Macarons from Ladurée. Photos by Theodora Brack.

By Theadora Brack in Paris—

Grocery store chains may be your best bets for cutting costs while living in Paris, and they’re perfectly fine and dandy for long-term stays, but what if you’re visiting for just a week or two? Well then, I say, live it like it’s your last!

Visiting one of the finest food capitals of the world, a place chock-full of bountiful “Bon Produits” (specialty shops), all managed by certified gastronomical experts who are more than willing to share their vast wealth of knowledge, is abso-fruga-lute-ly not the time to shop at a chain grocery store in order to save a few centimes.

Splurge on a café.

So take in all those wonderful boulangeries, pâtisseries, chocolatiers, confiseries, glaciers, éspiceries, fromageries, charcuteries, poissonneries, caves, and cafés with a clear conscience. And don’t be shy. Ask for recommendations! Ask questions, and in the process you’ll take home more than the receipt.

Here’s my personal sampling of things to not miss while in France. Cheapos, splurge on!

1. Crème brûlée

Before cracking open this classic beauty, lift the ramekin to your ear, and lightly tap on its hard, caramelized topping with your spoon. Breathe in. Savor the moment.

2. Pain au chocolat

The proper way to eat it is to pinch off teeny morsels with your fingertips to make it last as long as possible. However, I usually peel the individual layers off slowly, thoroughly enjoying each melted chocolate nugget I encounter.

3. Fromage

Big wheels do keep on turning. Like skirts, cheese is seasonal, and the variety is endless. So pace yourself! Start off with the “Cantal jeune.” Named after the volcanic peaks of the Cantal mountain range, it’s hard to find this one-month-old taste sensation outside of France. Why, even the Sun King gave it his Good Palace-Keeping seal of approval. Also, don’t hesitate to ask the fromager for a cheese recommendation based on the wine you just bought down the street. They’ll gladly help you out.

Baguettes from Gérard Mulot.

4. Baguette

If it’s still warm from the oven, do as the locals do and rip a chunk off and pop it in your mouth as soon as you step out of the bakery. I’ve noticed that males tend to carry their baguettes like caveman clubs, while women usually cradle their bread.

5. Macarons and meringues

The ultimate instant sugar rush—but what-the-hey? You only live once, right? That’s what she said. Catherine de Medici’s Italian pastry chefs introduced the macaron to France, and Ladurée is credited with its stream-lined modern sandwich-look.

6. Wines

It’s perfectly normal to say, “I’m looking for something around five euros to go with [fill in the blank].” Trust me, everyone else is asking the same question. Tip: Caviste Pascal Fauvel at La Cave de Abbesses at 43 rue des Abbesses clearly marks his recommendations with heart-shaped signs that read, “Coup de coeur maison.” Others follow suit.

7. French onion soup

Yummy escargot

Day or night, it’s a hot and hearty Cheapo happy meal (sans prizes).

8. Escargots

If you end up loving them (and most people do) then you’ve made a culinary discovery, and if not, at least you’ve got a funny story to tell, and everyone will admire your bravery. I usually order my snails bathed in garlic, butter, and herbs in their little spiral shells. Yum!

9. Crêpes

“Je voudrais une banane-chocolat crêpe, s’il vous plaît,” is another one of my tickets to paradise.

Tartes at Les Petits Mitrons.

10. Tarte

Any ole tarte will do as long as it comes from Les Petits Mitrons at 26 rue Lepic in Abbesses, just up the street from the Moulin Rouge, and kitty-corner from the café featured in the film “Amélie.” You can also buy your pie by the slice!

11. A drink in Parisian café

If you visit Paris and miss out on this experience, Cheapos, we are no longer friends. Yes! Your alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks will cost a little more than in a grocery store, but the upside is that you’ll be given courtside seats to people watching, and you can stay as long as you like.

12. At least one article of clothing

For the simple love of bragging rights, do pick up a scarf, shirt, or slacks. Then, for years to come you’ll be able to say, “Oh, this old thing? I picked it up in Paris years ago!”

Cheapos, do you have a favorite French treat? Do tell!

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One of Paris' many cafes. Photo by d'Alk.

By Liz Webber—

When you plan a vacation, you generally budget a certain amount that you want to pay for airfare and a hotel. Yet, many forget to plan for all the little expenses—which can really add up if you’re not careful.

Here’s our handy cheat sheet for what you can expect to pay for some basic items in Paris, as well as tips for finding a cheaper alternative.

Cup of coffee: €2.50+

While a simple espresso generally will cost around €2.50-€3 when sipped seated at a café, anything fancier (latte, café crème, etc.) is going to tack on an extra euro or more in price. Cafés in central Paris also increase their prices for other basic items because they know tourists will pay.

