Head to Reykjavík for an affordable Icelandic adventure. Photo: Marco B.
Reykjavík is a fine base for exploring Iceland; it is also an exciting place to stop for a few days between North America and the European continent. Icelandair’s extensive reach across North America, as well as the arrival of Wow’s low-cost flights from Boston and Baltimore, make long layovers in Reykjavík easy to arrange. The » Read more
Just because you bought it in Paris, doesn't mean it will be cheaper. Photo: Gustavo D
Heading to Paris and love to shop? Many tourists arrive in Paris eager to snag fabulous deals on high-end fashions, accessories and perfume. They think, quite understandably, “hey, it must be cheaper to buy it here because it’s French!” Alas, this is not always the case. Even with a stronger dollar, very few made-in-France goods » Read more
Just because it's in every guidebook, doesn't mean you have to visit too. Photo: John Fowler
Italy is one of the most visited destinations in the world, making it both very accessible but also teeming with tourists at certain times of year. While most of Italy’s cities and towns are visitor-friendly, there are still some pitfalls that tourists commonly find themselves stumbling into. Avoid these common travel-planning mistakes to make your » Read more
There's no such thing anymore as a quiet stroll down La Rambla. Photo: Jason Paris
At its best, Barcelona is an enchanting Mediterranean city with creative cuisine, golden beaches, and a fascinating history reaching back to Roman times. At its worst, it can be a total touristville with neon paella and ill-advised Mexican sombrero souvenirs. Furthermore, the busiest attractions in Barcelona can get incredibly overcrowded depending on when you visit. The » Read more
Escape to Villa Pamphili for a serene and local experience. Photo: Voyages etc...
Rome—the name alone conjures images of the Colosseum, the iconic Spanish Steps and the Sistine Chapel. These famous historical monuments should definitely be on your list when touring the Eternal City, especially if it’s your first visit. But sometimes famous attractions can be completely overwhelming. Long lines and massive crowds can get tiring after a » Read more
Charming Haarlem. Photo: Nicolas Vigier
Haarlem is like the little sibling of Amsterdam: very similar in look, but smaller in size and population. It’s where couples from the big city come to settle down, and musicians come for the community vibe. It also makes an excellent destination for budget travelers. It has historic streets galore, impressive Gothic architecture, and plenty » Read more
When in Amsterdam, eat like (and with!) a local at these 8 restaurants. Photo: Manuel
Are you looking for a truly authentic Dutch meal when you visit Amsterdam? Truth be told (shhhh…), local Dutch cuisine in the Netherlands has a rather bland reputation, limited to such delicacies as root veggies, gouda cheese, meats, and deep fried potatoes. Go ahead and try it. Just don’t expect it to blow you away » Read more
A worker removes a section of love locks on June 1, 2015. Photo: Bryan Pirolli
Paris has finally resolved the padlock issue on one of its most iconic bridges. After several years of couples attaching their “love locks” to the Pont des Arts near the Louvre, City Hall has taken action to remove the metallic symbols of love. Today, deputy mayor Bruno Julliard announced that glass panels will replace the grills » Read more
You never looked so good as when you studied abroad in France. Photo: Fred Romero
Nostalgic for your days abroad? You know, that semester or two when you lived (and studied a bit) in a country far removed from your home campus, parents, and perhaps significant other. It’s a time of self-discovery, new tastes, new languages, and new options. If you have been lucky enough to count yourself among the » Read more
The sun is always shining in Gran Canaria, Spain. Photo: El Coleccionista
As this cool spring lingers well beyond its welcome in London, it’s time for a warm and affordable break. There are two ways to plan a holiday getaway from London to a place with near-guaranteed heat and sun: the independent route, which is the EuroCheapo way, or a package holiday. To help independent travelers think » Read more
Copenhagen's bike share is an easy way to explore. Photo: Comrade Foot
Copenhagen (along with Amsterdam) is known as one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. There are as many bikes as citizens in this Scandinavian hub in Denmark. Another thing Copenhagen is famous for? Very expensive prices on everything from restaurants to taxis. However, you can still find some deals. For example, exploring the city by bike doesn’t have » Read more
You've arrived! Now how do you get into Paris from Charles de Gaulle? Photo: Mark Fischer
You’ve arrived in Paris! The cafés, the Eiffel Tower, the chic Parisians — well, where are they? Certainly not at the Charles de Gaulle airport. Consistently one of the most complained about airports in the world, there is now a small glimmer of hope for its future. A project is underway to create the CDG » Read more
The Tyne Bridge and Gateshead Sage in Newcastle. Photo: Ben C.
