Parc de Sceaux is a beautiful and easy afternoon trip from Paris on the RER. Photo: Pier-Luc Bergero
Looking for something off the beaten path to add to your Paris itinerary? Easily accessible via public transportation from the city center, the surrounding region of Ile de France offers some interesting nooks and crannies relatively untouched by tourist crowds. With many appealing places only 20 to 40 minutes away from the center of Paris, » Read more
Discover Roman ruins in Le Parc du Saint Maur. Photo: groume
Little medieval secrets dot this wealthy suburb on the Marne River. The medieval chapel houses an elongated Virgin Mary statue that has been venerated since 1328. It was miraculously created, legend has it. (The sculptor claimed that he returned to his workshop one morning to find the statue had been mysteriously completed during the night.) » Read more
Enjoying the charming views of the River Marne. Photo: Dan Dickinson
If you want to party like it’s the Belle Époque, consider visiting the banks of the Marne river. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, riverside restaurants known as guinguettes hosted revelers over the weekends and on holidays. Wine was cheaper outside of Paris in those days, so many people chose to trek out to » Read more
Renior's famous painting "Luncheon of the Boating Party" at Maison Fournaise restaurant that still exists today. Photo: Josh
Auguste Renoir was an artist with a flair for capturing everyday life, including this famous scene of happy-go-lucky partiers out at a riverside restaurant. It turns out that the giddy restaurant he painted still exists today on the “Island of the Impressionists.” This boater-hat happy place, called La Maison Fornaise, serves up traditional French cuisine » Read more
Escape the hustle and bustle of Paris at Parc de Sceaux. Photo: Marmontel
If you just need a brief relaxing moment away from the city, pack up some baguettes, cheese and wine and head to this favorite picnicking spot for Ile de France residents. The Parc de Sceaux is a large French style park designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre, whose portfolio includes the gardens at Versailles » Read more
Visit the home of the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at Chateau Malmaison. Photo: Thomas Letournel
For French Empire history buffs, look no further than this countryside chateau. It’s no Versailles, but this quiet, unassuming mansion nestled in the small town of Rueil Malmaison was a favorite country hideaway for Empress Josephine, the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Tour the chateau to learn more about this time period in France, including » Read more
Basilique Saint Denis is as impressive as Notre Dame but without the crowds. Photo: Ninara
If you’re a fan of the Cathedral Notre Dame, but not so much of the crowds surrounding it at all hours, consider a trip out to Saint Denis. With many famous cathedrals and chapels in Paris, the Saint Denis Basilique is often overlooked by tourists. But this large, awe-inspiring cathedral, with flying buttresses and gargoyles » Read more
Parc Floral is a great spot for a picnic with over 3,000 manicured plant varieties. Photo: Randy Connolly
This city has one of the largest intact medieval chateaus in France, with the keep and dungeon open to visitors. Fortified with a moat and battlements, it then became a prison in the 18th century, hosting the likes of the hedonistic and cruel Marquis de Sade. Touring this chateau reveals not only various medieval chambers » Read more
If you’re looking for a view of Paris that doesn’t involve bumping elbows with a lot of tourists — plus you like archaeology and French history — Saint Germain en Laye is worth a visit. It’s famous for a 2.4-kilometre stone terrace built in the late 1600s that allows onlookers to gaze over the Seine river valley » Read more
Hamilton is playing at Richard Rodgers Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate
Rush. Standing-room. Lottery. TDF membership. Discount codes. There are so many ways to save money on tickets for Broadway shows in New York that you rarely need to pay full price for any of them. Unless that show is “Hamilton.” Since opening at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre last July, the hip-hop musical tracing the unlikely » Read more
Save big on your trip to Europe by booking a EuroCheapo Travel Package.
