The Arosfa Hotel offers stylish and charming budget rooms in Bloomsbury. Photo: Nina Derham
By Nina Derham in London— Choosing a budget hotel in London can be a truly daunting task. But fear not, Cheapos; it is possible if you know where to look! I recently spent several weeks visiting budget-friendly hotels, B&Bs and hostels in London for EuroCheapo’s London hotel guide. It’s hard to pick three favorites, but, » Read more
The Stena Line's £ 39 "Dutch Flyer" ticket is quite a value. Photo: Victor Bayon
Last week, we looked at ferry services that make the short hop over the Strait of Dover, linking the English ports of Dover and Ramsgate with nearby France and Belgium. These are great options if you are based in southeast England, bound for the near-continent and do not fancy the prospect of a longer ferry » Read more
The Charles Bridge on Kampa Island. Photo:
Prague was made for walking. At this time of year when Indian summer (or “Babi Leto” in Czech) is upon us, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the city’s walkability. After all, despite enjoying all the sights and experiencing all the “must-do’s” of a foreign city, it’s those special moments you have along » Read more
The entrance to Rome's Ottaviano Metro station. Photo: Oksidor
By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— Traveling about Rome can be an adventure at times. With over 100 bus lines, tram routes and two metro lines, it’s no wonder that maneuvering Rome’s public transit system can leave a visitor utterly confused. As many visitors are only stopping through Rome for a short while, there’s no real » Read more
Barcelona tapas! Photo: Unsplash
Spanish food and wine is as diverse as the many regions that make up the Iberian Peninsula. Here I narrow in on a few must-eats in Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain! 1. Tapas You can’t come to Spain and not have tapas, which are like appetizers. In some parts of the country (especially the south) when you » Read more
Approaching Calais. Photo: Dave Hamster
Barely 20 miles separate England from France across the Strait of Dover. And though the Channel Tunnel now takes a lot of traffic that might hitherto have gone by sea, there are still plenty of ships anxious to berth in Dover – which remains Europe’s busiest ferry port. This week, we’ll take a look at ferries » Read more
Grab a Metro map in any station--they're free! Photo: Anniemole
While many essentials in Paris, like hotels and macarons, or even plastic bags and shopping carts, come with a price, other items are surprisingly free. Knowing when to ask for basic Parisian rights can be tricky, so here’s a list of a few things for which you should never have to drop a centime. Just » Read more
The author prefers the Santa Croce neighborhood. Photo: Joe
People are always asking me for pointers on where to stay in Florence. If casa Marc is available then hey, no problem. Otherwise, here are the neighborhoods I suggest when choosing a hotel: Steps from the Station: Santa Maria Novella I know a guy who always insists on picking hotels near train stations to save » Read more
Leipzig's streets and parks are easy to tour by bike. Photo: jennywetz
Susanne Kries and Nicky Gardner take the seasonal pulse in Leipzig: “Berlin with a shade more flair” is how our Leipzig friend describes her home town. This magnificent city, overshadowed in Saxony by Dresden and too close (some say) to Berlin to really pull the crowds, is a place to visit in fall. For hundreds » Read more
To tip or not to tip? Photo: Kent Wang
I just got back to Barcelona after spending two months in the United States and Canada. It’s normal to have a little culture shock when going in-between countries, and one of the aspects of life back in North America that always confuses upon return is tipping. In Barcelona, and all over Spain, it’s not usual » Read more
The Central Hotel, off George Street in Dublin. Photo: Infomatique
Cheapos are faced with one difficult decision when stepping foot in a new city: which neighborhood to use as a home base? Often, affordable accommodation options aren’t in the best possible locations, leaving the choice of a few different neighborhoods. This is definitely the case in Dublin. The following neighborhood guide can help you determine » Read more
Dressed in Florence. Photo: Robert Sheie
Let’s face it. Most of us look like Clydesdales trotting around Florence in our clunky running shoes and baggy Bermuda shorts while the locals prance down the sidewalk like fashionistas of cool. So what can we do about the not-fitting-in situation? Read on my friend, read on. Start with the shoes Let’s start with the » Read more
The wet floors of the Pantheon, a great rainy-day spot in Rome. Photo: Jules Stoop
By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— As the saying goes, when it rains it pours and the last place you want to be when traveling is stuck outside in the rain. When it’s raining like mad in Rome, you don’t want to be hanging out in the middle of the Roman forum, as there’s nowhere to » Read more
