Relaxing with the locals in Berlin's Tiergarten. Photo: Ya Po Guille
Most Cheapos know that when in doubt while traveling, it never hurts to take a cue from the locals. One of the finest ways that Europeans spend their time on weekends is with a visit to a nearby park. While each park has a different culture, no matter where you are, you’ll likely find musical » Read more
Shopping for toiletries and cosmetics at Beauty Monop'. All photos by T. Brack
It’s almost summertime, and soon the touring and discount shopping in Paris will be easy. Feeling the love, rhythm, and a bright new mood, here are few tips to help you ease into your first day in the city. I will take you there! Related: How to spend your first day in Paris 1. To » Read more
Catch tulip-mania at the Keukenhof, a short trip from Amsterdam. Photo: IMBiblio
If you want to know the true meaning of “flower power,” head to the Netherlands for tulip season. Over 900 million Dutch flowers are destined for the United States each year, and Holland is easily the world’s largest exporter of tulips. And although “Tulipmania” (yes, that’s a real term) ended in the 1600s, the craze » Read more
London's Olympic Countdown Clock at Trafalgar Square. Photo: Daniel Richardson
Sports-minded procrastinators take heart! It’s still not too late to attend the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. However, you’d better get moving! This weekend’s New York Times features an excellent round-up of last-minute advice for would-be Olympic attendees, including some thoughts on hotels provided by EuroCheapo! The piece, part of the Practical Traveler series » Read more
Poznan, Poland is always worth a revisit. Photo © hidden europe
“I’ve done central Europe and have no real interest in going back,” said the traveler we ran into on the train though Spain last month. Cities from Berlin to Budapest had, it seemed, been ticked off as done and dusted. It’s a common view that, as long as there is virgin territory waiting to be » Read more
In Amsterdam, it's tulips, tulips, everywhere! Photo: Audrey Sykes
The world’s first stock market crash took place in Holland because of tulips. During the 1600s people were obsessed with buying the rarest tulip and, well, displaying it in a vase at home. The most sought-after varietals had fanatics dishing out 2,000 florins a bulb (in context, a skilled laborer might earn 150 florins a year, and “eight » Read more
A peaceful stroll in Iveagh Gardens. Photo: Ana Rey
There are many beloved sights in central Dublin: Bewley’s Café on Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green, Trinity College, the National Gallery… All of these are must-visit icons, but equally enticing are some of the lesser known spots right in their midst. They may be tucked away off side streets or missing a large sign to announce them, but they » Read more
Seduced by sunshine in Santa Margherita Ligure. Photo © hidden europe
Yes, we’ve been traveling a lot of late. Over the last 40 days, our travels have taken us from Cadiz to Hamburg and from the Alps to the Apennines. We have paddled in the Atlantic and the Adriatic and taken in a few cities too: Florence, Madrid, Paris, Zürich, Poznan and more. It has, in » Read more
Strolling the Tuileries, a royal creation. All photos by Theadora Brack
Visiting Paris soon? If so, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! Throughout the city, you’ll find parks, squares and gardens. While on holiday, time is precious. I hear you! So to help out, I’ve created a list of favorite parks, along with the monuments, museums and shopping districts that surround them. Day tripping just » Read more
How much would you pay for that cafe con leche at the Cafe Comercial? Photo: Tnarik
When you’re just getting to know a city it can be hard to determine if you’re paying “local” prices or “tourist” prices. Chances are if you’re in a very popular, central area of the city and the menu is translated into 20 languages, you’re paying a premium. While rates and prices vary, here’s what I » Read more
An Erzgebirgsbahn train pauses as the Czech village of Potucky. Photo © hidden europe
“What’s the best way from X to Y?” It is a query we’ve read a thousand times here on EuroCheapo, and it comes in various guises on hundreds of other travel forums: from Fodor’s to Frommer’s, from BootsnAll to the Thorn Tree. For those who pose such questions “best” probably equates “cheapest” or “fastest.” But » Read more
Bring home some saffron from a Barcelona market. Photo: Marco
You want to take something home to ma and pa from your amazing trip to Barcelona. But what? Here are some ideas to replace the shot glass, refrigerator magnet and cheesy t-shirt. 1. For foodies Dad loves to cook? How about some Spanish spices to go in his next attempt at paella or tapas? Grab » Read more
Ready to move to France? Read on... Photo: Bryce Edwards
What’s the biggest expense for anyone coming to Paris? Usually, the plane ticket. If you’re looking to trade in that round trip for a cheaper one-way ticket to the City of Light and start up a life here, it’s harder than you think—but not impossible. Expat Aurelia D’Andrea, a California native, literally wrote the book » Read more