When grabbing a coffee at a touristed café (or any café, for that matter), stand at the bar with the locals and pay half the price. For a leisurely café experience, why not venture to a spot along the Canal St. Martin in the 11th arrondissement where prices should be more reasonable?

Ticket to the Louvre: €9.50

That full-price admission ticket for the Louvre’s permanent collections doesn’t even include the €6 audio guide.

For a cheaper alternative, visit the museum on Wednesday or Friday evening from 6 PM to 9:45 PM for €6 and download the free Louvre app from the Apple store before you go. Better yet, aim for the first Sunday of the month when museum admission is free (although crowds can be a problem later in the day).

Many other museums also offer reduced rates for evening admission and most participate in the free first Sundays.

Lunch at a restaurant: €10+

Even at lunchtime, a main course at a moderately-priced restaurant in a touristy neighborhood will probably run upwards of €10—and that doesn’t account for wine or other beverages.

Instead, pick up a prepared sandwich at a boulangerie for about €3 or go for the “formule” that includes a sandwich, dessert, and drink for €5-€7. For a really cheap alternative, pick up a €1 baguette, a €3 bottle of supermarket wine (still tasty even though it’s so cheap!), and some cheese and find a spot for a picnic.

Pint of beer in a bar: €6

Even when compared to New York or London, I find alcohol to be pretty expensive in Paris at even the diviest of bars.

However, in supermarkets it’s fairly cheap. Since drinking in public is legal in most places in Paris (and even in places where it isn’t, most cops will turn a blind eye if you’re discreet about it), you can opt for a less expensive night out by picking up a bottle of wine or a couple of beers at the nearest Franprix and finding a place to sit along the Seine.

If you do want to order a beer at a bar, try a pint of French-made 1664. But to really feel like a local, ask for “un seize” (meaning “16″ – the first part of the beer’s name in French).

Add your tips

How have you kept your expenses low in Paris? Have some tips to share? Please add them in our comments section below!

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Christmas magic at Gendarmenmarkt. Photo by slaqua.

By Susan Buzzelli—

Berlin is downright chilly (and even a little bleak) in winter. But, as the Germans love to say, there’s no such thing as bad weather; it’s inappropriate clothing that makes you cold. As long as you bundle up in the thickest of coats, socks, soles, gloves, hats, and boots, the chill won’t slow you down.

Keeping warm the glühwein way

For guaranteed warmth, employ our favorite weapon against the cold: Glühwein.

Sold in festive mugs at the city’s dozens of Christmas markets, this spiced, hot wine warms you from the inside out. It costs about €5, including a deposit for the mug. Trust us, however: This giddiness-inducing beverage is worth the splurge. It’s like holiday spirit in a glass.

Our favorite Christmas markets in Berlin

Germany’s capital isn’t as famous as Dresden, Munich, and the Ore Mountains for its annual Christmas markets (roughly late November–Dec. 31; opening times vary), but it doesn’t hurt to check out one or two of the more than 20 markets that spring up in the city every year.

Because most markets are free (or inexpensive) to enter, they’re a Cheapo-friendly way to spend the evening. Snacks, which include sausage roasted over a wood grill, fresh gingerbread, potato pancakes, roasted chestnuts, and much more, won’t break the bank, either. If you’re in the market for gifts, you can often score handcrafted items—from knit scarves and mittens to handmade jewelry—for reasonable prices.

In addition to our three favorite markets, detailed below, check out the Berlin tourist office’s complete list of the city’s 22 markets.

Très Elegant Market: Gendarmenmarkt

The classiest of Berlin’s Christmas markets occupies Gendarmenmarkt (S- and U-bahn: Friedrich Strasse, Brandenburger Tor, €1), an elegant square in Mitte, between Friedrich Strasse and Unter den Linden. Lined with neat rows of pitched white tents adorned with golden lights, the market features craftsmen who produce delicate wooden combs, birdcages, precious stone jewelry, and more on the spot.

Sweets on offer at a Christmas market stall. Photo by tunnelarmr.

Kitschy Fun Market: Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz

The expansive Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz (S- and U-bahn: Potsdamer Platz) is stocked with red and white striped stands hawking the usual food and handicrafts. You can also take a twirl on a small iceskating rink (entry is free; ice skate rental is €2.50) or, if you reserve ahead, play a round of “Eisstockbahn,” a wintry version of bowling.

Illuminated with environmentally-friendly LED lights, this market is touristy but atmospheric. Don’t forget to pop into the Sony Center, which is decorated with some 41,000 icy blue lights.

