Posts by author Meredith Franco Meyers
Author, reporter, and NPR correspondent Scott Huler recently returned from an epic journey tracing the tale of Homer’s “Odyssey.” After reading “No-Man’s Lands,” his insightful recounting of the trip, we asked him for advice on planning a similar journey—on a budget. Scott had some great advice: When Odysseus set off on an epic voyage, he » Read more
Do you smell that, Cheapos? It’s the scent of summer, of rubber-soled walking shoes, and of crisp, new, glossy maps. It’s time to set foot in the land of tea and crumpets. Royal weeeeee! Here are five fabulous walking tours in London that won’t cost you a pound. Get moving! 1) For Charles Dickens fans: London is a virtual » Read more
Ok, it’s no secret. We love free music. And, the annual Fete de la Musique in Paris is one of the best ways to see tons of musical acts, bands, and performers without paying a euro cent. The fete, which got its start in 1982, is a “come one, come all” sort of affair. Anyone » Read more
Albergo Guerrato, pension Calle drio la Scimia 240/a San Polo, Venice Doubles € 100-140 We first fell in love with Albergo Guerrato because of its location. Just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, it holds a coveted place in the lovely San Polo area of Venice. But, then there was the ambiance. The Guerrato » Read more
During his time in Rome, Michelangelo charged the ancient city with works of incredible beauty. His sculptures, frescoes, and architecture still inspire a city-wide love affair. And, his priceless work is on view at no cost to modern admirers. Angela K. Nickerson, author of A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome, takes us on a very cheapo-friendly » Read more
Save euros by following along with podcasts for tours. Alexander Kagan
We use our iPod like it’s going out of style. And, that doesn’t stop once we get to Europe. In fact, before we head off, we load it up with free podcasts depending on what city we’re visiting. We’ve saved many a euro by taking our own free tours, headphones in. Here are five picks » Read more
Thinking about postponing that trip to Europe? Jane McIntosh, creator of Jane’s Smart Art Guides™, audio guides for independent travelers, says, “Go ahead and go.” While the exchange rate keeps getting worse and fuel surcharges increase the cost of flying, there’s still no guarantee that the dollar will power up to the euro’s mojo or that air fares will » Read more
Michelangelo Buonarroti was born outside of Florence in 1475. Though he spent much of his life working in Rome, he loved Florence and considered it his home. Many of his greatest works still reside in Florence, and Florentines are exceedingly proud of their native son. Although visiting the city can get pricey, many of Michelangelo’s treasures can be experienced cheaply, » Read more
A picnic by The Seine. Photo: Gideon
When the weather turns warm, Parisians picnic. Sure, some stray as far as the terrace of their corner café, but many flock to parks, gardens and river-side quais to enjoy their beloved city. For cheapos, picnics have the added advantage of being easy on the budget. Here are our steps for procuring and perfecting the » Read more
Gardens at the Rijksmuseum are free to stroll through. Photo: Marcelo Campi
Looking for ways to save some euros while visiting Amsterdam? Here are five suggestions: Try some flower power. Visiting the masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum will set you back €10, but the baroque and renaissance gardens behind it are free to stroll. Delight in the fountains, statues, and the carefully coiffed hedges and plants. The gardens are open daily from 9 am to » Read more
Hotel Dali Via Dell Oriuolo, 17 (near the Duomo) The Hotel Dali has been one of our favorite hotels in Florence since we created our Florence hotel guide in 2001. For the first in our “Checking In” series, we’re posing some questions to the owners of the Dali, Marco, 42 and his wife Samanta, 38 (pictured above). » Read more
Doubles € 105-155 Neighborhood: La Rambla The Sant Agusti is one of our favorite hotels in Barcelona, and it just happens to be the oldest hotel in the city, too. Built in 1880, the hotel is named after the nearby church of Sant Agusti and was a working convent in the 1700s. Many of the » Read more