The northern English city of Newcastle (officially called “Newcastle upon Tyne”), about 45 miles from the border with Scotland at its most direct route, is known for its friendly and fun-loving locals. Locals are called “Geordies”; most notoriously, they have a habit of parading from pub to pub in the coldest depths of winter wearing clothes » Read more
Try a paella in Valencia. Photo by Regina Winkle-Bryan
Spanish food and wine is en vogue all over North America at the moment. And with good reason! The nosh in Spain is as diverse as the many unique territories that make up the country, from tapas in the south, to paella in the east, to pintxos in the north, there is so much good » Read more
The deep blue seas off of São Miguel Island in the Azores. Photo: Feliciano G.
For Americans, Europe looks set to be particularly budget-friendly this year. This is all well and good, as summer season is just around the corner. But favorable exchange rates only go so far; for most travelers, high-value and modest costs remain objectives. Below are a few affordable, attention-worthy European destinations. I came up with three of » Read more
There's nothing quite like Paris in the spring. Read on for our recommended ways to celebrate the season. Photo: one_drey
We’re already officially a few weeks in, but only now does it truly feel like spring in Paris. The Parisians are back from their Easter vacations and settling into their new routines, delighted by longer days and warmer temperatures. And it’s not just the locals who feeling the season. Visitors to Paris during these warmer » Read more
German train service is undergoing big changes. Photo: Hugh L.
Train operators across Europe have been under intense pressure from both low-cost flights and budget bus service in recent years. Cheap flights between European destinations have been very easy to come by for nearly two decades now, since the European low-budget airline craze took off in the 1990s. More recently, Germany started loosening rules on how bus companies » Read more
FliXBus is merging with MeinFernBus. Photo: Andreas Trojak
Two of Germany’s biggest long-distance bus operators, FliXBus and MeinFernBus, recently announced that they are merging. So how will this affect consumers? Since the 2013 liberalization of a law preventing most long-distance bus service in Germany, the market for Greyhound-style travel around the country has been booming. Steep competition between new carriers has led to low fares » Read more
Even Venice has gotten a lot cheaper!
For American tourists heading to Eurozone countries, the news just keeps getting better. When I wrote this piece celebrating the strong dollar back in January, the euro had stumbled to $1.17 for one dollar, the lowest it had been since 2006. As of today, the euro will cost you only $1.07. (For the latest rate, » Read more
Generator Paris is a new budget hotel with trendy style. Photo: Courtesy of Generator Hostels
The Generator group, a trendy budget hotel and hostel chain that operates locations from London to Berlin, has recently made news with the opening of its giant, 920-bed hotel. Coinciding with a falling euro, the hotel offers a great new option for Paris-bound budget travelers. But who is this Generator Paris for? And what exactly does it » Read more
A Ouigo train. Photo: Patrick Janice
Heading from the Paris region to the south of France this summer? Now’s the time to snag the cheapest train tickets of the season, as Ouigo, France’s low-cost high-speed train, released 100,000 tickets for summer travel today for €10. Book early, as the price will increase once these ultra-cheapo seats disappear. As I mentioned in » Read more
Follow these tips to save big during your trip to Barcelona. Photo: Henry Burrows
Knowing a little Spanish or Catalan can come in handy during a trip to Barcelona. While it’s true that most customer service folks in the city center and at major attractions will speak some English, speaking at least a bit of the local language is always a chance to get closer to the culture and » Read more
Hampton Court is turning 500 in 2015. Photos: David Stanley
London is a lively city year in and year out, every season bringing with it new openings, events, and activities. 2015 is set to be no different, so whether you’re planning a first time visit or a return to a city you know and love, here are 10 reasons why you should plan a visit » Read more
Photo: Photo by Andreas from Pexels
Whether you are going to Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne or any other city, traveling by rail in Germany is usually a pleasure—except where your pocketbook is concerned. It pays to think about saving on your ground transportation costs before you even arrive in Germany. In this article, we’ll show you four simple ways to cut » Read more
A typical Sunday roast with gravy and all the trimmings. Photo: Ewan Munro
While Brits are not famed for their culinary finesse, there is one dish that most would take with them to a desert island—the Sunday Roast. London is famed for its pub culture of pints and conversation, and many of these taverns also serve good food. Sunday afternoons is when the kitchen creates a tasty feast » Read more
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