Cozy Market: Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in der Kulturbrauerei

Nestled in the expansive courtyard of a red brick beer brewery-turned-cultural complex in Prenzlauer Berg, the Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in der Kulturbrauerei (U-bahn: Eberswalder Str.) is a quaint affair with a Finnish vibe. Look for Finnish Glühwein, honey, and textiles. If you happen to visit on a Sunday, wander over to Kollwitzplatz (Dec. 13 and 20) to check out its small, weekly market, which specializes in organic food and gifts.

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Cheap secondhand books at Gilbert Jeune. Photo by ShimShamB.

By Liz Webber—

There are plenty of things to bring back from Paris, whether lasting or fleeting, that won’t eat up all your euros. Here are five of our suggestions for souvenirs that will remind you of la vie Parisien—for €5 or less.

1. Livre d’occasion from Gilbert Jeune

With outlets on both sides of the St. Michel fountain, the Gilbert Jeune bookstore both buys and sells books. That’s good news for Cheapos, since the store often resells the livres d’occasion (used books) at 50 percent or more off the original price. Find an extensive selection of discounted books on the top floor of the shop (the one on the left side when facing the fountain), whether your French reading level is Le Compte de Monte Cristo, Le Petit Prince, or Les Couleurs.

2. Bottle of wine from Nicolas

In France, pretty much all wine is good wine, even the cheapest bottles. Nicolas, a chain of wine stores, sells bottles in every price range, with plenty of decent vintages for less than €5. The salespeople are also helpful in assisting customers in finding the type of wine they want. The main Paris store is located at the Place de la Madeleine, though there are numerous outlets throughout the city.

3. Notebook from the Louvre

A mustard lover's dream. Photo: RoryRory

The Louvre museum store sells a number of small items, like postcards and bookmarks, for only a couple of euros. Why not take home a souvenir and start recounting your travels at the same time with a notebook featuring the Mona Lisa on the cover?

4. Checkered scarf

No matter what the weather, a checkered scarf is part of the uniform of many Parisian boys (and girls!). The kitschy tourist shops you’ll find on virtually every corner in central Paris sell various scarves and pashminas, many of which are €5 or less. Check out the kids on the street for hints on how to wear your new scarf!

5. Mustard from Maille

The Maille store at 6 Place de la Madeleine in the 8th Arrondissement is a mustard-lover’s dream, with dozens of flavors you won’t find elsewhere, like cassis (black currant), basil or peach. There are a couple of different size jars that won’t empty your wallet, though you can splurge on a multi-pack gift set or one of the mustards “on tap” that come in refillable crocks.

Your Cheapo Paris souvenirs

Did you come home from your European vacation with a neat souvenir that cost less than €5? Tell us about it in the comments section!

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The aperitivo scene at Pepato in Rome. Photos by Sav D'Souza.

By Sav D’Souza in Rome—

“Aperitivo” culture is catching on fast in Rome. For as little as €5, Cheapos-in-the-know can grab an early-evening cocktail or glass of wine at a local hot-spot, and then fill a plate full of yummy eats for free! Of course, the real reason to take advantage of aperitivo time in Rome is for the chance to meet people (but the free food certainly doesn’t hurt!).

Here are two picks for a night out that guarantee you’ll make lots of new friends and not go home hungry. Just bring along a few euros and some conversation.  Aperitiv-ohhh!

The food at Pepato.

Pepato
Address: 8, Via del Politeama
Tel: 39 06 5833 5254
Neighborhood: Trastevere

The Wednesday night crowd at Pepato (pictured above) in Trastevere is a truly international, outgoing group. The bar offers a funky, stylish décor and remains an ideal place for making new acquaintances or impressing a date.

Good eats: Choose from dishes like seafood paella, hearty pastas, and cold meats with freshly baked bread. The thinly-sliced crispy potatoes are a big seller here.

On tap: Beers, wines, or fun cocktails—shaken or stirred by a resident mixologist. Go for the “Long, Long, Long Island Iced Tea”—a house specialty that’s guaranteed to loosen you up!

Expect to spend: €7 gets you a drink and one plate of food.

Society Lutece in Rome.

Societe Lutece
17, Piazza Montevecchio
Tel: 39 06 6830 1472
Neighborhood: Campo de’Fiori

Tucked away on a side street, Societe Lutece may be hard to find without a map, but its laid back atmosphere is worth the detective work. Every night here is like a social club event.

Good eats: The largely vegetarian buffet here is a good choice for health foodies. Fresh vegetables, dips, and pastas are the norm. You won’t go hungry on weekdays when freshly-baked nibbles are available at individual tables and the friendly staff keeps the snacks coming.