Making friends at a photoblogger Meetup in Barcelona. Photo: Fran Simo
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I came to Barcelona in 2005, and my goodness there was a lot I didn’t know! An ex-pat friend and I often joke that if we had known what it would take to establish ourselves in this sunny metropolis by the sea, we never would have come. Yes, it » Read more
The Monoprix at 95 Boulevard Sébastopol (the Félix Potine building). Photos: Theadora Brack
Calling all fashionistas and fashionistos! Last week were you caught madly zigzagging between utter love and frustration with Target by Missoni’s recent launch? Well, lean in because this Paris insider tip is for you. (Target by Missoni’s 1960s Italian film-inspired campaign featuring Margherita Missoni was pretty marvelous, I must say. It definitely caught my eye. » Read more
Bread at a Tesco in Prague. Photo: Avinash
Food is a great way to get to know a culture, and so is shopping for it. Along with purchasing their foodstuffs in supermarkets, Czechs do their food shopping in smaller markets, special stores just for fruits and vegetables, butcher shops, farmers’ markets (during the summer season), organic (or “bio”) shops and a few other » Read more
Naples has plenty of free sights, like the Castel dell'Ovo. Photo: Maritè Toledo
Even Paris-based writers need a chance to escape the City of Light every now and then to experience something different. This year, this Cheapo flitted off to Naples to check out the pizza and coastlines that make this Italian port city famous. I return to you tanned, relaxed, and full of tips for stretching your » Read more
All aboard at San Francisco's Cable Car Museum. Photo: Pargon
By Spencer Spellman in San Francisco— While San Francisco may be one of the most expensive cities to visit in the U.S., it certainly doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s eating street food or enjoying an afternoon at one of San Francisco’s many great public parks, there are plenty of things to do for cheap, » Read more
Sample the national flavors at the Temple Bar Food Market. Photo: Barnacles Hostels
Some destinations have a clearly defined national cuisine, while other places require visitors to dig a little deeper. When it comes to food in Ireland, there are many places to find cheap eats with national character in Dublin – if you know where to look. From underground options to food markets to cheap eats in » Read more
The author digs in at Amsterdam's Pancake Bakery. Photo: Audrey Sykes
The pancake is one of the most famous plates in Dutch cuisine. Short in stature but large in circumference, the Dutch pancake is served with mixed-in ingredients that can go sweet, savory, or quite experimental. Here are three Cheapo picks for my favorite pancake shops in Amsterdam: Pannekoekenboot (Pancake Boat) Web site (in Dutch) 4:30 » Read more
Hamming it up with the locals at the Museo del Jamon in Madrid. Photo: streetMadrid
Sandwiches in Madrid are simple and cheap, and that’s what makes them a hit. Forget about going all gourmet by adding texture, exotic ingredients, and multi-grain bread—who needs all the fancy fillings when staple ingredients will do. The best bocadillos around the city stick to what they know, no bells and whistles here, just good » Read more
Horns a-blaring at La Merce festival in Barcelona. Photo: Thomas Perry
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Throughout the summer Barcelona neighborhoods throw local bashes which are something like a block party on steroids. Everyone from the barri, or “neighborhood,” gets involved in the festivities. Usually these parties will go on for a weekend or in some cases an entire week. It’s now too late to » Read more
"Seductive Fashion" department at Galeries Lafayette. All photos by Theadora Brack
Cozy up because this week we’re going lingerie shopping in Paris. Lightweight and affordable, they’re my favorite souvenirs. Truth be bold, if buying dozens of French slips and strings is wrong, I don’t want to be right! But first things first, let’s prepare for our voluptuous quest. Looking for discounts? Schedule your trip during either » Read more
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is only covered by the Museumcard. Photo: Michel Curi
The Netherlands has over 400 museums – a hefty load of culture to pack into one tiny country. Locals know that museum passes are the way to go in Amsterdam, but the city offers two competing passes. Which is the best buy for you? It depends upon your length of stay and your budget. Here’s » Read more
Decorating with bones at the Sedlec Ossuary. Photo: Milan Boers
One of Prague’s most endearing attributes is that you can hop on a train and find yourself in a completely different environment in a just a short trip. Only kilometers outside the city you can experience the stunning Czech Republic countryside, visit the country’s numerous castles and chateaus or just breathe in the fresh air » Read more
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