Zaytoon serves up Dublin's tastiest kebab in Temple Bar. Photos by Colm Hanratty
In this guest post, Colm Hanratty of Hostelworld.com tells us his favorite places to go for a late-night snack in the Irish capital. Dublin is famous for many things—friendly locals, outspoken rock stars and pubs being three. After sampling the local Guinness in one of its celebrated “boozers,” chances are you’ll be in search of » Read more
Frankfurt is surprisingly welcoming to budget travelers. Photo: C H Kwak
We mean business, Cheapos! Today EuroCheapo is proud to announce the launch of our guide to cheap hotels in Frankfurt, Germany. Although Frankfurt is Europe’s largest financial center and attracts business travelers with mighty expense accounts, the city can be surprisingly affordable to budget-conscious travelers. EuroCheapo’s new Frankfurt section includes recommendations for 31 affordable places » Read more
To hang—or not to hang—at Alexanderplatz. Photo:
“A tourist trap is an establishment, or group of establishments, that has been created with the aim of attracting tourists and their money.” Wikipedia’s definition nails it on the head. Indeed, tourist traps aim to attract tourists—or to be exact, their wallets. Although Berlin is renowned for its diversity, creativity, and rich (if complicated) history, there are » Read more
Lion around at the Dublin Zoo. Photo: Tambako
You might not expect to see elephants, penguins, or giraffes during a trip to the Irish capital—but as it turns out, the zoo is one of Dublin’s most visited attractions. First opened in 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the world’s oldest zoos and today is home to over 600 animals, many of which are » Read more
Classic kitchenware at Cheapo prices at the Porte de Vanves flea market. All photos by Theadora Brack
By Theadora Brack in Paris— Cuckoo for classic French dishes, pots and pans? Join the club! I, too, possess a mad penchant for collecting kitchenware from yesterday. Fret not, I’m okay! You’re okay! So where to find the beauties in Paris? I recommend trekking it to the Porte de Vanves flea market. I’ve been shopping » Read more
It's cheaper to drink your coffee at the counter in Paris. Photo: Tom Meyers
As we prepare for the summer travel season, we turn our attention to Paris, the world’s most visited city—and a city that remains quite Cheapo-friendly, if you follow some basic rules. Fortunately, EuroCheapo’s two fantastic Paris correspondents, Theadora Brack and Bryan Pirolli, remind us of those rules in their weekly dispatches from the city. We’ve » Read more
Taking the Elipsos Hotel Train is not a typical "hotel" experience. Photo © hidden europe
Madrid Chamartín station has little of the appeal or the convenience of the Spanish capital’s main rail hub at Atocha. Located near the city center, Atocha is extravagant and exuberant. The classic art nouveau train shed, now a superb indoor tropical garden, stands cheek by jowl with architect Rafael Moneo’s assertive late-20th century new add-on » Read more
Fresh salads (and desserts) at Merce and the Muse in the Marais. Photo: Yelp.com
By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— A culinary capital renowned for its elaborate pastries, steak frites, cheese and wine, Paris isn’t by any means perfect. Recent investigations revealed that many of those carefully prepared dishes that tourists dine on in restaurants are nothing more than reheated frozen meals (more on that here in English). Zut alors… » Read more
Beware the green parking signs in Barcelona! Photo: Eric Fischer
By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— Driving in Barcelona is about as fun as a root canal. There’s traffic. There’s no right on red and pedestrians jump out at every turn, sprinting across the road. And of course, scooter riders weave between cars with an insane amount of confidence. One must remain calm to drive » Read more
Champagne Art Tea at the Merrion. Photo by Jessica Colley
Part of the fun of cheapo travel is saving enough on your daily expenses to be able to afford breaking free once in a while for a big splurge. For some travelers it might be a special boutique hotel, for others it might be an unforgettable lunch. Read on to discover some of my favorite » Read more
Take a bite of the Goan Pork wrap at Moolis in Soho. Photo: Su-Lin
By Nina Derham in London— Exploring the streets of London can be hungry work and a tasty, filling lunch can be exactly what you need to refuel and keep going. Aside from being one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, London’s Soho is bursting with places to grab a delicious meal. Here are three of my » Read more
Mouth-watering window shopping outside Chez Virginie fromagerie. All photos by Theadora Brack
Who doesn’t want to be a big cheese whiz? But with so many enchanting fromageries in Paris, how to make a cheese selection? Like hemlines, the variety of cheeses is seasonal and never-ever-ending. I have been there. So to help out, I’ve created a shopping list to use as a starting point. Crank up the » Read more
Most popular posts
Meet the Cheapos
Recent comments