On Saturdays, a more substantial choice of hot plates (Read:  heartier pasta and rice dishes) is served up.  Look out for the occasional appearance of sushi and pasta curry, too. Arrive early on weekends when DJ sets draw big crowds.

On tap: A wide selection of wine and cocktails is available.

Expect to spend: €5 will get you a glass of wine here, and you can help yourself to free food all night.

Also see: Aperitivo bars in Milan.

About the author: Sav D’Souza is a freelance journalist currently based in Rome. He has worked as a journalist in Hawaii, Prague, and London and contributed features to the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, SA Sports Illustrated, Prague Post and CNBC Europe. He is a demon pool player, enjoys a round of golf, playing poker, and the occasional gin and tonic.

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Friends hanging out at La Vineria, in Rome.

By Sav D’Souza

Rome—It’s Friday night and you’re in the mood to grab a few drinks at a cool spot with some friends. Where can you find the right “vibe” without putting a dent in your wallet? Where can you sample delicious local wines? Step this way…

Campo de’ Fiori: La Vineria

A delightful watering hole overlooking the charming Campo de’ Fiori, the cosy “La Vineria” (photo, above) has a warm and inviting feel that attracts a friendly international crowd. La Vineria offers a good selection of wines, with prices starting at €1.50 for drinks in the bar and €2.50-€3 for drinks outside at a table on the famous square. The bar features a daily selection of wines available to try by the glass.

With good vino and a central address, La Vineria is an easy and enjoyable place to relax (and get a little buzz).

Address: Campo de’ Fiori. 15 Campo de’ Fiori. Tel 06 6880 3268.

1970's-era football memorabilia at the San Calisto.

Trastevere: Bar San Calisto

The San Calisto, located on the Piazza San Calisto in Trastevere, has character, a bit of a reputation, and feels edgier than your normal Roman bar. The décor inside seems stuck in the 1970’s. Decades-old football posters featuring stars of the past adorn the walls, and the furniture has a retro quality.

The San Calisto is mostly a coffee shop during the day, but in the evening locals (and those in the know) pack inside, enticed by cheap drinks. Becks, Bud, Peroni and gin and tonics are yours for €2-2.50 a pop.

Most guests grab a drink before snagging a seat outside, or wander off into the Piazza Santa Maria.

Trastevere. Piazza San Calisto.

Lots of wine at the Enoteca Cavour.

Near the Forum: Enoteca Cavour

Enoteca Cavour offers an extensive wine and drinks menu, great food, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Whatever your drink of choice, from Earl Grey to a Pilsner Urquell, you can find it, although wine is the main attraction. Glasses start at €3 and bottles at €13.

Happily, we can also recommend the food at Enoteca Cavour. House specialities include the tasty cheese and salami platter, fine salads, and exquisite desserts.

The décor is modern and stylish, yet comfortable. It’s this mix that attracts locals and a smattering of “in the know” tourists.

Via Cavour 313. Tel: 06 678 5496

About the author: Sav D’Souza is a freelance journalist currently based in Rome. He has worked as a journalist in Hawaii, Prague, and London and contributed features to the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, SA Sports Illustrated, Prague Post and CNBC Europe. He is a demon pool player, enjoys a round of golf, playing poker, and the occasional gin and tonic.

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Sometimes you just can’t make it to Paris as often as you like.  Fortunately for us in late November, Georges Duboeuf was born.

Georges Duboeuf, grand-pappy of Les Vins Georges Duboeuf, was the marketing maverick who christened the third Thursday of November as “Beaujolais Day” to celebrate that year’s release of Beaujolais nouveau red wine. This year’s celebration falls on November 20, 2008.

Made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region, the Beaujolais nouveau is perhaps best known for the festive, over-the-top atmosphere surrounding its annual release rather than its reputation among serious oenophiles.

While we’d prefer to be celebrating in France this week, you can bet we’ll be raising a glass of Beaujolais and singing Georges’ praises on Thursday here in New York.  Maybe we’ll even start off with an office pétanque tournament to get in the mood or go see the biker chefs and sommeliers escorting the first batch into town.

And we encourage you to do the same!  There are plenty of Beaujolais Nouveau tastings and events throughout the U.S.  A comprehensive list of locations can be found at the About.com France Travel guide.

After all, sometimes you can’t be in Paris, but a little sip can almost take you there! Are you planning to celebrate this year’s Beaujolais nouveau? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Also see: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Paris.

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Wine for sale. Photo by hummeline.

France’s independent wineries are taking their bottles on the road November 2008-March 2009 in the country’s Independent Wine Growers Expo (”Les Salons des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants”). Of interest to discerning Cheapos, the expo only costs €6! (About the cost of one decent glass of wine back home.)