EuroCheapo is thrilled to announce the launch of EuroCheapo Travel Packages, which offer tremendous savings to American travelers to Europe who bundle together their airfare, hotels and car rentals. While EuroCheapo has championed the do-it-yourself trip booking philosophy for more than a decade (and continues to do so!), it’s also true that there are some » Read more
Antique pocket watches at the famous Portobello Market. Photo: Benedetta A
London is indeed a city of markets. Whether food (try Borough Market or Maltby Street Markets) or flowers (Columbia Road), markets are great places to visit if you’re on a budget. And, while the description “flea market” isn’t really used in the United Kingdom, London does have plenty of places that do that job — selling » Read more
The historic Albaicín district in Granada. Photo: julianrdc
Anyone interested in Spain’s Moorish history must spend some time in Granada. Home to Europe’s most important Moorish fortress complex, the Alhambra, the city is packed with traditional Moroccan tea houses, not to mention Flamenco tablaos and restaurants in caves hacked into the soft rock of the mountain upon which the city is built. Then » Read more
Drink like the locals and grab a seat at a cafe like this one on bustling Rue Montorgueil. Photo: Daviddje
Paris usually takes a backseat to New York or Berlin when it comes to nightlife options. Things are a bit more relaxed in Paris, but the good news is that there’s no shortage of budget options, whether you’re in a party mood or looking for something a bit more sedate or cultural. We’ve shown you how » Read more
Sidewalk dining in Berlin. Photo: La Citta Vita
When you visit Berlin, chances are you’re going to eat out a lot. Why? Because there are so many great places to chow down without spending a fortune. And money-wise dining doesn’t always have to mean eating the same old sausage and pretzels. Following the advice in our Berlin food guide, you’ll quickly realize that » Read more
Norwegian is launching nonstop flights to Paris. Photo: Eric Salard
Have you been patiently waiting to book that flight to Paris for your fall trip? Well, good news Cheapos! You might have hit the jackpot because Norwegian just announced a brand new route to the City of Light. Starting in July 2016, they will be launching nonstop flights on their Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes between New York » Read more
Brush up on your language skills before a trip to Spain. Photo: Elliott B
Although it’s not necessary to be fluent in Spanish, it’s certainly worth taking some time to learn a few words and sentences in the language before your big trip. Spaniards age 30 and under have had plenty of English language lessons at school—generally more than enough to help you order lunch or find your size » Read more
The view of the Opéra from the rooftop café at Printemps. Photo: T. Brack
Got passion for fashion? Cuckoo for a steal? Join the club! Nothing gives me more pleasure than finding quality garb at a discount price. For years, I’ve celebrated bargain shopping in the City of de-Light, like there’s no tomorrow. Based on my experience, here are a few tips on how to experience a guilt-free shopping » Read more
Alhambra at sunset. Photo: Gregorio Puga Bailón
With its stone walls carved with elaborate arabesques and Islamic calligraphy, meticulously laid out gardens, bubbling fountains and ramparts with sweeping views of Granada and beyond—the Alhambra palace and fortress complex is easily Granada’s most famous monument. So it’s not surprising that sometimes the lines go on for days and ticketing technicalities can be somewhat » Read more
Paris Passlib’ card.
Visiting Paris on a budget is sort of our thing, and if we haven’t made it clear, it’s fairly easy to do. The city is trying to make it even easier with the new Paris Passlib’, an expanded visitor card that promises a lot – but does it really deliver? Let’s break down the pass, » Read more
The Reichstag is one of Berlin's most popular free attractions. Photo: Maxpax
One of the hottest tourist destinations in the world right now, Berlin is happily also one of the most affordable European capitals. Still, there are always extra costs to consider and some sights are so popular that a little advance planning is advised. From insider tricks for saving money on admission, to free days to » Read more
Find cheap TGV tickets by using the Best Fare Calendar. Photo: Rob Dammers
Good news for Cheapos planning to take the train in France: The SNCF offers a “Best Price Calendar” that makes it simple to find and book cheap TGV tickets for your trip. But first, a quick reminder: Book your tickets in advance through the official site of the French railway, the SNCF. Why book through » Read more
Oranienstrasse is one of the main drags in Kreuzberg SO36. Photo: Alper Çu?un
Located in former West Berlin, Kreuzberg is one of the city’s most popular and exciting neighborhoods. When the wall was up, the district was divided into two postal code areas, Kreuzberg 61 and SO36. Although these postal codes are no longer officially used, locals still use them to define the neighborhood’s two very distinct faces. » Read more
Charming view of Tartu, Estonia. Photo: maple03
Estonia, with a population of just 1.3 million, is a remarkably innovative and exciting place. Want some examples? Skype’s software was built by Estonian programmers; in 2005, Estonia became the first country in the world to launch an electronic voting system; and in 2014, Estonia became the first country in the world to offer electronic » Read more
Berlin is home to many extraordinary museums and memorials. Photo: Mike Steele
With hundreds of museums and historical sights to choose from, Berlin is truly a museum lover’s paradise. The good news is Berlin also isn’t likely to burn a hole in your pocket. Most museum entries range between €8-15 for adults, which is quite a bit less than what you’ll pay to enter Florence or Paris’ » Read more
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