Yes, we hate adding on the extra pounds too. And, in London, it’s easy to do. Thankfully, there are a slew of free things to take advantage of in Her Majesty’s city—and you pretty much only need a good pair of walking shoes to enjoy them. Righty-ho! Water works We think the best fountains in » Read more
Having read repeatedly that Brussels, as the center of the EU, was more “political” and “corporate” than “quaint European,” we anticipated streets filled with bankers and void of much character (save for a small central square and a famous statue of a boy urinating). Boy, were we wrong! From the bright, grafitti-lined streets to the yummy, chocolately waffles, steamed mussels, and » Read more
In the spring of 2006, I was able to score some super-cheap tickets on Ryanair for a last-minute getaway to Barcelona from London, where I was living. It had been a great weekend, made possible I only had to pay the airport tax. The catch? I had to fly into and out of two less-than-central » Read more
2-star hotel 19, rue Monsieur le Prince Paris, St. Germain des Pres Doubles: €79-100 Ahh… Paris is the city of love. And, we’ve got lots of it for the charming two-star Villa des Princes. In fact, you may recall that we mentioned Villa, the tiny 12-room gem in the middle of the trendy St. Germain » Read more
Enjoy stunning (and free!) views from The Reichstag. Photo: Susanne Nilsson
Berlin is one city where your euros can still pack a punch. And, perhaps even more importantly, it’s also full of art, history, sausage, and frei stuff to do. Here are six of our favorite freebies in the German capital: The Reichstag The official seat of the German Parliament, the Reichstag affords you (at no cost!) » Read more
A night out in Paris. Photo: Lonni Besançon
Paris can get, how do you say?, “trés cher.” After dining out in Paris for two nights last week, we were ready to give our wallets a break and try a Paris night a la Cheapo. A stroll for free After doing a bit of research, we mapped out a fun, Seine-side stroll from St. Germain des » Read more
Dear readers, we’re packing our bags for Belgium, where we’ll be adding two new cities to the site! And we’re asking you for your advice! First, we’ll visit Brussels, the bulls-eye of the European Union. Known for its bankers, beer, and chocolate, Brussels is also known for rather expensive lodging, presenting us with both a challenge and an opportunity. Next » Read more
Where can you pick up a good ride in Amsterdam? Read on! Photo: Orse
Amsterdam is one of the best European cities for cycling. See the city, speed along the canals, and act like a local. Ready to roll? First, grab a good map. The tourism office facing Centraal Station offers a bike-specific map with highlighted biking paths and touring suggestions. Then, go get a bike! Where? Mike’s Bike Tours Kerkstraat » Read more
London can be a tricky city for dining. Long criticized for the quality of its fare (“It’s no Paris!”), the city has undergone a gastro-awakening over the past decade that has benefited the bellies, if not the wallets, of its diners. So what’s a Cheapo to eat? Here are our dining tips, all tested and » Read more
When visiting any city, we’re always relieved to find free activities to take the burden off our wallet. We’re happy to report that enchanted, moody Dublin offers a wide-range of high class sightseeing opportunities that won’t cost you a euro-cent. Our three faves: Dublin Castle For die-hard history buffs, reaching the Dublin Castle is » Read more
Back in the day, it was fairly typical to see many old Hungarian men and woman hanging out well into the night at a traditional coffee house in Budapest. Ideas were discussed and many pastries were consumed. Today, it’s hard to narrow in on some of these ancient gems (no, we’re not talking about the » Read more
The Vienna State Opera at night. Photo: Thomas Fabian
We’re always keen to dispel the myth that you must be rolling in it (money, that is) to enjoy world-class entertainment on your trip to Europe. While many cultural excursions in the US might be out of reach, the other side of the pond has many affordable artistic opportunities. Take the Vienna State Opera. This » Read more
At EuroCheapo, we’re all about hotels with a little extra flavor. And when in Rome, why settle for a normal night’s sleep? These three hotels in Rome have traipsed through history, from ancient history to 19th-century, but all of them today offer modern amenities so you can sleep comfortably. 1) Casa Banzo Campo de’ Fiori » Read more