The three-day events, held on subsequent weekends in eight cities across France, are delicious ways to meet growers and taste wines from the France’s 12 wine regions. Hundreds of wineries, hailing from Alsace to the Vallee du Rhone, will be manning booths, pouring samples, and selling their wares.

The wine expo travels around France, making the following stops:

2008

Lyon: October 30-November 3 (Halle Tony Garnier)
Reims: November 7-10 (Parc des Expos)
Lille: November 14-17 (Grand Palais)
Paris: November 27-December 1 (Porte de Versailles)

2009 - websites not yet available

Rennes: January 30-February 1(Parc Expo)
Strasbourg: February 13-16 (Wacken/Hall 20)
Lyon: February 27-March 1 (Eurexpo - Hall 10)
Bordeaux: March 13-15 (Parc Expo)

Check out the Independent Wine Growers Expo website for more information (in French). The site allows you to research attendees by wine region, by appellation, and by winery. You can find their booth in advance, and even print out a map of the expo.

A votre santé! And see you there…

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Sebastien Tellier is representing France in Eurovision this year.

It’s sunny again today! Here are some of the things we’ve taken a shine to this week:

On Wednesday, Amsterdam became the World Book Capital for one whole year! Thanks to Trippist for reading up on this, and getting us excited about the city-wide book fair scheduled for May 18th!

Meanwhile in Paris, Heather Stimmler-Hall recounts in her “Secrets of Paris” blog her tale of wine dating on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse. What is “wine dating,” you ask? It involves tasting three types of wine, mingling with available Frenchmen, cold cuts, and a towering view. Sign us up.

And then there’s the flight news! Less Than a Shoestring got us all knotted up about UK and Irish airports charging surprise, unavoidable airport taxes. And from a vending machine, no less!

Meanwhile, BudgetTravel alerts us to Cheapo-friendly fares in May from NYC to Rome, Naples, and other Italian cities on Eurofly. Fares are from $499 and don’t include $75 in taxes.

And finally, thanks to Alex of Spendthrift Shoestring for swinging by the office to play us some official entries in the Eurovision 2008 contest. We’re especially excited about Sebastien Tellier (pictured above on a boat), Jelena Tomaševi?, and, of course, No Angels.

What a way to kick off the weekend!

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Get more bang for your forint with our Cheapo-tested tips for a night out in Budapest. Kari Hoerchler, who recently prowled the city’s streets hunting down hotels for us, also found out how to have fun…

Start the night with a free drink.

A cheapo could get a jump start on the evening with a free drink at the Matyas’ wine fountain in the Labyrinth of Castle Hill. However, we found it more efficient and enjoyable to fork out the HUF 8000 (roughly €31) to sample over 50 wines at the House of Hungarian Wines above ground.

Get your restaurant row on.

Ramble on over to the Liszt ter, the veritable restaurant row of Budapest. People watching is free of charge, not to mention fun. And, frugal dining spots abound. A fresh variety of cocktails, sandwiches and salads are available at Café Vian. ‘Pest favorites, including goulash and fruit soup, are served at Menza (which also serves international fare, like pasta and salads). Both restaurants run a tab of about HUF 3,200 (almost €13) per person.

Hit up a club.

For a walk on the wild side, head over to Erzsebet ter to catch live acts and art at the underground Godor Club. Even if the place gets overcrowded with revelers, it’s still fun to check out the stage from the park above via a glass bottom fountain. When we were last in Budapest, we made a visit. Pints of beer were HUF 480 (just under €2) and entry was free.

The late night and early morning crowd pumps at Szóda. Not only is the design of this club chic, but the crowd is notoriously hip, making Szoda the perfect place to find out where the latest and greatest kerts (makeshift bars in the courtyards of abandoned buildings) can be found. The team behind Szoda are also behind several of the city’s speakeasies.

Sit back and relax.

For a more mellow mood, catch local and European art films at one of Budapest’s opulent, old movie houses. Urania National Movie Theatre was built in the 1890s. Plush velvet seats and gold vaulted ceilings trick the eyes into thinking one is spending the evening at the much more expensive opera house across town. Stop by the box office to find out which films have subtitles. Tickets run between HUF 890 and 990 (€3.50-4).

Kari Hoerchler is a budget traveler and science fiction novelist stationed on Planet Earth. Not only has Kari been a star contributor to EuroCheapo’s guide to Budapest, she has also recently been spotted under spotlights on small stages in New York coffeehouses telling tall tales of a tropical island—and future vacation hot spot—in the Bermuda Triangle. Book ahead.

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