models, maps, and drawings of Paris through the ages and bean bag chairs to lounge in. If you don’t know much about Paris this is a great place to get an overview of the city and start planning your visit!

The Pavillion de l’Arsenal is open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. It’s located at 21 boulevard Morland in the 4th arrondissement. The closest metro is Sully-Morland, line 7, though Bastille is also nearby.

Popularity: 3% [?]